Avis Car Hire
Quebec

Finding the rental car area at Québec City airport is very straightforward. Once you have your luggage, follow the overhead signs for "Car Rentals" or "Location de voitures." The rental desks for the major companies, including Avis, are grouped together in the main administrative building on the ground floor opposite the terminal. After you complete the paperwork, you’ll be directed to the multi-storey car park where the hire cars are kept, a short covered walk from the desks.

On a typical weekday afternoon, it’s sensible to allow around 45 to 60 minutes from deplaning to driving away. This covers the walk to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage and then proceeding to the rental desk. The process at the desk is generally efficient, but this buffer accommodates possible queues at busy arrival times and helps ensure a relaxed start to your visit.

Collecting a hire car late in the evening at YQB is routine, as the rental desks are used to late flights. Although the airport will be much quieter with fewer services open, the rental area remains accessible. The pick-up procedure is the same and you may find shorter queues. The car park is well lit and easy to navigate, ensuring a safe and straightforward start to your journey even at a late hour.

For a simple, well-signed route, take Autoroute 540 (Autoroute Robert-Bourassa) from the airport, then join Autoroute 440 East (Autoroute Charest). That road leads you directly towards the city centre. As you get closer, follow the prominent signs for "Vieux-Québec" (Old Québec). This route mainly uses major highways and boulevards, helping you avoid the complex network of small one-way streets until you’re at the edge of the historic district.

First-time visitors often find the transition from wider city boulevards into the narrow historic streets of Vieux-Québec challenging. The common difficulties stem from the maze of one-way streets, such as Rue Saint-Louis and Rue Donnacona, and very tight corners. Sat-navs can sometimes struggle with the rapid turns required. Best advice is to slow right down, give way to the many pedestrians and be prepared to circle the block if you miss a turn.

The most effective approach is to coordinate with your hotel in advance, as they can advise the best loading area. Typically the simplest method is for the driver to pull up briefly at the hotel entrance while a passenger unloads luggage. Keep the stop very short to avoid blocking the narrow streets. After dropping off, head straight to a pre-planned car park rather than trying to find street parking.

Winter driving in Québec City requires caution, especially if you’re not used to snowy conditions. The city has steep hills, like the Côte de la Montagne, which can be testing in icy weather. Visibility can change rapidly during a snow squall, so reduce speed and increase following distance. Hire cars in this region are typically fitted with winter tyres, which are important for local conditions.

During a snowstorm it’s best to stick to the main highways and boulevards, as these are the priority for snow clearance. Routes such as Autoroute 40 or Autoroute 440 are generally the safest and most reliable options from the airport to the downtown area. These wider multi-lane roads are easier to navigate in poor visibility than the narrow, winding streets of the older neighbourhoods. Avoid smaller side streets until you’re close to your destination.

Driving during major events like the Carnaval de Québec or the Festival d'été can be very challenging. Expect significant road closures, diversions and heavy congestion, particularly around Old Québec and the Plains of Abraham. Parking becomes scarce and expensive. The best approach is to check the event’s official website for street closures and plan to park in a garage on the edge of the event zone, then explore on foot.

To avoid the worst of festival traffic, plan to park in one of the large public car parks just outside the busiest areas. Garages near the Parliament Building, Place D'Youville or along Boulevard René-Lévesque are good choices. From these locations you’re typically within a 10–15 minute walk of the main Carnaval sites on the Plains of Abraham and Grande Allée. This park-and-walk approach saves you the frustration of trying to navigate closed streets.

Although road signs in Québec are in French, most US visitors find them easy to understand because they rely heavily on universal symbols and numbers. Key words to know are "Sortie" for exit, "Arrêt" for stop and "Est" and "Ouest" for east and west. Highway numbers are the same, so following a route number on your sat-nav is straightforward. The visual cues are often intuitive, making navigation less of a barrier than many travellers anticipate.

One significant adjustment is the strict enforcement of school-zone speed limits, which are often camera-monitored. Unlike some parts of the US, right turns on red are generally permitted in Québec City unless a sign specifically prohibits them. Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings and drivers are expected to stop. Also watch for flashing green lights, which indicate a protected left turn.

Québec uses photo radar and red-light cameras to enforce traffic regulations, and these are common across the city and on main routes. Enforcement zones are usually preceded by warning signs, so they aren’t hidden. Pay close attention to posted speed limits, especially where they change entering towns or in construction zones. The system is automated, so the best practice is simply to obey the rules to avoid fines.

