Option 1: Driving
- Travel time: ~3 hours
- Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 40 directly connect Montréal and Québec by freeway.
- Pros: Fastest option outside of rush hour, direct, flexible if your destination is in the suburbs
- Cons: Rush hour traffic in both cities, paying for parking can be expensive
- The gist: Driving between Montréal and Québec is a convenient option but be wary of traffic and expensive pay parking.
Option 2: Intercity Train
- Travel time: ~3-3.5 hours
- Via Rail Canada offers multiple daily departures between Montreal Central Station and Quebec Palace Station (Gare du Palais).
- Fares: Starting at $43 CDN
- Pros: Fast, comfortable seating, business class, wi-fi, drinks and food available to purchase, convenient onward transit connections, downtown-to-downtown service
- Cons: Few late night options, less frequent, delays, very expensive if not booking in advance
- The gist: VIA Rail is a fast and relaxing way to travel but be sure to book well in advance to save and be aware of delays.
Option 3: Intercity Bus
- Travel time: ~3-4 hours
- Several Intercity carriers offer frequent, direct, daily coach bus service between Montreal Coach Terminal (Gare d’autocars de Montréal) and Quebec Palace Station (Gare du Palais). Both are downtown and offer convenient connections to onward transit.
- Orléans Express
- Quebéc – Palace Station
- Fares: Starting at $45 CDN
- Pros: Budget friendly, flexibility, express services, wi-fi, outlets, downtown-to-downtown service
- Cons: Long travel time, less space than train, traffic delays, surprising lack of agency options
- The gist: Coach bus service between Montréal and Quebéc is quick and direct but the lack of competition frustrating.
Option 4: Airplane
- Travel time: ~1 hour not including check-in, security and transit to downtown (~3 hours total when factored in)
- Air Canada,Air Inuit,Air Liaison,Air Transat,PAL Airlines,Pascan Aviation, andPropair offer multiple daily flights between Montreal International Airport (YUL), Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) and Québec International Airport (YQB). While there are a lot of options, these flights target business travellers and those connecting to remote northern Québec.
- Fares: Starting at $300 CDN
- Pros: Fastest, direct, multiple carriers to choose from
- Cons: Expensive, travelling to/from the airport (especially to YHU), check in/security times, high carbon output, less scenic
- The gist: Flying is a fast and convenient option. But a very expensive option if you don’t book far enough in advance.
Option 5: Shuttle Bus
- Travel time: ~2 hours
- Tour Express offers daily shuttle bus service between Montréal and Québec.
- Montréal – 1597 Rue St-Hubert, Montreal Airport
- Fares: Starting at $42.00 CDN
- Pros: Direct, ideal for students, direct service to Montréal Airport (YUL)
- Cons: Small buses, few amenities, no proper terminal to terminal service, aside from airport few onwards transit connections
- The gist: A good, direct option if you are travelling light.
Option 6: Carpool
- Travel time: ~2 hours
- Poparide offers several carpool rides between Montréal and Québec.
- Fares: Starting at $25 CDN
- Pros: Very budget friendly
- Cons: Traffic, risk of cancellations, less predictable
- The gist: With lots of commuters driving between the two cities, there are plenty of drivers offering rides. Be wary of who you are carpooling with.