Cruise Port Guide
Québec City Cruise Port
Quick answerShips berth alongside at the Ross-Gaudreault Terminal (wharves 21 and 22) at Pointe-à-Carcy, or at Terminal 30 just across the Louise Basin; nobody tenders. From wharves 21–22 you walk to Petit-Champlain in about eight minutes, then ride the funicular (C$7 cash, 2026) to the Upper Town. Leave the Upper Town 90 minutes before all-aboard so the descent and any funicular queue do not catch you out.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
On foot
About 8 min to Petit-Champlain from wharves 21–22 · Free
Walkable to centre
Yes
About 8 min · 0.6 km
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~10h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
90 min
PortTrip planning default
Currency
CAD
French
Transport and cost figures are estimates — always confirm current fares at the terminal.
Plan your Québec City day
Tell us two things and we'll build the whole day around your ship's schedule.
Free preview · no account needed
Know your ship? See which other ships are in Québec City with you →Leave-by calculator
When to head back to the ship in Québec City
Petit-Champlain / Place Royale (ship at wharves 21–22)
Walk, about 8 min
Leave by
16:20
Upper Town (Dufferin Terrace, Château Frontenac, Citadelle)
Funicular (cash) or stairs, then walk
Leave by
16:00
Lévis (ferry)
Ferry about 12 min plus wait for an uneven timetable, then walk
Leave by
16:00
Montmorency Falls
RTC bus 800 or taxi
Leave by
15:30
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Passengers queue for the cash-only funicular at the last minute when several ships are leaving together.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Québec City day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Québec City? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeTransport: Port of Québec (Ross-Gaudreault Terminal and Terminal 30) to Old Québec
Québec City is one of the few ports where a walled UNESCO old town starts at the end of the pier. The Lower Town, with Place Royale and Petit-Champlain, sits right behind the terminal; the Upper Town, with the Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and the Citadelle, is on the cliff above. The day is about that climb, about choosing between the city and Montmorency Falls, and in autumn about sharing the streets with up to four ships.
Walkable? Yes · about 8 min (0.6 km)
Wharves 21–22 to Petit-Champlain is a flat walk of about eight minutes. Reaching the Upper Town means a steep climb by stairs or street, or the funicular from Petit-Champlain to Dufferin Terrace.
Where your ship docks
- Ross-Gaudreault Terminal, wharves 21 and 22 (Pointe-à-Carcy, 84 rue Dalhousie) · 0.6 km to the centre — The main cruise berths, in the Old Port beside the Lower Town. About an eight-minute walk to Quartier Petit-Champlain. Tourist information desk (Destination Québec cité), free Wi-Fi and washrooms inside.
- Terminal 30 (Estuary sector, 300 rue de l'Estuaire) — Opened in 2022 for the largest ships, across the Louise Basin north of wharves 21–22, near the Gare du Palais. The port describes it as a few minutes' walk from Old Québec and runs a shuttle for passengers and crew.
- Other berths: wharf 93 (Coast Guard) and wharf 81 (Quai Paquet, Lévis) — Used occasionally. Quai Paquet is across the river in Lévis. Check the port's cruise schedule for your berth.
On foot
FreeAbout 8 min to Petit-Champlain from wharves 21–22
Walk south along the waterfront past Place des Canotiers to Place Royale and Petit-Champlain. From Terminal 30, walk round the basin or use the port shuttle.
Funicular (Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec)
C$7 one way, cash only (2026)A short ride
Lower station in Maison Louis-Jolliet, 16 rue du Petit-Champlain; upper station on Dufferin Terrace beside the Château Frontenac. Open 09:00–21:00 (until 22:00 from 24 June to Labour Day). Cash only; there is a cash machine at both stations. Under 117 cm ride free.
Terminal 30 shuttle
Free (port service)A few minutes
The port runs a shuttle for passengers and crew at Terminal 30. Ask at the terminal for the stop and hours.
RTC city bus
C$4 cash, C$3.85 ticket, C$10.50 day pass (from 1 July 2026)Varies by route
Route 800 towards Beauport reaches Montmorency Falls: get off at stop 3473 (des Rapides) and walk a few minutes to the top of the falls.
Québec–Lévis ferry
See traversiers.com for the current fareAbout 12 min each way
The terminal is in the Lower Town near the Musée de la civilisation and Petit-Champlain. The crossing gives the classic view back to the Château Frontenac. Departures are not evenly spaced; check the timetable.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
Leave the Upper Town 90 minutes before all-aboard and be back at the ship 60 minutes before. From Montmorency Falls, leave the park 120 minutes before all-aboard.
