Ottawa to Montreal train

Lowest Prices

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

Best Travel Options

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

quickEasyBooking

quickEasyBookingExplanation

fastCustomerSupport

fastCustomerSupportExplanation

Ottawa - Montreal Train Timetable

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from£24.42

Trip Summary

There are 5 daily trains from Ottawa to Montreal. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Montreal usually takes around one hour and 36 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in one hour and 32 minutes.

Distance103 mi (166 km)
Fastest train1h 32m
Lowest price£24.93
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Ottawa to Montreal

(Based on 19 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Harshdeep

14 September 2021- Solo travel

VIA Rail

Pros: Very convenient, very snappy reservations and safe. Cons: I went as 1 but came back with someone, so I don’t know if we can get a return ticket with added passengers. Tips: Wifi is pretty slow. Better to be with your own media/cellular. Never forget your chargers...

Pros: Very convenient, very snappy reservations and safe. Cons: I went as 1 but came back with someone, so I don’t know if we can get a return ticket with added passengers. Tips: Wifi is pretty slow. Better to be with your own media/cellular. Never forget your chargers for your devices!

More

5.0

Angela

2 September 2021- Visiting family

VIA Rail

The booking was easy to use and good feedback

The booking was easy to use and good feedback

4.0

Linda

30 August 2021- Business

VIA Rail

Pros: Its was good. Cons: Nope.

Pros: Its was good. Cons: Nope.

5.0

Angelo

28 August 2021- Solo travel

VIA Rail

Pros: Everything. Cons: More variety’s of food. Tips: Everything fine.

Pros: Everything. Cons: More variety’s of food. Tips: Everything fine.

5.0

Alex

18 August 2021- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: Seats were comfy and staff were helpful. Cons: Wifi was slow sometimes. Tips: Bring your own snack so you don’t have to buy one.

Pros: Seats were comfy and staff were helpful. Cons: Wifi was slow sometimes. Tips: Bring your own snack so you don’t have to buy one.

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

The average price for a train ticket to Montreal is £24.93, Traveling by train on this route is one of the most affordable ways to hit the road from Ottawa. Wanderu ensures that you find great deals on train tickets everytime, we search all of the best train options to present you the lowest prices available from our partner carriers.

Monthly average prices

£41£33£24£16£8AMJJASONDJFM

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 £28 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Ottawa to Montreal in August, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £39 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

£61£49£37£24£123020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 15 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Montreal from Ottawa will be about £15.92 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.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
VIA Rail51h 37m£34.36
  • VIA Rail

    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 36 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.

When are trains the most crowded?

"Thursday is usually the day of the week when trains are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded trains to Montreal, book your ticket for the last day of the week."

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Ottawa at 06:00 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.

How many trains are there each day?

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

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

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.

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

Where is the train station in Montreal?

Main arrival station: Dorval Train Station

Montreal has one train station.

Train stations in Montreal:

  • Dorval Train Station

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Montreal. Download here

Need a return trip from Montreal to Ottawa?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach 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 coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.

Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android