Québec ferries: free Tadoussac crossing and other routes
3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Is the Tadoussac ferry free?
Yes. The Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Tadoussac ferry is completely free for pedestrians and vehicles. It's operated by the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) as part of Route 138 and is funded by the provincial government. The crossing takes 10 minutes and runs year-round, though frequency varies by season.
Ferries on the St. Lawrence: a practical network
The St. Lawrence River cuts Québec in two — and where bridges don’t exist, ferries fill the gap. The Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) operates most of these crossings, and several are completely free, part of the provincial road network treated as an extension of the highway system.
For travellers, the most important crossing is the Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Tadoussac ferry — the gateway to the whale watching capital of eastern Canada. But there are half a dozen other ferry routes worth knowing about.
The Tadoussac ferry (Baie-Sainte-Catherine ↔ Tadoussac)
The basics
- Route: Baie-Sainte-Catherine (south side of the Saguenay River mouth) to Tadoussac (north side)
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Cost: Free (pedestrians and vehicles)
- Operator: Société des traversiers du Québec
- Season: Year-round
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes in summer, every 30-40 minutes in shoulder season, roughly every hour in winter
Why it matters
There is no bridge at the mouth of the Saguenay River. The ferry is the only way across — Route 138 from Québec City literally ends at the ferry dock and picks up again on the other side. Without this ferry, getting to Tadoussac and the whale-watching region would require a massive detour inland.
The crossing itself is memorable. The Saguenay is a fjord, and even at its mouth near Tadoussac, the water is deep, dark, and cold. The white hills of Tadoussac visible ahead look exactly like the kind of place where beluga whales might be congregating nearby — because they are. You may spot belugas from the ferry deck.
Wait times
In peak summer (July–August weekends), vehicle wait times can reach 45-90 minutes on the Baie-Sainte-Catherine side. Foot passengers walk straight on. If you’re driving, arrive early or cross during weekday mornings. There’s a small café at the Baie-Sainte-Catherine dock.
What’s on the other side
Tadoussac is one of Canada’s most atmospheric small towns — a few streets, a historic wooden chapel (1747), a marine interpretation centre, and a waterfront dotted with zodiac boats and whale-watching vessels. Most visitors come for the whales.
3-Hour Whale Watching Boat TourFor the more intimate zodiac experience:
Whale Watching Zodiac TourQuébec City ↔ Lévis ferry
The basics
- Route: Québec City (Vieux-Québec waterfront) ↔ Lévis (Lévis waterfront)
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Cost: ~$3.55 CAD return / ~$1.75 one way (foot passenger, 2026)
- Operator: Société des traversiers du Québec
- Hours: Roughly 06h00–01h00 daily, more frequent during rush hours
Tourist value
The Québec–Lévis ferry is the cheapest and best viewpoint you’ll find of Québec City’s famous skyline — the Château Frontenac, the Citadelle, and the Dufferin Terrace all visible from the river. Go at dusk for the most photogenic light.
Lévis itself is undervisited by tourists. The historic district of Old Lévis has good restaurants, fort ruins, and a pleasant esplanade. As a day trip from Québec City, it’s worth 2-3 hours.
The ferry dock on the Québec City side is near Place Royale in the Lower Town, easily walkable from the Funiculaire.
Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive ↔ Île-aux-Coudres
The basics
- Route: Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive (mainland Charlevoix) ↔ Île-aux-Coudres
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Cost: Free (vehicles and pedestrians)
- Operator: Société des traversiers du Québec
- Season: Year-round
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes in summer; every hour in winter
Visiting Île-aux-Coudres
This island in the St. Lawrence between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie is a gentle 30 km loop — farms, two windmills, artisan bakeries, a cider house, and views back to the Charlevoix hills. Cycling around the island takes 3-4 hours comfortably. A handful of small B&Bs and inns operate year-round.
Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive is 25 km north of Baie-Saint-Paul on Route 362 — the scenic cliff road rather than the autoroute.
Sorel ↔ Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola
The basics
- Route: Sorel-Tracy (south shore, Montérégie) ↔ Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola (north shore, Lanaudière)
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Cost: Free
- Operator: Société des traversiers du Québec
- Season: Year-round
This crossing is more useful for residents than tourists — it links the Sorel area to the Berthierville region and provides an alternative route for travellers cutting between the south and north shores east of Montréal. The ferry is free and runs frequently.
