Getting Around Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières sits on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Saint-Maurice, roughly halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It's a compact, medium-sized Quebec city, and most visitors find they can cover the historic core on foot while relying on buses, taxis, or a car for anything farther out.
Arriving by Car
If you're driving, Autoroute 40 — the main highway between Quebec City and Montreal — passes directly through Trois-Rivières, making the city an easy stop on a corridor road trip. Having a car gives you the most flexibility for exploring the region beyond the downtown.
Arriving by Bus
Intercity coaches are the main car-free way into the city, with several operators serving Trois-Rivières:
- Orléans Express runs a route multiple times per day between Montreal and Quebec City that stops in Trois-Rivières. This is the most frequent option for reaching the city from either major hub.
- Autobus La Québécoise connects Trois-Rivières with Sherbrooke, with a stop in Drummondville along the way. This service operates several days per week rather than daily.
- Transport collectif Haut St-Maurice offers daily service from La Tuque and Shawinigan.
For contact details and current schedules, it's worth checking with each operator directly, as frequencies vary.
Arriving by Plane
Trois-Rivières has its own airport (YRQ), but it serves private aircraft only — there are no scheduled commercial flights. Visitors arriving by air will therefore fly into a larger airport and continue overland. Montreal and Quebec City are the natural gateways, and both are linked to Trois-Rivières by the Orléans Express coach route described above, so the practical approach is to land at one of those airports and connect by intercity bus or by car via Autoroute 40.
Getting Around by Public Transit
The local network is run by the Société de transport de Trois-Rivières (STTR). It operates a set of regular daytime routes plus a smaller number of evening routes. Note that some routes don't run on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays, so if you're travelling on a weekend it's worth confirming your route is operating before you set out.
Tickets are inexpensive and easy to buy:
- A single ticket costs $3.50, or $3.30 if you pay using the Cité smart card.
- A family day pass is available for $9.80.
- Children aged 5 and under ride free.
For route information, call +1 819-373-4533 or email info@sttr.qc.ca.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available, and two local companies serve the city:
- Taxis Coop de la Mauricie — +1 819-378-5444
- Taxi Élite — +1 819-374-4422 (toll-free +1-855-693-4422)
Uber also operates in Trois-Rivières, giving visitors a ride-hailing option alongside traditional taxis.
Walking
Trois-Rivières is a walkable city, particularly in its historic core. The Old City was designated a historic sector, and the downtown area is compact enough to explore on foot. Saint-Quentin Island, at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence rivers, is a popular spot for outdoor activities and relaxation right in the heart of the city — a pleasant walk or short trip from the centre.
Practical Tips
- If you're arriving without a car, the Orléans Express bus from Montreal or Quebec City is your most convenient link to the city.
- Pick up a Cité smart card if you plan to use STTR buses more than once — it lowers the per-ticket price.
- Check weekend and holiday bus schedules in advance, since some routes don't operate then.
- For getting around the historic centre and riverfront, walking is often the simplest option.