Is a car necessary in Quebec City?
 

Am considering a visit to Quebec City in July. Is a car needed to visit local sites? Is there a metro or bus system or does one rely on taxi.
Can the major attractions be done in 3 days?
Thanks for any and all information.

It depends on what you want to see. The Old city is quite compact, and the major in town sites, such as the Citadel and the Plains of Abraham can easily be walked to from any part of the Old City.Driving in the Old City is more of a hassle than it's worth. However, you may want to spend one day visiting things just outside the city such as Montmorency Falls, and the I'le Orleans; and for this you may want to rent a car.

Hi John,

I've visited Quebec City many times, and never with a car. I'd visit a friend who lived there who also did not have a car. The Old City is very compact and many "outlying" attractions are easily accessible by public transportation (Parc Bois de Coulonge, Sillery, even les Chutes de Montmorency, although I've never actually done the last). The only reason you might want a car is to tour the Charlevoix region north of the city at your own pace.

Three days would make a nice visit. Piece of advice: in my opinion, the joy of Quebec City is not "doing" the major attractions, but allowing yourself time to explore side streets, admiring architecture, happening upon some Quebeckers singing a song together on the Plains of Abraham with one playing a guitar, walking into little family-run shops on side streets... Kicking back Quebec City style....

Enjoy! DAN

In fact a car in old Quebec may be more trouble than its worth. Its full of narrow streets that weren't designed for cars.

I was there in August and we rented a car for 2 days - one for whale watching trip, but this have been done via a hotel bus tour. The other day we did Montmorency Falls, and the I'le d'Orleans. It was definitely worth having the car for that day.

I spent 5 weeks in Quebec City last summer (U Laval) and I didn't have a car. We took the buses to the old city, and once there, you can just walk around. However, it would have been nice to take some trips around the city - Ile d'Orleans specifically and Canyon Ste. Anne.

Quebec City is beautiful and I miss it soooo much! I'm jealous!