Trains from Ottawa to Toronto
Trains from Ottawa to Toronto
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Ottawa – Toronto Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There are 9 daily trains from Ottawa to Toronto. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Toronto usually takes around 4 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 4 hours and 2 minutes.
What is the price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Toronto?
In the last month, $71.42 was the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Toronto. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 28 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $76.40 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 Toronto will vary between C$67 and C$175. Planning a train trip to Toronto within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Ottawa over the next 7 days is C$70. 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 Toronto by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for September. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$84 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Ottawa to Toronto in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$108 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 28 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Toronto from Ottawa will be about C$76.40 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Ottawa to Toronto?
VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Ottawa to Toronto. However, there are 9 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 9 daily trips between Ottawa and Toronto. 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
What is the best way to get from Ottawa to Toronto?
The best way to get from Ottawa to Toronto depends on your priorities, but the train is a great option, especially if you want to get their quickly for a relatively low price. The VIA Rail train usually takes around 4 hours 22 minutes, and costs about CA $112 (and as little as CA $38). Bus trips for this route often cost more than the train, and always take longer.
How many stops are between Ottawa and Toronto?
The VIA Rail train from Ottawa to Toronto passes through up to 12 stations en route to Toronto. Which stations the train stops at vary based on schedule. However, all trains stop at the station in Kingston, Ontario.
How do you get from Ottawa to Niagara Falls?
The best way to get from Ottawa to Niagara Falls is to take a train from Ottawa to Toronto, then transfer and take a second train from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The entire trip can be made for as cheap as CA $55, with the longer leg of the trip from Ottawa to Toronto costing a bit more. Be aware that although there are 26 daily train schedules from Ottawa to Toronto, there is only 1 daily trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Is it safe to travel by train from Ottawa to Toronto 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.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
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 Toronto?
The distance between Ottawa and Toronto is approximately 219 miles, or 352 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 2 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
Distance (km)
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains departing from Ottawa to Toronto tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you’ll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Busiest
Least crowded
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Ottawa at 5:00am 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.
First train
Last train
Is there a direct train from Ottawa to Toronto?
There are 9 scheduled trains on most days. 17 of these are direct connections to Toronto. 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 Toronto 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.
Toronto
Toronto is one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities, making it a great destination for travelers looking for a culturally unique experience. One of the most unique landmarks in the city is the Aga Khan Museum, which boasts a beautiful collection of Islamic, Iranian, and Muslim artifacts. If you are interested in art, the Art Gallery of Ontario is a definite must-see. For those who want to step away from the bustling city and seek the refuge of nature, take a ferry to Centre Isle, which offers plenty of activities such as biking or hiking.
Toronto’s food scene is vast and extremely vibrant due to the city’s multicultural nature. Bar Isabel is a local favorite that offers amazing Spanish dishes with a cozy vibe. For a more posh experience, head over to Alo Restaurant, which features a five-course tasting menu that will take you on a culinary ride.
The main bus station in the city is the Union Station Bus Terminal, served by various intercity bus services, including Greyhound and Ontario Northland. The main train station in Toronto is the adjacent Union Station, which is the hub for VIA Rail’s intercity services. The city’s airport is the Toronto Pearson International Airport, the busiest airport in Canada.