Canadian and international connections
Immigration and customs formalities
Getting around in Québec
Driver's licences and automobile insurance
Rules of the road
The International System
Electricity
Currency and credit cards
Taxes and tipping
Buying alcoholic beverages
Store business hours
Legal holidays
Wheelchair access
Medical services and emergencies
Average temperatures

Canadian and international connections

Nearly fifty airlines serve the international airports in Montréal (Dorval and Mirabel), Québec City and Ottawa. Québec is also linked to other provinces and the United States by rail and bus.

VIA Rail offers a Canrailpass, valid for one month, entitling holders to 12 days of train travel across Canada. For more information, contact your travel agent.

From May to October, the Tourpass is another option, which entitles holders to unlimited bus travel for 14 days in Québec and Ontario. For more information on the Tourpass card, call (514) 842-2281 in Montréal, or (418) 525-3000 in Québec City.

Immigration and customs formalities

Visitors from any country except the United States must carry a valid passport. American citizens need only a proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate or a voter's registration card. Visas are required for visitors from certain countries. It is always advisable to check with the Canadian consulate or embassy in your country before setting out for Québec.

Personal luggage not subject to any specific restrictions is tax exempt, but must be declared to Canadian customs, along with any plants and food products. There are restrictions on the importation of pets and firearms, so you are best to contact customs authorities beforehand, at:

Revenue Canada
Communications Branch
Ottawa (Ontario)
Canada K1A 0L5
Téléphone : (613) 957-0275
Télécopieur : (613) 957-9039

Visitors age 16 and over may import 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 400 g (0.88 lbs) of tobacco, while those 18 and over may also bring in 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of spirits or wine, or 24 355-ml (12-ounce) bottles or cans or the equivalent of beer.

Getting around in Québec

A vast network of regional airports links the entire province. You can travel by train not only between Montréal and Québec City, but also to Gaspé, Sherbrooke (Estrie) and Jonquière (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean). Buses and private automobiles remain the most common means of transportation, however.

There are many ferries offering year-round or seasonal service on the St. Lawrence and other major rivers (Saguenay, Richelieu, Outaouais). A ferry links the Îles-de-la-Madeleine with Prince Edward Island, and a passenger/cargo ship connects the entire Lower North Shore between Havre-Saint-Pierre, Île d'Anticosti and Blanc-Sablon. It is best to reserve, particularly during the peak season.

Montréal, Québec City, Hull, Laval and other large cities in the province have safe and convenient public transit systems. Fares range from $1.75 to $2.60. There are plenty of car rental agencies, and most of them have outlets at airports and railway stations.

Driver's licences and automobile insurance

Most foreign licences are valid in Canada. Non-resident drivers and passengers of automobiles licensed in Québec are entitled to the same compensation from the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (automobile insurance board) as Québec residents if they are injured in an accident in the province. Other non-resident accident victims, including pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of cars not licensed in Québec, can be compensated in inverse proportion to their responsibility for the accident.

Owners of vehicles driven in Québec must have at least $50,000 in liability coverage. For additional information, contact:

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
333, boul. Jean-Lesage
Québec (Québec)
CANADA G1K 3J6
Tel.: (418) 643-7620
1 800 361-7620 (from Québec)

Rules of the road

The speed limit on autoroutes is 100 km/h (60 mph), and drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts.

The possession or use of a radar detector is prohibited, whether it is connected or not. Police officers may confiscate such devices and fine their owners from $500 to $1000 if they find one in a car.

Turning right on a red light is strictly prohibited everywhere in Québec except when specifically allowed by an additional green arrow.

The International System

In 1980, Québec (and all of Canada) traded in pounds and inches for the metric system. You'll notice the road signs are all in kilometres - just multiply by .6 to get the equivalent in miles. Gas is sold by the litre. There are 4.5 litres in one Canadian gallon and 3.8 litres in one American gallon. Time is generally indicated using the 24-hour system: 8h00 means 8:00 a.m. and 20h00 means 8:00 p.m.

Electricity

Québec, like everywhere else in North America, uses 110-volt, 60-cycle AC electric power. Since electrical outlets are of the American type, visitors wishing to use other types of plugs must bring an adapter.

Currency and credit cards

Legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which divides into 100 cents. Bills come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100-dollar dominations; coins in use are 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents and one dollar (known as a "Loonie").

Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted most everywhere. Travellers' cheques can be cashed in major hotels, some restaurants and large stores in major cities; otherwise they should be cashed at foreign exchange offices or banks.

Banks are generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. An extensive network of automatic banking machines is also accessible at all times.

Taxes and tipping

Most goods and services are subject to a federal tax (GST) and a provincial tax (TVQ) in Québec. Foreign residents may be entitled to certain tax rebates on tourism-related goods and services, however. For more information, ask for theTax Refund for Visitors booklet, or contact:

Revenue Canada
Customs and Excise
Visitor Rebate Program
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1A 1J5
Tel.: (613) 991-3346
1 800 668-4748 (from Québec and elsewhere in Canada)

Service is rarely included in restaurant and hotel bills. Tips usually range from 10% to 15% of the total bill, excluding tax. Cab drivers, bellhops and hairdressers are usually tipped at the customer's discretion.

Buying alcoholic beverages

Wines and spirits are sold in outlets of the Société des alcools du Québec. Beer and local ciders, along with a limited selection of wines, are available in supermarkets and dépanneurs (convenience stores).

Store business hours

Most stores are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Some may be closed on Sunday or after 6:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

Legal holidays

Wheelchair access

For information regarding hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in Québec with wheelchair access, contact:

Kéroul
4545, avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin
C. P. 1000, succ. M
Montréal (Québec)
CANADA H1V 3R2
Tel.: (514) 252-3104
Fax: (514) 254-0766

Medical services and emergencies

Before leaving home, it is best to ensure that your health insurance plan covers medical and hospital costs for accidents incurred abroad.

In an emergency (doctor, police, fire department), dial "911" in Montréal and Laval and "0" anywhere else in Québec.

Average temperatures, in Celcius degrees

Hull:

Montréal:

Québec:

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