Français| Climate | Currency | Languages | Distances and signage | Driving in Québec | Health | Electric current | Time zone | Public transit |
Climate
From mid-September to mid-October is a transitional period in Quebec. Average temperatures vary from 10 degrees Celsius (50 F) to 16 degrees Celsius (60 F).
However, early in the morning or late at night, temperatures can fall to freezing and then climb back up (sometimes above 20 degrees Celsius) in the early afternoon. That’s why you should plan to bring clothes that take these changes into account.
Currency
Canada’s legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bills are in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Change is in the form of 1-, 5-, 10- and 25-cent pieces and 1 and 2 dollar coins.
Currency converter: www.xe.com
The most widely used credit cards, i.e. Visa, MasterCard and American Express, are accepted everywhere. Travellers cheques are usually accepted at the larger hotels, in certain restaurants and in department stores. They can also be cashed at an exchange office or a bank.
Languages
Quebec is a specific entity within Canada.
Although French is spoken by about 2% of the population in North America, it is the main language of some 85% of Quebecers. (Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world.)
Nonetheless, it is very easy to be served in English in Quebec, particularly in the larger urban centres, since 50% of Quebecers are bilingual (English and French).
Distances and signage
Canada is a huge country covering an area of 9,984,670 square kilometres and has a population of close to 30 million.
Canadian cities are often located a considerable distance from each other. It’s not unusual to have to cover several hundred kilometres between major cities, even within the same province.
You should make sure you take these distances into account when planning your itinerary.
Distances from Montreal
Car |
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| Ottawa | 200 km / 2 h 15 | 2 h | |
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| Quebec City | 252 km | 3 h | |
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| Toronto | 545 km / 6 h | 1 h 15 | 5 h |
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| Niagara Falls | 660 km / 7 h | 8 h | |
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| New York | 600 km / 6 h 30 | 3 h | 11 h |
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| Boston | 500 km / 5 h 30 | 4 h 30 | No direct service |
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| Tadoussac | 470 km / 5 h | ||
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For more information about distances between cities in Quebec and road signage, visit www.bonjourquebec.com.
Driving in Québec
To legally drive in Quebec, you need to have a driver’s licence and be at least 16 years of age.
In some cases, international licences may be considered equivalent but they must be officially approved by the SAAQ - Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (the former Quebec Motor Vehicle Bureau).
www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca
Health
Since foreign visitors must pay their own medical costs, it’s important to take out an insurance policy before you leave.
Electric current
Electric current in Canada is 110 volts (60 cycles), as it is in the rest of North America. Since the electrical outlets are not adapted for European or other plugs, you should plan to bring an adaptor with you.
Time zone
Quebec is five hours behind GMT. Clocks are put forward or back twice a year (daylight saving time starts around April 7 and ends around October 27). At midsummer, the sun rises at about 5 am and sets around 8:45 pm. In mid-winter, it rises at 7:30 am and sets at 4:15 pm.
Public transit
In Montreal, the metro (subway) and buses form an efficient and well-connected system. The metro is a very fast way to travel, while buses can take you to locations the metro doesn’t serve.
Although a few buses offer all-night service, the metro closes at 1 a.m. and opens at 5:30 a.m.