The least stressful approach is to plan on using a paid car park rather than hunting for limited on-street spaces. Several underground lots are located just off Grande Allée, often linked to hotels or office buildings. Set your sat-nav to one of these car parks to avoid circling the busy one-way streets. Arriving with a clear parking plan is key to a smooth experience in this popular neighbourhood.

Visiting Montmorency Falls by car is very convenient. The most direct approach is via Autoroute 440 East from Québec City, following the clear signs for the falls. There are two main car parks: one at the base of the falls and another at the top by Manoir Montmorency. For a quick visit with the best views, the upper lot is often recommended as it provides immediate access to the suspension bridge and the cable car.

The best way to experience Île d’Orléans is to drive the complete loop around the island on the Chemin Royal (Route 368). After crossing the bridge you can go clockwise or anti-clockwise. A popular option is to turn right and travel anti-clockwise, which saves the spectacular views of the Québec City skyline for the end of your drive. This circular route allows you to visit the island’s villages, farms and wineries in a logical sequence without having to double back.

For a more relaxed day, plan to visit Canyon Sainte-Anne first thing in the morning. The canyon’s trails and suspension bridges are less crowded early on, making for a more enjoyable experience. Afterwards it’s a short drive to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. This order often means you’ll find more readily available parking at both sites and avoid the peak afternoon crowds at the basilica.

The drive to the Charlevoix region along Route 138 is one of Québec’s most scenic routes, offering excellent views of the St Lawrence River. The road is a well-maintained two-lane highway with rolling hills and some winding sections. There are numerous designated viewpoints and attractive towns like Baie-Saint-Paul for food and fuel. Be aware services become sparser after Baie-Saint-Paul, so it’s wise to refuel before continuing further.

A day trip to Tadoussac is ambitious but achievable with an early start. The drive is about three hours each way, not including the ferry crossing at Baie-Sainte-Catherine, which can have queues in peak season. The main pitfall is underestimating total travel time. To make it work, leave Québec City very early, book your whale-watching tour in advance and be prepared for a late return in the evening.

The main route to Saguenay is Route 175, which cuts through the scenic Laurentian Wildlife Reserve. It’s a modern divided highway, but services are extremely limited for long stretches. The most important stop is L'Étape, a large service centre roughly halfway along the route. It offers fuel, food and restrooms and is the primary stopping point for travellers on this remote but beautiful road.

For the most direct and straightforward drive take Autoroute 20 (Autoroute Jean-Lesage), which runs along the south shore of the St Lawrence River. This major highway is relatively flat and straight, with numerous well-marked service centres offering fuel, food and rest areas. It’s the preferred route for commercial traffic and travellers seeking an efficient, predictable journey between the two cities. The trip typically takes just under three hours without major traffic.

A comfortable plan is to treat the journey to Ottawa as two segments. First, drive the roughly three-hour leg from Québec City to Montréal and take a lunch break in Montréal’s West Island to avoid city-centre traffic. The remainder to Ottawa takes about two hours. Leaving Québec City in the morning lets you arrive in Ottawa in late afternoon with plenty of daylight.

Before planning a cross-border trip check with the rental agency that the vehicle is allowed into the US. Ensure every passenger has a valid passport or other required travel documents for inspection. It’s sensible to check border wait times online on official government sites before you depart. Crossing during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning on a weekday, can significantly reduce wait times at the port of entry.

For first-time visitors the most reliable and easy-to-find options are the large multi-storey underground car parks. Look for lots around Place D'Youville, near the Parliament Building or in the Old Port (Vieux-Port) area. These are well signposted from the main roads into the city centre. Parking in one of these locations allows you to leave your car securely and explore Old Québec on foot without navigating the narrowest streets.

Many parking garages in the older parts of Québec City can be quite tight, with narrow ramps, sharp turns and lower-than-average height clearances. Take extra care if you’re driving a larger SUV or people carrier. Garage entrances can be tucked away on small side streets, so it helps to input the exact street address of the garage into your sat-nav rather than just the general area to avoid missing it.

Driving right up to the Château Frontenac can be very difficult due to heavy pedestrian traffic, horse-drawn carriages and restricted access on the surrounding streets. Parking is extremely limited. A smarter approach for a quick drop-off is to use a nearby street such as Rue Saint-Louis or the designated drop-off zone at Place d'Armes. For longer stays, the underground car park at Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) is a convenient and less chaotic option.

