Montreal to Toronto by Train - The Busiest Train in Canada Reviewed

Рет қаралды 34,776

Жыл бұрын

Heading to Canada and want to travel between Montreal and Toronto? Well, there is a 5 hour train you can take between the countries, and here is my experience on that 5 hour commuter train between two of the biggest cities in Canada with VIA Rail.
#trainsincanada #canada #viarail
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Copyright Mark Wolters 2022
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Пікірлер: 118

@billhunter1484 Жыл бұрын

I'm surprised that you didn't know about the lounge in Montréal (and Toronto and Ottawa) that you can use with Business class tickets, and you would have priority boarding as well (and not have to wait in the main line-up). I gather you had the morning train, the lunch and dinner in Business class is better than the breakfast option. They also provide booze several times during the trip.... I think Amtrak gives one free non-alcoholic drink with a Business ticket, but VIA has a few servings of alcohol (wine, beer, mixed drinks, and more) or non-alcohol beverages throughout the trip. There's no lounge/bar car on VIA corridor trains, they roll a cart down the aisle airplane-style with various drinks, snacks and sandwiches for purchase in the economy cars.

@woltersworld Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it was an early morning ride, so no fun spots to hang out in. THey did bring the trolly around a few times :)

@brucekatkin5310 Жыл бұрын

Business lounge in Toronto is on the main floor, not the boarding level. And yes, they are not open for the early trains.

@daveyboy_ Жыл бұрын

Dude, speaking of booze - back in the day on every ( not b4 noon ) mtl tor train there was a bar car . Hows that for cutting ur travel time

@acchaladka Жыл бұрын

Nice review and yes on the transit / rail review. Bland option is for us heart patients who need no salt or have allergies. Come back in a year and try the new train sets on the 5 pm Montréal-Toronto route, and an evening meal. The discussion now is how to build brand new rail.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

That's what I thought but it didn't explain the options. Thanks for the confirmation!

@darrenmacinnis1931 Жыл бұрын

As a Canadian, I can say honestly, you review is too kind. Really. The rail system here is the worst! Glad new trains are coming. But thanks for your politeness 🙂

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

I only had this one ride and compared to my usual amtrak ride... you still win by a mile or 1.65 kilometers 😉

@doriancroatia2054 Жыл бұрын

Inter City Rail transport in Canada in my opinion is much better than in US. Toronto - Montreal, for instance only 5 hours ride. For the same mileage San Jose - LA it takes 12 hours or so.

@snazzyanimal2012 Жыл бұрын

Yes your right it bad trains are always late

@Voltaireooooo Жыл бұрын

I totally agreee with you.

@daveyboy_ Жыл бұрын

Back in the day the Canadian left Mtl and it arrived in Vancouver. In 4 days now they say it takes 4 days but that is rare .

@gslingerland21 Жыл бұрын

We're getting 32 new train sets in the new year, you should come back for another review! It'll be a difference experience for sure!

@InvalidUserProfile Жыл бұрын

Hello from Kingston! Always a busy stop in Kingston because of the students heading to or from 2 Major Universities and 1 College.

@Claudia-up6hr Жыл бұрын

Hope those Queen's kids are better behaved on the train 🚂than on the street during homecoming🥃🍺🤸🏃👮🙄😂!

@InvalidUserProfile Жыл бұрын

@@Claudia-up6hr Who knows lol! They sure wreck Aberdeen Street and over the years it has spilled out to Johnson and Brock and closer to Princess. So many police forces from Ontario have to brought in. And they have an unofficial homecoming too lol

@xXPyrophorusXx Жыл бұрын

Also the 2 schools in Ottawa and another 2 in Montreal, going East its 3 in TO and UOIT. I went to one of the Ottawa ones.

@Kiera_Jackson74 Жыл бұрын

Via is rolling out totally new rolling stock shortly. Currently in testing. They are a lot nicer than the train set you took.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

I can only review the train I took.

@Kiera_Jackson74 Жыл бұрын

@@WoltersWorldShorts take it again next year.... It will still be rocky on the freight tracks but the coaches and service will be dope! You missed this by a few months lol

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

@@Kiera_Jackson74 sounds like a plan :)

@WizardOfOss Жыл бұрын

Great video! I have been thinking of travelling a bit of the east of Canada by train, and this is certainly helpful just get an idea what to expect.

@pierre-rose7783 Жыл бұрын

OOOOO WEEEE ! Was on that train once upon a time, and went to use the nearest bathroom, and boy, oh boy, the bowl was out of commission, It was blocked like I never seen before, and with a foul stench from the bowels of hell itself ! I wondered if who ever or what ever made that mess was human or an animal !

