Need to travel from Toronto to Montreal but no car? No problem! Canada’s public transportation offers options.
Popular choices are the bus or train directly between the two cities. Major carriers like VIA Rail and bus companies operate frequent services. Sit back, relax, and enjoy scenic views as you cruise.
For adventure, combine different modes of transportation:
- Take a bus/train to a nearby city, then ridesharing like Uber/Lyft for the final stretch.
- Use public transit to a hub, then take a regional bus/train.
- Split the trip into legs by mixing buses, trains, and short flights.
Another option is using carpooling/ridesharing apps to share the ride and costs with others going the same way.
Train
The popular choice is taking a train direct between Toronto and Montreal. The major carrier VIA Rail operates frequent train services on this route. VIA Rail’s trains offer a comfortable and convenient way to travel. You’ll enjoy spacious seating with ample legroom, along with free Wi-Fi to stay connected.
Onboard services include a café car serving meals, snacks, and beverages throughout the journey. You can also bring your food and drinks onboard. The trains have restrooms and accessibility features for those with limited mobility.
As the train cruises through the scenic countryside between the two cities, you can relax and take in the beautiful views from the large windows. It’s a stress-free way to travel without driving.
Distance: Around 540 km
Fare: From $50 one-way for economy class. Business class tickets cost more but provide added amenities like premium seating and access to lounges.
Availability: Multiple departures daily, including convenient morning and evening schedules to fit your travel plans.
Bus
Another convenient and affordable option is taking the bus from Toronto to Montreal. Various major bus companies like Greyhound, Coach Canada, and Limocar run scheduled bus services along this route.
The buses have basic amenities to ensure a comfortable journey, including restrooms, and air conditioning, and some offer free Wi-Fi access so you can stay connected. The seats recline and have a good amount of legroom, allowing you to stretch out during the ride.
One advantage of the bus is the ability to stretch your legs during frequent rest stops along the way. These breaks give you a chance to grab snacks, use the restroom, and walk around briefly before getting back on the bus refreshed.
Most companies operate modern buses with amenities like individual power outlets to keep devices charged and overhead storage for carry-on bags. For extra comfort, some carriers offer premium/first-class upgrades with more spacious seating.
Distance: Around 550 km
Fare: From $30 one-way for basic economy/regular seats. Upgraded premium seating is available at higher costs.
Availability: Several bus departures daily in both directions, including convenient overnight schedules for those wanting to maximize travel time.
Combine Transportation Modes
For those looking for more adventure or flexibility, you can combine different modes of transportation to get from Toronto to Montreal. This allows you to explore alternative routes and see more scenery along the way.
One option is taking a bus or train to a nearby city like Kingston or Brockville, then using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft for the final stretch into Montreal. This lets you split up the journey.
Another creative way is to take public transit like a subway or city bus to a major transportation hub, then transfer to a regional bus or train service to Montreal. This could involve less total travel time depending on connections.
You can also split the trip into multiple legs by mixing different combinations of buses, trains, and even short flights between airports in cities close to Toronto and Montreal. This allows for more stopover flexibility.
No matter which multi-modal option you choose, be sure to carefully plan connections and give yourself plenty of buffer time between transport changes to account for any delays.
Ridesharing/Carpooling
A more economical and environmentally-friendly option is using carpooling or ridesharing apps and services to travel between Toronto and Montreal. With these, you can share a ride with other passengers headed the same way, allowing you to split the costs.
Popular ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft offer affordable shared ride options where multiple riders can book seats in the same vehicle. Meanwhile, dedicated carpooling platforms like Poparide and Kangaride specifically connect drivers and passengers for longer distance trips between cities.
By sharing the ride, you can significantly reduce your total transportation costs compared to taking a bus, train or driving yourself. The exact fare will vary based on the number of passengers splitting the total fee set by the driver.
These carpooling options are especially convenient if you just need a one-way trip and don’t require a return journey right away. You simply sign up, find a ride listing that matches your travel dates/times, request to join, and pay your share of the fare.
Distance: Around 540 km between Toronto and Montreal
Fare: Varies, but typically $20-$50 per passenger when splitting costs
Availability: Fully depends on individual drivers listing their planned trips on the apps/platforms
