Le traversier Lévis–Québec en plein hiver.
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 over 30 bus routes in Lévis. Main routes connect the Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, Saint-Romuald, Saint-Nicolas, Pintendre and Saint-Étienne sectors to downtown and the ferry.
The cash fare is $3.00 per trip, weekdays and weekends alike. 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.
At rush hour, ferries leave every 15 to 30 minutes. The service runs year-round, even in deep winter. Many Lévis residents commute to Quebec via the ferry instead of the bridges.
The official operator is the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), a Crown corporation. The Lévis terminal is a 5-minute walk from several STLévis stops, 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 no separate combined pass is needed.
Fares effective April 1, 2026 for the ferry and the 2026-2027 schedule for STLévis. Ferry tickets are undated — you can use them at any time, even months after purchase. Group discounts apply on the ferry for parties of 15 or more.
| 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) | ~$115 / ~$86.50 | Lévis-Quebec commuter |
| STLévis single passage — any day | ~$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 — Auto electric/hybrid + driver | ~$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 for electric and hybrid vehicles: ~$4.25 for the vehicle plus driver — the same price as an adult pedestrian. That's roughly 60 percent cheaper than the ~$10.20 gas-vehicle fare.
If you cross regularly, this detail alone can justify buying a green vehicle. No pre-registration: just show your licence plate at the toll and the agent applies the reduced rate.
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 — $3.00 per trip — but you must have the exact amount.
The OPUS card becomes profitable as soon as you take more than 34 trips per month, since the regular monthly pass at $102.50 unlocks unlimited STLévis trips plus a free ferry as a pedestrian. The card itself is a one-time purchase; status renewal costs $5 per year.
Can you pay cash directly on the ferry?
Yes. The ferry has its own ticket booth on each side. You buy your ticket at the kiosk and walk through the turnstile — no need to book in advance. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted.
Crossings rarely sell out, even in summer; only certain July weekends during festivals (Festival d'été de Québec) can produce queues.
Does the ferry really run all year, even at −25 °C?
Yes. Service is year-round. In deep winter, when ice forms on the Saint-Laurent, the STQ uses ice-class ferries (*Alphonse-Desjardins*, *Lomer-Gouin*) that crush ice on their own. On rare days when ice conditions are extreme, a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker leads the convoy.
Schedules can be slightly slowed in these conditions, but cancellations are rare. The fastest way to check: the status panel on traversiers.com before leaving.
How long does Vieux-Lévis to Vieux-Québec take by transit?
Plan 25 to 35 minutes door to door, depending on connections: about 5 minutes walking from your stop to the Lévis terminal, 5 to 10 minutes waiting for the next ferry, 12 minutes crossing, then 5 minutes walking up to Place Royale.
Add 10 to 15 minutes if you climb the funiculaire or stairs to Upper Town. By car via the Pierre-Laporte bridge, the same trip takes 25 to 50 minutes — often longer at rush hour. The ferry is competitive on time and far more pleasant.
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 pages:
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.
