Quebec City Fast Facts

POPULATION: 538,238 (2014)

LANGUAGE: Canadian French; some English, especially in tourist areas.

CURRENCY: Canadian Dollar (CAD). Current exchange rate: http://www.xe.com/currency/cad-canadian-dollar

EMERGENCY: Call 911

TIME: Eastern Standard Time (GMT minus five hours).

AIRPORT: Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB); 505, rue Principale, 418-640-3300

TRAIN STATIONS: Gare du Palais (450, rue de la Gare du Palais) and Gare Sainte-Foy (3A8, 3255 Chemin de la Gare) [read about travel with VIA Rail]

ELECTRICITY: In Quebec (and Canada) electricity voltage is 120 volts (60 Hz)

INTERNET: Many neighbourhoods have ZAP (http://zapquebec.org/english/) wifi hotspots which are free. One thing to remember is that a hotspot only allows 1GB of usage per week, so if you use it up you’ll need to find a different hotspot. Most cafes have free wifi, as well as hotels.

GETTING AROUND: Quebec City is best explored on foot, however, it is sometimes easier to visit local neighbourhoods by taxi or bus. Taxi Co-Op (418.525.5191) has English-speaking operators. The RTC bus (http://www.rtcquebec.ca) system in the city is extensive. A single ride/fare is 3.75 CAD. Download the RTC Nomade app for up-to-date bus routes and arrival times. Bus passes are available if you’re planning to explore more of the city. Passes are available for 1-day (9.25 CAD), 5 days (32.50 CAD) and Unlimited Weekends (16.75 CAD).

ACCESSIBILITY: Finding sites and businesses that are fully accessible in Quebec City can be quite difficult. In the Historic District of Old Quebec, most of the buildings are quite old, which means they have steps and doorways are small. People with a walker or cane will have more accessibility options than those with a wheelchair.

BUDGET: It is possible to explore Quebec City with as little as 82 CAD per day (42 CAD for a hostel bed and 40 CAD for food).

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day (Jan 1st); Good Friday and Easter Monday ( late-Mar or early-Apr); Victoria Day (Monday prior to May 25th); Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (Québec only, Jun 24th); Canada Day (Jul 1st); Labour Day (first Monday in Sep); Thanksgiving (second Monday in Oct); Christmas Day (Dec 25th).

FESTIVALS / EVENTS: Carnaval de Québec (Jan/Feb); Festival d’été de Québec (early-Jul), Fêtes de la Nouvelles-France (early–mid-Aug); German Christmas Market (late-Nov – Dec 23rd); New Year’s (Dec28th 31st).

HELPFUL WEBSITES: Quebec City Tourism (https://www.quebec-cite.com), Accuweather (https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/canada-weather)