As a popular honeymoon destination, visiting Quebec City on a budget may seem impossible at first glance.
While many of its hotels and restaurants are some of the most expensive in the province, there are a variety of affordable ways to visit this picturesque city.
I’ve rounded up the best tips to enjoy a beautiful vacation to Québec City while saving money. Here is the ultimate guide to visiting Québec City on a budget!
Related Posts:
- 10 romantic things to do in Quebec City
- How to spend a weekend in Montreal for first-timers
- Where to eat and drink in Quebec City
Table of Contents
Arriving to Québec City on a budget
1. Check for discounts on VIA Rail
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see Canada up close. Keep an eye out for advanced purchase tickets for the best deals.
2. Get a deal on flights to Québec City
Compare prices on Skyscanner to find the cheapest flight to YQB. Sign up for email alerts to know when the best price is available.
Related: 23 secrets to booking cheap flights
3. Fly into YUL and either drive or take the train to Québec City
Flying into Montreal is often more affordable than flying into Québec City. The cost of flying into Montreal and taking a train to Québec City might be cheaper than flying direct to Québec City.
I highly recommend spending a few days exploring Montreal (if you haven’t already been), then driving to Québec City, which is approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours away.
Read Next: 2 day Montreal itinerary for first-timers
4. Drive to Québec City
Depending on where you live, driving to Québec City might be the cheapest option. Whether you rent a car, or take your own, driving to Québec City is beneficial since there are lots of fun day trips to do in the area too.
Accommodations in Québec City on a budget
1. Check for seasonal promotions
Sometimes hotels offer seasonal promotions, such as save 20% off the regular rate. Check directly on the hotel’s website for special discounts and packages.
2. Find affordable hotel rates on Booking.com
Booking.com is my go-to site for finding affordable hotel accomodations. Below you can find local hotel deals to start your Quebec City holiday.
Booking.com3. Book your hotel through Hotwire
I’m a big fan of using websites like Hotwire to book luxury hotels at an affordable price. I booked the Hilton for only $82 per night through Hotwire. This was a great deal and the hotel was conveniently located.
4. Check for deals on third party websites like Travelzoo
Sometimes you can find great accommodation deals on websites like Travelzoo. These promotions may also include a free breakfast or restaurant dining cards too.
Getting around Québec City on a budget
1. Travel on foot
Fortunately Old Québec City is fairly compact, which makes it easy to travel on foot. I recommend wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes though, as this city is quite hilly.
To enjoy a more in-depth look of Quebec City, you may want to consider taking a walking tour. Here you can enjoy a fun 2.5 hour walking tour of Quebec City and visit sights such as Old Port, Chateau Frontenac, Place Royale and more. This can be a great way to learn about Quebec’s history from a knowledge local guide.
2. Catch a ride on the Quebec City Tour
Be adventurous and take a ride on Quebec City’s bus tour. Visit the main historial sites of the city on this exciting 2-hour tour.
See the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, ramparts, the Château Frontenac, the National Assembly, the Basilica, City Hall, Place Royale, and more.
3. Take the Québec – Levis ferry
Enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline for under $4.00 per person.
Want to see more of Quebec’s beautiful skyline? Consider taking a Quebec City Sightseeing Cruise. Here you can enjoy a beautiful view of Quebec City, the pastoral charm of Ile d’Orleans, and even see Montmorency Falls (the highest waterfall in Quebec).
4. Cycle around Québec City
The city has a number of cycling routes that offer some beautiful scenery. If your budget allows, you may want to consider taking a local bike tour.
This is a fun way to explore the Lower Town of Quebec City and learn more about its historic sights from a local tour guide.
5. Take public transportation
Riding the local buses can be a great way to explore the city and surrounding areas. I recommend getting to know the routes before your trip.
Eating in Québec City on a budget
1. Choose table d’hôte at lunch time
While many of the better restaurants in the Québec City can get a bit pricey, a smarter option is to choose a table d’hôte at lunch time. This will give you exactly the same food at a more affordable price.
If your budget has some wiggle room, you may want to consider taking a food tour of Old Quebec City. This small-group food tour includes tastings from five different venues. Plus, it’s a great way to explore the beautiful districts of Old Quebec City.
2. Have a picnic
Québec City has many wonderful spots to have a picnic, but the most popular is at the Plains of Abraham. Pick up some freshly baked bread, cheeses and a bottle of wine to complete your summer picnic. Don’t forget to pack a wine opener.
3. Try Poutine
You can’t visit Québec City without trying poutine – eat what the locals eat! This dish is a delicious combination of crispy French fries, brown gravy and cheese curds. You can also top it with extras for a filling meal.
Read Next: Where to eat and drink in Quebec City
4. Check reviews before you go
While many of the restaurants in Old Québec City look charming and inviting – be choosy about where you spend your money. Most places are fine for a drink, but the food might be disappointing. I always recommend checking reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp or Google before you go.
Sightseeing in Quebec City on a budget
1. Take advantage of Québec City’s discount coupons
Enjoy discounts on activities and restaurants to help you save money in Québec City. Select your offers and they will be sent to you via email.
2. Save your parking ticket from Montmorency Falls
If you’re visiting Québec City, don’t miss a chance to admire the beauty of Montmorency Falls – just a short drive from the city.
There are two parking lots at Montmorency Falls, one to get a view from the top and one to get a view from the bottom of the falls. You only need to pay for parking once – just make sure to keep your parking ticket so you can show the attendant.
If you didn’t arrive in Québec City by car, that’s no problem. Hop on the 800 towards Beauport (Est) which will take you to the falls.
Related: 10 romantic things to do in Quebec City
3. Ride the Québec —Levis ferry
As I mentioned already, this is an affordable way to ride along the St. Lawrence River while enjoying the view of Québec City from the water.
4. Explore Battlefields Park
Also known as the Plains of Abraham, this park is a great free attraction that is worth checking out. In 1759, the British and French fought here for control of the region.
Shopping in Québec City on a budget
1. Browse unique shops in the Petit Champlain District
Visit North America’s oldest shopping district and browse through its colorful art shops and unique boutiques.
2. Take a stroll down Rue Saint-Jean
Outside the fortifications, you’ll find artisanal boutiques and specialty food shops. Don’t forget to check out J.A. Moisan, which is North America’s oldest grocery stores, founded in 1871.
3. Explore Avenue Cartier
In the heart of the Montcalm district, you’ll find a collection of fashionable boutiques and gourmet food shops. This less-touristy area is worth a visit.
4. Step off-the-beaten-path on Avenue Maguire
Just a few minutes from Old Québec, Avenue Maguire has a variety of trendy restaurants, boutiques and cafes.
During the summer, visitors can take a free shuttle from the promenade Samuel-De Champlain to the Maguire Avenue (website in French only).
Hi Eden,
I just stumbled on your blog while I was searching for a perfect little getaway for my husband and me. Quebec City sounds amazing! We want to go the first week of November, so do you think everything will be open and will we still get the full experience? I just know that some areas kind of “shut down” during the winter months and I want to make sure we can do as much as possible without places and activities being closed.
Thank you!