ATMs/Banks -- Desjardins has a handy ATM near Hotel-de-Ville (City Hall) at 19 rue des Jardins (www.desjardins.com; tel 800/224-7737) and RBC Royal Bank has a location at 700 Place D'Youville (www.rbc.com; tel 418/692-6800). CIBC, TD Bank, and other Canadian banks also have ATMs in the greater area. In Canada, some debit cards require a four-digit pin and if your card has a longer one it can be declined. Calling your bank or credit card companies in advance of travel can prevent them from flagging your account. Also, as in other countries, it’s common to be charged fees when withdrawing from ATMs.
Business Hours -- Most businesses are open Monday through Saturday from around 9 or 10am and close between 5 and 6pm; some stay open until 9pm on Thursday and Friday. On Sunday, businesses typically open between 10am and noon and close at 5pm. Bank hours in Québec City are Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm; occasionally hours are extended on Thursday and Friday, and Saturday morning. Most restaurants serve until 9:30 or 10pm. Bars stay open until 3am with some “after hours” options. A list of holidays on which most businesses are closed can be found at www.quebecregion.com. In general, hours are longer in high season (May–Sept) and during Carnaval.
Dentists -- Tourisme Québec advises calling tel 418/666-4363 Monday through Friday or if an emergency on weekends.
Doctors & Hospitals -- In Québec City there’s a five-hospital network called CHUQ, which is affiliated with the University of Laval's medical school. The L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec (www.chuq.qc.ca; tel 418/525-4444) is in Upper Town at 11 côte du Palais. It’s a teaching hospital (and a national historic site of Canada) and has an emergency room.
Emergencies -- Dial tel 911 for police, fire, or ambulance assistance.
Internet Access -- Many public spaces such as cafes have free Wi-Fi; hotel lobbies are often free Wi-Fi hotspots but many charge a daily access rate. Zap Québec tracks free Wi-Fi hotspots at www.zapquebec.org.
Mail & Postage -- Québec City’s most centrally located postal station in the tourist area is at 5 rue du Fort, near Château Frontenac in Upper Town.
Newspapers & Magazines -- Québec’s source for English-language news is the Québec Chronicle-Telegraph, published in print every Wednesday and online at www.qctonline.com. As the descendant of several newspapers published for more than 3 centuries, in June 2014 it celebrated its 250th anniversary as North America's oldest newspaper.
Pets -- In public areas, owners must clean up after pets, and dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. In case of veterinary emergency, call tel 418/872-5355. If traveling into Canada with a dog, be advised to have a rabies certificate on hand and to consult the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca) for other restrictions on visiting pets.
Pharmacies -- Brunet (605 rue St-Joseph est, Upper Town; www.brunet.ca; tel 418/529-5741), Pharmaprix (698 rue St-Jean, Upper Town; www1.pharmaprix.ca; tel 418/529-2171), and Uniprix (369 rue de la Couronne, St-Roch; www.uniprix.com; tel 418/529-2121) are three chain pharmacies with multiple outlets in Québec City. Note that when searching for a location online, the pharmacy may be listed under the pharmacist’s name, but is still a storefront.
Safety -- The tourist sections of Québec City are well-lit and pedestrian friendly. Generally, it’s safe to walk after dark, particularly during one of the city’s many festivals when people are out and about. A 2012 Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics study on police-reported crime reported that Canada’s crime rate had dipped to its lowest level in 40 years with Québec City reporting the second lowest crime rate of the major cities. Still, always take the usual precautions.
Tipping -- Tipping practices in the province are similar to those in large Western cities. Québecers are known to add up GST and QST taxes on their restaurant bills to get a quick tip amount of approximately 15%.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
