Love Cruis'n Posted March 27, 2019 #1 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Our cruise will end in Quebec City following an overnight stay there. We are looking for a options re: getting to our (downtown) Montreal hotel. Any recommendations are appreciated. Can anyone suggest alternatives to the bus/train? We may be able to get another 2 or 3 couples to join my wife and I. Any private companies to recommend? Thanks, Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 27, 2019 #2 Share Posted March 27, 2019 It may be cheaper to rent a car & drive it is about a 3 hr drive (255KM) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted March 28, 2019 #3 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Im just curious as to why no to the train? Its the same amount of time as driving and its about $50 per person (or $120 pp if you want to jump up to business class). We've done it several times and it was quite nice-- we drove up from the US and left the car in Montreal for a few days and did a round trip on the train. I would agree with the previous poster then-- rental car would be your least expensive other alternative. When we looked into car services between Montreal and Quebec it was in the $250-300 range for a sedan-- technically it would have sat 4 passengers but only 3 comfortably with 1 in the front passenger seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snirpville Posted April 17, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I would take the train too. There is a ridiculous amount of road construction happening in and around the city right now with detours and closures... The train would be the best way to get into the city easily and with the least amount of stress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laverendrye Posted April 18, 2019 #5 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Driving in downtown Montréal is not for the faint of heart, especially in construction season. I say this as a former resident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancruizer Posted April 19, 2019 #6 Share Posted April 19, 2019 As a Montreal I would say either rent a car, but there's so much construction as you approach Montreal that it can be frustrating drive, or take a bus. I've known people who've done this and it's not a long drive. Enjoy your cruise and your stay in Montreal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fondtravel Posted April 20, 2019 #7 Share Posted April 20, 2019 We have used a car/limousine service to take a family group of four from Quebec City (Fairmont Chateau Frontenac) to Montreal airport before. Great service, but definitely pricey. Limousine A1. If you want to have someone drive you, you might consider finding a tour company that would not only provide inter-city transfer but also take you to one or two sites on the way? Might make the cost more worthwhile. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzinram Posted April 20, 2019 #8 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Where is the bus station in relation to the Cruise port. What is the best way to get to the bus station and does the bus go directly to the Montreal Airport? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny AZ Girl Posted April 22, 2019 #9 Share Posted April 22, 2019 We are taking the train Montreal > QC in October. We are looking forward to the adventure! By all reports it is an easy thing to do, even with luggage. We are train novices, BTW. Also wondering why no train? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love Cruis'n Posted April 24, 2019 Author #10 Share Posted April 24, 2019 Thanks all. Neither my wife nor I have mastered the art of packing light. I shudder at the thought of having to manage 2 large and a pair of 22" bags onto a short hop train. And then stow them - where? Maybe I'm picturing problems that don't exist, but my back is not as young as it used to be. 😉. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted April 24, 2019 #11 Share Posted April 24, 2019 13 hours ago, Love Cruis'n said: Thanks all. Neither my wife nor I have mastered the art of packing light. I shudder at the thought of having to manage 2 large and a pair of 22" bags onto a short hop train. And then stow them - where? Maybe I'm picturing problems that don't exist, but my back is not as young as it used to be. 😉. You're picturing problems that dont exist-- they aren't city commuter trains-- they are extremely comfortable long haul configured trains with large seats (like domestic first class size), luggage compartments, and a bar/dining car. There is also business class with more amenities and free meals/drinks. The stations on both ends have porters that will load and unload your luggage for tips. It is by far the most civilized way to travel between the two cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare martincath Posted April 24, 2019 #12 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, princeton123211 said: ...luggage compartments... Unfortunately not all of the trains have a luggage car (IIRC it's only a couple a day on this rail corridor, not all trains run the full route and many are used primarily by local business commuters rather than long-distance travelers - flying vs train is pretty much a wash due to the extra time required to check-in for planes and get to/from suburban airports, so it's pretty common for folks to use the train for meetings between any adjacent pair of cities on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor). The VIA timetables do specify which ones will have a luggage car though, so you can be sure to book one of those - and then you can check bags on just like in an airport, so less hassle than a bus where you have to drag them all over to the side of the bus. All carriages have racks above your head but those only fit smaller cases (your 22" carryon size should be OK if you want to keep one of those with you). Personally I'd also opt for the train, it's the most pleasant onboard experience (even if you don't spring for Business). Edited April 24, 2019 by martincath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laverendrye Posted April 25, 2019 #13 Share Posted April 25, 2019 22 hours ago, Love Cruis'n said: Thanks all. Neither my wife nor I have mastered the art of packing light. I shudder at the thought of having to manage 2 large and a pair of 22" bags onto a short hop train. And then stow them - where? Maybe I'm picturing problems that don't exist, but my back is not as young as it used to be. 