Quebec City Winter Travel Guide - All You Need to Know To Plan Your Trip to Quebec City
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Hands up if you're in need of a mini (or not so mini) getaway right now! If you're living through the dead of winter as well at the moment, I feel you. That need for adventure and a change of scenery is SO real, and even short weekend trips away can be very restorative! If you're a Montrealer or live in Quebec, one of the best weekend getaway spots is obviously a trip to Quebec City.
Take it from me, this place THRIVES in the winter and makes such a beautiful winter escape. This post will go through everything you need to know for the perfect winter getaway to Quebec City, like tourism details, where to stay, the best things to do, and some super important packing essentials.
Allons-y!
Getting There
From Montreal: If you're driving from Montreal, you can drive straight into Quebec City and it will take you about 3 hours. If you're not planning on driving, you can also take the train with Via Rail from Montreal to the centre of Quebec City.
Flying in: Quebec City does have an airport (Jean Lesage International Airport) that you can fly directly into if you're coming from outside of the province. To get to Old Quebec from the airport, it will take you about 30 minutes by car or an hour by public transit (with one connection).
Quartier Petit Champlain, Quebec City
Packing Essentials for Quebec City
🧣LAYERS - You'll be doing quite a bit of walking, so you'll want to make sure you are bundled up. Bring winter gear such as a waterproof and warm jacket, winter boots (with grip - these are my current Canadian girly winter boots), a hat, gloves, a scarf, and plenty of warm sweaters and fleece-lined leggings.
🧤Hand warmers - Y’all. Quebec winters are cold (like -40 cold lol sometimes). If you have extra cold hands, you'll want to bring a few hand warmers to stick in your gloves or boots!
🧦 Extra socks - Wet feet are not the energy we're looking for this year (or ever), so make sure you bring more socks than you think you'll need. You'll thank me later!
🔋A Portable phone charger - With all of the navigating and pictures you'll be taking, your phone will likely run out of battery quickly (especially in the cold), so having a portable phone charger on you is great backup. I love THIS one by Anker - it plugs right into your phone so you don’t need to carry around a loose cable in the bottom of your purse!
💵 Cash - While many places accept credit/debit cards, there are some activities in Quebec City that only accept cash (like the Funicular). Some merchants also prefer cash, so it’s handy to have!
🎀 My all-time favourite hair styler - If you follow me on IG, you know how much love I have for the Revlon One-Step Styler brush. I take this thing everywhere with me, and though it does take up room in your bag, it's absolutely worth it. No wet or frozen hair allowed here!
📸 Your camera, obviously - Quebec City is beautiful year round, but it becomes a Winter Wonderland in the cold, snowy months. You will absolutely want to capture it, so make sure that you bring along a camera and some extra batteries/SD card! For my phone photography travellers, might I suggest a mini portable tripod that you can stand up or wrap around something to get some cute shots? I love this little thing and bring it with me everywhere!
Where to Stay
Quebec City is full of nice places to stay, and for all budgets. Here are some options in central Old Quebec that are near the QC attractions for a charming and laid-back getaway!
Auberge Place d'Armes: This quaint hotel located in the heart of Old Quebec has 20 rooms, all decorated differently and named after a noted member of history. I stayed here a few winters ago, and it was the coziest place for a nice weekend getaway! Rooms range from about $150 - $300 CAD a night.
HI-Quebec- Auberge Internationale de Québec: If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly stay, I stayed at this hostel a few years ago and it was great! It’s enormous but somehow still felt private (even though I was in a dorm), and they’ve since renovated and re-decorated a bit and looks even more cozy and welcoming! Dorm beds will run you around $40-60 CAD per night depending on availability.
Auberge Saint-Pierre: Located on Rue Saint-Pierre, Auberge Saint-Pierre is a charming and affordable hotel with beautiful details! Rooms will typically run you about $150 - 200 CAD a night.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: For a luxurious stay in Quebec City, the Fairmont is the ultimate choice! Rooms range from $350 - 500 CAD per night and include top-tier amenities like a gym, restaurants, spa, and pool.
Where to Eat
There are seriously so many restaurants in Quebec City. I will warn you though, Quebec City likes to dine so there are a lot of pricier spots if that’s what you’re into! If you’re looking for budget-friendly eats,
Restaurants on Rue Saint-Jean – This lively street is packed with dining options. It’s a bit touristy, but the variety makes up for it!
Faite A L'Os – Great for burgers, chicken dishes, and poutine. Their veggie burger is a solid choice!
L'Antiquaire Buffet - Contrary to the name, this is not a buffet so don’t worry! I came here for breakfast during my last visit and it was honestly 10/10 for a classic breakfast. The staff were great (I was solo and am always apprehensive about that but they were amazing and didn’t make it weird lol), the food was delish and for a really reasonable price imo! It’s a bit of a walk from the Old Quarter, but well worth it
COWS Quebec – Delicious ice cream with a huge selection of flavors. Plus, they sell the cutest merch!
Le Lapin Sauté - This is a really popular restaurant in QC, known for it’s dishes made with rabbit. Fair warning: this is one of those pricier restaurants, but it has tonsss of 5 star reviews!
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Restaurants – If you’re in the mood to splurge, the hotel houses three upscale restaurants: Champlain Restaurant, Sam Bistro, and Place Dufferin. They are certainly pricier than the average spot, but worth it if you want to treat yourself in style or have something to celebrate!
What to Do
Quebec City has plenty to offer, even in the winter (yes, despite the cold!). Here are some top activities:
Explore Quartier Petit Champlain – Adorable buildings, local shops, and a cozy winter wonderland vibe with twinkling lights and festive decorations. A MUST photo-op!
Visit Château Frontenac – Take a guided tour or simply admire its beauty from the outside—either way, it’s a must-see!
Walk Along Dufferin Terrace – Enjoy breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and Le Chateau Frontenac. It’s a really nice terrace/walkway for a stroll on a beautiful Winter day. Pro tip: take the Funicular from Rue de Petit Champlain up to get to Dufferin Terrace ($4 cash only ticket bought on-sight. It’s a really cool experience to go from street level up to the terrace with views of the river.
Go Tobogganing on the Terrace – At the end of Dufferin Terrace, you’ll find a historic luge slide where you can rent an old-school sled and zip down the icy track! It’s a $4 activity and looks incredible! I’ve sadly never done it but it’s on my list!!
Visit Observatoire de la Capitale - The observatory is located in the downtown area of Quebec City, but it’s totally walkable from the Old Quarter and worth the visit if you have a clear day! You’ll be able to take the elevator up 31 floors to the top of the observatory building, be met with 360 degree views of Quebec City and grab an audio guide for a history lesson if you wish! Tickets are only $15 so it’s well worth it if you have a clear day (aka don’t go if it’s cloudy, rainy, or foggy as you won’t see that much of the city)!
Take a Guided Tour! – Visit Montmorency Falls, the Ice Hotel, or explore Old Quebec’s history with a local guide.
Grab the Ferry over the river to Lévis - Okay I love a ferry ride, and the ferry to Lévis across the St Lawrence river is the perfect activity to get grand views of the city and the famous Chateau Frontenac! I’m telling you, the view from the boat is everything so if you have the time, grab a $4 ticket and see Quebec City from the water!
Check out these Quebec City tours! I LOVED the Chateau Frontenac tour and strongly recommend it!!
Quebec City is one of the most magical winter destinations outside of Montreal. Yes, it’s chilly, but the charm of Old Quebec—especially under a fresh blanket of snow—makes it absolutely worth the visit.
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or just need a change of scenery for the weekend, Quebec City has something for everyone.
Would you add anything to this winter guide? Let me know in the comments!