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Official VIA Rail partner

Wanderu is an official partner of VIA Rail

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel in North America and Europe. We partner with more than 300 bus & train companies around the world to help you search, compare, and find the best travel deals all in one place.

About VIA Rail

VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, is a Canadian intercity passenger rail line. With 554 routes, VIA Rail provides convenient, easy transportation across the Canadian provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, with notable stops in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax.

VIA Rail's top priority is providing a safe, reliable and enjoyable experience for all passengers. While already green-certified and known for its amenities, VIA Rail has further modernized its trains to reach higher environmentally-friendly levels and provide an unparalleled travel experience. The new, state-of-the-art trains have wheelchair lifts in every accessible car, engines that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 emission standards, and a more comfortable travel experience for passengers. The facilities also feature improved connectivity for the free Wi-Fi, wider aisles, and ergonomic seats, all while retaining the snazzy black and yellow paint scheme VIA Rail is known for.

Whether you're looking for a quick and convenient commute from Toronto to Ottawa or an incredible adventure across the country from Halifax to Vancouver, VIA Rail is the most comfortable and affordable way to travel.

VIA Rail is an official partner with Wanderu, so you can search all routes and prices effortlessly on Wanderu. Easily compare departure dates and prices to get the cheapest train tickets VIA Rail offers.

**2023**   
 #2 Business Travelers' Favorite   
 #5 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada   
 #5 Best Safety Measures   
 **2022**   
 #3 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada   
 #4 Best COVID-19 Safety Measures   
 #5 Most Helpful Crew   
 #5 Best Wi-Fi   
 #5 Commuters' Favorite

2023
#2 Business Travelers' Favorite
#5 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada
#5 Best Safety Measures
2022
#3 Best Ground Travel Provider in Canada
#4 Best COVID-19 Safety Measures
#5 Most Helpful Crew
#5 Best Wi-Fi
#5 Commuters' Favorite

VIA Rail Amenities

Air conditioningAir conditioning
RestroomRestroom
Extra legroomExtra legroom
Green certifiedGreen certified
Loyalty rewardsLoyalty rewards
MoviesMovies
Power outletPower outlet
SnacksSnacks
WiFiWiFi

Quickview

VIA Rail train coverage

Daily Trips421
stations105
cities94
countries1

What travelers are saying about VIA Rail

Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with VIA Rail had to say about their travel experience.

Traveling During COVID-19

"Appreciated the social distancing in the station and on the train."
based on 814 reviews

Onboard Experience

"Had free, working WiFi on board so the trip flew by."
based on 1067 reviews
"The train crew was super friendly and very professional."
based on 1330 reviews
"Safe, friendly and economical way to travel."
based on 1230 reviews
"The bus was on time."
based on 1294 reviews
“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
based on 1335 reviews
"It was much cleaner than I thought it would have been."
based on 1419 reviews

VIA Rail reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for VIA Rail

(Based on 1569 reviews)

4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort

4.2

Timeliness

4.5

Staff

4.5

Value

3.5

Condition

4.5

VIA Rail passenger reviews

4.0

EDILBERTO

March 9, 2024- Visiting friends

Toronto to Ottawa

Pros: comfy and safe. Cons: cleaner and good smelling toilet. Tips: take via rail.

4.0

Jozef

March 7, 2024- Solo travel

Toronto to Montreal

Pros: Convenience and comfort. It takes longer than a flight, but I doesn't have to arrive 2 hours prior to departure! Cons: I don't think it needs improvements. Tips: Relax and enjoy!

4.0

Douglas

February 14, 2024- Solo travel

Toronto to Windsor

Pros: The train ride was smooth and it got me to Windsor safely. Cons: The train left the Toronto station about 20 minutes late. I've had other trips on Via Rail and they've always left the station right on time. Also, there were 2 or 3 other delays. A couple were waiting for other trains to pass and one was because anther train was stalled on the main line track. Overall, this meant we arrived in Windsor about 3 hours late. Tips: Be prepared to have to wait for other trains to pass, this is normal and usually only takes a few minutes, maybe 10-15 minutes. As for the Wi-Fi, I thought it was ok on previous trips but this time it was anything but ok. It was non-functional I would say about half the trip. If Via Rail advertises free Wi-Fi, the least they can do is make sure it works, at least 95% of the time, 50% is definitely unacceptable. BTW, I consider none of these problems I describe here are the fault of Wanderu. I have booked Wanderu in the past and will do so in the future.

