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Cheap train tickets from Ottawa to Montreal

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Ottawa to Montreal Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Ottawa to Montreal. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Montreal usually takes 2 hours, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in one hour and 54 minutes.

Distance103 mi (166 km)
Fastest train1h 54m
Lowest price£22.58
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Ottawa to Montreal

(Based on 22 ratings and reviews)

4.8

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 for your devices!

5.0

Angela

2 September 2021- Visiting family

VIA Rail

The booking was easy to use and good feedback

4.0

Linda

30 August 2021- Business

VIA Rail

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.

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.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Montreal was £28.21. 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 £17.61 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Ottawa to Montreal by travel date

£79£53£26MayMay

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Ottawa to Montreal will cost between £36 and £71. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Ottawa to Montreal by month

£56£45£34£23£11JJASONDJFMAM

Ticket prices for the train from Ottawa to Montreal often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in May when the average ticket price is only £25,

If you're thinking of traveling from Ottawa to Montreal during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £44 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

£56£45£34£23£113020100

By booking your train trip from Ottawa to Montreal on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about £17.61 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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 Rail52h 1m£36.46

  • 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 about traveling by train from Ottawa 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.

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.

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.
The distance between Ottawa and Montreal is approximately 103 miles, or 166 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 54 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains from Ottawa to Montreal are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Ottawa at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 17:00. 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 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?

Gare Centrale, Montreal, QC - CAMTLAMT-0

Image credit: Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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 Railand 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.

Train stations in Montreal:

  • Gare Centrale

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