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Montreal to Ottawa train

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Montreal - Ottawa Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 5 daily trains from Montreal to Ottawa. Traveling by train from Montreal to Ottawa usually takes around 2 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 2 hours,

Distance103 mi (166 km)
Fastest train2h 0m
Lowest priceCA$40.78
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Montreal to Ottawa

(Based on 22 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Gerald

4 November 2023- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: Love trains. Quiet, fast, no bumps. Cons: Nothing enjoy trip.

4.0

Christina

22 October 2023- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: It was clean and comfortable. Cons: Price.

5.0

Abbas

11 September 2021- Solo travel

VIA Rail

I was calm and peaceful

5.0

Pietro

28 August 2021- Solo travel

VIA Rail

Pros: The train was nice. Cons: . Tips: No.

5.0

Jeremy

17 August 2021- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: Great service -a quick, easy, economical and pleasant way to travel. Cons: All good. Tips: Try the train if you haven’t before.

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

In the last month, CA$44.86 was the average price of a train ticket from Montreal to Ottawa. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 27 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around CA$38.38 more than that for a same-day booking.

Monthly average prices

CA$103CA$82CA$62CA$41CA$21MJJASONDJFMA

Ticket prices for the train from Montreal to Ottawa 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 CA$47,

If you're thinking of traveling from Montreal to Ottawa during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CA$74 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

CA$103CA$82CA$62CA$41CA$213020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Ottawa from Montreal will be about CA$38.38 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Montreal to Ottawa?

VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Montreal to Ottawa. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
VIA Rail52h 9mCA$66.18
  • VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 5 daily trips between Montreal and Ottawa. 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

The train ride from Montreal to Ottawa takes an average of 2 hours and 16 minutes. The distance is approximately 198.1 kilometers (123.1 miles).
Tickets from Montreal to Ottawa on Via Rail Canada average about $36. If you were to book your trip at least 20 days out, you can expect to save almost $6. If you have some flexibility on when you are planning to travel, midweek train schedules tend to be less busy and cheaper.
VIA Rail Canada offers 9 routes from Montreal to Ottawa per day, 7 of which are direct. In Montreal, the train departs from 895 Rue de la Gauchetiere O and arrives into the Ottawa Train Station.
The distance between Montreal and Ottawa is approximately 103 miles, or 166 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours, Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from Montreal to Ottawa are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Montreal 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.

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

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

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

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 departure 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 Rail and 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.

All train stations in Montreal:

  • Gare Centrale

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 arrival 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.

Train stations in Ottawa:

  • Ottawa Train Station

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