Winter Weather Warning... please make sure to check with your ticket provider before venturing out. Stay safe!
Wanderu Logo
Canada flag
  • Canada
MX$
Log in
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from Montreal to Ottawa

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.

Best Travel Options

We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Montreal to Ottawa Train Schedule

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Montreal to Ottawa. Traveling by train from Montreal to Ottawa usually takes 2 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 2 hours.

Distance103 mi (166 km)
Fastest train2h 0m
Lowest priceMX$516.73
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Montreal to Ottawa

(Based on 28 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Evens

January 9, 2026- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: My favorite moment on the train was when I was sitting by the window. I fully enjoyed admiring nature covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow. Cons: Ok for now. Tips: Try wanderu you will never regret!

5.0

Troy

May 29, 2025- Solo travel

VIA Rail

Pros: First time traveling from Montreal to Ottawa on a train. It was a good trip. Cons: When booking, it would've been good to know that my seat was going to be rear facing. Tips: Book business if you can afford it.

4.0

Guillaume

April 21, 2025- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: Calm and respect of time. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Has seen only some travelers drunk, tried to make little bit noice.

4.0

Francesca

September 6, 2024- Solo travel

VIA Rail

I enjoyed visiting Ottawa Parliament Hill

5.0

Gerald

November 4, 2023- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: Love trains. Quiet, fast, no bumps. Cons: Nothing enjoy trip.

What is the price of a train ticket from Montreal to Ottawa?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Montreal to Ottawa was MX$524.10. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$414.10 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Montreal to Ottawa by month

MX$1,285MX$1,028MX$771MX$514MX$257FMAMJJASONDJ
Ticket prices for the train from Montreal to Ottawa often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only MX$702. If you're thinking of traveling from Montreal to Ottawa during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$942 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

MX$1,285MX$1,028MX$771MX$514MX$2573020100

By booking your train trip from Montreal to Ottawa on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about MX$414.10 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Montreal to Ottawa?

VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Montreal to Ottawa. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
VIA Rail52h 4mMX$718.39

  • VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 5 daily trips between Montreal and Ottawa. 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 about traveling by train from Montreal to Ottawa

The train ride from Montreal to Ottawa takes an average of 2 hours and 16 minutes. The distance is approximately 198.1 kilometers (123.1 miles).
Tickets from Montreal to Ottawa on Via Rail Canada average about $36. If you were to book your trip at least 20 days out, you can expect to save almost $6. If you have some flexibility on when you are planning to travel, midweek train schedules tend to be less busy and cheaper.
VIA Rail Canada offers 9 routes from Montreal to Ottawa per day, 7 of which are direct. In Montreal, the train departs from 895 Rue de la Gauchetiere O and arrives into the Ottawa Train Station.
The distance between Montreal and Ottawa is approximately 103 miles, or 166 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours, Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from Montreal to Ottawa are the most crowded on Wednesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Montreal 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.

There are 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Montreal to Ottawa.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Ottawa to Montreal.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Montreal?

Gare Centrale, Montreal, QC - CAMTLAMT-0

Image credit: Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Gare Centrale

Established in 1943, the Gare Centrale is one of the most important intercity rail stations in Montreal, offering high-speed rail services to as many as 11 million customers per year. The station is the centerpiece of the Québec City-Windsor corridor, the busiest intercity rail service area in the country. The city's train services are operated by VIA Rail and Amtrak, with several destinations including Toronto and Windsor. The station is large and well-appointed, containing two parking facilities and a shopping and restaurant complex. Other amenities include bicycle facilities and disabled access.

All train stations in Montreal:

  • Gare Centrale

Where is the train station in Ottawa?

Ottawa Train Station, Ottawa, ON - CAXDSVIA-0

Image credit: shankar s.

Link to image attribution
Ottawa Train Station, Ottawa, ON - CAXDSVIA-1

Image credit: Tony Webster

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Ottawa Train Station

The Ottawa Station is the central station for intermodal transportation services in Ottawa. Constructed in 1966, the current station is an eclectic mix of modernism and Beaux-Arts, offering a unique design that makes it stand out from the crowd. The current station provides intercity bus services and rail services all from one convenient hub. The rail services are provided by VIA Rail, with possible destinations including Toronto and Montreal. In addition, Ontario Northland offers bus service, and there is also a shuttle bus line from the station to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. On-station amenities include a parking lot with 330 spaces, bicycle parking racks, and disabled access.

Train stations in Ottawa:

  • Ottawa Train Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Ottawa by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Related reading

Need a return trip from Ottawa to Montreal?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Montreal

Continue by train from Ottawa

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.