Quebec City Activities by Budget

October 20, 2026

The cheapest things to do in Quebec City are among the best, and the pricey ones cluster around a few seasons. This page sorts activities by cost, with every figure in Canadian dollars (CAD). Operators often quote before the 14.975% combined sales tax, so expect the final bill to run higher.

Free

Walking the old city walls costs nothing, and neither does a stroll along Dufferin Terrace, the cliff-top promenade in front of the Château Frontenac. At the far end, the Governor’s Promenade staircase climbs to the Plains of Abraham, where about 13.9 km of cross-country ski tracks are free in winter.

Two land rinks offer free skating: Place D’Youville, where skate rental is about 10 CAD for adults and 5 for children plus tax, and the ice ring on the Plains of Abraham, which has a skaters’ chalet for rentals. Place D’Youville ran from 22 November to 22 March in 2025 to 2026, and dates for the next winter were not yet out. Keep off the St Lawrence itself, because the Canadian Coast Guard warns that its ice is usually too thin and icebreakers work the channel.

The Parliament Building also runs free visits, guided or self-guided. Photo ID is needed from age 16.

Under about 15 CAD

The funicular between Upper and Lower Town is 7 CAD one way for an adult, paid in cash on site, and children under 117 cm ride free.
City buses take 4.00 CAD in exact change, or you can buy a 1-day pass for 10.50. There is no metro. See the RTC fare grid .
Montmorency Falls charges per person: about 13.90 CAD for an adult in high season (11 May to 1 November 2026) and about 10.42 in low season.
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier asks about 10.30 CAD for adult daily access, and under-18s are free.
The Québec-Lévis ferry crosses in about 12 minutes with no reservations. The adult foot fare was about 4.25 CAD, before a small rise in April 2026.
A Carnaval de Québec Effigie pass, required from age 13, was about 29 CAD plus tax at the 2027 presale price. The festival runs 5 to 14 February 2027. See Carnaval de Québec .

From about 20 to 60 CAD

The Citadelle (adult 22 in 2026), the Musée de la civilisation (27 for ages 35 to 64), the Musée national des beaux-arts (25 for ages 31 to 64) and the Morrin Centre (18.50, guided only) all land in this band. The Parks Canada guided walk of the fortifications is about 22.75 for adults on an undated fee page.

On the water, Croisières AML sells a St Lawrence cruise of about 1 hour 30 minutes from Quai Chouinard, listed at about 49.99 for adults (13 and over) before tax, with sailings between May and October. At Montmorency, the zip line adds about 33.50 and the via ferrata about 51.00 on top of access.

The Hôtel de Glace at Valcartier sets its day-visit price by height, not age. For visitors 1.32 m and taller it was about 35.99 online or 42.99 at the gate, before tax, from 26 December 2026 to 21 March 2027 (dates to be confirmed). Current rates are on the Valcartier page .

Worth saving for

Whale watching from Tadoussac starts at about 134.99 CAD per adult before tax and needs an overnight, since the drive is about 3 hours each way. An ice hotel night at Valcartier starts around 485 before tax, between 4 January and 13 March 2027. The Glissades de la Terrasse, three ice toboggan runs on Dufferin Terrace with up to four riders and speeds to 70 km/h, run from mid-December to mid-March, and the operator Au 1884 had not published 2026 to 2027 prices.

River rafting is on the Jacques-Cartier River, not the St Lawrence, from mid-May to mid-October. Excursions Jacques-Cartier and New Wave Expeditions both operate there. Ask them for current prices.

Practical notes

Winter is cold, with wind off the river, and the slopes and stairs of the old town ice over, so boots with grip matter. Staff in the tourist areas are generally bilingual, and a “Bonjour” opens most conversations. Guided options can be browsed on GetYourGuide .