The walk down is short, but the funicular takes cash only and can queue on busy days, and with up to four ships in port the Lower Town streets fill with returning passengers. Montmorency depends on a bus or taxi through city traffic.
If you're running late
If the funicular queue is long, walk down by the stairs and Côte de la Montagne to the Lower Town. If you will miss all-aboard, call the port agent number on your daily programme.
A one-day plan for Québec City (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes the ship docks at wharves 21–22 at 08:00 and all-aboard is 17:30, on a September or October day.
08:15 Walk off the ship to Place Royale and Quartier Petit-Champlain, about eight minutes, before the shops get busy.
09:00 Ride the funicular (C$7 cash) to Dufferin Terrace beside the Château Frontenac.
09:30 Walk along the terrace and up to the Citadelle for the first guided tour when it opens (10:00 from September).
11:15 Walk the Upper Town: rue Saint-Louis, the fortifications and the old streets inside the walls.
12:30 Lunch, for example tourtière at Aux Anciens Canadiens on rue Saint-Louis.
13:45 Walk down to the Lower Town. Visit the Musée de la civilisation (closed Mondays) or take a return ferry crossing to Lévis for the view.
15:30 Browse the Old Port and Marché du Vieux-Port (market days only) close to the terminal.
16:30 Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Québec City on a cruise day
Quartier Petit-Champlain and Place Royale
The Lower Town's oldest streets and square, at the foot of the cliff and closest to the ship.
⏱ 1 hourFree
Tip: Go first thing, before the tour groups.
Dufferin Terrace and the Château Frontenac
The boardwalk on the cliff top with river views, beside the city's landmark hotel.
⏱ 45 minutesFree
Tip: Ride up on the funicular and walk down, or the other way round.
La Citadelle de Québec
The star-shaped fortress on Cap Diamant, home of the Royal 22e Régiment and its museum.
⏱ 1.5 hoursC$22 adult with a 60-minute guided tour (2026)
Tip: Visits are guided only. Open 10:00–17:30 from 1 September; 09:00–17:30 in summer.
Fortifications and the old town inside the walls
Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the walls can be followed on foot.
⏱ 1–2 hoursFree
Tip: Walk the walls between the Citadelle and Porte Saint-Louis for views over the town.
Musée de la civilisation
Québec's main museum of history and society, in the Lower Town close to the terminal.
⏱ 1.5 hoursCheck mcq.org for current prices
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays. A good rainy-day choice.
Québec–Lévis ferry
A 12-minute crossing with the best view of the city skyline.
⏱ 45 minutes return including waitsSee traversiers.com
Tip: Check the departure times before you go; they are uneven.
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Falls 83 m high, 30 m higher than Niagara, about 15 minutes' drive from Old Québec, with a cable car up the cliff.
⏱ 3 hours including travelSépaq park fees; buy the day pass online in advance
Tip: Bus 800 towards Beauport, stop 3473 (des Rapides). Hours vary by season.
What to eat in Québec City
Tourtière, ragoût de boulettes and tarte au sucre
Aux Anciens Canadiens, 34 rue Saint-Louis (Upper Town)
Poutine
Chez Ashton (Saint-Jean or Carrefour branches, closest to Old Québec)
Québécois comfort food and tarte au sucre
La Bûche, rue Saint-Louis
Maple dishes and desserts
Saveurs de l'Érable, 84 rue du Petit-Champlain
Local cheese, charcuterie and maple products
Marché du Vieux-Port (May to October; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
Seasonal bistro cooking
Restaurant Toast, 17 rue du Sault-au-Matelot (Lower Town)
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Québec walking tour | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Free on foot; funicular C$7 one way (2026) | Most of the ship price |
| Citadelle de Québec | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | C$22 adult including a 60-minute guided tour (2026) | Depends on the ship tour |
| Montmorency Falls | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Bus C$4 cash each way (2026) plus Sépaq park fees | Depends on the ship tour |
Old Québec needs no tour: it starts at the terminal and is best on foot. The Citadelle is guided-only, so its own C$22 tour does the job. A ship tour is worth it for Montmorency Falls combined with Île d'Orléans or Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, because those trips need a vehicle and a guaranteed return. For Montmorency alone, the 800 bus works on a long call.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Québec City
Arriving at the funicular with only a card.
Instead: It is cash only (C$7 a ride in 2026). There is a cash machine at each station, but bring Canadian dollars.
Assuming every ship uses the terminal by Petit-Champlain.
Instead: Large ships often use Terminal 30 across the basin, and a few use Lévis. Check your berth and use the shuttle if needed.
