Quebec City Travel Guide
Buy Canadian DollarsQuebec City at a glance
Quebec City, the capital of French-speaking Québec, is a walled city on the St Lawrence River whose historic district has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Three days covers it on foot: the Upper Town inside the walls, the Lower Town around Petit-Champlain, and Montmorency Falls just outside the city. French is the official language, but English is widely spoken wherever visitors go; start with "bonjour".
The Citadelle, still an active military base, is seen only on a guided tour: CAD 22 for adults, including the Royal 22e Régiment Museum, open daily 10 am to 5:30 pm until May 2027. The Château Frontenac's tours are now for hotel guests only, but the Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk below it is free, as are the Plains of Abraham. The funicular between the Upper and Lower Towns costs CAD 7 and takes cash only, and the ferry to Lévis (CAD 4.25 each way, 12 minutes) gives the best view of the skyline.
Montmorency Falls, 83 m high and about 30 m higher than Niagara, charges adults from outside Québec CAD 13.90 until 1 November 2026 (CAD 10.42 after), plus tax; its cable car (CAD 14.95 return) is closed from 2 November to 18 December 2026 and from 4 January to 5 February 2027. The Carnaval de Québec runs from 5 to 14 February 2027, and the German Christmas Market from 19 November to 23 December 2026.
From Jean-Lesage airport, a taxi costs a flat CAD 41.40 to downtown by day (CAD 46.60 from 11 pm) plus a CAD 0.90 fee and tax, while RTC Route 80 and a Métrobus connection cost CAD 3.85. VIA Rail from Montreal takes about 3 hours 26 minutes. Indian passport holders need a visitor visa, applied for online: CAD 100 plus CAD 85 for biometrics at one of ten VFS centres in India, with a posted processing time of about 30 days. The eTA is not open to Indians, even with a US visa.
What to see and do
The Upper and Lower Towns are a steep walk apart, linked by the funicular and stairs; Montmorency Falls is a bus ride east.
The Citadelle
The star-shaped fortress on Cap Diamant, home of the Royal 22e Régiment and seen only on a guided tour: CAD 22 for adults, children 10 and under free, night tours CAD 30. In summer, the 10 am Musique en Rouge has replaced the changing of the guard.
Petit-Champlain and the funicular
The Lower Town's narrow shopping streets and Place Royale, a CAD 7 funicular ride (cash only) or the free Breakneck Stairs below the Château Frontenac.
Montmorency Falls
Falls 83 m high just outside the city, with a clifftop trail and a suspension bridge. Access CAD 13.90 for adults from outside Québec (to 1 November 2026) and the cable car CAD 14.95 return, both plus tax.
The Winter Carnival
The Carnaval de Québec, from 5 to 14 February 2027, with Bonhomme Carnaval, ice sculptures and night parades. Book rooms early and pack for serious cold.
Paying in Quebec City
For the dollar itself, entry rules for Indians, sales tax and tipping, see the Canada travel guide, and the CAD to INR page for today's rate. Canadian dollars load on the Matrix Forex Card, so most travellers carry the card plus a small cash float.
Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, with two exceptions a visitor will meet: the funicular takes cash only, and RTC bus drivers take exact cash. Shelf prices exclude 14.975% in GST and QST, hotels add a 3.5% lodging tax, and the local guideline is a 15% tip on the pre-tax bill.
What Quebec City actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in Canadian dollars and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 12 October 2026, C$1 ≈ ₹67.18, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹5,370 to ₹21,160 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| RTC bus ticket / 1-day pass | CAD 3.85 / 10.50 |
| Taxi, airport to downtown (day) | CAD 41.40 + CAD 0.90 fee |
| The Citadelle guided tour | CAD 22 |
| Funicular, one way (cash only) | CAD 7 |
| Montmorency: access / cable car return | CAD 13.90 / 14.95 + tax |
| Lévis ferry, each way | CAD 4.25 |
Getting around
Old Québec is compact but steep, so you will mostly walk. RTC buses cover the rest: CAD 3.85 a ticket with a 90-minute transfer, or CAD 10.50 for a 1-day pass. There is no tap-to-pay on board and drivers take exact cash only, so buy a pass at the airport machine (it takes credit cards) or an RTC sales point, or use the Nomade Paiement app.
Common mistakes in Quebec City
Expecting an eTA
Indians cannot use Canada's eTA, even with a US visa. Apply for a visitor visa online and give biometrics within 30 days of your instruction letter.
Expecting a tour of the Château Frontenac
Its guided tours are for hotel guests only. The Terrasse Dufferin outside is free.
Boarding a bus with a card or a big note
RTC drivers take exact cash only. Buy a 1-day pass at the airport machine first.
Planning the Montmorency cable car for winter
It is closed from 2 November to 18 December 2026 and from 4 January to 5 February 2027.
Quebec City FAQs
A taxi costs a flat CAD 41.40 by day (CAD 46.60 from 11 pm to 5 am) plus a CAD 0.90 fee and tax. The cheapest option is RTC Route 80 to Saint-Roch and a change to Métrobus 800 or 801, on a CAD 3.85 ticket or a CAD 10.50 1-day pass.
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visitor visa, applied for online: CAD 100 plus CAD 85 for biometrics, given at one of ten VFS Global centres in India. IRCC's posted processing time for applications from India was 30 days in October 2026. The eTA is not open to Indians, even with a US visa.
No. RTC has no tap-to-pay on board. Pay exact cash (CAD 4), buy a pass at the airport machine, which takes credit cards, or use the Nomade Paiement app.
From 5 to 14 February 2027. Book hotels as soon as your dates are fixed.
No. French is the official language, but English is widely spoken at hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops in tourist areas.
On 12 October 2026 one Canadian dollar was ₹67.18 at the mid-market rate, so CAD 100 is about ₹6,720.
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