5.0

Latrelle

January 31, 2024- Visiting family

Ottawa to Toronto

Pros: The arrival time. Cons: Tickets price.

5.0

Ali

January 21, 2024- Visiting family

Toronto to Dorval

Pros: Friendly Staff. Cons: More comfortable Seat.

VIA Rail Routes & Network

VIA Rail’s train network features 554 train routes that connect 94 cities serving 105 stations. On average, VIA Rail performs about 421 train trips every day. The top cities to which VIA Rail offers the highest number of daily train service include Toronto and Montreal.

Top Cities Served by VIA Rail

CityRouteEarliest trainLatest train
Toronto88:49 am4:30 am
Montreal3010:47 am10:22 pm
Ottawa39:25 am2:25 am
Québec City47:53 am12:28 am
Windsor710:50 am2:59 am
London19:40 am1:18 am
Niagara Falls112:20 pm1:38 pm
Kingston19:30 am12:28 am
Saint-Lambert36:01 am2:18 am

Most popular VIA Rail routes

The train from Toronto to Montreal is VIA Rail’s most popular route. Trips from Windsor to Toronto and Toronto to Ottawa are also highly popular.

Top VIA Rail routes

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
Toronto to Montreal195h 54m$54
Windsor to Toronto44h 19m$54
Toronto to Ottawa344h 24m$54
Montreal to Québec City53h 28m$42
Montreal to Ottawa52h 8m$41
Niagara Falls to Toronto12h 2m$25
Québec City to Saint-Lambert52h 38m$42
London to Toronto62h 35m$41
Toronto to Kingston222h 15m$48

VIA Rail Cancellation Policy

All VIA Rail train tickets are fully refundable within the first 24 hours after purchase. Once 24 hours have passed, the cancellation policy and change fee structure for VIA Rail bookings depend on the type of fare you purchased.

Escape Fare tickets: Can be changed for a fee of 50% of the ticket cost, or cancelled for a credit worth 50% of your ticket price.

Economy and Business Fare tickets: Can be changed for a fee of 25% of the ticket price, or refunded for a 25% fee.

Economy Plus and Business Plus Fare tickets: Fully refundable any time before the train departs, and can be exchanged for no fee.

You can easily cancel your VIA Rail ticket from your Wanderu user account or request a cancellation by contacting Wanderu or VIA Rail directly. Depending on when you cancel your ticket and your fare type, you will receive a refund or credit.

To reschedule your ticket, you can contact VIA Rail’s customer service at 1 (888) 842-7245. Be sure to request any necessary changes as soon as possible because tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the train has departed.

Wanderu also offers an affordable trip protection option by Allianz Global Assistance that you can purchase when booking your tickets. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. You can file a claim to have any VIA Rail change or cancellation fees reimbursed if you cannot travel due to covered reasons such as illness, extreme weather, or required work shifts.

VIA Rail Train Guide & FAQs

Yes, VIA Rail offers WiFi on their trains. Although most trips with VIA Rail will have WiFi as advertised, some trains might not come equipped with WiFi and onboard WiFi can lose its connection in rural areas. We recommend you bring a book or download a movie just to play it safe. VIA Rail WiFi is generally best used for surfing the web, checking emails and chatting with friends; you shouldn’t count on the WiFi to binge watch your favorite show.

VIA Rail has quite an extensive baggage policy intended to best service all passengers while maintaining standard regulation.

Carry-on baggage allowance in the Québec - Windsor Corridor

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 medium carry-on item – max. size: 25 x 16 x 12 in (64 x 41 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)
• Additional carry-on: 1 large item – fee: CA$25 + tax per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)

Business & Business Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 2 large carry-on items – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) each

Carry-on baggage allowance for long-distance trains (Trains traveling on the Western, Maritime and Regional ways)

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 medium carry-on item – max. size: 25 x 16 x 12 in (64 x 41 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)
• NO ADDITIONAL CARRY-ON BAGGAGE PERMITTED.

Tourist, Sleeper Plus & Prestige passengers:
• 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you – max. size: 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 15 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• 1 small carry-on item – max. size: 21 x 16 x 10 in (53 x 41 x 25 cm), max. weight: 25 lb (11.5 kg)
• NO ADDITIONAL CARRY-ON BAGGAGE PERMITTED.