Sorel ↔ Les Îles ferry (Lac Saint-Pierre area)
Sorel-Tracy sits at the edge of Lac Saint-Pierre, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site (part of the Saint-Laurent Biosphere). Several small ferry shuttles connect to the farm islands of the lake from Sorel, mainly for cyclists and day visitors. These are seasonal and informal — check locally.
Magdalen Islands: CTMA ferry from Souris, PEI
The basics
- Route: Souris (Prince Edward Island) ↔ Cap-aux-Meules (Magdalen Islands / Îles-de-la-Madeleine)
- Duration: 5 hours
- Cost: Expensive — typically $120-180 CAD one way (foot passenger), $400+ with a vehicle
- Operator: CTMA (Coopérative de transport maritime et aérien)
- Season: April to January; NOT year-round
- Frequency: Once daily (on operating days)
Planning notes
The Magdalen Islands are technically part of Québec but are 215 km offshore in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Getting there by ferry requires first getting to Souris in PEI, which itself requires a bridge crossing from New Brunswick (Confederation Bridge, $50 CAD toll) or a ferry from Nova Scotia.
The round trip is logistically complex. Most international travellers fly: Air Canada Jazz and Air Transat serve the islands from Québec City (YQB) and Montréal (YUL) seasonally. The ferry makes more sense if you want to bring a vehicle.
See our Îles-de-la-Madeleine destination guide for honest planning advice on the islands (no GYG inventory — the archipelago requires fully independent planning).
Other crossings: seasonal and local
Several smaller traversiers operate between communities on the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence:
- Cap-Santé / Portneuf ↔ Deschambault-Grondines (free, seasonal)
- Saint-Nicolas ↔ Sainte-Croix (south shore Montérégie to Chaudière-Appalaches, free, seasonal)
These are of limited interest to most tourists but useful if you’re cycling the Route Verte or doing a touring itinerary on the south shore.
Key practical information: STQ ferries
All Société des traversiers du Québec crossings can be checked at traversiers.com for schedules, hours, and service alerts. Major crossings (Tadoussac, Québec–Lévis) are also tracked in real time via mobile apps.
No reservation required for any STQ ferry — all operate on a first-come, first-served basis for vehicles. Foot passengers walk straight on.
In severe winter storms (January–February), crossings may be delayed or temporarily suspended. Always have a backup plan if you have a timed commitment on the other side.
Related guides
- Québec City to Tadoussac day trip
- Tadoussac destination guide
- Driving in Québec from Europe
- Île d’Orléans day trip from Québec City
Frequently asked questions about Québec ferries: free Tadoussac crossing and other routes
How often does the Tadoussac ferry run?
In summer (June–September), the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry runs approximately every 20 minutes during peak hours. In winter (November–March), it runs roughly every hour. Spring and fall are intermediate — every 30-40 minutes. Wait times can be 30-60 minutes in peak summer for vehicles, as the ferry fills up quickly on weekends.How much does the Québec City to Lévis ferry cost?
As of 2026, the Québec City–Lévis ferry costs approximately $3.55 CAD for a foot passenger return (about $1.75 each way). The crossing takes 10 minutes. Bicycles are permitted with a small surcharge. Operated by the STQ.Is there a ferry from the mainland to the Magdalen Islands?
Yes. The CTMA Vacancier operates a ferry from Souris (Prince Edward Island) to Cap-aux-Meules (Magdalen Islands), approximately 5 hours. This is a major undertaking — you need to get to PEI first. The ferry runs seasonally and must be booked well in advance. Alternatively, Air Canada and Air Transat operate seasonal flights from Québec City and Montréal to the Magdalen Islands (YGR).What ferries connect Île-aux-Coudres to the mainland?
The Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive to Île-aux-Coudres ferry is free and takes approximately 15 minutes. It runs year-round, roughly every 30 minutes in summer and every hour in winter. Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive is about 25 km north of Baie-Saint-Paul on Route 362, accessible by car from Charlevoix.Can I bring my car on the Québec City–Lévis ferry?
Yes, vehicles are permitted on the Québec–Lévis ferry. Vehicle fares are approximately $12-18 CAD one way, depending on size. The ferry dock in Québec City is at the foot of the Funiculaire Vieux-Québec near Place Royale. In practice, most tourists use this ferry as foot passengers for the view.
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