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VIA Rail train tickets - Search & book deals

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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About VIA Rail

VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, is a Canadian intercity passenger rail line. With 446 routes, VIA Rail provides convenient, easy transportation across the Canadian provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, with notable stops in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax.

VIA Rail's top priority is providing a safe, reliable and enjoyable experience for all passengers. While already green-certified and known for its amenities, VIA Rail has further modernized its trains to reach higher environmentally-friendly levels and provide an unparalleled travel experience. The new, state-of-the-art trains have wheelchair lifts in every accessible car, engines that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 emission standards, and a more comfortable travel experience for passengers. The facilities also feature improved connectivity for the free Wi-Fi, wider aisles, and ergonomic seats, all while retaining the snazzy black and yellow paint scheme VIA Rail is known for.

Whether you're looking for a quick and convenient commute from Toronto to Ottawa or an incredible adventure across the country from Halifax to Vancouver, VIA Rail is the most comfortable and affordable way to travel.

VIA Rail is an official partner with Wanderu, so you can search all routes and prices effortlessly on Wanderu. Easily compare departure dates and prices to get the cheapest train tickets VIA Rail offers.

* #3 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada * #4 Best COVID-19 Safety Measures * #5 Most Helpful Crew * #5 Best Wi-Fi * #5 Commuters' Favorite
  • #3 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada
    • #4 Best COVID-19 Safety Measures
    • #5 Most Helpful Crew
    • #5 Best Wi-Fi
    • #5 Commuters' Favorite

VIA Rail Amenities

Air conditioningAir conditioning
ToiletToilet
Extra legroomExtra legroom
Green certifiedGreen certified
Loyalty rewardsLoyalty rewards
FilmsFilms
Power pointPower point
SnacksSnacks
WiFiWiFi

Quickview

VIA Rail train coverage

Daily Trips376
stations77
cities71
countries1

What travelers are saying about VIA Rail

Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with VIA Rail had to say about their travel experience.

Traveling During COVID-19

"Appreciated the social distancing in the station and on the train."
based on 891 reviews

Onboard Experience

"Had free, working WiFi on board so the trip flew by."
based on 1207 reviews
"The train crew was super friendly and very professional."
based on 1475 reviews
"Safe, friendly and economical way to travel."
based on 1364 reviews
"The bus was on time."
based on 1434 reviews
“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
based on 1496 reviews
"It was much cleaner than I thought it would have been."
based on 1580 reviews

VIA Rail reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for VIA Rail

(Based on 1738 reviews)

4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort

4.3

Timeliness

4.5

Staff

4.5

Value

3.5

Condition

4.5

VIA Rail passenger reviews

2.0

Jacqueline

25 August 2025- Couples trip

Montreal to Toronto

No choice of food! Therefore may be better to select the option when booking or have more availability on board

5.0

Heather

24 August 2025- Business

Windsor to Toronto

Pros: It was pleasant and an enjoyable ride on the train. Cons: If you are unhappy w your seat direction you should have the option to move if there are other seats available.

5.0

ERIC

21 August 2025- Business

Windsor to Toronto

Pros: Can’t beat the convenience of taking the train from Windsor to Toronto! Station was close the hotel and I didn’t have to worry about parking. Cons: Overall it was pretty good! Tips: Pack light!

5.0

Oscar

14 August 2025- Solo travel

Montreal to Québec City

Pros: Totally worth it! The price is fare for the trip, the 3 hours in the train felt like 1h and they have free WiFi and snacks to purchase. Good service. Cons: I know the speed is limited but the same distance can be done in 2h or less, the average was 120km/h which for a train is super low. I’ven in trains of more than 200km\h. Tips: Free WiFi, plugs in available, bring your snacks and relax and enjoy I recommend it.

2.0

O

12 August 2025- Vacation

Montreal to Toronto

Pros: I wish I had flown instead. The 5 hour journey took almost 8 hours. Cons: Everything. Tips: It’s much cheaper to fly. We lost a whole day just stuck on a very slow train to nowhere.