😉. For Via Rail trains without baggage cars, there are areas at either end of each car where you can stow your larger bags while smaller bags can go in overhead racks. Attendants will help you getting your bags on and off the cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor Taylor Posted April 28, 2019 #14 Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) We will be traveling on the 8:15 am Quebec city to Montral train, on a week day. No luggage car but we will only have backpacks and 22" suitcases. Not in business class. Is there a place to buy food on the train? Or should we eat before boarding? If so any recommendations for breakfast places close to the train station? Any other tips to make the train experience as pleasant as possible? Edited April 28, 2019 by Sailor Taylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr173 Posted April 29, 2019 #15 Share Posted April 29, 2019 There are several breakfast places on the way from the cruise terminal to the train station, but that is not convenient when dragging luggage, because the sidewalks are narrow and uneven. I'm from Montréal and often travel to Québec on business. I would strongly recommend having breakfast at the restaurant of Auberge Saint-Antoine. It is across the street from the terminal (I often get a room overlooking the terminal in the summer), and is part of Relais & Châteaux. Granted, the breakfast will set you back about 30$ CAD pp (that's CAD, not USD!) but I feel it is really Worth it. They will keep your luggage and hail a cab for you when you're ready to go. BTW, when I have the choice, I take the train from Montréal to Québec. You might want to consider business class, as breakfast is included and decent. The train station in Montréal is downtown. It is in fact under the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. When at the Montréal Central Station, go to the ticket counter and inquire as to the availability of the Shuttle to the airport, if you have an air ticket for the day,. Since you are there on a Week day, there will be plenty, leaving from Montréal towards Ottawa and Toronto. All those trains pass at Dorval station. With your air ticket, the train is free to Dorval station, and the same for the bus Shuttle from Dorval train to the airport. They will guide you at the ticket counter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr173 Posted April 29, 2019 #16 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Come to think of it, you might want to consider booking your train from Québec to Dorval. Check the schedule as not all trains do this. The advantage is that you can stay on the train in Montréal, as passengers from Québec get out, while those going to Ottawa or Toronto hop on. The layover is usually about 15-20 minutes. Once you're in Dorval, you take the shuttle or a cab to the airport. 10 minute trip. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaMS Posted June 20, 2019 #17 Share Posted June 20, 2019 (edited) On 3/27/2019 at 1:13 PM, Love Cruis'n said: Our cruise will end in Quebec City following an overnight stay there. We are looking for a options re: getting to our (downtown) Montreal hotel. Any recommendations are appreciated. Can anyone suggest alternatives to the bus/train? We may be able to get another 2 or 3 couples to join my wife and I. Any private companies to recommend? Thanks, Terry We are going the opposite direction pre cruise and rented a car, was not very expensive. But, return it as soon as you get to Montreal. It's not needed in town and parking is expensive. Edited June 20, 2019 by JuliaMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p_mori7 Posted June 21, 2019 #18 Share Posted June 21, 2019 You can take the bus. Service every 30 minutes or so. Cheap. Comfortable. Plenty of Luggage space. Free WiFi. An Uber can get you to the bus station pretty cheap and usually will help load/unload luggage from his car. https://www.orleansexpress.com/en/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mrell345 Posted June 29, 2019 #19 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) I highly recommend the train as I travel regularly on that line, comfortable and excellent service. Business class includes meal and drinks, comfort class the attendant comes by with food and drinks for sale. I do not recommend driving downtown Montreal as it is construction season. As stated a few trains a day travelling from Quebec city to Ottawa make a stop in Montreal Central station then carry on with the next stop being Dorval airport (YUL). These are intercity trains not commuter trains. https://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/media/pdfs/schedules/winter2018/06-07_Quebec-SainteFoy-Montreal-Ottawa.pdf https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/ontario-and-quebec/montreal-quebec-city https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/ontario-and-quebec/ottawa-quebec-city Edited June 30, 2019 by mrell345 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted July 1, 2019 #20 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I seriously suggest VIA Rail business class. We paid $76 US/$102 CD each, and we can hang out in the business class lounges in both stations if we care to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor Taylor Posted July 1, 2019 #21 Share Posted July 1, 2019 That looks nice! Is there Wi-Fi on the VIA train? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laverendrye Posted July 1, 2019 #22 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Yes there is free wifi in both VIA One and Economy classes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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