Getting here.

Getting to Québec City

Québec City is easily accessible by air, train, bus, or car.

By plane

The Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB) welcomes more than 700,000 passengers each year from destinations across North America, South America, and Europe. Travel to Québec City is convenient, with direct flights from several major American and European cities https://decollezdequebec.ca/en/. In addition, numerous flights arrive from major Canadian cities, and many international destinations are accessible with only one connection.

Airport Transfers

Jean-Lesage International Airport is located 16 km from downtown Québec City. Taxi fares from the airport to the city centre are fixed at around $40 CAD during the day and $50 CAD at night. Major credit cards are accepted. There is also a bus route connecting the airport to the major city bus network. On the first day of the meeting, conference volunteers will be waiting for participants at the airport to hand out bus passes for the week to those who will have registered for one during the registration process, so all participants can reach the Conference center by bus if they want to.

By train

Two train stations serve Québec City and the surrounding area (Sainte-Foy and Gare du Palais). The station nearest to the convention center is Gare du Palais. VIA RAILS offers daily service between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City, with up to five daily connections between Montréal and Québec City. The trip between Montréal and Québec city is 250 km and takes approximately three hours https://www.viarail.ca/. If you arrive from the U.S on an AMTRAK train, you will arrive in Montréal and can then take another train to Québec city. Once at the Gare du Palais, public transit is available to reach your destination.

Gare du Palais - 450, rue de la Gare-du-Palais, Québec Gare de Sainte-Foy - 3255, chemin de la Gare, Québec

By Bus

Québec City has two intercity bus terminals (Sainte-Foy and Gare du Palais). The station nearest to the convention center is Gare du Palais. The ORLÉANS EXPRESS network connects the city with many destinations, including frequent services between Montréal and Québec City. https://orleansexpress.com/ Passengers travelling from the United States on a Greyhound bus arrive in Montréal. From there, they must transfer to an Orléans Express bus to get to Québec City. Once at the Gare du Palais, public transit is available to reach your destination.

Terminus d'autobus de la Gare du Palais - 320, rue Abraham-Martin, Québec Gare d'autocars de Sainte-Foy - 3001, chemin des Quatre-Bourgeois, Québec

By Car

Highway 20 (Autoroute Jean-Lesage) runs along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, while Highway 40 (Autoroute Félix-Leclerc) provides access along the north shore.

Car Rental

All major car rental companies have offices at Jean-Lesage International Airport and in the downtown area, including Avis/Budget, Discount, Enterprise, and Hertz. Hotels can also assist guests with car rental arrangements.

Getting around in the city

Public transport

Québec City’s bus network, the Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC), takes you to most of the tourist attractions in the city centre and the suburbs, as well as to the main inter-city transport options, with stops at Jean-Lesage International Airport, both train and bus stations. It is a safe and eco-friendly way to get around the city.

You can view routes and schedules on the RTC web site https://www.rtcquebec.ca/en. They also have a phone app named RTC Nomade to see the bus network in real-time. You can buy tickets on your phone using another app, the RTC Nomade Paiement app. Up-to-date fares are available on the RTC website. https://www.rtcquebec.ca/en/rates-and-purchase/rates-and-passes/fare-schedule

You will have the option to receive a complimentary bus pass when you register for the meeting. For people accompanying you, if you spend two nights or more at a participating hotel, you’ll be eligible for a smart card that gives them free unlimited access to the entire RTC bus network for three consecutive days.

Bike share

Québec city has a bike share operated by the public transit company, called ÀVélo. You can rent e-bikes at different rates for 30 or 45 minutes, to get from one station to the other. There are 225 stations and 2,300 e-bikes available. Helmets are mandatory and the fine for not wearing one is expensive! Various packages from À la carte, 24-hour pass to a monthly pass (pays itself back in 4 rides) are all available. See all the details at https://aveloquebec.ca/en/

By car

Our city is in the middle of the construction of a tramway network. Usual routes may be diverted or closed. Be aware of bus-dedicated lanes on the main roads and of priority to cyclists and pedestrians. Several underground parking facilities are located near the city centre, including Complexe Marie-Guyart (Complexe G), Place Québec, Delta Hotel, and the Place D’Youville parking lot. These facilities are connected by underground walkways and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also use the phone app Co-pilote + to pay for on-street parking, or use an on-street payment terminal.

Taxis

Taxi Coop Québec Tel.: +1 418 525 5191 http://www.taxiscoop-quebec.com

Taxi Laurier Tel.: +1 418 651 2727 https://www.taxilaurier.ca

Travel Tips: Insurance

The organizers cannot be held liable for personal accidents, injury or loss or damage to private property of any participant and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from the SMBE 2027 meeting. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance. Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving your home country to ensure you have adequate travel insurance.