How to Visit Québec City on a Budget
I’ve visited Canada many times but have always missed is Québec City. I’ve only heard great things from everyone who has ever been there. Luckily, my friend Pamela is an expert on the city. She runs Urban Quebec Guide, a blog that showcases the best Quebec has to offer.
In this guest post, she shares tips and advice to help you make the most out of your time in Quebec City without breaking the bank!
I fell in love with Québec City the moment I stepped off the overnight train from Halifax. The cobblestone streets, outdoor patios, European architecture, and delicious poutine (and French men!) tugged at my heartstrings.
A French colony founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Québec City was then known as New France. Over the course of its over four hundred years, the city went from being French to British and then French again, creating a delightful mix of architectural styles.
While most are initially drawn to Québec City by its history and European charm, the people, food, and culture are why they inevitably fall in love with the city. The locals are a community very passionate about all things Québec and want visitors to experience that same passion, regardless of one’s travel budget. I can’t preach the gospel of this city enough. It’s like a big little village and one of my favorite places in the entire country.
Though Québec City can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to visit this city on a budget and still enjoy everything this place has to offer!
Things to See and Do
Québec City has things to see and do for pretty much every type of visitor; it doesn’t matter what time of year you visit. There are, of course, a few things everyone should see and do:
Explore Vieux-Québec (Old Québec)
While doing it on your own can be fun, make time to take a walking tour. If you’re on a tight budget, there is a free walking tour with Samuel Dubois, a funny local guide who lives off the tips he receives from travelers. His tour takes you through the Old City and is filled with humorous facts and stories. Samuel is also a craft beer connoisseur, so if you’re looking for recommendations, he is your man!
If you have a little money to spend and want a historical walking tour with a costumed guide, Cicerone’s walking tours are highly recommended!
Visit La Citadelle & city fortifications
Québec City is one of the oldest fortified cities in North America (it’s only one of two cities in existence that are still fortified). Spend some time at the Citadelle, which is still operational and home to the Royal 22e Régiment. Built between 1820-1850, the Citadelle fortifications were built to help protect the city from American attack. Admission is $18 CAD and includes entrance to the Citadelle, a museum tour, the changing of the guard (in summer), and the Beating of the Retreat.
1 Côte de la Citadelle, +1 418-694-2815, lacitadelle.qc.ca/en. Open daily from 10am-5:30pm (9am from May-September).
Dufferin Terrace
The terrace is the oldest boardwalk in the city and runs along the front of Fairmont Château Frontenac. In summer, you can relax on the boardwalk, watch street performers, and buy chocolate-dipped ice cream cones from Au 1884. In winter, toboggan down the slope of the Dufferin Slide, one of the first tourist attractions in the city.
Climb to the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons
Capture a postcard-perfect shot of Château Frontenac and the Saint Lawrence River. There is a wooden staircase after the gazebo on Dufferin Terrace.
Ride the funiculaire
From Dufferin Terrace, take the funicular (inclined railway) down the cap (promontory) to Petit-Champlain (one of the oldest shopping streets) and Place Royale (site of the first colony). Rides are $4 CAD one-way.
Tip: If you hate hills as I do, walk down the steep hill (Côte de la Montague) and take the funicular back up to the top of the cap.
Musée de la Civilization
Québec has many museums, but this is probably the best one for learning about the history of Québec. Regular admission is $24 CAD but if you are 18-30 years of age, it is only $19 (not including special exhibits).
85 Rue Dalhousie, +1 418-643-2158, mcq.org/en. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
This cathedral was the first Anglican church built outside Britain. Consecrated in 1804, it was built in the Neoclassical style and houses a silver communion set given by King George III (who reigned from 1760-1820). Be sure to take the guided tour for $6 CAD; it’s offered by one of the best English historians in Québec City. Self-guided tours are also available in July and August for $3 CAD per person.
31 Rue des Jardins, +1 418-692-2193, cathedral.ca. Open daily from 9am-5pm from May-September. See website for update hours and worship times.
The Morrin Centre & Maison de la Littérature
Located across the street from each other, both of these buildings turned libraries are some of the funkiest attractions in town. The Morrin Centre started as an army barracks, then changed to a jail (where many public hangings occurred), then a college, and now a beautiful Victorian (English) library. La Maison de la Littérature is a French library housed in a converted church (which was once English). Both libraries are FREE.
