Getting Around Saguenay
Saguenay is a sprawling city made up of distinct sectors, and the practical reality for visitors is that the local bus network, taxis, and ride-hailing do the heavy lifting for getting around town. There is no metro or tram system in Saguenay. Rail service exists, but it is oriented toward long-distance travel rather than daily movement within the city, so plan your local trips around buses, taxis, and your own two feet.
Public Transit by Bus
Local city bus service is provided by STS (Transport STS), based in Chicoutimi. This is the main public transit option for moving between the city's sectors and reaching local destinations.
- Operator: Transport STS, with an office at 1330, rue Bersimis, Chicoutimi.
- Contact: +1 418-545-2487.
- Fares: Roughly $3.35–$3.75 per person for a ride.
For a visitor, the bus is the most economical way to get around, but keep in mind that Saguenay covers a large area, so allow generous travel time between sectors such as Chicoutimi and Jonquière.
Rail Service
Saguenay is served by VIA Rail, but this is a long-distance service rather than a commuter or urban rail network. There is no metro or tram in the city.
- Station: Jonquière station, 2439 rue St-Dominique.
- Operator: VIA Rail Canada (toll-free +1-888-842-7245), which runs trains across Canada.
- Service pattern: One round trip per week between Jonquière and Montreal, with stops including Hervey-Jonction, Shawinigan, Saint-Paulin, Saint-Justin, and Joliette.
- Character of the route: It operates as a wilderness service, and a request stop may be made at points along the route for travellers wanting to hike and kayak in remoter regions of Quebec.
Because the train runs so infrequently, treat it as a way to arrive in or depart from the region rather than as a tool for getting around day to day.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available in the main sectors and are a straightforward option, especially late at night or when bus schedules do not line up with your plans.
- In Chicoutimi: A52 Taxi (+1 418-543-3868), Taxi Saint-Ambroise (+1 418-718-1414), and Taxis Unis (+1 418-543-3868).
- In Jonquière: Taxi Diamond (+1 418-548-2121).
Ride-Hailing
Uber operates in Saguenay, giving visitors a familiar app-based alternative to traditional taxis. This can be convenient if you prefer cashless payment and upfront pricing.
Walkability
Saguenay is a large, multi-sector city rather than a compact, dense core, so walking is best suited to exploring individual neighbourhoods and sector centres on foot rather than covering the distance between sectors. For longer hops between Chicoutimi, Jonquière, and La Baie, plan on using the bus, a taxi, or a car.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The local airport is Aéroport de Bagotville (YBG), located at 7000, chemin de l'Aéroport in La Baie.
- Contact: +1 418-677-2227, or toll-free +1-888-313-8777.
- Service: Scheduled service to Bagotville from Montreal (about a one-hour flight), and it is not inexpensive.
- Airline: Air Canada (toll-free +1-888-247-2262) is Canada's largest airline, with hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, and it serves destinations across Canada and internationally.
If Bagotville's limited schedule does not suit your trip, note that the closest major airport to the region is in the Quebec City suburb of Sainte-Foy, which offers a much wider range of flights and connections.
Arriving by Bus, Boat, or Car
Many visitors reach Saguenay by intercity bus or by car, and these options also shape how you move around once you arrive.
- Intercity bus: Intercar (4511, boulevard Talbot, Chicoutimi; +1-418-547-2167 or toll-free +1-800-806-2167) operates routes within Quebec to Chicoutimi and Jonquière. Routes run from Montreal and Quebec City, from Dolbeau, Roberval, Alma, and Val-Jalbert, and from Chibougamau via Saint-Félicien. Services generally operate several days per week, with some routes less frequent.
- By boat: Various cruise ships include the Saguenay River as one stop on a longer tour.
- By car: From Québec City, Route 175 is the main road through the Laurentian provincial park. From Tadoussac or Saint-Siméon, a highway follows the full length of the river on each side (Route 172 on the north shore, Route 170 on the south shore), though there are no villages and no services on most of this route. From New Brunswick, follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Rivière-du-Loup, then cross by ferry to Tadoussac. From Trois-Rivières, Route 155 meets the ring road (Route 169) around Lac-Saint-Jean. Ride share may be available through Allô-Stop in Québec City.
Practical Tips
- There is no metro or tram in Saguenay; rely on STS buses, taxis, Uber, or a car for local travel.
- Buy your bus fare per ride with STS; fares are inexpensive compared with taxis.
- Keep taxi numbers handy for each sector, since operators differ between Chicoutimi and Jonquière.
- If you are flying in, confirm Bagotville's limited schedule in advance, and consider Quebec City's Sainte-Foy airport as a fuller-service alternative.
- If arriving by VIA Rail, note the train runs only one round trip per week, so plan your onward local transport accordingly.