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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.
| Distance | 103 mi (166 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 54m |
| Lowest price | NOK 297.77 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | VIA Rail |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Ottawa to Montreal
(Based on 23 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Smooth. Everything was good. Cons: The price. Quite expensive. Tips: Sir back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
5.0
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
Pros: Everything. Cons: More variety’s of food. Tips: Everything fine.
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Montreal was NOK 446.75. 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 19 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 195.99 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
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 April when the average ticket price is only NOK 393,
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 NOK 559 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
By booking your train trip from Ottawa to Montreal on Wanderu at least 19 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 195.99 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Ottawa to Montreal. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIA Rail | 5 | 2h 1m | NOK 546.56 |
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.
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.
Trains from Ottawa to Montreal are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 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.
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.
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.
Image credit: shankar s.
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Tony Webster
Link to image attributionThe 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.
Ottawa Train Station
Image credit: Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose
Link to image attributionEstablished 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.
Gare Centrale
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