VIA Rail Routes & Network

VIA Rail’s train network features 446 train routes that connect 71 cities serving 77 stations. On average, VIA Rail performs about 376 train trips every day. The top cities to which VIA Rail offers the highest number of daily train service include Québec City and Saint-Lambert.

Top Cities Served by VIA Rail

CityRouteEarliest trainLatest train
Toronto58:52 am5:30 am
Montreal710:29 am4:04 am
Ottawa310:29 am3:26 am
Québec City311:07 am12:03 am
Windsor411:50 am3:59 am
London210:35 am2:18 am
Niagara Falls31:20 pm1:45 pm
Kingston29:13 am1:14 am
Saint-Lambert310:29 am4:04 am

Most popular VIA Rail routes

The train from Québec City to Saint-Lambert is VIA Rail’s most popular route. Trips from Toronto to Ottawa and Toronto to Montreal are also highly popular.

Top VIA Rail routes

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
Québec City to Saint-Lambert102h 49mUS$43
Toronto to Ottawa264h 25mUS$55
Toronto to Montreal155h 53mUS$55
Montreal to Ottawa52h 3mUS$42
Niagara Falls to Toronto11h 59mUS$26
Windsor to Toronto44h 22mUS$55
London to Toronto52h 31mUS$42
Toronto to Kingston182h 17mUS$41
Montreal to Québec City103h 12mUS$43

VIA Rail Cancellation Policy

VIA Rail Baggage Policy

VIA Rail Train Guide & FAQs

Yes, VIA Rail offers WiFi on their trains. Although most trips with VIA Rail will have WiFi as advertised, some trains might not come equipped with WiFi and onboard WiFi can lose its connection in rural areas. We recommend you bring a book or download a movie just to play it safe. VIA Rail WiFi is generally best used for surfing the web, checking emails and chatting with friends; you shouldn’t count on the WiFi to binge-watch your favorite show.

VIA Rail has quite an extensive baggage policy intended to best service all passengers while maintaining standard regulations.

Carry-on baggage allowance in the Québec - Windsor Corridor

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 medium carry-on item – max. size: 25 x 16 x 12 in (64 x 41 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)
• Additional carry-on for Escape and Economy: 1 large item – fee: CA $25 + tax per direction., max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg). Limited space available. • Additional carry-on for Economy Plus: 1 large item – fee: CA $15 + tax per direction., max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg). Limited space available.

Business & Business Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 2 large carry-on items – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) each

Carry-on baggage allowance for long-distance trains (Trains traveling on the Western, Maritime and Regional ways)

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 medium carry-on item – max. size: 25 x 16 x 12 in (64 x 41 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)
• 1 large item – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) • 1 additional checked large item – fee: CA$40 + tax per item and per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)

Tourist, Sleeper Plus & Prestige passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 medium carry-on item – max. size: 25 x 16 x 12 in (64 x 41 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)
• 2 large items – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per item
• Additional checked baggage: 2 items – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per item

Oversized baggage:
• Between 61 and 71 linear in (154 and 180 linear cm)* – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction
*Linear dimensions are obtained by adding the length, width and height.
Surcharges for overweight or oversized items apply to checked baggage only.

Overweight baggage:
• Between 50 and 70 lb (23 and 32 kg) – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction

Oversized baggage:
• Between 61 and 71 linear in (154 and 180 linear cm)* – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction.
*Linear dimensions are obtained by adding the length, width and height.
Surcharges for overweight or oversized items apply to checked baggage only.

You'll be charged in CAD when booking VIA Rail tickets through Wanderu, even if the price is displayed in USD during checkout. As a result, keep in mind that your bank may apply online foreign conversion rates and/or fees, depending on your card's terms & conditions. For more information, please contact your credit card provider directly.

Yes, there are power outlets onboard VIA Rail trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power outlets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.

