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There are usually 13 daily train trips available from Ottawa to Toronto. Traveling by train from Ottawa to Toronto usually takes 4 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 219 mi (352 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 30m |
| Lowest price | €36.50 |
| Trains per day | 28 |
| Most frequent service | VIA Rail |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Ottawa to Toronto
(Based on 58 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: on time. Cons: the car manager could have offered to help me when he saw i was struggling.
5.0
Pros: just wonderful. Cons: keep it up. Tips: try via rail.
5.0
Pros: Staff were frequently updated trip/train position and noticed 5/10 minutes earlier to arrive the destination. Cons: All good,. Tips: Enjoy !!
4.0
the passage was comfortable and the staff were friendly and efficient.
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Ottawa to Toronto was €57.04. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €50.87 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Ottawa to Toronto will cost between €54 and €219. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
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 November when the average ticket price is only €56,
If you're thinking of traveling from Ottawa to Toronto during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €70 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.
By booking your train trip from Ottawa to Toronto on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about €50.87 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 Toronto. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIA Rail | 13 | 4h 37m | €80.85 |
VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 13 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.
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 37 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 30 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 Thursday 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 13 scheduled trains on most days. 28 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.
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 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.
There are two stations in Ottawa where you can board the train to Toronto.
Fallowfield
Ottawa Train Station
Image credit: The City of Toronto
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Michael Caven
Link to image attributionUnion 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!
Union Station
Guildwood
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