@petercheong9306 Жыл бұрын

My wife and I did this trip the week before Thanks Giving. Only difference we went economy. That was fine as the train was not busy so we had no problem with room. My only negative was we were to get off at Whitby which the ticket person said it would stop. No stop there so we had to do the next stop which I think was Oshawa. The train did stop, but our car did not open. So we had to get off at the next stop. So apparently there are carriages for specific stops. This you have to know before hand. Overall the trip was a pleasant one. Fall colours were starting to be displayed. I don't find the ride that rough as some people say it is.

@RickyLeong Жыл бұрын

I am surprised you were stopped for walking through the train. I have travelled in business class on Via before and was able to go wherever I wanted. Also, as a business class passenger, you could also tried to ask for snacks! Perhaps they didn't advertise this loudly, or maybe it's different because it was a morning departure but they used to have goodies in the first-class pantry - chips, chocolates, nuts, that sort of thing. I've never tried to order off the economy class menu as a business class passenger but the selection is wider, for sure.

@mreppen1 Жыл бұрын

I did that same trip in 1981!

@samtrak1204 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding bumpy ride.

@rsingh3453 Жыл бұрын

Thanx & welcome to who they’re visiting my Montreal city, 🙏

@karlwiklund2108 Жыл бұрын

That's a blast from the past. When I was an undergrad in the late 90s, I had a research position with the Canadian navy for three summers. I used to take the train from Toronto to Halifax and book a sleeping berth. Tip from a talkative lady I shared a row with: don't try shaving your legs in the on-board shower.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Oh man!!! TMI!!! But funny

@mathew-auxiliuminteriordes1797 Жыл бұрын

Beautifully edited & presented in a short duration. Best wishes

@Topper-gf8xl Жыл бұрын

We rode the train from Montreal to Quebec City. Nice ride, done in couple hours. QC is a nice city.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

I love QC

@xXPyrophorusXx Жыл бұрын

Windsor to Quebec City is WAAAAAAYYYYYY overdue for a high-speed line. A good third of the country lives there.

@stevenbenstead6342 Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed your review. Thanks for talking about VIA. We do have good trains in Canada! But I have to agree with Bill. Absolutely do take advantage of the business/sleeper class lounge offerings if you're travelling in business class in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor. Makes for a much more relaxing and worry-free departure.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Wasn't an option sadly for my morning train. Otherwise I would have for sure. 😞

@Unterwelten Жыл бұрын

I lost a pack of smokes on one of these in 1986. I found it in 2021! We're still going diesel in 2022 lol!

@axelblaze566 Жыл бұрын

My experience of boarding from Toronto with 2 extra large bags was kind off terrible, I come from a third world country but even there the platforms are the same or almost as high as the entrance of the trains but in Toronto it was like I was walking on broken asphalt and I had to lift my bags to almost 4-5 feet to put them onto the train.

@GarryRobertson Жыл бұрын

I travelled back and forth from Toronto to Montreal (Dorval) several times for work. I found it just as fast as the whole flying experience with driving to the airport, waiting, and so on. Since I got off at Dorval, I was next to the airport so I looked at train or airplane as relatively the same in terms of time and cost. They did have 'large' trays to fit over the fold-down tray to accommodate working on a lap-top. The wifi was good on all the trips I took. One time the staff if I would mind moving to the single seat, I was on the 'double' side as there wasn't anybody in the single for the entire trip. Very nice service. I highly recommend that trip by rail. One of the times I flew I got delayed by a snow storm and sat in the airport for an extra 4 hours.

@valeria-militiamessalina5672 Жыл бұрын

The railway system in Canada is still that of the 20th century, not a joke.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

We got it better in the US... 19th century railroads!!!! 😉

@jamallhayden2512 Жыл бұрын

Thank You!

@andrewrys8663 Жыл бұрын

Train Service Norway 🇳🇴 in a Nutshell Some Deleys but made the other things just in Time this Summer on the Boat and going up the Steep Railway in Flam. I took it from Bergen to Voss and then Back to Bergen. It wasn't the Train all the way going to Oslo this one was. The other one going from Bodo to Trondheim Norway was Fine with very little Deleys. But very long 8 to 10 Hours but worth it. Via Rail is not bad in Ontario and Quebec but Sure beats the Busy Traffic.

@silviastanziola659 Жыл бұрын

There is a snack cart on economy class. You can buy stuff like ham and cheese croissant sandwiches (they have 2 or 3 sandwiches), chips, juice, pop, coffee, that sort of thing. I think you got the meal because you were in business class.

@karenmac8661 Жыл бұрын

Even thought I live in Toronto I find Union station really confusing and not well marked. I always wonder how travellers to this city figure it out. I find navigating train stations in other countries less confusing!

@woltersworld Жыл бұрын

it is so confusing. i could imagine more than a few tourists getting lost looking for the UP express

@fuferito Жыл бұрын

@@woltersworld, Considering that Union Station just had a major renovation and facelift which took years and tens of millions of dollars, I find this baffling and embarrassing, as a Toronto resident.