44 Chaussée des Écossais, +1 418-694-9147, morrin.org/en. Openw weekdays from 9am-5pm.
Take a bus to Montmorency Falls
Skip the tours and take public transportation to Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls). While they are not as wide as Niagara Falls, they are 30 meters (98 feet) taller and are stunning, especially in fall when the surrounding leaves change color. From Place d’Youville, take bus #800 to the falls (it takes around 50 minutes). If you have a car, it’s just a 15-minute drive. Tickets are $3.75 CAD cash or you can buy using the RTC Paiement app for $3.25 CAD.
Walk the stairs of Sous-le-Cap
Walk along rue Saint-Paul in Vieux-Port. When you get to the Savonnerie you’ll see a very small path between the buildings; follow it to rue Sous-le-Cap, one of the oldest streets in the city. The street is tiny, with layers of wooden stairs that stretch across the alley. This was once a busy shopping street back when the houses had a front-row view of the Saint-Lawrence River, which would lap against the buildings at times.
Amusement Park at Méga Parc
This is Québec’s version of Mall of America. Méga Parc has 19 attractions/rides, including a skating rink, an arcade with 60 or so games, mini-golf, and a rock-climbing wall. Unlimited access is $25 CAD per person. To get here, take buses #801 and #803.
The Plains of Abraham
Head into the neighborhood of Montcalm and walk around the Plains of Abraham, the site of the famous battle of 1759 during the Seven Years’ War between England and France. The entire battle on the plains lasted about 15 minutes and saw both English and French generals killed. The British victory resulted in them gaining control of the city — and eventually the country.
Today, the Plains of Abraham is a large park with running and walking tracks, Martello Towers (small defensive forts built during the 19th century), busts of historic figures, gardens, and pretty views of the Saint Lawrence River.
Relax at Place des Canotiers
A new public space beside the Saint Lawrence River, this urban square has places to sit and relax, as well as fountains and mist you can walk through. A go-to spot on hot summer days, this is also where the cruise ships and tall ships dock. In August, come here on Wednesday nights to watch the fireworks, listen to a live DJ, and devour food truck eats.
Leave the tourists behind
In the middle of summer, when the Old City is bursting at the seams with tourists, you’ll find me in along rue Saint-Joseph Est in Saint-Roch, rue Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and 3e (Troisième) Avenue in Limoilou, where I can enjoy the quiet, local side of life. Prices are generally a little cheaper in these areas, and there are plenty of fabulous restaurants, microbreweries, cafés, and boutiques to keep me happy.
Where to Eat
If you’re a foodie, staying on budget in Québec City can be a bit hard. But to save money, it is always a good idea to venture away from the Old City; by doing so you will find more chef-run restaurants and usually cheaper prices. There are also plenty of options for cheap eats like poutine, burgers, shawarma, etc. Here are some of my favorite restaurants:
- Chez Ashton (Vieux-Québec, Saint-Roch, or Montcalm): Delicious gluttony made of fries, squeaky cheese curds and piping hot gravy. Almost every restaurant sells poutine, but the best traditional poutine in the city starts with Chez Ashton. A Québec institution, it serves up poutine in large, round foil containers. In winter the price of poutine fluctuates depending on the weather. For example, if it is -25°C (-13°F) outside, then your poutine at Chez Ashton is 25% off!
- Buffet de l’Antiquaire Located in Old Port, Buffet de l’Antiquaire is a Quebec City institution. This local diner has been serving Québécois comfort foods for over 40 years. Try the heart-stopping breakfast poutine, tourtière, or pâté chinois (shepherd’s pie). They have American-style breakfasts, too.
- Le Bureau de Poste: This little gem has a yummy menu, cheap cocktails, and budget-friendly pints! Go forth and have fun, and be sure to enjoy the patio in the summer. This is one of the only places serving hot food until 3am.
- La Fabrique du Smoked Meat Tucked away in the neighborhood of Saint-Sauveur, finding this restaurant may feel like a scavenger hunt. It’s worth the journey though. Smoked meat sandwiches start at $9 CAD, and poutines start at $9 CAD..
- Marché d’Emma: Located across the street from the hostel, this small épicerie has a nice selection of Québec craft beers, wine, frozen pizzas, gourmet foods, and non-perishables. They also have fresh baguettes most days.
- L’Inter Marché: Located on rue Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, this small grocery store has a small selection of produce, meats, dairy, non-perishables, frozen foods, and bread. Prices are often better than at the épiceries.
