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Toronto to Ottawa train

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Toronto - Ottawa Train Schedule

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Train Trip Information: Toronto to Ottawa

There are 8 daily trains from Toronto to Ottawa. Traveling by train from Toronto to Ottawa usually takes around 4 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest VIA Rail train can make the trip in 3 hours and 38 minutes.

Distance219 mi (352 km)
Fastest train3h 38m
Lowest price$38.96
Trains per day28
Most frequent serviceVIA Rail
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Toronto to Ottawa

(Based on 62 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Sibghatullah

January 14, 2023- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: amazing. Cons: Prices are high. Tips: No.

Pros: amazing. Cons: Prices are high. Tips: No.

5.0

Dhruvibankim

January 11, 2023- Vacation

VIA Rail

Pros: The train was on time. Cons: Cleanliness can be maintained more.

Pros: The train was on time. Cons: Cleanliness can be maintained more.

5.0

CARLOS ALBERTO

December 1, 2022- Vacation

VIA Rail

Good service at ground and in the train.

Good service at ground and in the train.

5.0

Denise

September 22, 2022- Visiting family

VIA Rail

Pros: Very nice trip. Tips: Visit canada by train.

Pros: Very nice trip. Tips: Visit canada by train.

4.0

Naim

September 18, 2022- Visiting friends

VIA Rail

Pros: Cleanliness Staff Friendliness The Food. Cons: The reclining seat is very limited in back to back position. Food service speed.

Pros: Cleanliness Staff Friendliness The Food. Cons: The reclining seat is very limited in back to back position. Food service speed.

Toronto to Ottawa Route Map

Toronto Ottawa

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

$52.72 is the average price of a bus ticket from Toronto to Ottawa. Any tickets cheaper than $52.72 can be considered a great deal. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$135$90$45MarApr

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Toronto to Ottawa will vary between $54 and $126. Planning a train trip to Ottawa within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Toronto over the next 7 days is $61. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

$100$80$60$40$20AMJJASONDJFM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Toronto to Ottawa by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for November. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $63 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Toronto to Ottawa in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to $76 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Ottawa from Toronto will be about $47.04 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Toronto to Ottawa?

VIA Rail is the one and only train line which connects Toronto to Ottawa. However, there are 8 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
VIA Rail84h 24m$73.44

  • VIA Rail, also known as Via Rail Canada or simply VIA, provides service across the Canadian provinces and territories, including 8 daily trips between Toronto 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 fastest possible travel time from Toronto to Ottawa is 3 hours and 45 minutes on VIA Rail Canada, but the average travel time is closer to 4 hours and 20 minutes. This route has 28 daily trips, 23 of which are schedules that will get you to Ottawa faster than a route with a transfer.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada is 218.91 miles (352.21 kilometers) southwest of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Ottawa is the national capital of Canada, and Toronto is the most populous city in the country.
The cheapest possible price for a train ticket from Toronto to Ottawa is CA$29 on VIA Rail Canada. The average price, however, is closer to CA$53. Save money by booking at least 20 days out, and look at booking midweek instead of on a busy weekend.

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

The distance between Toronto and Ottawa is approximately 219 miles, or 352 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 38 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.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when trains are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded trains to Ottawa, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The earliest train departs Toronto at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00pm. 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 8 scheduled trains on most days. 28 of these are direct connections to Ottawa. 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 Ottawa to Toronto.

City Information

Toronto

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.

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 Toronto?

Union Station, Toronto, ON - CATORAMT-0

Image credit: The City of Toronto

Link to image attribution
Union Station, Toronto, ON - CATORAMT-1

Image credit: Michael Caven

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Union 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!

All train stations in Toronto:

  • Union Station

  • Guildwood

Where is the train station in Ottawa?

Main arrival station: Fallowfield

Ottawa receives travelers from Toronto at its two active train stations.

All train stations in Ottawa:

  • Fallowfield

  • Ottawa Train Station

Get around town with Moovit

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From the Wanderu blog

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