@wl03bu Жыл бұрын

It's confusing for locals because it is always under construction and constantly changing.

@ahmedzakikhan7639 Жыл бұрын

You arn't the only person who finds Union Station confusing. And I am not a tourist.

@xXPyrophorusXx Жыл бұрын

Its much worse after the renovation.

@MrRobertcarnell Жыл бұрын

I'm in Kingston so seeing the mention was nice. Yes, it seems like the only major stop in between. Union Station can be confusing when leaving the train. Especially the first time. I don't understand all the people waiting in line to get on the train either. In Toronto I would just sit down at the side instead and wait till it's closer to departure.

@kathydimou366 Жыл бұрын

There is airplane option you do not have to fly into Pearson . You can fly into Billy Bishop airport from Montreal

@n.b.3521 Жыл бұрын

Still nicer to take the train - less hassle.

@PaulinaGlav Жыл бұрын

I hope to take that trip anytime in my life.

@sunny2355 Жыл бұрын

Welcome to Toronto ❤ Visit Niagara Falls as well

@rookiebird9382 Жыл бұрын

High quality video

@margaretmarydempster4738 Жыл бұрын

Need new trains, more lines, more service and ditch the cars! Chicken and egg problem .. maybe put a bar car and slot machines on the trains and see what happens. 🤔

@brucekatkin5310 Жыл бұрын

It was expensive as you booked last minute. I usually get a seat for about $300 round trip.

@johnburke1317 Жыл бұрын

Nice video

@ianmcnulty799 Жыл бұрын

Pearson sucks, but If you need to travel from to Toronto from Montreal (or NYC, Boston, Quebec City or Chicago) try getting a flight into Billy Bishop airport (YTZ) which is on an island immediately adjacent to the downtown core. The flight will be 1 to 2 hours and exiting the airport is fast and easy.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Yep. The best is the flights to Billy bishop taunt you when you are downtown 😀

@alexanderip1003 Жыл бұрын

because of its role as a very busy corridor it is confirmed the new Siemens Charger will run this line

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see them

@dn9507 Жыл бұрын

I used to live in Toronto and travelled to Montreal by train on long weekends 20 - 30 years ago and it supposed to take only 4:30 hours, not 5; but of course, they were never on time. Usually it would stop somewhere for half an hour or an hour. They studied for 50 years on the possibilities of building a highspeed train between Montreal and Windsor but never toke off. Sad.

@fuzzwork Жыл бұрын

The LRC sets never matched the Turbotrain's 3h50 timing

@johnnypoker46 Жыл бұрын

They remodeled Union Station in Toronto just to make it more confusing to tourists

@TheSchiffReport Жыл бұрын

glad to see there some canadians that still have common sense .....

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

You are correct 😀

@xXPyrophorusXx Жыл бұрын

...and semi-locals

@waynecopple385 Жыл бұрын

Most of the tracks that Via and Amtrak use get beat to death with very long and heavy freight trains so, unfortunately, bumpy track is rather the norm.

@stephenr115 Жыл бұрын

Never use big bins at end of train if at all possible. I had my bag ripped on there on train from Munich to Berlin First Class! I bring these free “gun locks” that you can hook cases together but be careful with stuff over your head. They have teams that hit you. Always take option of getting on train first or get a porter.

@fuzzwork Жыл бұрын

The big bins on Via's corridor service are very deep, it's unlikely your bag will be damaged, unless you mean ripped off, as in stolen? Also unlikely as the car attendant has to manually open the exit door for you.

@tazkforcealpha Жыл бұрын

Nothing like a european train stations - you go to the ACTUAL platform, sit wherever you want. You board WHICHEVER car you want and then you search for best seat. Here in Canada you can't even get close to the train before they allow you... And like you said, you can't even walk between cars :D

@TheSchiffReport Жыл бұрын

because canadians are sheep to say the least

@tazkforcealpha Жыл бұрын

@@TheSchiffReport 100% And I can agree with you, as a Pole, I know what freedom really mean.

@n.b.3521 Жыл бұрын

It used to be any seat you want and sometimes they even had standing (commuters who had passes). Pretty sure they changed to an assigned seats thing for the convenience of passengers. As for "board when you want" pretty hard to do that when the train hasn't arrived yet! The turnaround time between trips is often quite tight.

@sikanderhayat448 Жыл бұрын

Hello, from Pakistan Hope you enjoy your journey

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@davidreichert9392 Жыл бұрын

The bland meal option is there for visitors from the UK.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

David spitting 🔥

@simonrancourt7834 Жыл бұрын

You came to Montréal and didn't go to Exporail ?

