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4 trains operate daily from Ottawa to Québec City. The train trip from Ottawa to Québec City is usually about 5 hours and 40 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest VIA Rail train can get you there in as little as 5 hours and 12 minutes.
| Distance | 236 mi (379 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 12m |
| Lowest price | $38.97 |
| Trains per day | 8 |
| Most frequent service | VIA Rail |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Ottawa to Québec
(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Very great. Cons: It was an ideal trip for me. Tips: Nothing.
5.0
Pros: Comfortable seat, good service, quiet carriage, good snack service, good and spacious washroom, good communication throughout. Cons: All good. Tips: Great food options at Ottawa rail station.
5.0
Pros: Cómodo, excelente vista desde mi asiento, partió y llegó en horario establecido. Cons: Muchas paradas intermedias.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Ottawa and Québec cost $39.82, on average. This is a great bargain given the length of the route. Booking your trip at least 21 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $47.00 more.
By booking your train trip from Ottawa to Québec on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about $47.00 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 Québec. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIA Rail | 4 | 5h 40m | $67.72 |
VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 4 daily trips between Ottawa and Québec. 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 Québec City is approximately 236 miles, or 379 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 12 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Ottawa to Québec City on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Ottawa at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 4 scheduled trains on most days. 8 of these are direct connections to Québec City. 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 Québec City 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.
Boasting quaint cobblestone streets and towering cathedrals, Québec City will make you feel like you are in France, with a unique Canadian touch. The city’s prime attraction lies in its Old Quarter, which features winding cobblestone streets and some of the city’s most iconic architectural marvels such as the Citadel or the Notre-Dame Basilica. Take a stroll around the quarter, and you might find yourself transported to Europe. If you wish to take a break from the hustles and bustles of a big city for a while, drive 9 miles northeast of the Old Town and you will reach Montmorency Falls Park, with its iconic 272-foot fall. The park’s idyllic beauty and its amazing landmarks will certainly strike a chord with nature lovers. For those who just can’t have enough with the town’s interesting history, head over to Place-Royale, which was the original birthplace of the French Colony and the French-American community.
Québec City’s food scene features a very strong French influence. If you want to try local specialties with a distinctive French twist, try La Traite or Le Clocher Penché. For lavish dinners, head over to Restaurant Initiale. And for a chic bachelorette party trip, plan to hit up Québec City's spas and book an afternoon tea.
The city’s principal VIA Rail train station is the Gare du Palais, and the main bus station is right next to it. The main airport in the city is the Jean Lesage International Airport, 8.1 miles west of the city.
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: abdallahh
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Tony Webster
Link to image attributionGare du Palais is an intermodal transportation station in Québec City. Built in 1915, the station gets its name from its proximity to the Palace of the Intendant of New France. Because of its immense cultural value, the station was named a Heritage Railway Station in 1992. The station currently provides rail services on VIA Rail, which offers 12 daily trains from Québec City to Ottawa Station and vice versa. The station's amenities include on-site parking spots and public restrooms.
Gare du Palais
Sainte-Foy
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