Since VIA Rail might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

The VIA Rail system spans 8 Canadian provinces from coast to coast: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It is comprised of 9 distinct routes:

Perhaps the two most well known routes are the Canadian and the Ocean. One of VIA Rail’s signature trips as the longest, the Canadian takes you from Toronto to Vancouver. This train is world-renowned and is even featured on the back of the Canadian ten dollar bill. During the ride aboard the Canadian, you will get a view of incredible scenery out the window, from the lakes of Ontario, to the prairies in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to the boreal forests in Alberta, to the Canadian Rockies, with stops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper along the way. The Canadian train even has a dome car, made specifically to appreciate the incredible views aboard VIA Rail.

The Ocean is yet another amazing train ride offered by VIA Rail. Its route extends from Montreal to Halifax. Enjoy the beauty of French Quebec before you head through the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

On a typical day, VIA Rail has 376 scheduled train trips in total. However, the exact departure and arrival times vary depending on the day and route. The best way to find the exact schedule for your trip is to use the search tool on this page.

Yes, you can travel with a pet on VIA Rail. You must make special pet reservation after you've purchased your ticket. The pet must fit inside a carrier with a total weight of pet and carrier not to exceed 10kg or 22 pounds.
Yes, you must carry valid identification when traveling with VIA Rail. Acceptable forms include: - One piece of valid government-issued photo identification that includes your full name and date of birth. - Two pieces of valid identification issued by a federal, provincial, or territorial government, with one including your full name and date of birth
Yes, you can track a VIA Rail train with real-time updates using the carrier's online tracker.

Yes, there are bathrooms on VIA Rail trains. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Most bathrooms don’t have running water. As you will be using a bathroom on a moving vehicle, please use caution and hold on to a rail at all times.

Yes, some VIA Rail tickets are exchangeable and refundable prior to scheduled departure time according to the fare conditions of the fare type you selected when you booked your trip. Pleae check out the VIA Rail Cancellation Policy section above for more details.
You don't need a printed train ticket for VIA Rail routes. Instead, VIA Rail offers e-tickets, which you can show from your smartphone or other device. Just have your screen ready to scan when boarding!

VIA Rail goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.

Movies are provided during the train trip to keep you entertained. Don’t forget to bring your favorite pair of headphones, as headphones are not always included on the train. We recommend in-ear noise cancelling headphones due to their small size.

Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as VIA Rail offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.

VIA Rail offers an Unaccompanied Minors service for young travelers aged 8 to 17 traveling alone, with specific policies based on age groups:

  • Children aged 7 and under cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by a parent or an adult aged 18 or over.
  • Children aged 8 to 12: The Unaccompanied Minors service is mandatory for this age group.

  • Teenagers aged 13 to 17: The service is optional for these travelers.

    Unaccompanied Minors Service:

  • Request the service at the time of booking, at least 48 hours before departure to ensure availability. Tickets for unaccompanied minors cannot be bought online; you must purchase them at the station ticket counter or contact a VIA Rail sales agent at +1 888 VIA-RAIL (+1 888 842-7245).
  • A fee of CA $25 applies for each one-way trip per minor.
  • Available in Economy and Business classes only.
  • Journeys must occur between 05:25 and 23:59 on the same day.
  • Minors may not board or disembark at unstaffed stations.
  • Only direct trains without connections or transfers are permitted unless a guardian or parent can meet the minor at the connecting point.

  • Minors with serious illnesses or severe food allergies may be denied travel unless medical authorization is obtained 48 hours prior to departure.

    Learn more about VIA Rail's Unaccompanied Minors Service.

Cheap VIA Rail tickets recently found on Wanderu

With 376 VIA Rail trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and VIA Rail tickets start at just US$20.00. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

How do I get the best deal on VIA Rail tickets?

Wanderu is the best place to score cheap VIA Rail tickets. Wanderu offers the lowest available fares every day and charges no extra booking fees. Plus, you can compare VIA Rail prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!

Pro travelers know that booking your ticket well in advance is key to finding the lowest price. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so don’t miss out on a good deal when you see one. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also get cheap tickets by traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.

When you’re ready to book, type your departure city and destination city in the search bar above, select your travel date, and let Wanderu work its magic to show you all of the best bus and train ticket prices available for your trip. Pick the ticket that’s best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal.

More transportation options

Top VIA Rail Routes

Top VIA Rail Destinations

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