There’s nothing quite like seeing Canada by rail. No matter where you’re going, your vacation begins as soon as you step aboard. Relax with a good book, socialize with other passengers or just sit back and enjoy the timeless rhythm of the rails as you watch the Canadian landscape unfold outside your window.
Enjoy a unique perspective on Canada, with modern attractions and natural view unchanged since the trains rolled through in the era of steam. At the same time, you’ll have all the comfort and convenience of modern rail. Step into the well-appointed cars and get carried away to another world of travel that is free of the stressed of reading maps and negotiating highway traffic and the confinement of air transport.
Routes and Travel Times
Via Rail is Canada’s national rail company, its network of trains cover the length and breadth of Canada, connecting all of Canada’s major centres and offering many spectacular journeys along the way.
Travel Times:
Toronto-Niagara Falls: 1h52
Montréal-Ottawa: 2h05
Montréal-Québec: 3h15
Toronto-Windsor: 3h53
Ottawa-Toronto: 4h27
Victoria-Courtenay: 4h45
Montréal-Toronto: 5h00
Jonquiere-Montreal: 9h05
White River-Sudbury: 9h30
Senneterre-Montreal: 11h29
Onboard Services
Day Trains feature up to 3 classes of service:
• Economy Class
• Premium Economy (on Montreal-Ottawa route only)
• Business Class
Economy Class:
• Spacious seat
• Power outlets at your seat for your laptop
Premium Economy:
• Spacious seat
• Priority boarding
• Exclusive access to the in-station Panorama lounge
• Power outlets at your seat for your laptop
• Business class car
• Free newspapers at the in-station Panorama lounge
Business Class:
• Spacious seat
• Priority boarding
• Exclusive access to the in-station Panorama lounge
• Power outlets at your seat for your laptop
• Business class car
• Free newspapers at the in-station Panorama lounge
• Complimentary meal and beverages
• Chocolate after the meal
Disabled customers:
VIA accepts wheelchairs as checked baggage free of charge provided that the owner travels aboard the same train.
Acceptable wheelchairs may be folding or rigid, manual or electric, and must be no wider than 81cm when fully open. Electric wheelchairs must weigh no more than 68kg, however VIA will accept heavier wheelchairs provided that the departure and destination stations are equipped with lifts to load and unload them.
This policy also applies to other vehicles (modified, customized or otherwise) designed for increasing traveller mobility
Renaissance Service Car:
Depending in the train operating the routing, that you are travelling on, the service may feature the Renaissance service car. This a great area to relax and chat with other travellers, the service car lounge is complete with take-away counter and a television.
Meals preference:
It is possible on night trains to request meals based on dietary requirements. Below is a list of the special meal request options available:
Asiatic vegetarian meal (AMVL)
Bland/Ulcer meal (BLML)
Children’s meal (CHML)
Diabetic meal (DBML)
Gluten-free meal (GFML)
Hindu meal (HNML)
Kosher meal (KSML)
Low-calorie meal (LCML)
Low-fat/Low-cholesterol meal (LFML)
Low-sodium meal (LSML)
Muslim meal (MOML)
Non-lactose meal (NLML)
Strict vegetarian meal (VGML)
Vegetarian meal: dairy and egg products acceptable (VLML)
Wireless Internet:
• Travellers in all classes of service may use Wi-Fi in many of our Québec City-Windsor corridor stations: Dorval, Fallowfield, Kingston, London, Montréal, Ottawa, Québec, City Sainte-Foy, Toronto and Windsor.
• Wireless access is also available in our exclusive pre-boarding Panorama lounges (open to Business class, Sleeper class and Sleeper Touring class travellers) in the following stations: Kingston, London, Fallowfield, Ottawa, Montréal, Dorval, Québec, Sainte-Foy, Toronto, Windsor, Oakville and Oshawa.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access is also available in the following stations: Edmonton, Halifax, Jasper, Moncton, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
• The pay-per-use wireless Internet access is offered in both Economy class and Business class on virtually all trains in the Québec City-Windsor corridor 30 days of unlimited wireless Internet for only CAD$29.95. Passengers can also access this service in pre-boarding Panorama lounges at major stations such as those in Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa and Québec City.
• Service exceptions: Wireless Internet is not available on the following trains: Trains 85 and 88 (Toronto-Sarnia), Trains 97 and 98 (Toronto-Niagara Falls-New York), Wireless Internet access is available on train 650 (Kingston-Toronto) every day except Fridays.
Smoking Policy:
VIA Rail offers a completely smoke-free environment in all our trains — as well as in all our stations. Via Rail personnel are bound by law to strictly enforce smoking regulations.
Trains in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor:
No smoking is permitted during station stops.
Montréal-Halifax (the Ocean) and Montréal-Gaspé:
You will be able to smoke when the train stops in Charny, New Carlisle, Campbellton and Moncton.
Toronto-Vancouver (the Canadian):
You may get off the train to smoke during stops at Capreol, Hornepayne, Sioux Lookout, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops.
Winnipeg-Churchill:
Those wishing to smoke will be able to do so during regular station stops at The Pas, Thompson and Gillam.
Fares
Fare application:
Adult: 26-59yrs and non-students over 18 years old
Youth: 18-25yrs
Students: 12-17yrs and from 18 years old with an ISIC card
Senior: 60+ yrs
Child: 2-11yrs
Infant: less than 2yrs free in Economy and Business class if not occupying a seat. Child fare applies if a seat is required. A maximum of one free infant per paying adult.
Fare types:
Supersaver
Discounted
Value
Special
Regular Economy
Via Rail Fares require seat reservations and cannot be issued as an open ticket.
A Via e-booking confirmation is issued and this will need to be exchanged for a ticket at a Via Rail Station.
Once confirmation has been issued changes are possible but will incur an amendment fee.
Fees do apply to changes and cancellations
Exchange/Refund
Exchange and refund policies vary depending on the type of fare purchased.
Fees do apply to changes and cancellations.
Any Via Rail ticket/s requiring refunds will only be considered for processing when the following is provided the original ticket/s and a submission of a refund must be made within 12 months of the date of issue as shown on the ticket unless otherwise indicated.
Lost or stolen tickets are non-refundable. Tickets will only be re-issued when repaid in full.
Check-in Procedures
It is strongly recommended that travellers checking-in luggage arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time.
To Book
This product is not currently available to book through our online booking system.
To book, please contact one of our Rail Specialists on 1300 360 823 or email details of your requirements to
info@railtickets.com.au
