Quebec City

Old World Charm in North America

Quebec City stands out as a place where history and modern life share space without much fuss. The streets show stone buildings from the 1600s alongside newer shops and cafes. Public spaces stay clean, with benches along wide sidewalks and bike paths that follow the river. Local markets sell fresh produce and handmade goods in well-organized stalls. Buses run on regular schedules and keep stops tidy. The city’s layout makes walking easy, letting visitors see landmarks like the fortified walls without rushing.

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City in Canada

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.4

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

French is the main language, but English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. Most signage is bilingual, and locals are friendly and helpful to English speakers.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Quebec City Summary

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World-class for historic charm and winter festivals. Walk fortified old town streets, visit castles and museums and enjoy cafés and snowy markets.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Guided tours

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Canada – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Canadian Dollar (CAD) £1 ≈ CA$1.87
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in urban areas. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Canada, with a typical tip of 10-20% in restaurants. Tipping is also expected in taxis and for hotel staff, usually 1-2 CAD for bellhops and housekeepers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by province, but it's often allowed in designated areas such as festivals or certain parks.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public spaces and in most outdoor spaces in urban areas. Some provinces have stricter laws than others.

Canada Day (July)	The country celebrates with fireworks and festivals. Expect crowded tourist spots and high demand for accommodations.
Thanksgiving (October)	A major family holiday with many businesses closed, especially in rural areas.
Christmas (December)	Festive markets and winter activities are popular, but expect higher accommodation prices and busy cities.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Other:	Canada is vast, so be prepared for long distances between cities and varying weather conditions depending on the region.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Quebec City, Canada

❄️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., May, Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) runs late January to mid February

Autumn colours peak late September to mid October in the surrounding countryside

Cruise ships dock mainly September and October, adding crowds in the old town

Don't miss

🚶‍♂️ Stroll through historic Old Quebec’s charming streets
🏰 Admire Château Frontenac’s iconic castle-like architecture
🌊 Walk along Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk with river views
🏯 Visit the Citadelle de Québec, a historic fortress
⛪ Explore the beautiful Basilique Notre-Dame Cathedral
🎨 Discover local art on Rue du Trésor pedestrian street

You've been here?

Why travel to Quebec City?

Quebec City is perfect for travelers who crave history, romance and a unique cultural experience. Wander through Old Quebec’s fortified streets, marvel at the grand Château Frontenac and soak up the city’s vibrant café culture. The city comes alive with festivals year-round, from dazzling winter carnivals to summer music and food fests. It’s one of the safest cities in North America and you’ll feel welcome everywhere. Just be ready for steep hills, unpredictable weather (especially in winter) and a bit of a language barrier if you don’t speak French-though most locals are happy to help. Parking in the Old Town can be tricky, so consider public transport or walking to really enjoy the atmosphere.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 The Citadel of Quebec
2 Place Royale
3 Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Quebec City
4 Musée de la Civilisation de Québec
5 Vieux-Québec
6 Château Frontenac

🎡Places for activities

1 Montmorency Falls Park
2 Mont-Sainte-Anne
3 Terrasse Dufferin
4 Village Vacances Valcartier

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Montmorency Falls
Perched on the north bank of the St. Lawrence, these cascading waterfalls offer a stunning view from the bridge. The park features trails, picnic areas and a historic fort overlooking the falls' natural beauty.
2 Bois-de-Coulonge Park
3 Montmorency Falls Park
4 Promenade Samuel-De Champlain
5 Canyon Sainte-Anne
6 Baie de Beauport
7 Plains of Abraham
8 Cap Diamant
9 Île d'Orléans
10 Parc linéaire de la rivière Saint-Charles

🛍️Shopping

1 Les Galeries de la Capitale
2 Rue Saint-Jean
3 Toilettes publiques - Quartier Petit Champlain
4 Laurier Québec
5 Place Sainte-Foy
6 District Saint-Joseph
7 Avenue Cartier

🎈Events

Quebec Winter Carnival
Festival d'été de Québec (Summer Festival)
New France Festival
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
Quebec City Film Festival
Festival of Lights
Grands Feux Loto-Québec (Fireworks)
Christmas Market
Fête de la Nouvelle-France
Fête nationale du Québec
Festival d’été de Québec
German Christmas Market
Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France
ComediHa! Fest-Québec
Québec City Pride
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Wear grippy shoes; steep cobblestones and stairs are everywhere.
Base yourself in Old Québec for walkability; most major sights are 15–25 minutes apart.
Plan extra time between Upper and Lower Town; climbs like Breakneck Stairs feel tougher than expected.
For a great day trip, pair Montmorency Falls with Île d’Orléans tastings – both are close and easy.

How to travel to Quebec City

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport connects to major North American cities. Trains and intercity buses link Quebec City with Montreal and other destinations. The cruise terminal welcomes ships from Canada, New England and Europe. The main train and bus stations are close to the Old Town.

Access summary

From Québec City Jean Lesage (YQB): Taxi or bus 76/80, about 20–40 minutes.
From Montreal: Intercity bus or train to Quebec City, roughly 3–4 hours.
From Lévis: Short ferry across the St. Lawrence River, around 15–20 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Quebec City

You’ll find everything from luxury hotels in historic buildings to boutique inns, cozy B&Bs and budget hostels. Old Quebec is the most atmospheric (and walkable), but nearby neighborhoods like Saint-Roch and Montcalm offer a more local vibe and often better value. Book early for festivals.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel

Hotel L'Oie des neiges

8.7

Grand Times Hotel – Aeroport de Quebec

Hotel Motel Le Chateauguay

8.1

Auberge Saint-Antoine

9.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Quebec City

The city is very walkable, especially in Old Quebec, but there are steep hills and cobblestones. Public buses (RTC Metrobus) are reliable and easy to use and taxis/Uber are widely available. Parking in Old Town is limited – use apps like Copilote+ to manage parking or opt for park-and-ride lots. The city is becoming more pedestrian-friendly, with some areas restricting car traffic.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-15 %

Daily expenses in Quebec City are around 15% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-10 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CAD) is 10% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£51	£133	£322
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£64	£120
🍝 Food per day	£28	£60	£171
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£8	£30

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10
☕ Cappuccino	£2.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.10
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£60
🤧 Cold medication	£5
💇 Basic haircut	£12

Safety information overview

General safety

Quebec City is considered one of the safest cities in North America. Violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas. Stay alert, especially during festivals and in busy markets or public transport hubs.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with hospitals and pharmacies throughout the city. Emergency services are reliable. Bring any personal medication and note that some pharmacies close early on Sundays or holidays.

Accessibility

Most attractions and public transport are accessible, but Old Quebec’s steep hills and cobblestones can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many hotels and museums are wheelchair-friendly, but check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and of high quality. Drinking fountains are available in parks and public spaces. Carry a reusable bottle to stay hydrated, especially when walking the city’s hilly streets.