Montreal and Quebec City. If you’re visiting one, you probably want to see both. But how do you actually get from Montreal to Quebec City? Train? Bus? Or should you just rent a car?
It’s one of those questions that comes up every time you plan this trip.
My sister and I ran into the exact same question on our five-day trip. I love trains, so from the start, I wanted to book with VIA Rail. But when I checked the fare the day before, I was shocked. It was about $110 more per person than the bus. That’s $220 for the two of us, enough for a really nice dinner. After going back and forth, we switched to the bus.
In this post, I’ll compare the train, bus, and car, share what it was really like to ride the bus, and tell you about our slightly embarrassing moment when we made our bus with only 3 minutes to spare.
Quick Summary: Montreal to Quebec City, Bus or Train?
Train or bus, both work. It really comes down to your preference. But last minute train fares can jump. When we checked the day before, the train was about $110 more per person than the bus, so we took the Orléans Express.
- 🚌 Travel Time: About 3 hours 15 minutes by bus, no transfers.
- 💵 Bus Fare: About $68 per person.
- 🚆 Train Tip: Fares go up as your date gets closer, so check as soon as your plans are set.
- ⚠️ Heads Up: Bus seating is first come, first served, and the bus leaves right on time. We made ours with just 3 minutes to spare!
Read on for the full train, bus, and car comparison, what riding the Orléans Express was really like, and how to avoid our last minute dash.
Expert take by Tomo: Based on our Orléans Express bus ride from Montreal to Quebec City in October 2026.
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📋 Table of Contents (tap to open)
- Train vs Bus vs Car
- Train or Bus: Which One Should You Choose?
- Driving From Montreal to Quebec City
- Riding the Orléans Express: What It Was Like
- Montreal: The Bus and Train Leave From Different Places
- Our Mistake: Making the Bus With 3 Minutes to Spare
- Arriving in Quebec City
- 7 Tips for a Smooth Trip
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Train vs Bus vs Car
Here’s the big picture first.
| Train (VIA Rail) | Bus (Orléans Express) | Car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | About 4 trains a day | Almost every hour at busy times | Anytime |
| Travel time | Varies by train | About 3 hours 15 minutes (our bus) | About 3 hours |
| Cost | About $110 more than the bus when we checked the day before | About $68 per person | Rental and gas |
| Montreal departure | Montreal Central Station | Downtown bus terminal | Anywhere |
| Quebec City arrival | Gare du Palais | Gare du Palais | Anywhere |
| Best for | Travelers who plan ahead and love train travel | Last minute plans and budget travelers | Exploring beyond Quebec City |
Buses run almost every hour during busy times. The train runs about four times a day. If you drive, it’s about 249 km and takes around 3 hours.
Train or Bus: Which One Should You Choose?
Honestly? Either one works. It really comes down to your preference.
I’ll admit I prefer trains to buses, and I really wanted to take the train this time. But a $110 difference per person was just too much, so we ended up taking the bus. Next time, I’m planning ahead so I can enjoy the train ride.
The biggest difference is the price. Train fares keep going up as your travel date gets closer. When we checked the day before, the train was about $110 more per person than the bus. The bus was about $68 per person, and if you choose a nonrefundable ticket, it’s a little cheaper.
The bus also runs much more often. With only a few trains a day, you have to plan around the train schedule. With the bus, you can pick a time that fits your plans.
Both arrive at the same place. The train and the bus both arrive at Gare du Palais in Quebec City. The bus terminal is right next to the train station, so whichever you choose, what happens after you arrive is the same.
You can check schedules and prices on the VIA Rail website for the train and the Orléans Express website for the bus. If you want to take the train, I recommend checking fares as soon as your plans are set.
Driving From Montreal to Quebec City
About 15 years ago, I actually drove from Montreal to Quebec City with my husband and our two little kids. It was early April, and it was snowing! Spring in Canada can surprise you. If you’re driving between winter and spring, always check the weather and road conditions.
We thought about renting a car this time too. But picking it up and then dropping it off again… honestly, it just felt like too much hassle. If you’re only exploring Montreal and Quebec City themselves, you can get around just fine without a car. If you want to explore outside Quebec City, a car is handy.
If you’d like to explore beyond Quebec City by car, you can compare rental cars here.
Riding the Orléans Express: What It Was Like
I booked our tickets online on the Orléans Express website. To board, you just show the ticket on your phone. No printing needed.
Your suitcase goes under the bus. Just bring a small bag on board with you. There was no extra fee and no luggage tag.
🧳 Orléans Express Luggage Rules
According to the sign at the Montreal bus terminal:
- Included with your ticket: 1 carry on bag and 2 checked bags
- 3rd or 4th bag: $30 plus tax each, one way
- Good to know: Rules can change, so check the Orléans Express website before you go.
Here’s the important part. Seating is first come, first served! We arrived at the last minute (I’ll explain why in a bit), so my sister and I had to sit apart. If you want to sit together, get in line early. Our bus was completely full.
