Which means of transport to use Quebec?

From the airport to the city centre Quebec

Two airports handle international flights: Montreal (admtl.com) and Quebec City (aeroportdequebec.com). Several other regional airports are served by airlines operating domestic flights within Quebec (although fares are exorbitant).

To reach downtown Montreal from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, the public transit system operates the 747 shuttle ($11 CAN, maximum one-hour drive), which runs 24 hours a day. Regional shuttles also link the airport to various regions of Quebec.

From Quebec City's Jean-Lesage International Airport, two public transit bus routes connect with downtown: routes 76 and 80 (CAN$3.40 fare, CAN$3.75 cash).

Ofcourse, you'll also find cabs (including Uber), limousines, car rental companies and hotel shuttles at both airports.

Arrival by train Quebec

If you are arriving from the Canadian provinces west of Quebec or from the United States, you will set foot on the platform of the Central Station of Montreal (garecentrale.ca). VIA Rail serves all of Canada from east to west (viarail.ca) while Amtrak (francais.amtrak.com) allows you to reach the United States, especially New York. On the other hand, if you arrive in Quebec from the Maritime provinces, it is possible to get off at different stations, from the Gaspé to Montreal via Quebec City.

Arrival by boat Quebec

Quebec has a vast network offerries, particularly for crossing the St. Lawrence River. While most are managed by the Société des traversiers du Québec (traversiers.com), there are other independent companies, such as the Rimouski-Forestville ferry (temporarily suspended) and the Trois-Pistoles-Les Escoumins ferry (traversiercnb.ca), as well as the maritime shuttles serving Greater Montreal (navark.ca).

Public transport Quebec

Long-distance buses. In addition to the VIA Rail train that serves some regions of Quebec, the province benefits from a network of intercity buses, albeit expensive and infrequent, or even non-existent in some municipalities. The two major bus terminals are the Gare d'autocars in Montreal (all buses except Megabus) and the Gare du Palais bus terminal in Quebec City. The main companies are Orléans Express (orleansexpress.com), Intercar (intercar.ca) and Limocar (limocar.ca). Several other companies provide regional and municipal transportation throughout the province. From Montreal, you can reach Ontario with Megabus (frca.megabus.com) and Orléans Express, and the United States with FlixBus (flixbus.ca) and Greyhound (greyhound.com).

Carpooling. To save on travel costs, it's also worth checking out centralized car-sharing systems. The best-known company in Quebec is AmigoExpress (amigoexpress.com).

Urban transport. The Montreal metropolitan region is the most developed in terms of public transportation. The metro serves Montreal, Laval and Longueuil, and each city in the Greater Montreal area has its own city bus network. There are also five commuter train lines departing from Montreal. Full information is available on the Exo website (exo.quebec). To watch out for between now and 2027: the gradual introduction of the Réseau express métropolitain, a 26-station light rail system linking Montreal to the suburbs (Montérégie, Laval and Laurentides) and to Montreal-Trudeau airport (rem.info).

Bike, scooters & co Quebec

Self-service bicycles are mostly concentrated in major cities. In Montreal, BIXI offers more than 11,000 bikes, many of them electric (bixi.com, several packages available, also a few stations in Laval, Terrebonne and on the South Shore). In Quebec City, an electric-assist bike-sharing service is also available (rtcquebec.ca/avelo, single trip and various subscriptions available). Other cities and municipalities could be added to the list, with the Quebec government offering a program of financial assistance to develop the service across the province. After a series of chaotic pilot projects, self-service scooters have been back in operation since summer 2023, notably in Montreal's Parc Jean-Drapeau. In all cases, you'll need to download the app to use one of these services, and be aware that wearing a helmet is mandatory. And be sure to return your bike or scooter within the predefined service zones.

With a driver Quebec

There are cabs almost everywhere in Quebec, even in the villages. Most of the companies based in major cities have their own app. Eva (goeva.com) and Uber (uber.com/ca/fr-ca/ride) are also available in the province.

By car Quebec

All regions of Quebec - except the Magdalen Islands, Nunavik and part of the North Shore - are linked to the rest of the province by road. Distances are, however, very great. French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for periods of up to six months; otherwise, you'll need an international license. If you wish to rent a car in Quebec, you must be at least 21 years of age, or even 25 for certain models, and have a credit card. Gasoline, sold by the liter, is cheaper than in Europe but more expensive than in neighbouring provinces, and prices vary greatly from day to day and from company to company, much to the annoyance of Quebecers.

In terms of regulations, the speed limit is 100 km/h on highways, 90 km/h on regional roads and 50 km/h (sometimes less) in town. Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers, and car seats are compulsory for younger passengers. The maximum permissible blood alcohol level is 0.08 g/l, and impaired driving is punishable by a fine or more (frequent checks). Snow tires are also compulsory in winter, from December¹ to March 15.

Traffic rules and signs are much the same as in Europe, with a few differences. Traffic lights are placed on the opposite side of street intersections. There is no right of way in Quebec (priority is given to the first on the right), and right turns at red lights are permitted everywhere except in Montreal, or where a sign indicates that they are prohibited. You must come to a complete stop when following or passing a stopped school bus (almost always yellow) whose red flashers are working.

As for parking, no problem in the regions. But in the city, especially in Montreal and Quebec City, parking is often difficult, and before you stop your vehicle, you may have to read three or four signs to find out if you're on the right sidewalk, in the right time slot, and thus avoid being ticketed or, worse, impounded! You should also check whether parking spaces are subject to a charge or require a sticker reserved for residents, which may well be the case. Please note: it is strictly forbidden to park in front of a fire hydrant. If you make a mistake, rest assured you'll get your ticket within 5 minutes. Also, be aware that you can only park in the direction of traffic.

Finally, it's worth noting that every big city has its share of traffic, and Montreal is no exception. Add to this the immense roadworks in the metropolis, which are likely to last for several more years...

Accessibility Quebec

Although there's still a long way to go, Quebec is becoming increasingly accessible to people with restricted physical ability. For example, many city buses are adapted for wheelchairs, ramps have been installed at the entrances to various shops and tourist attractions, and some Montreal metro stations are now equipped with elevators. To find out more about accessible tourism, visit the Kéroul website (keroul.qc.ca).