Getting to Quebec City: Jean Lesage Airport (YQB), VIA Rail (Gare du Palais) & Montreal Buses

Whether you are flying directly into Quebec City or combining your trip with Montreal (located 255 kilometres / 3 hours south-west along the St. Lawrence River), arriving in Old Quebec is remarkably convenient because the city's central train and coach station sits right at the foot of the historic ramparts.

1. From Montreal (or Ottawa / Toronto) by Train or Express Bus to 'Gare du Palais'

Both intercity trains and long-distance coaches arrive at the exact same landmark building in Lower Town Old Quebec: the 1915 château-style Gare du Palais (450 Rue de la Gare-du-Palais, a flat 10-minute walk to the Old Port hotels or a 5-minute taxi up the hill to Upper Town):

• By VIA Rail Train (Montreal to Quebec City, 3 Hours 15 Minutes, 5 Daily Departures): the most comfortable, scenic way to travel. Trains depart right from central Montreal's Gare Centrale (or directly from Dorval VIA Station just 5 minutes by free shuttle from Montreal Trudeau Airport, YUL), offering spacious seats, free Wi-Fi, café service and zero motorway traffic. (Tip: book Escape or Economy fares two or more weeks ahead on the official VIA Rail website for the lowest rates).
• By Orléans Express Coach (Hourly from Central Montreal, 3 Hours 15 Minutes): modern coaches depart every hour from Montreal's Gare d'autocars (Berri-UQAM Metro) directly into Gare du Palais (with an earlier stop in Sainte-Foy).

2. Arriving by Air at Quebec City Jean Lesage Airport (YQB, 16 km West)

Served by direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, New York, Chicago, Paris and London, Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) sits 20 minutes west of the city centre:

• Official Fixed-Rate Taxi to Downtown / Old Quebec: by provincial regulation, all taxis from YQB Airport to the city centre and Old Quebec charge a strictly regulated flat tariff (up to 4 passengers, card accepted; check current official rates at the airport taxi stand), avoiding any meter surprises.
• Public Bus from YQB Airport (RTC Route 76 + Metrobus 800): walk out of arrivals to catch RTC Bus 76 (every 30 to 60 minutes) for 8 minutes to Sainte-Foy Train Station / Marly, and transfer seamlessly onto frequent Metrobus 800 straight to the gates of Old Quebec.