A good strategy is to park in a less congested neighbourhood just outside the historic walls, such as Saint-Roch or near the convention centre. These areas have several large public car parks that are easier to access from the motorway. From there you can enjoy a pleasant walk into Old Québec or take a short ride on the city’s efficient bus network (RTC). This removes the stress of navigating and parking within the historic district.

A compact or mid-size saloon or a small SUV is often the most practical choice. This size is nimble enough to handle the narrow streets and tight parking garages of Old Québec while providing enough space and stability for highway driving on day trips. In winter these vehicles generally offer good handling on snowy roads without being overly cumbersome in the city.

When travelling with bulky winter gear consider hiring an SUV or a vehicle with fold-down rear seats to ensure everything fits. For security, never leave valuable equipment visible in the car when parked. Store skis and other gear in the boot or, if in an SUV, use a cargo cover to keep items out of sight. This simple precaution is important when stopping in busy urban areas.

The drives to both ski resorts are straightforward and well signposted from Québec City. For Stoneham Mountain Resort take Autoroute 73 North. For Mont-Sainte-Anne use Autoroute 40 East to Boulevard Beaupré/Route 138. Visitors sometimes get confused on the final few local roads leading to the resort base. Keep your sat-nav active until you pull into the main resort car park to avoid wrong turns.

The drive to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier via Route 175 is beautiful in winter but requires preparation. The highway is well maintained, though conditions can be icy, so drive at a safe speed. Crucially, services are limited – there are no petrol stations or restaurants inside the park. Be sure to start with a full tank and bring water and snacks for the day.

For spectacular and accessible autumn foliage, the drive through Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is a top choice, with numerous trailheads just off the main park road. Another excellent option is the scenic loop around Île d’Orléans, which offers beautiful colours with views of the St Lawrence. The drive along Route 138 towards Baie-Saint-Paul in Charlevoix is also renowned for autumn scenery and has many pull-offs for photos.

Rush hour in Québec City, typically 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:00, feels like that of a mid-sized city. The worst congestion occurs on the main bridges — Pont de Québec and Pont Pierre-Laporte — and on the motorways feeding them. In the afternoon, traffic heading west and south out of the city towards the suburbs is heaviest. While it can cause delays, it’s generally manageable and less intense than in larger metropolitan areas.

The most complex area is the web of interchanges where Autoroutes 40, 73 and 440 converge near the main bridges. With multiple lanes splitting off for different directions, sat-nav instructions can sometimes lag, leading to last-second lane changes. The key is to watch the large overhead signs, which clearly indicate which lanes correspond to which route number, rather than relying solely on your navigation app.

For an early morning domestic flight it’s sensible to add an extra 20 to 30 minutes to your usual airport arrival schedule for the car return. The rental return area at YQB is clearly signed as you approach the airport. This buffer covers the time to refuel if necessary, complete the quick vehicle return and walk from the car park back into the terminal to check in.

The process is very smooth, as the rental return is located in the car park directly connected to the terminal. For an international flight plan to return your car at least three hours before departure. Follow signs for "Rental Car Return", leave the vehicle in the designated area and hand the keys to the desk. From there it’s a short, direct walk into the terminal to the international check-in desks.

The most efficient method is to have only the primary driver go to the rental desk to complete the paperwork. The rest of the group can wait with all the luggage at the designated passenger pickup area just outside the terminal doors. Once the driver has the keys and knows the car’s location, they can retrieve it from the car park and drive it to the pickup curb to load passengers and bags, avoiding congestion at the rental stalls.

If you encounter a mechanical issue, pull over safely and call the roadside assistance number provided in your rental agreement. They will give specific instructions. Most often they will direct you to the most convenient location for a vehicle swap, which is typically the Avis branch back at YQB, as it has the largest fleet and is equipped to handle such situations quickly.

After leaving the airport there are several large supermarkets and shopping centres just a few minutes away, directly off main roads such as Autoroute 40 or Autoroute Duplessis. Using your sat-nav to search for an "épicerie" or "supermarché" along your planned route is the easiest way to make a quick stop. This is far more convenient than trying to find supplies once you’re in the more remote scenic regions.

A popular and practical approach is to spend the first part of your trip exploring walkable Old Québec without a car. You can get from the airport to your hotel by taxi or rideshare. Then, on the day you plan to start your countryside excursions, pick up your hire car. This avoids the challenges and costs of parking in the historic district during the city portion of your stay.