1. Three ways to get around
In Lévis, three complementary networks handle your travel:
- STLévis — local buses covering all of Lévis
- Québec-Lévis ferry — crosses the river in about 12 minutes
- OPUS card — pays for STLévis and several other networks
2. The STLévis bus network
STLévis runs 60 bus routes in Lévis. Its routes serve the Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, Saint-Romuald, Saint-Nicolas, Pintendre and Charny sectors, among others, and several stop at the Lévis ferry terminal.
A single trip, payable in exact cash, costs $4.00 on weekdays and $3.00 on weekends. A reloaded OPUS card is the most convenient option for regular trips. Children 11 and under ride free when accompanied by an adult.
For customer service, reach STLévis at 418 837-2401, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
3. The Québec-Lévis ferry
The Québec-Lévis ferry connects Vieux-Lévis to Vieux-Québec. Crossing takes about 12 minutes.
Under the schedule in force from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, ferries leave about every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, then every hour in the evening. The service runs year-round, even in deep winter.
The official operator is the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), a Crown corporation. Several STLévis routes stop at the Lévis ferry terminal, making the bus-ferry connection convenient. On the Quebec side, you arrive facing the Château Frontenac, steps from Petit-Champlain and Place Royale.
4. STLévis and ferry fares at a glance
STLévis and ferry fares are separate but connected. STLévis uses the OPUS card; the ferry has its own fare system.
A key detail for commuters: your STLévis or RTC monthly pass gives you free ferry access as a pedestrian. So you don't need to buy a separate ferry pass.
Ferry fares in effect since April 1, 2026 and 2026-2027 STLévis fares. Ferry tickets are non-refundable. On the ferry, groups of 15 to 30 people get 10% off, and groups of 31 or more get 15% off.
| Pass / fare | Price (CAD) | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| STLévis monthly — Regular | $102.50 | Adult 24-64 |
| STLévis monthly — Privilege (≤23) / Student / Senior 65+ | $77.00 | Reduced |
| STLévis monthly Métropolitain (STLévis + RTC + ferry) — General | $115.00 | Lévis-Quebec commuter |
| STLévis monthly Métropolitain — Privilege (≤23) / Student / Senior 65+ | $86.50 | Reduced |
| STLévis single passage — weekdays | $4.00 | Occasional rider |
| STLévis single passage — weekends | $3.00 | Occasional rider |
| Ferry pedestrian — Adult (16-64) | $4.25 | Without transit pass |
| Ferry pedestrian — Senior (65+) | $3.60 | 65 and over |
| Ferry pedestrian — Child (6-15) | $2.95 | Child |
| Ferry — Car + driver (16-64) | $10.20 | By car |
| Ferry — 100% electric or plug-in hybrid + driver (green plate) | $4.25 | Green vehicle |
| Ferry — 10-pass car booklet | $73.00 | Car commuter |
| Ferry — STQ pedestrian monthly | $43.75 | If no STLévis/RTC |
| With STLévis or RTC monthly pass | Free (pedestrian) | Transit commuter |
5. Do you drive an electric vehicle?
The STQ applies a discounted rate of $4.25 for a 100% electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle and its driver; you must hold a Quebec green licence plate. That's the same price as an adult pedestrian, and roughly 60 percent cheaper than the $10.20 fare for a vehicle and driver.
If you cross regularly, this detail alone can justify buying a green vehicle.
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new Lévis residents about STLévis and the ferry: whether OPUS is required, whether you can pay cash on the boat, whether the ferry runs in winter, and how long Vieux-Lévis to Vieux-Québec takes by transit.
Do you absolutely need an OPUS card to ride STLévis?
No. You can pay cash to the driver — $4.00 on weekdays, $3.00 on weekends — but you must have the exact amount.
The regular monthly pass at $102.50 pays off from 26 weekday trips in a month, since 26 trips at $4.00 already cost $104; it gives unlimited STLévis trips plus a free ferry as a pedestrian. The OPUS card costs $6 without a photo or $15 with a photo; renewing your fare status costs $5 per year.
Can you pay cash directly on the ferry?
Yes. You buy your ticket on site, then walk through the turnstile. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and debit are accepted.
There are no reservations for this ferry: you simply show up for the next departure.
Does the ferry really run all year, even at −25 °C?
Yes. The schedule in force from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 applies at all times, winter included. The crossing is served by the MV Alphonse-Desjardins and MV Lomer-Gouin.
In winter, ice can affect departures. The fastest way to check before leaving: the next departures shown on the ferry's schedule page.
How long does Vieux-Lévis to Vieux-Québec take by transit?
The crossing itself takes 12 minutes. The rest of the door-to-door time depends on your connections; from Monday to Saturday in the daytime, a ferry leaves about every 30 minutes, which keeps the wait at the terminal short.
By car via the Pierre-Laporte bridge, the time varies a lot with traffic, especially at rush hour. The ferry is often the more pleasant choice.
7. See also
To go further on Lévis-Quebec mobility:
- First steps in Quebec City — orienting your trip across toward Vieux-Québec.
- First steps in Lévis — combining STLévis, the ferry and city services on the South Shore.
- Finding housing in Lévis — aim for Vieux-Lévis if you cross daily.
8. Official sources
For official, always-current information, see these sites:
You can also reach STLévis at 418 837-2401, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Author's Note: The ferry is one of Quebec's most beautiful commutes — you arrive in Quebec City facing the Château Frontenac. Try it once as a tourist before it becomes your routine. And if you ride the bus daily, the STLévis monthly pass earns its keep: unlimited buses plus the ferry included as a pedestrian.
