Getting Around

Once you're within or near the walls of Old Town (Haute-Ville), virtually no place of interest, hotel, or restaurant is beyond walking distance. In bad weather, or when you're traversing between opposite ends of Lower and Upper Towns, a taxi might be necessary, but in general, walking is the best way to explore the city.

Quebec City by Bus

Local buses run often and charge C$2.50 (£1.25) in exact change. One-day passes cost C$6.15 (£3.20), and discounts are available for seniors and students with proper ID. The Québec City museum card includes 2 days of unlimited public transport in addition to free entrance to 20 museums for 3 days.

Bus routes are listed online at www.rtcquebec.ca. Buses in the most touristy areas include no. 7, which travels up and down rue St-Jean, and nos. 10 and 11, which shuttle along Grande-Allée/rue St-Louis. Bus stops sport easy-to-follow signs that state the bus numbers and direction of travel for each route. Flag down the bus as it approaches so the driver knows to stop.

Quebec City by Funicular

To get between Upper and Lower Town, you can take streets, staircases, and a cliff-side elevator, known as the funicular, which has long operated along an inclined 64m (210-ft.) track. The upper station is near the front of Château Frontenac and Place d'Armes, while the lower station is at rue du Petit-Champlain's northern end. The device offers excellent aerial views of the historic Lower Town on the short trip, and runs daily from 7:30am until 11pm all year, and until midnight in high season. Wheelchairs and strollers are accommodated. The one-way fare is C$1.75 (90p). Read more about its history at www.funiculaire-quebec.com.

Quebec City by Taxi

Taxis are everywhere: cruising, parked in front of the big hotels, and in some of Upper Town's larger squares. In theory, they can be hailed, but they are best obtained by locating one of their stands, as in the Place d'Armes or in front of the Hôtel-de-Ville (City Hall). Restaurant managers and hotel bell captains will also summon them upon request. The starting rate is C$3.15 (£1.60), and each kilometer costs C$1.45 (75p). Tip 10% to 15%. A taxi from the train station to one of the big hotels costs about C$8 (£4) plus tip. To get a cab, call Taxi Coop (tel. 418/525-5191) or Taxi Québec (tel. 418/525-8123).

Quebec City by Car

Unlike in Montréal, drivers in Québec City are permitted to turn right at red traffic lights, but only after coming to a full stop and yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Budget and Hertz both have offices in Upper Town on Côte du Palais at rue St-Jean.

The basic map you get from the rental agency should suffice for Québec City, which is compact. Driving is a little tricky because there are so few roads between Upper and Lower Town and because many streets are one-way.

On-street parking is very difficult in old Québec City's cramped quarters. When you find a rare space on the street, be sure to check the signs for hours when parking is permissible. Meters cost C50¢ (25p) per 15 minutes, and some meters accept payment for up to 5 hours. Meters are generally in effect Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 9pm. But be sure to double-check: Spots along Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (Battlefields Park) have to be paid for 24 hours a day.

Many of the smaller hotels and B&Bs that don't have their own parking lots maintain special arrangements with local garages, with discounts for guests of C$3 or C$4 (£1.50 or £2) off the usual C$18 (£9) or more per day. Check with your hotel before parking in any lot or garage.

If a particular hotel or auberge doesn't have access to a garage or lot, plenty of public ones are available and clearly marked on the foldout city map available at tourist offices. They include, in Upper Town, the one behind Hôtel-de-Ville (City Hall), with an entrance on rue Ste-Anne, and, in Lower Town, across the street from the Musée de la Civilisation, on rue Dalhousie.

Quebec City by Bike

Given Vieux-Québec's hilly topography and tight quarters, cycling isn't a particularly attractive option within the walls or in Lower Town. But beyond the walls is another story. Québec has a good network of cycling paths called the Route Verte (Green Route), with both local lanes and access to longer-distance rides. The website, www.routeverte.com/ang, lists information for day trips and longer tours.

You can be rent bicycles in Lower Town at Cyclo Services, 289 rue St-Paul (tel. 418/692-4052; www.cycloservices.net), for C$25 (£13) for 4 hours, with other increments available.