How to Get Around Quebec

Getting Around

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport are the province's two main gateways, with Montreal handling the large majority of international flights.

VIA Rail connects Montreal and Quebec City directly, and extends further to Trois-Rivières along the way and to Ottawa and Toronto in the other direction -- a genuinely comfortable, car-free way to travel the province's main corridor.

Beyond the Montreal-Quebec City corridor, a car is close to essential -- regions like Charlevoix, the Laurentians, and the Gaspé Peninsula have limited public transit, and driving is the practical way to reach smaller towns like Mont-Tremblant or La Malbaie.

Winter tires are legally mandatory on Quebec roads from December 1 to March 15, and rental cars booked in that window come fitted with them by default.

Within Montreal, the STM metro and bus network covers the city well; Quebec City's compact Vieux-Québec is walkable, with its own separate bus system covering the newer parts of the city.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

The cannabis rule that catches people at the border

Recreational cannabis is legally available in Canada and the rules vary by province, but taking it across the Canadian border without a permit or exemption authorised by Health Canada is illegal and people who try face arrest. That applies leaving as well as arriving, and it applies however legal it was where you bought it.

Driving and the outdoors

Quebec is very large and the road network is the practical way through most of it. If you are hiking or camping, research the local wildlife before you go, keep a safe distance from any animal including marine mammals and birds, and take particular care where bears have been sighted. Winter sports carry their own preparation; the FCDO points travellers at its guidance on preparing for winter sports abroad, which is worth reading before a first Canadian winter.

Entry and documents

A passport must be valid for the length of your stay. British-Canadian dual nationals must carry a valid Canadian passport. Arriving by land or sea needs acceptable travel documents and ID. If you are transiting another country on the way, check its rules too — many require six months of passport validity where Canada does not.

Health

Make sure your travel insurance covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, and contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility. Canada temporarily requires a health assessment on arrival for anyone who has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, with quarantine for those without symptoms; that measure runs to 29 August 2026.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Recreational cannabis is legal with province-varying rules, but taking it across the Canadian border without a Health Canada permit is illegal and brings arrest, Hikers and campers should research local wildlife, keep a safe distance from all animals including marine mammals and birds, and take particular care where bears have been sighted, A passport must be valid for the length of the stay, dual nationals need a valid Canadian passport, and land or sea arrival needs acceptable travel documents and ID, Recreational cannabis is legal with province-varying rules, but taking it across the Canadian border without a Health Canada permit is illegal and brings arrest, Hikers and campers should research local wildlife, keep a safe distance from all animals including marine mammals and birds, and take particular care where bears have been sighted, A passport must be valid for the length of the stay, dual nationals need a valid Canadian passport, and land or sea arrival needs acceptable travel documents and ID (September 2026).