Toronto to Montreal

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Toronto to Montreal is Canada's busiest travel corridor — roughly 540 km between the country's largest city and its French-speaking cultural capital. VIA Rail, coaches, driving and short flights all cover the route, and the differences between them in time and cost are close enough that your choice depends largely on what kind of journey you want.

By train: VIA Rail

VIA Rail Canada operates regular intercity trains between Toronto Union Station and Montreal Central Station, both of which sit in the heart of their respective city centres. The journey takes around 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes on the best services, though some trains stop more frequently and take longer.

VIA Rail trains are comfortable — large seats, a dining car or bistro car on most services, plenty of legroom and a relaxed atmosphere that is a world away from airport security. The route passes through the St Lawrence River lowlands and takes in Kingston and a handful of smaller Ontario towns, though it is not the most visually dramatic rail journey in Canada. Trains run several times daily, and you can book at viarail.ca or through various booking platforms.

Advance fares are lower; fares rise closer to departure, particularly at weekends and in peak summer. Business class (called VIA Business) is available and includes meals — a worthwhile upgrade for the five-hour journey if you can stretch the budget.

By bus: frequent and affordable

Several coach operators serve the Toronto–Montreal corridor. FlixBus and Greyhound Canada (now operating under various names) both cover the route, along with smaller regional operators. Journey times by coach are typically around 6 to 7 hours, longer than the train but with lower fares — often significantly so if booked in advance.

Buses depart from central locations in both cities (Toronto Coach Terminal or various downtown stops; the Montreal terminus on rue Berri). The journey is straightforward — the route is almost entirely motorway — but delays from traffic, particularly around Toronto, are a reality on busy days.

By car: the classic Canadian road trip segment

The drive from Toronto to Montreal via the Hwy 401 and the 401/20 corridor is around 540 km and takes about 5 to 6 hours in reasonable traffic. It is a straightforward motorway drive — not particularly scenic, though the approach to Montreal over the St Lawrence is impressive. The 401 through Toronto is one of the busiest highways in North America and can be severely congested during rush hours; leave before 7am or after 7pm to avoid the worst of it.

Driving makes most sense if you need a car in Montreal, are travelling as a group to share costs, or are stopping somewhere along the way — Kingston is a pleasant half-day stop, and Prince Edward County is worth a detour for food and wine lovers. Parking in central Montreal can be expensive, so factor that in.

Flying: fast but fragmented

Flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) take about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air. Air Canada and Porter Airlines are the main carriers, with Porter particularly convenient if you are staying downtown in either city (Porter flies from the central Island Airport in Toronto).

The flight itself is quick, but Pearson is a substantial distance from central Toronto, and YUL is well outside downtown Montreal. Door-to-door, flying from Pearson rarely saves more than an hour over the train, and sometimes barely as much. Porter's city-airport advantage changes the equation somewhat, but the service is more limited.

Flying makes the most sense for business travellers on tight schedules, or for those who already happen to be near an airport.

Which should you choose?

For most travellers, VIA Rail offers the best combination of comfort, city-centre arrival and reasonable journey time. The five-plus hours goes quickly in a comfortable seat with a good book. Choose the bus if budget is the priority. Drive if you want a car in Montreal or are making stops. Fly if you value the time saved and are already near an airport — Porter's downtown-to-downtown service in particular can be genuinely efficient.

Luggage and comfort

VIA Rail's Corridor trains allow a generous carry-on and checked baggage allowance at no extra cost on most fares, with wide seats, good legroom and overhead racks that comfortably fit standard suitcases — genuinely more comfortable than a short-haul flight for this journey length. Coach operators carry luggage in an underfloor hold with a standard per-passenger limit; check the current allowance if travelling with more than one large bag. If flying with Porter from the downtown Island Airport, note that the smaller aircraft used on some routes can have tighter carry-on restrictions than a typical mainline flight, so check baggage rules before packing.

Money-saving tips

VIA Rail's advance fares (Economy) are the cheapest way to travel by train and are worth booking as soon as your dates are fixed, since prices climb the closer you get to departure, particularly on Friday and Sunday services. Coach fares are usually lowest of all, especially booked a week or more ahead through FlixBus. If flying, comparing Pearson departures against Porter's Island Airport service is worthwhile, since Porter's downtown location can offset a slightly higher fare through saved taxi or transit time and cost at the Toronto end.

Frequently asked questions

How long does VIA Rail take from Toronto to Montreal?

The best VIA Rail services cover the route in approximately 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes, departing Toronto Union Station and arriving at Montreal Central Station. Some services stop more frequently and take a little longer.

Is the VIA Rail train comfortable?

VIA Rail's intercity trains are spacious and relaxed — a different experience from a short-haul flight or a crowded highway. Economy class has good legroom; VIA Business class includes meals and a wider seat for a notable but worthwhile extra cost on a five-hour journey.

How much does it cost to travel from Toronto to Montreal?

Fares vary considerably by mode and how far ahead you book. VIA Rail advance fares are among the better-value options; coach fares can be lower still. Flying is not always cheaper when airport costs and transfers are included.

Can I cross from Ontario into Quebec without any border checks?

Yes — Ontario and Quebec are both Canadian provinces and there are no border checks between them. The journey is entirely domestic.