Leaving Quebec City for the Day

How you leave Quebec City shapes which day trips work. With a car, you can chain two stops in one day. Without one, a city bus, a shuttle or a guided departure covers fewer stops. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD), and many are quoted before tax.

If you have a car

Drive east first. Montmorency Falls is about 15 minutes from Old Quebec, and the road continues over the single bridge to Île d’Orléans, which also lies about 15 minutes out. The island’s circuit is about 67 km through six villages, and the bridge is the only road link, with no ferry. Continue north-east along the shore to the basilica at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, about 20 to 30 minutes from the city, and the Canyon Sainte-Anne a few kilometres beyond, which has a 74 m waterfall and three suspension footbridges. A realistic day links the falls, the island and the shrine, leaving about an hour at each.

For a different direction, go north to Wendake, about 20 minutes, and then on to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, 40 to 50 km from the city. In winter storms, check road conditions between November and April.

If you rely on buses

RTC bus 800 runs to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and stops at des Rapides, a short walk from the entrance. A cash fare is 4.00 CAD in exact change, a one-day pass is 10.50, and children aged 5 and under ride free. Unitours also runs shuttle tours to the park. Île d’Orléans and the shrine are easier with a car or a guided tour.

If you prefer a guided departure

Operators run half-day and full-day trips combining the falls, the island and the shrine. Browse the options before you pay, and compare which stops, parking and entry fees are included.

What each stop costs

  • Montmorency Falls: access is charged per person, at about 13.90 for adults in high season (11 May to 1 November 2026) and 10.42 in low season, before tax. The cable car adds about 14.95 round trip for adults, a single zip line about 33.50 and the via ferrata about 51.00. The park closes on 25 December.
  • Île d’Orléans: no entry fee. Cassis Monna & Filles is at 1225 chemin Royal, Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau at 1868 chemin Royal, and the Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans at 8330 chemin Royal.
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré: free outdoor parking at the shrine, a working pilgrimage site where visitors should be quiet.
  • Canyon Sainte-Anne: open 7 May to 25 October in 2026, from 9:00.
  • Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier: daily access about 10.30 for adults, and under-18s are free.

Far-flung trips

Tadoussac, for whale watching, is 210 to 215 km away, about three hours each way plus a free 10-minute ferry, so it works as an overnight. Boats leave from Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine. The Eastern Townships wineries lie around 270 km away, which is a trip of its own.

Winter

The falls freeze at the base into an ice cone that you should watch from behind the barriers. The Hôtel de Glace at Valcartier is about 30 minutes north, with day visits listed from 26 December 2026.

For fees, see the Montmorency Falls listing and the RTC fare page . Guided departures can be compared on GetYourGuide .

Read more: longer trips from Quebec City and the 4-day itinerary .