Checked baggage allowance for long-distance trains WITH a connection in the Québec - Windsor Corridor

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 2 large items – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)

Tourist, Sleeper Plus & Prestige passengers:
• 2 large items – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg)

Checked baggage allowance for long-distance trains with NO connections

Escape, Economy & Economy Plus class passengers:
• 3 large items – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per item

Overweight baggage:
• Between 50 and 70 lb (23 and 32 kg) – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction

Oversized baggage:
• Between 61 and 71 linear in (154 and 180 linear cm)* – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction
*Linear dimensions are obtained by adding the length, width and height.
Surcharges for overweight or oversized items apply to checked baggage only.

Tourist, Sleeper Plus & Prestige passengers:
• 2 large items – max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per item
• Additional checked baggage: 2 items – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction, max. size: 30 x 19 x 12 in (76 x 48 x 30 cm), max. weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per item

Overweight baggage:
• Between 50 and 70 lb (23 and 32 kg) – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction

Oversized baggage:
• Between 61 and 71 linear in (154 and 180 linear cm)* – fee: CA$25 + tax per item and per direction.
*Linear dimensions are obtained by adding the length, width and height.
Surcharges for overweight or oversized items apply to checked baggage only.

Yes, there are power outlets onboard VIA Rail trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power outlets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.

Since VIA Rail might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

The VIA Rail system spans 8 Canadian provinces from coast to coast: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It is comprised of 9 distinct routes:

Perhaps the two most well known routes are the Canadian and the Ocean. One of VIA Rail’s signature trips as the longest, the Canadian takes you from Toronto to Vancouver. This train is world-renowned and is even featured on the back of the Canadian ten dollar bill. During the ride aboard the Canadian, you will get a view of incredible scenery out the window, from the lakes of Ontario, to the prairies in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to the boreal forests in Alberta, to the Canadian Rockies, with stops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper along the way. The Canadian train even has a dome car, made specifically to appreciate the incredible views aboard VIA Rail.

The Ocean is yet another amazing train ride offered by VIA Rail. Its route extends from Montreal to Halifax. Enjoy the beauty of French Quebec before you head through the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

On a typical day, VIA Rail has 421 scheduled train trips in total. However, the exact departure and arrival times vary depending on the day and route. The best way to find the exact schedule for your trip is to use the search tool on this page.

Yes, you can travel with a pet on VIA Rail. You must make special pet reservation after you've purchased your ticket. The pet must fit inside a carrier with a total weight of pet and carrier not to exceed 10kg or 22 pounds.

Yes, VIA Rail requires you to present an ID to an agent to be allowed to board the train. Make sure you have identification issued by a government agency that meets the carrier’s requirements. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, won’t work.

Yes, there are bathrooms on VIA Rail trains. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Most bathrooms don’t have running water. As you will be using a bathroom on a moving vehicle, please use caution and hold on to a rail at all times.

Yes, you can modify or cancel a VIA Rail reservation whether it’s an electronic or paper ticket. The easiest way to do this is by phone at 1-888-842-7245 or online on VIA’s website. A cancellation fee may apply.

VIA Rail does not require a printed ticket to board the train. Instead, an eTicket is sent to you by email when you make your reservation. You can use your smartphone to show this eTicket to the ticketing agent as you board.

VIA Rail goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.

Movies are provided during the train trip to keep you entertained. Don’t forget to bring your favorite pair of headphones, as headphones are not always included on the train. We recommend in-ear noise cancelling headphones due to their small size.

Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as VIA Rail offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.

Cheap VIA Rail tickets recently found on Wanderu

With 421 VIA Rail trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and VIA Rail tickets start at just $20.00. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

How do I get the best deal on VIA Rail tickets?

Wanderu is the best place to score cheap VIA Rail tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Plus, you can compare VIA Rail prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!

Pro travelers know that booking your ticket well in advance is key to finding the lowest price. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so don’t miss out on a good deal when you see one. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also get cheap tickets by traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.

When you’re ready to book, type your departure city and destination city in the search bar above, select your travel date, and let Wanderu work its magic to show you all of the best bus and train ticket prices available for your trip. Pick the ticket that’s best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal.

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

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 deals out there.

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