Transportation Montreal to Quebec City. Bus or train?
 

What are the benefits of the bus and the train? Which one would you prefer?


Thank you.

There is much more flexibility in looking at the bus schedule from Montreal to Quebec City versus the train which runs less frequently and frequently not on time. Cost can also be a factor and the train can cost much more than a bus.

You can also get a direct bus to Quebec city versus a train that may stop along the way.

It makes little difference what you take really in my opinion.

Bus is more frequent, but train does the trick just as well if it fits with your schedule. In my experience, travel time is similar at ~3 hours with similar chances of delays. Lately there have been some deals on VIA Rail from Montreal to Quebec City, so the price might be competitive with the Orleans Express bus.

This said, I've tended to take the bus as I can take them the hour of my choice.

If the train fits in with your schedule it is more comfortable. The historic Quebec train station is a beautiful building worth taking some time to explore.

The business/first class train is very pleasant and often on sale.

Jumping in on this post, I am curious if it is best to take public transit such as the train or the bus vs driving a car? How is the drive? Thanks!

girlonthego--

It all depends what you mean by "best". Both ways are certainly do-able and have their merits.

Train/bus: Less environmental impact, no hassles with parking, can look out the window when you cross the Saint Lawrence River for the Montreal skyline without needing to focus on the road, train avoids traffic jams/construction, both can be cheaper than renting a car.

Car: Freedom to take side trips further afield from Quebec City/Montreal when & where you want, freedom to go to more isolated places (farms, etc...), freedom to leave the exact time you want to leave, no need to get to bus/train station, freedom to stop somewhere of your choosing along the way, avoids public transportation crowds/weirdos/germs in the cities.

The drive is pretty dull, by and large. Montreal is not small, so the traffic can be annoying entering/leaving although sometimes not TOO bad. Lots of construction going on in Montreal these days.

One can have a lovely visit to (and even life in) Montreal and Quebec City without a car. I live in Montreal without one and have visited Quebec City over a half dozen times without one. I have done many interesting things without a car but I recognize there are certain excursions (Ile d'Orleans for example) that are more readily do-able with the car. I can see arguments for visiting the cities either way.

Best wishes, Daniel

Thank you for your advice Daniel! I automatically thought of it as driving between the cities, but have been reading about the trains and would probably find that a lot easier. With two nights in each city, side trips would be out. I want to enjoy the two cities! So, will look into the train schedule!Thanks!

What are your opinions about catching a ferry to Quebec City from Montreal, compared with a bus or train?