panucci

What is the best way to get from Montreal to QC? Are the ferries a good way to go (2 hrs 79C rnd trip)?

bob_brown

I am assuming that QC = Quebec City.

The distance from Montreal to Quebec City is 156 miles according to Mapquest.

If a ferry on the water makes the trip in 2 hours, I want to be there to watch it.

From where does it leave?

It must make a heck of a noise getting up to speed and kick up a heck of a wake.

panucci

As I reread this it's a hydrofoil called the Dauphin and it says two hours. I found it in Fodor's Montreal & Quebec City 2005.

bob_brown

You got my curiosity going. Here is what I found with Google. The web site is not yet ready for business. It is there but non functional.

A fast hydrofoil, the Dauphin, runs from Montréal to Québec City daily during summer. Travel time is 2 hours each way, and the boat runs from June through mid-September.

Fares & Schedules

Cost for a one-way ticket on the Dauphin fast ferry from Montréal to Québec is $80 to $90; a round-trip ticket is $130 to $150. Although the boat runs daily, the ticket office at Montréal's Quai Jacques-Cartier -- where the boat departs -- is only open weekends from 10-6. Weekdays, call the toll-free number below and reserve a seat.

Boat & Ferry Information

Le Dauphin (Quai Jacques-Cartier, Montréal, PHONE: 514/288-4499 or 877/648-4499)

bob_brown

PS. I think I want to go to Montreal just to ride that thing. It must be a thrill.

At one time, there were hydrofoils crossing the English Channel so the technology is well proven. I think the Chunnel put most of them out of business.

But some may still make the crossing from Dover to Calais. Anybody know?

Daniel_Williams

I investigated this 2 years ago and last I checked the Dauphins hydrofoil schedules says it takes ca. *4 HOURS* from Montréal to Quebec City. I remember reading that there's one that leaves Montréal around 8am, arriving in Québec around 12 NOON. There are stops I believe in Sorel and Trois Rivières. I'm sure it's a great ride though and I hope to do it one day.

Faster would be either Orleans Express bus (3 hours) that runs hourly or VIA Rail (3 hours), that runs several times daily. http://www.orleansexpress.com or http://www.viarail.ca. The hydrofoil though sounds like perhaps a prettier experience with riverside views as both the bus and the train rides are only scenic close-in to Montreal and close-in to Quebec (the rest is only fields, although on the train you'll pass through a few pleasant towns: Drummondville, Ste. Hyacinthe).

DAN

panucci

Thanks for the info! Laura

rkkwan

The fast vessels that used to run across the English Channels were hovercrafts. They are different from the hydrofoils. You'll find the most hydrofoils in the Greek Islands.

Curt

Ah the hovercrafts across the channel! My wife and I did that once and only once...man oh man it was rough, rugged, and after watching countless passengers trying to make it from their seats to the heads and failing to do so and puking in the aisles, we both decided that it was indeed a unique experience. This was prior to chunnel, and now that is all we use. I have yet to see anyone puke in the aisle of the chunnel (but we do not hang out in the bar car!).

I wonder what a ride up the St Lawrence would be like? The train sounds like a better option. Actually, the drive up the side of the river that does not have the expressway is quite pleasant as well.

rkkwan

There are freeways/autoroutes on either side of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec. The faster one is usually Autoroute 10 on the south bank. It's a route with absolutely nothing to see.

On the north bank is Autoroute 40, through Trois-Rivieres. It's probably more scenic, but slower. Never driven that one myself.

I love the play on the name they use on this hydrofoil service. It certainly sounds like the Flying Dophins in Greece, which is the same type of vessel being used here.

Hydrofoils in open-seas can be pretty rough too. Rode them many times between Hong Kong and Macau on the smaller versions. The slightly newer jetfoils developed by Boeing in the late 70's are so much more comfortable, and resistant to waves.

But on a river, it doesn't matter...

Erick_L

If you take highway 10, you'll end up in Magog/Sherbrooke. The south bank highway with nothing to see is highway 20. Highway 40 is more pleasant, but hardly scenic. Road 138 on the north shore is the nicest but slow.

themop

If you are driving, take highway 20 on the south shore and just before you get to the Pierre Laporte bridge hang a right and follow the signs for Riviere de Loup. Take the exit for Levis and follow the signs for the ferry. You will be rewarded with the most spectacular view of Quebec city and all for 5 or 10 dollars.

Jojonana

Road 138 is really beautiful, and there are a lot of beautiful villages to visit along the way. http://www.beauxvillages.qc.ca/angla...eschamb_a.html

KERDEVAN

Hi There,
Thought I would let you guys know, there are still Hydrofoil services running from the UK to France (I will be on one on Saturday)and it takes less than 2 hours.

Cheers
John