We are planning a trip to Quebec City in mid-September. We will be traveling from North Carolina, flying in to Montreal then taking the train the following day to QC. We plan to spend 3-4 days there and then return on the train and spending 2 days in Montreal before returning home. Can anyone give me some information about the train lines? We have done train travel in Europe and enjoyed it, so are looking forward to this ride as well.
Also, any tips and must sees for this trip would be appreciated.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
ViaRail, is our Canadian train company. There is a Senior discount if 60 and over, and if you sign up for their weekly sales, they come out Tuesdays for the following week. However, to be honest, I rarely find them worth trying to figure out when and how to get the deals. For the short 3+ hours, there may not be a lot of savings. I often use the train for Toronto from Ottawa, and waiting impatiently for the new carriages that are due to be on the corridor between Quebec and Windsor. Hopefully you will get to experience the new cars.
In my use, I actually find the economy cars to be a little quieter than the business class. There are fewer seats in business, but that seems to make more air space for noise...particularly cell calls and chatty 4somes at the one 'group' seat. However, in business you are wined and dined and the wifi is faster. It is pricey, however, unless you book well ahead.
https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/ontario-and-quebec/montreal-quebec-city
Mid-September is a little early for Fall foliage colour, but if you decided to rent a car one day and drove north of QC, you may see some. It is a lovely time of year to just enjoy the cities. If you can afford the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, it is lovely, but there are many boutique and charming hotels in the Old Town of Quebec. I will admit it has been decades since I was in Old Montreal. Quebec is somewhat steep in Old Town, so good footwear is helpful. There is a lovely walk along the St. Lawrence that can be accessed from the Chateau Frontenac. I expect dinner reservations would be best and there will still be outdoor seating - possibly with heaters, and pre-covid, with plaid blankets. You may want to check out what is showing in Montreal as far as art galleries. The last time I was there, there was a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit. If you like gardens, Montreal Botanical garden is massive and lovely. Some time in September, they start a night lighting in the Asian gardens. A lovely additional event.
Have a great visit.
Posted by
Green Bay
21218 posts
From what I can see, you could take a free shuttle from Montreal airport to Dorval train station and get a train to Quebec City.
https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/intermodality/montreal-trudeau-shuttle
Posted by
247 posts
Via Rail Canada is the train line we used. Works just like in Europe. Book online and either print out tickets or show conductor on your phone. We did last August. Clean and nice in economy class. Goggle via rail tickets.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
Actually, Sam is correct. 'Dorval' airport is actually YUL, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Int'l Airport. There is a robust transit terminal near the airport for train and bus pickups. If you choose that stop to board the train, you would still go to main Montreal terminal for a longer layover (and maybe a train change), but it means not having to overnight in Montreal the first time. You would choose the Montreal (Dorval) station to start your journey.
Posted by
Halifax, Canada
7 posts
Montreal is a blast. If you're able to, I'd recommend renting one of the bike share bikes, Bixi, and go wandering through the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood. This is the heart of the French community and there are many of beautiful parks and hip cafes and it's just a cool place to hang and people watch on warm summer and autumn days. It's also probably one of the best places in North America for urban cycling too with lots of protected bike infrastructure and tons of other cyclists. A good ride for example could be to just bike down Mont-Royal from Parc Jeanne Mance to Parc LaFontaine.
Other tips for Montreal would be to climb up Mount Royal, stroll around Parc LaFontaine (located in the heart of Plateau-Mont-Royal), and eat at either La Banquise (probably the most famous Poutine restaurant in the city) or Boustans which has the best shawarma I've had in Canada.
Sadly our inter-city trains are about as bad as those on the other side of the border. Hopefully that'll change soon though with the development of a High Frequency Rail network which the Feds are working on.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
VIArail's business class provides more elbow room, more attentive service, early boarding and a meal with drinks. It can be slow as it yields to freight trains.
It would be more efficient to fly into Montreal and home from Quebec City using a multi-destination ticket. Or the other way around. Unfortunately Quebec City is not well served with direct flights but, even allowing for a connection. you will save time at little or no extra cost.
Posted by
53 posts
What accommodations have you booked? I am curious since my husband and I plan 3-4 days in Quebec City traveling by car from Pennsylvania. Thank you.