In Quebec, internal travel is organised by trip. The VIA Rail train efficiently links the main cities — Montreal-Quebec in 3h (CAD 50-80 return, departures every 2h), Montreal-Ottawa in 2h, Montreal-Toronto in 5h. Comfortable, wifi onboard, view over the St Lawrence. But the car becomes essential as soon as you want to explore Charlevoix, Gaspé, Mont-Tremblant.
Car rental (CAD 50-80/day for a compact, agencies at Montreal-Trudeau YUL and downtown) offers maximum freedom. French licence valid 6 months. Right-hand driving, highways in good condition (free in Quebec, unlike Ontario where A407 is toll), 100 km/h speed limit on highway, 50 km/h in town. Winter tires mandatory in Quebec from 1 December to 15 March (provincial law, police check). Fuel at CAD 1.60-1.90/litre.
In Montreal, public transport (STM: metro 4 lines + bus, CAD 3.75 ticket, CAD 11.50 day pass, CAD 22 tourist 3-day pass) is excellent and covers all the centre. In Quebec City, Old Quebec is walkable (compact). For off-centre sites, RTC bus or taxi.
Access from Europe is mostly by direct flight to Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) — Air France and Air Canada daily from Paris CDG, Air Transat from Paris Orly, seasonal flights from Brussels, Lyon, Marseille, Nice. 7h30 direct flight outbound, 6h30-7h return. Paris-Montreal return fares: €400-600 low season (November-March excluding holidays), €700-900 high season (June-August, Indian summer).
For Quebec City, Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB) mainly receives domestic flights (Air Canada, WestJet, Porter). From Europe, flight via Montreal most often. Otherwise, Montreal-Quebec train in 3h or car in 2h30 (autoroute 20 or 40).
For Tadoussac and Charlevoix, car essential. Montreal-Tadoussac in 6h30 by autoroute 40 + route 138, or Quebec City-Tadoussac in 3h (route 138 scenic). No train nor practical bus beyond Quebec City. For train lovers, the Train de Charlevoix (Quebec City → Baie-Saint-Paul → La Malbaie) runs in summer and offers spectacular views of the St Lawrence (CAD 135 return).
Read also
- Montreal — Cosmopolitan metropolis, Old Montreal, Plateau-Mont-Royal, summer festivals: urban francophone life.
- Quebec City — UNESCO Old Quebec, Château Frontenac, ramparts: the most European of North American cities.
- Canada — Complete country guide: eTA visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Ontario — Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa: combine for a complete East trip.