Flying from toronto to quebec is so expensive!
Jun 9, 2008 | 4:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Flying from toronto to quebec is so expensive!
I'm heading to Toronto from LA for a business trip with my husband at the end of June. And since we'll be in the East Coast, we figure we'll go for a visit in Quebec. We never would imagine a 1.5 hour flight actually cost as much as what we pay to fly from the West to the East Coast across the border! A lot of the money goes into tax. The total roundtrip from Toronto to Quebec was $600+. Am I looking at the wrong place? I did searches on expedia.com and orbitz.com. Is there somewhere else I should look at? Is there a Canadian version of "Southwest"?
Jun 9, 2008 | 4:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver Island, BC, San Jose del Cabo, BCS
Programs: Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Westjet Rewards
Posts: 82
Go to www.westjet.com. They fly from Toronto to Montreal or Quebec City.
Jun 9, 2008 | 5:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA 3 MM, IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,590
I'm heading to Toronto from LA for a business trip with my husband at the end of June. And since we'll be in the East Coast, we figure we'll go for a visit in Quebec. We never would imagine a 1.5 hour flight actually cost as much as what we pay to fly from the West to the East Coast across the border! A lot of the money goes into tax. The total roundtrip from Toronto to Quebec was $600+. Am I looking at the wrong place? I did searches on expedia.com and orbitz.com. Is there somewhere else I should look at? Is there a Canadian version of "Southwest"?
did you try AC's jazz:
http://www.flyjazz.ca/english/index.asp
If you have spare time, I would take the train. I find that traveling on VIA rail is a more pleasant experience than traveling on Amtrak. And why not stop in Montreal for lunch? The main train station in Montreal, Gare Centrale is cleaner and has better dining options than any of the gares in Paris.
Excellent baked goods:
http://www.premieremoisson.com/
Jun 10, 2008 | 10:13 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
Welcome to the joy of flying within Canada. As you've found out, taxes and fees make 'short hops' fairly expensive, and $150/barrel oil isn't helping matters. Canada's "Southwest" is WestJet ( http://www.westjet.com ), however they don't have the same discount level as Southwest.
As others have suggested, another option is the train: http://www.viarail.ca
If you want to drive, it's about a day. You could probably figure out a one-way car rental.
As others have suggested, another option is the train: http://www.viarail.ca
If you want to drive, it's about a day. You could probably figure out a one-way car rental.
Jun 10, 2008 | 10:23 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 908
Porter?
Some other options are to fly Porter Airlines from Toronto to Montreal, spend a bit of time in Montreal, and make Quebec City a day trip by car. I would stress that Montreal is much busier than Quebec City, and for my money, a better city for non-French speaking tourists. The drive from Toronto to Montreal is a horrible, boring 5 hour + drive, whereas the drive from Montreal to Quebec City is a relatively easy 2 hours+. As other posters have mentioned, VIA rail is a very civilized way to go as well, although at about 4 hours on the express, Toronto to Montreal, it's a few hours longer than flying.
Jun 10, 2008 | 10:32 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, UA
Posts: 221
Welcome to the joy of flying within Canada. As you've found out, taxes and fees make 'short hops' fairly expensive, and $150/barrel oil isn't helping matters. Canada's "Southwest" is WestJet ( http://www.westjet.com ), however they don't have the same discount level as Southwest.
As others have suggested, another option is the train: http://www.viarail.ca
If you want to drive, it's about a day. You could probably figure out a one-way car rental.
As others have suggested, another option is the train: http://www.viarail.ca
If you want to drive, it's about a day. You could probably figure out a one-way car rental.
Another really good option is Porter Airlines https://www.flyporter.com $109 one way YQB-YTZ from Toronto's Island Airport.
Unfortunately/fortunately for you, July 3rd is the 400th anniversay of the founding of Quebec City. Go here for a list of events http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/bienvenue-welcome-eng.cfm Plus July 1st is Canada Day and June 24th is St-Jean-Baptiste Day. So "everyone" is heading to Quebec City when you want to go! Flights are booked solid. If you can get a confirmed Train ticket, take it. Or you may want to fly cheaply to Montreal and then take the train/car from there to Quebec City.
Jun 12, 2008 | 12:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 933
For clarity, when most Canadian's say "Quebec" they mean the province, when they mean the city they say "Quebec City". Just like the difference between NY and NYC.
Porter has a seat sale on right now until June 18th, $79 one way from Toronto City Centre to Quebec City.
Now, turn that into a round trip for two people, add taxes and surcharges and you're still going to be somewhere close to 400 clams or more.
Porter has a seat sale on right now until June 18th, $79 one way from Toronto City Centre to Quebec City.
Now, turn that into a round trip for two people, add taxes and surcharges and you're still going to be somewhere close to 400 clams or more.
