Trains from Ottawa to Montreal
Trains from Ottawa to Montreal
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Ottawa – Montreal Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There are 5 daily trains from Ottawa to Montreal. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Montreal usually takes around one hour and 37 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in one hour and 32 minutes.
What is the price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Montreal?
In the last month, $38.89 was the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Montreal. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $30.72 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Ottawa to Montreal will vary between $44 and $69. Planning a train trip to Montreal within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Ottawa over the next 7 days is $49. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Ottawa to Montreal by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $34 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Ottawa to Montreal in June, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to $44 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Montreal from Ottawa will be about $30.72 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Ottawa to Montreal?
VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Ottawa to Montreal. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
VIA Rail
VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 5 daily trips between Ottawa and Montreal. In addition to being completely green-certified, VIA Rail’s new, state-of-the-art trains feature amenities such as free reliable Wi-Fi, wide aisles, ergonomic seats, and wheelchair lifts in every accessible car. VIA Rail is known for its unparalleled customer service and snazzy black and yellow paint scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do trains stop at any other cities on the way to Montreal?
Traveling from Ottawa to Montreal, VIA Rail Canada offers 10 trips per day. While 6 of them are direct routes, 4 trips per day are connecting routes that depart from Fallowfield Train Station just outside of Ottawa, with a transfer at Ottawa Train Station in downtown Ottawa.
What is the best way to get from Ottawa to Montreal?
The best way to get to Montreal from Ottawa is by train on VIA Rail Canada. The total travel time is as fast as 1 hour and 47 minutes, with trains departing 10 times per day. VIA Rail tickets for this route start around CA$28.
If you were to travel by bus, Greyhound offers multiple routes, although the average duration is longer at 2 hours and 35 minutes. In addition, tickets are slightly more expensive, starting at CA$45. A nonstop flight from Ottawa to Montreal will only take about 40 minutes, but tickets cost at least CA$200.
Is it more expensive to visit Ottawa or Montreal?
Although Ottawa and Montreal each have their pros and cons, Ottawa is the cheaper city to visit between the two. Montreal is known to be a little more pricey for things like hotels, restaurants and transportation. As for Ottawa, the hotels are less expensive and the food prices are more affordable. A typical meal in Ottawa averages about CA$18, while meals in Montreal are closer to CA$25.
Is it safe to travel by train from Ottawa to Montreal during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
How long is the train journey from Ottawa to Montreal?
The distance between Ottawa and Montreal is approximately 103 miles, or 166 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 37 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 32 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
Distance (mi)
Distance (km)
When are trains the most crowded?
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Ottawa to Montreal. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Busiest
Least crowded
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Ottawa at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Ottawa to Montreal?
There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. 7 of these are direct connections to Montreal. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you’re looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Montreal to Ottawa.
Trains per day
Direct trains
City Information
Ottawa
If big cities such as Toronto or Montreal appear too crowded for your taste, consider Ottawa for a change. Boasting a small-town vibe with a vibrant art scene, the city will appeal to all kinds of travelers. Ottawa’s star attraction is the Rideau Canal, which meanders its way through the city center. In the summer months, the canal is full of boats and cyclists who wander about, and in the colder months of the year, it becomes the largest ice skating rink in the world. If you are a fan of architecture, don’t miss out on Parliament Hill, which features three amazing neo-Gothic structures. For those who seek to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, Gatineau Park, located just 15 minutes from Downtown, offers the reprieve you need.
Ottawa features a very diverse food scene that caters to everyone’s needs. If you just can’t get enough of French delicacies, head to Signatures Restaurant, which is housed in a Tudor Revival-style mansion. If you want to try out Canadian signatures, try Atelier instead.
The main intercity train station in town is Ottawa Station, which is served by VIA Rail. The city’s air services are handled by the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, which is located 5.5 miles south of the city’s downtown.
Montreal
Effortlessly blending quaint old buildings with the high-rises of the 21st century, Montreal is an exciting destination for adventure-seekers as well as introverted travelers. We even propose Montreal as a fantastic bachelorette party destination to consider. At the beating heart of this modern city is the quarter of Old Montreal, where you can find horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone streets. As you meander through the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural genius of the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, which is one of the most iconic structures of the city. For those who wish to stay close to nature, the gigantic Parc du Mont-Royal will satisfy all your needs. In the warmer months of the year, you can rent a boat and row on Lac des Castors, which offers amazing views.
Montreal is heaven for fans of French cuisine. The top-rated traditional French restaurants converge in the Old Montreal quarter, and some local favorite names include Toque, LOV, Crew Collective & Cafe. For those looking for Canadian specialties, head over to Schwartz’s.
The principal rail station for Montreal is the Central Station, which is served by both VIA Rail and Amtrak. If you are traveling by bus, head to the Montreal Coach Terminal (aka Gare d’autocars de Montréal) from where you can catch buses operated by Greyhound and several other carriers. The city’s main airport is the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, which is located in the nearby city of Dorval.