Getting around Quebec City

Public transport

Quebec City's public buses are run by the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC) (tel: +1 418 627 2351; www.rtcquebec.ca). Écolobus is the electric shuttle for Vieux-Québec (Old City) while Metrobus handles all other downtown locations. Those marked with the Vélobus bike logo accept bicycles.

Payment is exact change or RTC Tickets, sold at local shops. One-day, weekend, five-day and monthly passes are available. Commuters can transfer from one bus to another at no extra cost, provided a transfer slip is obtained upon boarding the first bus. You can also load fares and passes on OPUS smartcards or the Occassionnelle card; the latter is a better option for visitors, as it allows you to load a one-day pass.

During the ski season, Tours du Vieux-Québec runs a shuttle service to Mont-Sainte-Anne and Le Massif ski resorts. (tel: +1 418 664 0460; www.toursvieuxquebec.com)

Taxis

All major hotels have a taxi stand. You can also hail taxis from the street and in any area where bars and restaurants are clustered. Taxi Laurier (tel: +1 418 651 2727) and TaxiCoop Québec (tel: +1 418 525 5191) are among the main firms. A tip of 15% is customary.

Driving

Walking is the best way to see the sights, especially as motorists have to contend with narrow, twisting streets filled with pedestrians and wait while horse-drawn calèches amble along. Driving can be stressful too as locals drive fast and are intolerant of other vehicles. Motorcycles are not allowed in Old Quebec.

Parking is expensive in Old Quebec. Look for a flat fee lot such as Grand Théâtre parking on René Lévesque Boulevard. There are metered waterfront spots along Quai Saint-André and on Grande Allée and Porte St-Louis.

Car hire

You must be 21 or older to rent a car. Your national driving licence must be in French or English otherwise you need an International Driving Permit. Quebec has no-fault insurance and drivers renting cars must purchase third-party liability insurance for property damage.

Car hire companies include Avis (tel: +1 418 523 1075; www.avis.com) and Discount (tel: +1 844 562 2886; www.discountquebec.com).

Bicycle hire

As part of the province's 'Green Route' (www.routeverte.com), two long-distance cycling paths pass through Quebec City, in addition to shorter paths and commuter bike lanes. Corridor du Littoral links the Old Port with the Montmorency Falls, while Véloroute Marie-Hélène-Prémont branches leads north to the provincial park Cap Tourmente.

Cyclo Services at 289 rue Saint-Paul (tel: +1 418 692 4052; www.cycloservices.net) hires out bicycles, undertakes repairs and offers cycling tours.