The food scene in Québec City is ever-growing, and we now have a few options for vegans and vegetarians as well. As in other major cities, almost every neighborhood now also has shawarma or kebab. There are plenty of sushi places, too.
Where to Party
There are a few bars and pubs in Old Québec that can be quite touristy depending on the time of year, but try these:
Bar St-Angèle: A night of cheap beer, live music, and quirky locals. It is a must before venturing into the pubs and bars in the city.
Le Drague Cabaret Club: A gay bar/nightclub with drag shows and karaoke.
Pub Nelligan’s: A lively Irish pub popular with locals. Rustic ambiance, live Irish shows from time to time, and a mix of Québec and Irish beers (and liquor).
Le Projet: An eclectic gastropub, Le Projet has roughly 24 microbrews on tap. Buy food on-site or pick up a poke bowl from Bols et Poké on your way and eat it there.
La Barberie: By far the most popular microbrewery in the city. Beer is brewed on-site, there is plenty of seating, and while they don’t have a license to serve food, you can have a pizza, Chinese food, or whatever else you’re craving delivered to the bar.
Where to Sleep
Auberge Internationale de Québec is the best hostel in the city. With a superb location in Vieux-Québec (Old Québec), this hostel is large with a bar, common rooms, and communal kitchen.
Beds cost around $46 CAD per night.
Couchsurfing is also quite popular in Québec City, which has a very large Couchsurfing community. Always look for hosts with good ratings and reviews, and bring a small thank you gift for your host (it could be a bottle of wine or craft beer) as you are being invited into their home, for free!
If you want to experience the local vibe of the city, I suggest mixing things up a little: stay a few nights at a hostel to explore the historic areas, then Couchsurf or rent a room on Airbnb in another neighborhood to get a true feel for what everyday life is like in Québec City.
9 Ways to Save Money in Québec City
Québec City is one of the more expensive cities in Canada but there ways to save money on your visit. Here are ten high impact ways to save money on your visit:
- Take a FREE walking tour of the Old City.
- Eat poutine (under $10 CAD) at Chez Ashton, one of the cheapest places in the city.
- Buy food at a neighborhood grocery store.
- Eat croissants for breakfast — they’re cheap and delicious! Paillard on rue Saint-Jean (to the right at the bottom of rue Sainte-Ursule) is the best.
- Buy a bus pass. A 1-day bus pass costs $9 CAD and will save you money if you plan to bus around the city.
- Walk along the city fortifications and atop the city gates. Its FREE!
- Visit the churches and libraries as they are FREE and quite beautiful.
- Visit Bar Sainte-Angèle for cheap beer!
- Couchsurf for most of your visit and save money on accommodation (plus meet amazing and friendly locals).
Getting Around Québec City
Québec City is a walking city. It is very easy to explore the main neighbourhoods (Vieux-Québec, Petit-Champlain, Place-Royale, Vieux-Port, Grande Allée, Montcalm, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste) by foot. The outer neighborhoods of Saint-Roch, Saint-Sauveur, and Limoilou can be reached by bus or on foot (they’re just 20-30 minutes away if you walk).
A single bus fare is $3.75 CAD, unless you go to an authorized seller and buy a ticket; then the cost is $3.25 CAD. You can also buy passes that cut the cost, especially if you want to venture out to places like Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls):
- A day pass is $9 CAD
- An unlimited weekend pass is $16.25 CAD
- A 5-consecutive-days pass is $31.50 CAD
Download the RTC (Réseau de Transport de la Capitale) Nomade mobile app to check routes while you’re out exploring. The app gives you information on schedules, as well as the closest stop to your location and when the next bus will arrive.
Come explore this lovely city, sit on a patio, eat poutine, drink with the locals, and marvel at the beauty of Château Frontenac as it looms over the lower city. Sit at the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons to watch the sunset and snap a picture-perfect shot of the château, Old City, and Saint Lawrence River.
I came to Québec City because I love the architecture, culture, and history. I stayed because of the food, the people, and the big-village vibe. Québec City has a charm and magic about it that is infectious. It is a Northern paradise of food, culture, and architecture — and I hope you come and visit soon!
Pamela is a Canadian travel writer and blogger who left her job in 2010 to travel the world. While Southeast Asia and Scotland rank among her favorite destinations, she fell head-over-heels for Québec City and now calls it home. She now runs Urban Quebec Guide, a blog that showcases the best Quebec has to offer.
Book Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
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