Quebec City Day Trip from Montreal

Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and the only one north of Mexico that still has its city walls. It's around three hours from Montreal. Can you see it in a day? You can see the highlights, yes. But six hours of travel for six hours of sightseeing is a long day, and the old town is at its best in the evening and early morning, when the tour groups have gone. We'd stay one night. If a day is all you have, here's how to make it work.

Getting there

• Train: VIA Rail runs several trains a day from Gare Centrale to Gare du Palais, a little over three hours. Gare du Palais is at the foot of the old town, which makes this the most comfortable option. Take the first train out and the last one back.
• Bus: Orléans Express leaves from the Gare d'autocars on Rue Berri, often more frequently than the train and for similar time. It arrives at the Gare du Palais bus terminal next door.
• Car: about three hours on Highway 20 or 40. A car makes it easy to add Montmorency Falls, but parking in the old town is limited, so use a public car park outside the walls.
• Tour: coach tours from Montreal cover the main sights plus the falls. They're efficient, and rushed.

What to see in a day

Walk up from Gare du Palais into the upper town and head for the Château Frontenac, the green-roofed hotel with its copper turrets that appears on every postcard. In front of it, Dufferin Terrace is a wide boardwalk high above the river. From the terrace, take the funicular or walk down the Breakneck Stairs (Escalier Casse-Cou) to Petit-Champlain, a narrow lane of stone houses, shops and cafés, and on to Place Royale, where Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608. Look for the huge mural of Quebec history painted on a building's side wall. Climb back up for a walk along the ramparts, the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham, where the British won the battle for Quebec in 1759.

Montmorency Falls

About 15 minutes' drive from the old town, the falls drop 83 metres, around 30 metres more than Niagara, though they're far narrower. A suspension bridge crosses the top, a long staircase runs down the cliff, and a cable car links the base with the top. It's easy with a car or a tour, and awkward by public transport, which is one more reason to stay overnight. Check the park's official site for seasonal opening.

Eat before the train home

Try tourtière, a spiced meat pie, or a maple-glazed dessert in one of the old stone houses. In winter, the Quebec Winter Carnival in February turns the whole city into a festival. Plan the rest of your Montreal days with our three-day itinerary, and for the trains and buses, see our getting there guide.