Old Quebec and Montmorency Falls 3-Hour Bus Tour Quebec City
Overview
This shared guided bus tour lasts about three hours and combines the two headline sights of Quebec City: the walled Old Town and Montmorency Falls. A guide in 17th-century colonial costume gives live commentary in French and English as you pass Château Frontenac, the ramparts, the Plains of Abraham and the historic lanes, then continue to the falls, where park admission is included. It suits first-time visitors, families and cruise passengers with a short time in port who want the essential sights in one morning or afternoon.
Highlights
- Guided bus tour of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage city
- Montmorency Falls, taller than Niagara Falls
- Guide in 17th-century colonial costume with live commentary
- Admission to Montmorency Falls Park included
- Two departure times, in the morning and the afternoon
- Comfortable transport by bus, with no walking marathon
- A perfect first orientation to Quebec City
Full Description
Old Quebec
Old Quebec is the historic heart of the city, founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 and made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. It is the only walled city north of Mexico, with ramparts, gates and cobbled lanes that still divide the Upper Town on the cliff from the Lower Town on the river.
On this Old Quebec bus tour, the guide explains how the city grew from a fur-trading post into the capital of New France and how the walls and cliffs defended it. It is the best introduction if you are wondering what to see in Quebec City in a short time, and a great starting point before you walk the streets on your own.
Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham and the Citadelle
Château Frontenac, the green-roofed hotel on the cliff, is the landmark of the skyline and one of the most photographed buildings in Canada. Nearby stand the Citadelle, a star-shaped fortress that is still active, and the Plains of Abraham, the park where the British and French armies fought the decisive battle of 1759.
You also see the National Assembly building, the churches of the Upper Town and the lanes of the Lower Town. The guide links each site to the story of the city, so that a two-and-a-half to three-hour tour gives you context you would otherwise miss when you visit alone.
The Costumed Guide
What makes this tour different is the guide, who wears the costume of a 17th-century colonist and tells the story of the early settlers, the soldiers and the traders in a lively, personal way. The commentary is given in French and English, and it is delivered live rather than through a recording.
Guests who search for a Quebec City guided bus tour often want both history and comfort, and this format delivers both. It is also a good way for families to keep children interested, because stories about daily life in New France are easier to enjoy than dates and names.
Montmorency Falls
The second half of the tour heads out of town to Montmorency Falls, which drops about 83 metres, roughly 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. Admission to the park is included, so you can walk to the viewpoints and see the water from the top of the cliff, where a bridge crosses the crest.
How to get to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City is one of the most common questions, and this tour answers it by combining the trip with Old Quebec in a single bus ride. Opening hours of the park change by season, and the falls are dramatic in every season, including winter when the spray forms an ice cone.
Itinerary
- Meet at the busGather at the bus meeting point in your voucher before the morning or afternoon departure.
- Old Quebec by busSee the walls, Château Frontenac, the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham with live commentary.
- Lower Town and historic lanesLearn how the port and the old streets grew, guided by the costumed host.
- Drive to Montmorency FallsA short ride to the falls along the north shore.
- Montmorency Falls ParkTime at the viewpoints, with admission included.
- Return to the cityThe bus comes back to Quebec City after about three hours.
What's included
- 2.5 to 3-hour guided tour
- Transport by bus
- Live commentary
- Guide dressed in 17th-century colonial costume
- Admission to Montmorency Falls Park
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not suitable for
- Guests looking for hotel pickup and drop-off, which is not included
- Guests who want a long walking tour of Old Quebec on foot
- Guests who cannot walk on the paths and stairs at the falls
Meeting point
The tour leaves from a bus meeting point in Quebec City, which is confirmed in your booking voucher, and there are morning and afternoon departures shown in the booking panel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so please arrive about fifteen minutes before departure.
Important information
- Admission to Montmorency Falls Park is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included
- Food and drinks and tips are not included
- Wear comfortable shoes and take a light jacket, as it is cooler at the falls
- The tour runs about two and a half to three hours, so plan your day around it
- Commentary is given in French and English
- Bring your booking voucher on your phone
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Old Quebec and Montmorency Falls bus tour cost?
The price depends on the date and the passenger type, and the booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and for children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour leaves from a bus meeting point in Quebec City, confirmed in your voucher.
How long is the tour?
About three hours, roughly two and a half to three.
Is Montmorency Falls admission included?
Yes, admission to Montmorency Falls Park is included in the tour.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, the booking panel shows the age groups for child prices. The costumed guide and the falls keep children interested.
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes and a light jacket, because it is windier and cooler at the falls.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Choose your date and departure time in the booking panel.
What languages does the guide speak?
The guide gives commentary in French and English.
What is the difference between this and a walking tour?
This is a bus tour that covers a larger area, including Montmorency Falls, with less walking. A walking tour concentrates on the lanes of Old Quebec.
Is this tour worth it for a short visit?
Yes, it covers the essential sights of Quebec City in about three hours, which is ideal if you have limited time.
