Overview
Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport (airport code: YQB) is named after a former Quebec Prime Minister who served from 1960 to 1966. Jean Lesage is an important figure in Quebec history and he is often viewed as the father of the Quiet Revolution.
From 2006 to 2008, the airport underwent major modernization work to increase the terminal’s capacity and substantially enhance the level of passenger service. The airport’s new configuration was completed just in time for the start of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary, in June 2008.
Today, Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport handles 1.4 million passengers a year. Quebec City has direct flights to and from 32 destinations across eastern Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe operated by 14 airlines.
Location
Quebec City’s airport is located in Sainte-Foy, a suburban neighborhood west of downtown Quebec City. Getting to the airport from downtown Quebec City is a 15 km (9.3 mi) ride that takes about 20 minutes by car or taxi. The airport is also accessible from Quebec City’s main highways (20 and 40) as well as from the bridges. Traffic to the airport is rarely a significant issue, but one should plan for a little extra time around rush hour.
Layout
Since Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport has only one terminal, all departures and arrivals, domestic or international, go through it. Arriving domestic passengers enter by the western end of the terminal, while international passengers must go through Canadian customs before entering at the eastern end of the terminal.
Internet / Wi-Fi Services
A reliable wireless high-speed Internet connection is accessible for free to all passengers in all sections of the terminal.
Money / ATM Machines
The airport features two ICE (International Currency Exchange) kiosks and four ATMs. For locations and details about available currencies, see the airport’s website.
Other Services
Other passenger services at Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport include:
- Duty-Free Boutique (for international passengers only; eligible boarding card must be presented at the register)
- Bars and Restaurants
- Coat Check and Storage/Baggage Room
- VIP Lounge
- Kids Zone (with nearby nursing room)
- Business Center (accessible for free and equipped with 14 work stations with high-speed internet access)
Parking
There is only one parking lot and it is located directly in front of the terminal. Parking 0-15 minutes is free, one day is CAD$ 15, and one week is CAD$ 105. See the airport’s website for detailed rates and payment options.
Reduced-Mobility Parking
A number of parking spaces near the terminal entrance are reserved for persons with reduced mobility. Vehicles must display a valid handicapped parking license to be allowed to park there.
Transfers and Shuttles
- Public Transit
It is unfortunately impractical to opt for public transit to get to the airport or to go from the airport to downtown Quebec City. The city’s public transit system, Réseau du Transport de la Capitale (RTC), offers only one itinerary, route #78, which departs the airport only from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and leads to nearby Terminal Les Saules. From there, visitors can hop on route #80 to get to Place Jacques-Cartier, in the heart of downtown Quebec City.
Rates are CAD$ 3.00 in exact change, or you can purchase an unlimited one-day pass for
CAD$ 7.00. For more information, visit the official RTC website.
- Hotel Shuttle Services
There are no hotel shuttle services operating to and from Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport.
- Taxis
Taxis are readily available at the airport’s terminal (follow the taxi signs). Be advised that taxis are notoriously expensive in Quebec City; they cost a lot for short distances. There are two fixed rates: the first covers the downtown area for CAD$ 34.25, and the second covers a small perimeter surrounding the airport and allows visitors to get to nearby restaurants and hotels for CAD$ 15.00. All other areas are charged by meter.
Taxi companies operating at Quebec City’s airport are:
- Taxi Coop Québec
418-525-5191 - Taxi Coop Sainte-Foy – Sillery
418-653-7777 - Taxi Laurier (website in French only)
418-651-2727 - Taxi Québec (website in French only)
418-525-8123
- Taxi Coop Québec
- Limousine Services
Visitors can choose to be picked up by a limousine at the airport. For a list of companies and contact information, see the airport’s website.
Car Rentals
Car rental companies Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National/Alamo all rent out cars at Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport. Their service desks are located on the main floor of the airport’s administrative building, right across the drop-off lane. There is a covered and heated pedestrian walkway that allows passengers to cross over safely from the terminal’s second floor.
Airport Hotels
The hotels located closest to Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport are:
- Môtel de l’Aéroport de Sainte-Foy (2*)
- Super 8 Québec Sainte-Foy (3*)
- Hôtel Le Confortel (3*)
- Comfort Inn de l’Aéroport (3*)
- Hôtel Howard Johnson Québec (3*)
- Château Repotel (3*)
- Hôtel-Môtel Québec Inn (4*)
- Hôtel Must (4*)
- Grand Times Hôtel (4*)
The following hotels are located around Boulevard Laurier in Sainte-Foy. While they are conveniently located (less than 10 km, 6.2 mi, away, right by the city’s biggest shopping centers), be advised that they are not covered by taxis’ fixed rates, so it can cost anywhere from CAD$ 15 to CAD$ 35 to get to them, depending on traffic.
- Auberge Sir Wilfrid (3*)
- Hôtel Lindbergh (3*)
- L’Hôtel Québec (4*)
- Hôtel Classique (4*)
- ALT Hôtel Québec (4*)
- Hôtel Plaza Québec (4*)
- Hôtel Quartier (4*)
- Hôtel Sépia (4*)
- Holiday Inn Express Québec Ouest (4*)
- Best Western Premier Hôtel L’Aristocrate (4*)
- Château Bonne-Entente (5*)
Contact Information
- Address:
Quebec City Jean-Lesage International Airport
505, rue Principale, Québec, QC Canada G2G 0J4 - Call Center: Toll free: 1-877-769-2700 (24/7 service)
- Website: aeroportdequebec.com
