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Cheap train tickets from Ottawa to Toronto

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Ottawa to Toronto Train Timetable

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Ottawa to Toronto?

There are usually 79 daily bus trips from Ottawa to Toronto.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£27.28
Avg. Price
£48.10
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
79
Daily Trips
24
Duration
Duration
6h 8m
Duration
4h 38m

Trip Summary

There are usually 9 daily train trips available from Ottawa to Toronto. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Toronto usually takes 4 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 3 hours and 32 minutes.

Distance219 mi (352 km)
Fastest train3h 32m
Lowest price£29.57
Trains per day24
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Ottawa to Toronto

(Based on 61 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Alyssa

7 November 2024- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: How fast it was. Cons: More options of food. Tips: Enjoy the view.

5.0

Britt

25 October 2024- Solo travel

VIA Rail

Pros: It was great. New to Canada and train trips and it’s so nice to be able to “kick back and watch a movie”. It allowed me to be able to hop off the train ready to go!! Cons: Price was very expensive. I want to use VIA more but I can’t at that price. Tips: Try it!! Improve your train of thought!!

5.0

MF

14 April 2024- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: on time. Cons: the car manager could have offered to help me when he saw i was struggling.

5.0

EDILBERTO

12 March 2024- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: just wonderful. Cons: keep it up. Tips: try via rail.

5.0

Latrelle

31 January 2024- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: The arrival time. Cons: Tickets price.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Toronto was £38.28. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 20 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £46.41 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Ottawa to Toronto by travel date

£135£90£45MayJun

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Ottawa to Toronto will cost between £47 and £130. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Ottawa to Toronto by month

£75£60£45£30£15JJASONDJFMAM

Ticket prices for the train from Ottawa to Toronto often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only £44,

If you're thinking of traveling from Ottawa to Toronto during October, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £61 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in October, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£94£75£56£38£193020100

By booking your train trip from Ottawa to Toronto on Wanderu at least 20 days ahead of time, you can save about £46.41 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
VIA Rail94h 35m£55.39

  • 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 about traveling by train 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.
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.
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.

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 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 32 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.

Trains from Ottawa to Toronto are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Ottawa at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. 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 9 scheduled trains on most days. 24 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.

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.

Station Information

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 departure 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.

All train stations in Ottawa:

  • Ottawa Train Station

  • Fallowfield

Where is the train station in Toronto?

Union Station, Toronto, ON - CATORAMT-0

Image credit: The City of Toronto

Link to image attribution
Union Station, Toronto, ON - CATORAMT-1

Image credit: Michael Caven

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Station

Union Station is the center of rail transportation in Toronto and Canada's busiest train terminal. First opened in 1927, the station underwent several redevelopment and renovation projects to reach its current state. In 1999, in recognition of the station's importance to transportation history, it was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame. The current station is served by VIA Rail trains and local public transit. The station currently serves over 72 million commuters each year, and as much as 91% of all Toronto passengers pass through this station. Just walking through the station is the perfect way to get familiar with Toronto's locals!

Train stations in Toronto:

  • Union Station

  • Guildwood

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