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Is Quebec City expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Quebec City is mid-priced for Canada — usually cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver for hotels — but rooms inside the walls and restaurant bills with tax and tip add up. Expect about C$133 a day per person on a tight budget, about C$280 mid-range and C$590 or more for comfort. Accommodation and eating out take most of the money; walking the old town is free.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$60 | C$125 | C$280 |
| Food & drink | C$50 | C$90 | C$160 |
| Sights & tickets | C$15 | C$45 | C$90 |
| Local transport | C$8 | C$20 | C$60 |
| Per person, per day | C$133 | C$280 | C$590 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Quebec City day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Poutine | roughly C$9–16 for a regular portion |
| Quebec breakfast with cretons | roughly C$15–22 |
| Bistro dinner | about C$40–70 per person |
| Maple taffy on snow | about C$4–6 a stick |
| Funiculaire (one way) | about C$5 |
| Québec–Lévis ferry (one way) | roughly C$4 |
| Citadelle guided tour | about C$20 |
| RTC city bus fare | about C$3.75 |
| Taxi from the airport | often a flat fare of roughly C$40–50 |
| Mid-range hotel inside the walls | C$180–320 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the biggest cost: rooms in Old Québec cost about C$180–320 and boutique hotels in the Old Port C$200–350, with the Château Frontenac and other luxury hotels far higher. A lodging tax of about 3.5% is added. Food is the second big item, because menu prices exclude about 15% sales tax and an expected 15–20% tip, so a meal costs roughly 30–35% more than the menu suggests. Sights are fairly cheap — museums are about C$25 and the Funiculaire and ferry a few dollars — and trips to Montmorency Falls or Île d'Orléans need a car or tour.
When it is cheaper
Late autumn (November) and spring (April–May) are the quietest periods, and hotel rates are usually lower than in summer or during the Winter Carnival. The Festival d'été in July and the Carnaval in late January and February push prices up; check rates for your dates.
How to spend less
- Stay in Saint-Roch or Saint-Sauveur, 10–20 minutes' walk below the old town, where rooms are cheaper.
- Eat your main meal at lunch in Old Québec, when set menus are cheaper than dinner.
- Add 30–35% to menu prices for tax and tip when budgeting.
- Take the Québec–Lévis ferry for the best view of the old city for a few dollars.
- Walk the Breakneck Stairs instead of the Funiculaire when they are clear of ice.
- Buy maple syrup labelled '100% pur sirop d'érable' at the market rather than in tourist shops.
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Common questions
Is Quebec City expensive?
It is mid-priced for Canada. Plan on about C$133 a day on a budget, C$280 mid-range and C$590 or more for comfort.
Do menu prices include tax in Quebec?
No. About 15% sales tax is added, and a tip of 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
How much does poutine cost?
Roughly C$9–16 for a regular portion.