Ottawa, ON to Toronto train

Trains from Ottawa to Toronto

Canada's largest city, Toronto, has the skyline of a major North American metropolis, with the soaring CN Tower looming above the steel and glass skyscrapers of the downtown CBD. At street level, it's a city of distinct neighborhoods, a multicultural place with diverse cultural and culinary scenes. It's a popular city-break destination for Ontario out-of-towners looking to catch a show or do a little high-end shopping. Toronto has excellent rail links with the capital, and vacationers or business travelers can take a direct train from Ottawa to Toronto Union Station seven days a week with the national operator VIA Rail. There are frequent direct trains in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with journey times averaging around four hours and 30 minutes. Schedules are slightly reduced at weekends, although VIA Rail still provides plenty of daytime services and an evening connection to Toronto from Ottawa.

Which train companies travel from Ottawa to Toronto?

All direct trains from Ottawa to Toronto are operated by VIA Rail, the primary rail company in Canada responsible for all the country's intercity services. VIA Rail trains on this central stretch of the Ontario-Quebec corridor offer passengers a choice of Economy and Business Class seats. Train carriages have power points for charging cell phones and tablets, WiFi internet access and an onboard entertainment service. Light meals, snacks and drinks are available for purchase from a trolley service, with complimentary meals and cocktails provided for Business Class passengers. Additional services on this VIA Rail intercity train from Ottawa to Toronto usually include assistance with baggage and boarding for passengers with reduced mobility, and baggage check-in services for up to two large items per passenger.

How long is the train ride from Ottawa to Toronto?

The fastest VIA Rail train from Ottawa to Toronto is an early morning departure from the capital, taking four hours and five minutes to cover the 277-mile (445 kilometer) south-west route through Ontario to Toronto Union Station. Other direct trains take from 12 to 42 minutes longer to complete the trip from the capital, with the early afternoon departure providing the slowest train from Ottawa to Toronto, taking four hours and 47 minutes to reach its destination. Indirect journeys would require a lengthy detour via Montreal and, due to the frequency of VIA Rail's direct services, are not a practical option for travel from Ottawa to Toronto.

How many trains are there from Ottawa to Toronto?

The VIA Rail weekday schedule offers ten daily direct trains to Toronto from the capital. Services begin very early in the morning and continue with five morning trains, four afternoon services, and a final early evening departure from Ottawa, arriving at Toronto Union Station a little after 11:00 p.m. Saturday timetables offer seven daily connections, with a later first train in the morning and three fewer daytime departures. On Sundays, the VIA Rail timetable provides eight direct trains to Toronto, with no early morning departures from Ottawa.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Ottawa to Toronto?

Departure station: Ottawa Station, located on the east side of central Ottawa is the capital's terminus for all VIA Rail intercity trains. Public transport links from the city center are provided by OC Transpo which operates light rail services on the O-Train Confederation Line to Tremblay station, adjacent to the terminus, and on frequent bus services from downtown on routes 61 and 62. Passenger facilities at the station include parking lots, a business lounge, free WiFi, vending machines, baggage storage services, ATMs, and restrooms. The station concourse has snack bars, sandwich stalls, fast food franchises and coffee shops. The shopping mall outlets include a convenience store, drug store, and news vendors.

Arrival station: Toronto Union Station is the busiest station in Canada and the second-busiest rail terminus in North America. A national historic site, the station lies close to the waterfront on the south side of downtown Toronto and is the main hub for VIA Rail intercity services and GO suburban train routes. Public transport connections downtown include TTC Subway trains, GO express buses, city buses and streetcars operating from stops inside the station or nearby on Bay Street and Front Street. Passenger facilities at the station include car rental agencies, baggage storage lockers, taxi stands, bike share racks, and free WiFi. The station food court includes a Thai diner, sushi bar, pizzeria, fast food outlets, sandwich stalls and burger bars. The station shopping mall has a grocery market, book store, drugstore and pharmacy, and news vendors.