Turning up at the Citadelle expecting to wander in.
Instead: Visits are guided only. From September the first tours start at 10:00.
Visiting the Musée de la civilisation on a Monday.
Instead: It is closed on Mondays. Use the ferry or the Citadelle instead.
Leaving the Upper Town at the last minute on a busy day.
Instead: Start down 90 minutes before all-aboard; the funicular and the lanes queue when several ships leave together.
Safety: is Québec City safe for cruise passengers?
Old Québec is a safe, compact district for visitors. The main hazards are physical: steep streets and stairs between the Lower and Upper Town, cobbles that are slippery in rain, and traffic on the narrow streets inside the walls. Wear shoes with grip and take the funicular if the climb is too much.
Emergency number: 911
Practical information
Crowds
The port can handle up to four ships at once, and September and October are the busiest months. Petit-Champlain and the funicular are busiest from mid-morning. Go up early, do the Upper Town before the groups arrive, and leave the Lower Town for late afternoon when tours are heading back to their ships.
Accessibility
The Lower Town near the terminal is mostly level, though Petit-Champlain and Place Royale are cobbled. The funicular is the step-free link to Dufferin Terrace. Much of the Upper Town is steep, and the walls and Citadelle involve slopes and uneven ground. The port has only a few wheelchairs, so arrange one through your cruise line before arrival.
If it rains
Spend the morning at the Musée de la civilisation (Tuesday to Sunday), then the shops of Petit-Champlain and the Château Frontenac lobby area. The Citadelle tour is outdoors, so pick a dry spell for it. The Lévis ferry is enclosed and still gives a view.
Money, language, time
Currency: CAD · Language: French · Time zone: EST (UTC−5), EDT (UTC−4) in summer
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Québec City and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
Pro
€119.88/yr (≈€9.99/mo)
billed yearly · cancel anytime
- Full timed plan for every port, on every cruise you take
- Leave-by time on every stop and a running-late Plan B
- Cruise Radar: whole-cruise plans from your ship name
- AI day optimiser, audio briefings, PDF and offline access
Ultimate
Never miss the ship€203.88/yr (≈€16.99/mo)
billed yearly · cancel anytime
- Everything in Pro
- Crowd Clock: passengers ashore hour by hour, and your calmest 90 minutes in every port
- Port Day Live: a leave-by countdown from where you are, with alerts at 30, 15 and 0 minutes
- Schedule Watch: an email the moment your ship's times or port days change
- Return-now mode, all-ports cruise hub, savings tracker, calendar export
30-day full refund, no questions asked · Secure checkout via Stripe
Other ports on cruises that call at Québec City
Portland cruise port guide
Walk to townPortland is a docking port: most ships berth at Ocean Gateway and some larger ships at the Portland Ocean Terminal on the Maine State Pier, both on…
Read the Portland guide
Saint John cruise port guide
Walk to townShips dock at the Marco Polo or Diamond Jubilee cruise terminals, or Long Wharf, right beside uptown Saint John, so you walk off the ship into town…
Read the Saint John guide
Newport cruise port guide
Tender portNewport is a tender port: large ships anchor in the harbour and tenders land at Perrotti Park, right in downtown Newport by Thames Street and the w…
Read the Newport guide
Halifax cruise port guide
Walk to townShips dock alongside at the Seaport and you walk off into Pavilion 20 or 22; there is no tender.
Read the Halifax guide
Québec City Cruise Port — Common Questions
Was this accurate?
Your answer helps the next cruiser — it takes one tap.
Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- Port of Québec – Cruise terminals
- Port of Québec – Access to docks
- Port of Québec – Québec, a premiere cruise destination (April 2026)
- Destination Québec cité – International cruises in Québec City
- Destination Québec cité – Cruise planner
- Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec – official site
- Destination Québec cité – Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
- La Citadelle de Québec – Admission and hours
- RTC – New fare schedule 2026
- Destination Québec cité – Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
- Sépaq – Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
- Destination Québec cité – Traversier Québec-Lévis
- Destination Québec cité – Musée de la civilisation
- Cruise Critic – Québec City cruise port information (2022)
- CruiseMapper – Québec City port
- Seatrade Cruise News – Port of Québec cruise capacity expansion (2015)
- Canada Spirit – Guide gastronomique Québec 2026
Independently researched
None confidenceRelated Cruise Planning Guides
Authority Guide
The Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise Port Planning Guide
We use cookies
Essential cookies are always on. We only enable analytics, marketing, personalisation, and session replay if you allow them. You can change this any time. Policy version 1.0.0. Privacy policy