@fuzzwork Жыл бұрын

You were unlucky in getting a mixed consist, the stainless steel cars don't play well with the LRC cars and you get an extra bumpy ride from it

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

There was a bump or 3 😀

@trainglen22 Жыл бұрын

Why didn't you use the Business class lounge in Central Station? If you buy it way in advance you can get it for about $125 plus tax.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

It was the like 6am train

@davidpieropan6242 Жыл бұрын

Fly Porter to Bishop next time.

@pakeshde7518 Жыл бұрын

Megabus is even easier, same time basically. Yeah a lot less stretching room and luggage but if you just going for a few days then back bus is the way I go. And no one buys the food or drink on via its insane for the junk the serve.

@ajwadnaeem2294 Жыл бұрын

confused at Union were we? LOL its suppose to be a lot better now after a revamp in recent years, imagine what it was 10 year ago

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

Oh wow. It must have been a dungeon

@Nautilat0r Жыл бұрын

As somebody who uses via a lot and i do mean a lot and has taken business class, honestly its really not worth the price point for the microwaved food and the few alcoholic drinks they give you unless you ask for more.

@WiseOwl_1408 Жыл бұрын

I took it before. Was alright.

@stephbytibbs Жыл бұрын

Its soooo bumpy worst train experience! I don't know why they cant improve the rails. Also economy is really tight! By the looks of your trip business class is the way to go! impressive it was on time. My experience its always been 30-45 min late. Yea toronto is really compact to get up and out when you arrive they def need to fix that. I had similar experience. Next time tho I am flying too bumpy!

@woltersworld Жыл бұрын

yeah, it was tight to say the least :)

@simonrancourt7834 Жыл бұрын

They use tracks made for freight and freight trains have priority.

@pauly5418 Жыл бұрын

They will be rebuilding the century old platforms to much wider platforms and they're started construction first on building an entirely new south platform and concourse. The High Frequency Rail project is in very early procurement stage. This (hopefully) would bring dedicated tracks separate from freight, as well as more frequent and significantly faster trains to this corridor. The reason why VIA trains currently share the tracks with freight is because the private railway companies in Canada (as in the US) used to own both the freight and passenger rail service and ran them both on the same tracks. VIA and Amtrak were created by their respective governments after passenger rail became unprofitable for the private railway companies with the growth and popularity of travel by car.

@stephbytibbs Жыл бұрын

@@pauly5418 great info 👍

@n.b.3521 Жыл бұрын

@@pauly5418 Came here to say this. I can't wait for the high speed rail project - already decades too late!

@wl03bu Жыл бұрын

Train: 50 minutes until departure Passengers: Let's line up! That sounds about right! But if you don't want to wait you can board in the last 5 minutes without any real disadvantage.

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I ended up doing :) I was the 2nd to last person on or at least one of the last 5

@joshsannar5402 Жыл бұрын

We Canadian like to queue, it is the Britishiness in us. LOL

@denisesabol1935 Жыл бұрын

How was is for people of size?

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

I went business and I had space fine

@valeria-militiamessalina5672 Жыл бұрын

As long as not too ample it should be ok, everything in Canada tends to be on the large side.

@laurie6123 Жыл бұрын

Better experience than Amtrak?

@woltersworld Жыл бұрын

yes

@acchaladka Жыл бұрын

Definitely. He didn't go in afternoon / evening when the food and wine is pretty good, or on the new trainsets which are a big step nicer and starting to come in on the Montreal-Ottawa route at the moment.

@Tlb008 Жыл бұрын

It's better than driving if the tickets are cheaper than 100$

@WoltersWorldShorts Жыл бұрын

True

@TalwinderDhillonTravels Жыл бұрын

Tickets mostly go for 70$ if you buy on time

@FalconsEye58094 Жыл бұрын

Montreal is the best city in Canada

@JackMiller-lq4qd 8 ай бұрын

Never

@mikeeb777 Жыл бұрын

7:22 - 7:34 that sucks ...

@neofils Жыл бұрын

And it is greener to travel by train . North Americans should think more about the earth not only about our little comfort.

@fuzzwork Жыл бұрын

The distances to cover in North America are much more vast than in Europe and aside from the Northeast Corridor in the USA, they are all Diesel services. The train is usually the greener choice if you are using a day service, if your journey is long enough for sleeper service on the train, then the diesel emissions start to compare with flying.

@daveyboy_ Жыл бұрын

51/2 hours ? Not a acceptable

@SUFIBEAT Жыл бұрын

THE BEST TRAIN SYSTEM IS ONLY IN FRANCE AND JAPAN---REST OF WORLD TRAIN IS JUST SO SO.

@Voltaireooooo Жыл бұрын

An old train that should have been replaced years ago.Horrible.

@n.b.3521 Жыл бұрын

No joke. I boarded a train once that was a different design than I was used to so asked one of the staff if it was new. When he finally stopped laughing he told me it was from the 1930s!