The bus was more comfortable than I expected. There’s a restroom, and you can eat and drink on board, which honestly surprised me! There’s even free WiFi, so it’s perfect for looking up restaurants in Quebec City or organizing your photos on the way.
The one thing I didn’t expect was the sun. There are no window shades, so on sunny days, it gets really bright and the sun is pretty strong. Keep sunscreen and sunglasses somewhere easy to grab.
It felt completely safe. The other passengers were calm, and as two women traveling together, we felt totally comfortable.
The bus made about three stops along the way, and Quebec City was the last one. No transfers needed. Most buses stop first at Sainte-Foy, a suburb of Quebec City, and the final stop is Gare du Palais. If you’re heading to Old Quebec, don’t get off at Sainte-Foy. Stay on until the end.
Montreal: The Bus and Train Leave From Different Places
This is easy to miss.
Bus: The bus leaves from the bus terminal at 1717 rue Berri, about 50 meters from the Berri-UQAM metro station. The terminal is indoors and has food, so it’s a comfortable place to wait if you arrive early.
Here’s where the bus terminal is.
Train: The train leaves from Montreal Central Station at 895 rue de la Gauchetière ouest.
And here’s Montreal Central Station, where the train leaves from.
Before you head out from your hotel, double check which one you need.
Our Mistake: Making the Bus With 3 Minutes to Spare
Now for our slightly embarrassing story.
From our hotel to the bus terminal was only about 10 to 15 minutes by car. I thought, “We have plenty of time.” But our Uber took forever to arrive. Downtown Montreal has a lot of one-way streets and plenty of construction, so it took a while for the car to even reach our hotel.
Once we finally got in, we hit red lights, then traffic… I couldn’t stop checking the clock.
We got to the bus terminal just 3 minutes before departure. We ran. The bus leaves right on time, so it was really close. And like I mentioned, my sister and I ended up sitting apart.
So please don’t be like us. Order your Uber early and plan to arrive at the terminal 30 minutes before departure. Lol
Arriving in Quebec City
Gare du Palais is in the lower part of the old town. From here, it’s quite a climb up to Old Quebec. It’s a pretty steep hill. We had small suitcases, so we walked up, but pulling a large suitcase up that hill would be really tough. If you have a lot of luggage, take a taxi or Uber.
Here’s where Gare du Palais is.
If you’re still deciding where to stay in Quebec City, I recommend staying inside Old Quebec. You can walk to the sights, and you’ll spend a lot less time going up and down hills. Check out my review of the castle hotel we stayed at, the Château Frontenac.
You can also compare other hotels in Old Quebec on this map.
7 Tips for a Smooth Trip
Here’s a quick recap of what we learned.
1. Book the train early
Fares go up a lot as your date gets closer.
2. Bus seating is first come, first served
Line up early if you want to sit together.
3. Order your Uber early
One way streets and traffic in downtown Montreal can slow you down more than you’d think.
4. Check where you’re leaving from
The bus leaves from the rue Berri bus terminal, and the train leaves from Montreal Central Station.
5. Keep sunscreen and sunglasses handy
The bus has no window shades.
6. Don’t get off at Sainte-Foy
For Old Quebec, ride all the way to Gare du Palais.
7. Take a taxi if you have big luggage
It’s an uphill climb from Gare du Palais to Old Quebec.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Montreal to Quebec City by bus?
Our bus left at 12:00 PM and arrived at 3:13 PM, about 3 hours 15 minutes.
How much is the bus?
We paid about $68 per person. Nonrefundable tickets are a little cheaper.
Do you have to transfer?
No. The bus makes a few stops, but you stay on all the way to Gare du Palais in Quebec City.
Where do you buy tickets?
Book the bus on the Orléans Express website and the train on the VIA Rail website. For the bus, you just show your ticket on your phone.
Can you check your suitcase?
Yes. It goes in the storage area under the bus. We didn’t pay any extra fee, and there was no luggage tag.
Is the bus safe?
Yes, completely. As two women traveling together, we felt totally comfortable.
Do the train and bus arrive at the same place?
Yes. Both arrive at Gare du Palais in Quebec City. The bus terminal is right next to the train station.
Can you get from Montreal to Quebec City without a car?
Yes. The bus and the train both go straight to Gare du Palais in Quebec City. If you’re only exploring Montreal and Quebec City, you can get around just fine without a car.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Montreal to Quebec City by train or bus really comes down to your preference and your schedule. As a train lover, my advice is to check train fares as soon as your plans are set. If prices have gone up by the time you book, the bus is a comfortable way to go. Even so, some buses were already full when we traveled, so I recommend planning ahead either way.
Bus seating is first come, first served, and the bus leaves right on time. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the terminal so you don’t end up running for it like we did.
If you want to explore beyond Quebec City, a car is another option. Choose what fits your travel style, and enjoy the European charm of Quebec City.
Got Questions?
Planning your own trip from Montreal to Quebec City? Drop your questions in the comments or DM me on Instagram @tomo.travel.camping. I’m sharing more from our Montreal and Quebec City trip, so follow along, and save this post for your Canada planning!
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