What It’s Like Taking the Train from Toronto to Montreal with VIA Rail: Review & Guide

After a long journey home from Dublin for Christmas, we had a decision to make: how to get from Toronto to Montreal. Since direct flights from Dublin to Montreal were either unavailable or too expensive, we opted for a flight to Toronto instead as it was significantly cheaper. However, booking a connecting flight from Toronto to Montreal with our luggage would have cost us a staggering $900. Instead, we decided to take the VIA Rail train for the first time, which not only saved us money but also gave us a chance to spend some time in Toronto before heading home. Having never taken VIA Rail before, we weren’t sure what to expect. But after hearing amazing things about the service, we were excited to experience it for ourselves. Here’s our full review and guide, including everything you need to know about taking the train from Toronto to Montreal.

Quick Summary

Date: January 26, 2025
Departed Union Station 1:17 PM
Arrival Montreal: 8:25 PM
Train: VIA Rail #66
Class: Economy
Route: Toronto (Union Station) → Montreal (Central Station)
Duration: 5 hours 8 minutes
Cost: $153 per person (+ extra for additional carry-on)
WiFi: Available, but slow for streaming
Power Outlets: Yes, but no USB ports
Food Service: Snacks, coffee, beer, and wine available for purchase
Luggage Policy: 1 personal item + 1 carry-on up to 23 kg (50 lbs)
Seats: Car 5, Seats 7C & 7D
Best Seats for Views: Left side (Seats A & B) for Lake Ontario views

Booking & Cost of the VIA Rail Train

Booking our tickets was a straightforward process through the VIA Rail website. We chose Train #66, an economy fare for $153 per person, with an additional charge for an extra carry-on of $20. We booked 1 week before our train, so prices were a bit inflated, totalling $326.00. However, had we booked earlier, we could expect to pay $20-$40 less per person. Our train was scheduled to depart Union Station at 3:15 PM and arrive at Montreal’s Central Station at 8:25 PM, making the journey just over five hours long. The website provided clear options for seating and baggage allowances, and the entire process was seamless. If you’re planning to travel with VIA Rail, I highly recommend booking online in advance, as tickets tend to increase in price closer to the departure date. 

Luggage Storage at Union Station

Since we arrived in Toronto earlier in the day at 11 AM, we wanted to explore the city before catching our train. Fortunately, Union Station offers luggage storage for $6.90 per bag, making it an affordable and convenient option. We had one large suitcase, two carry-on suitcases, and two backpacks. While pre-booking online is possible, we decided to check in person. The staff were friendly and accommodating, charging us only for the three suitcases and storing our backpacks for free. In total, we paid $20.70, which was a great deal. Compared to other storage services at the station, which charge over $10 per bag, this option was much more affordable. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to store luggage while exploring Toronto, Union Station’s storage service is a great choice.

Dining Options at Union Station

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Union Station is surrounded by a huge variety of dining and shopping options. With over 30 retailers, you’ll find everything from quick bites to sit-down restaurants and gourmet market stalls. During our layover, we kicked things off with a Shake Shack burger and fries, excited to try one of the first Shake Shack locations in Canada. After exploring Toronto for a few hours, we stopped by Earls Kitchen + Bar, one of the restaurants I truly miss from my Vancouver days—just a 10-minute walk from Union Station. To unwind (and warm up from the -17°C day), we also spent some time at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel’s Lounge Bar, located just across the road from the station, before heading over to the station for our departure. 

Boarding & Luggage Allowance

We arrived back at Union Station 45 minutes before departure, as recommended by VIA Rail. Having already received our boarding passes via email, the check-in process was straightforward but involved a few important steps. First, we had to weigh and tag our luggage. Since we were traveling in economy class, we were allowed one personal item (like a backpack) and one carry-on suitcase with a weight limit of 23 kg (50 lbs). We had also paid for an extra carry-on bag. VIA Rail does weigh your bags, which we were surprised by, given we carry our own bags onto the train, and ours were over the limit by 7 kilos. We had to quickly reshuffle items between bags to meet the restrictions, so if you’re packing heavy, be mindful of this!

Boarding itself was well-organized, with clear announcements and staff guiding passengers to their assigned cars. Once our bags were weighed, we were granted access to the train. At the end of each car, there are ample luggage racks for suitcases, and there was plenty of room for our three bags. We placed our backpacks in the overhead locker above our seats, making the entire process smooth and efficient.

Seating & Legroom

We were seated in Car 5, Seats 7C & 7D, and immediately noticed how spacious and comfortable the seats were—much better and larger than an airplane! The legroom was generous, and the seats in front of us had tray tables and a pocket for extra storage. There were also large windows with curtains, allowing us to admire the scenic views along the way. The train features a 2 x 2 seating configuration, so we had a row to ourselves with no one sitting directly next to us. Overall, we were really pleased with how roomy and comfortable the seats were, especially given the length of the trip.

Tip: For the best views, book a seat on the left side of the train (Seats A & B). You’ll get a stunning view of Lake Ontario as the train heads east.

WiFi & Connectivity

VIA Rail offers complimentary WiFi, which worked reasonably well throughout the trip. It wasn’t lightning-fast, but it was good enough for browsing, messaging, and light work. However, if you plan to stream videos or download large files, it might not be reliable.Each seat had power outlets (great for charging devices), but no USB ports, so bring a plug adapter if you need to charge a USB-only device.

Food & Beverage Service

A food trolley came by every hour or so, offering a selection of snacks, sandwiches, coffee and even beer, and wine. The prices were typical for train travel – higher than a convenience store but not outrageous. If you want to save money, I’d recommend bringing your own snacks. Union Station has plenty of takeout options that you can bring on board.

Scenic Views Along the Route

One of the highlights of the journey was the beautiful scenery. As the train left Toronto, we enjoyed incredible views of the city and the CN Tower, eventually followed by Lake Ontario and the rolling countryside covered in snow. It was so nice watching the landscape gradually change as we entered Quebec. Since we traveled in the afternoon, we were able to watch the sunset from the train, which was breathtaking. This made the ride even more enjoyable and reminded us why train travel is such a fantastic alternative to flying! Along the way, we made stops at several stations, including Oshawa, Belleville, Kingston, and Cornwall; however, these were brief.

Arrival in Montreal

The train arrived at Montreal’s Central Station at 8:25 PM, just 10 minutes behind schedule, which is pretty good for a long-distance train. Disembarking was quick and easy, and we collected our luggage from the racks within minutes. Montreal Central Station is well-connected to public transit, so getting home was straightforward. If you’re staying downtown, there are taxis and Uber/Lyft options available right outside the station.

Final Thoughts & Review: Is VIA Rail Worth It?

Would we take VIA Rail again? Absolutely! Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of traveling from Toronto to Montreal by train:

Pros

More affordable than flying, saving us hundreds of dollars
Comfortable seating with plenty of legroom
Scenic views along the route
Convenient baggage storage both on board and at the station
WiFi and power outlets to stay connected
Smoother boarding and arrival experience compared to airport security

Cons

The journey time (over 5 hours) is longer than a 1-hour flight
Luggage weight enforcement could be a hassle for some travelers

I highly recommend VIA Rail to anyone looking for a comfortable, scenic, and cost-effective way to travel between Toronto and Montreal. While it’s not the fastest option, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re not in a rush and have extra time to enjoy the journey. If you’re planning your next trip, consider VIA Rail for a unique and scenic travel experience!

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