# Canada Trains > Canada Trains is a travel guide covering rail travel across Canada, operated by VIA Rail, including trains, routes, classes, and stations. ## About our website This website serves as a comprehensive guide to assist you in planning your rail travel across Canada, while also providing insightful details about the different train options available. We do not own or operate any of the trains in Canada; neither we nor our suggested partners for ticket booking services function as rail carriers. Canada Trains is brought to you by Rail Ninja. ## Canada train travel Traveling by train in Canada offers security on board, comfort and safety, and eco-friendly travel through some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes. ## Railway in Canada overview VIA Rail Canada Inc. was established to operate national passenger rail services on behalf of the Government of Canada, offering intercity and long-distance trains to communities across eight provinces, from British Columbia on the west coast to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on the Atlantic. Its objective is to offer a reliable, efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly service. VIA Rail operates over 475 trains per week across more than 400 stations. VIA Rail was founded to connect and unite Canada's cities and people with safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly rail travel. It currently operates in eight provinces, with trains covering a distance of over 7,800 miles, including the Canadian Rockies, the landscapes of British Columbia, and metropolitan centers from Union Station in Toronto to Quebec City and Halifax. The Canadian railway system is large and well-developed, primarily transporting freight; Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) are the two major transcontinental freight operators. VIA Rail, the federal Crown corporation, provides nationwide passenger service. On many shared tracks, freight trains have priority, which can occasionally affect passenger schedules. ## Railway stations in Canada Trains are a popular means of transportation for travelers and local citizens. Regional stations are built to modern comfort standards. Union Station in Toronto is the country's busiest station, serving as the main hub for VIA Rail corridor trains, Amtrak trains connecting to Penn Station in New York, and commuter services. Major stations in Montréal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Québec City also offer facilities including bicycle boxes, restaurants and snack bars, newspapers, ATMs, washrooms, telephones, business lounges, and wireless internet access. See: [All Stations](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-stations) ## VIA Rail trains in Canada Rail Canada offers several distinct long-distance trains, plus efficient commuter and corridor services. **The Canadian** is VIA Rail's flagship transcontinental train, running 4,466 kilometers from Vancouver to Toronto in approximately 96 hours. It features the Skyline dome lounge car with panoramic windows for viewing the Canadian Rockies, a dining car, the glass-domed Park observation car, sleeper cars, and a lounge car. It operates year-round with seasonal scenery; during peak season (late June to mid-October) it runs three times per week, with reduced frequency outside peak season. **The Ocean** is a 22-hour overnight train connecting Montréal and Halifax, covering 1,346 kilometers through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, passing fishing villages, coastal trails, and coastal cities. **The Skeena** runs between Jasper, Prince George, and Prince Rupert in British Columbia. The **Hudson Bay** route connects Winnipeg to Churchill in remote northern Manitoba. The **Rocky Mountaineer** is a separate luxury rail service (not operated by VIA Rail) offering rail vacations through the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia, with daylight-only travel. See: [VIA Rail Express Train](https://www.canadatrains.com/via-express-train), [The Canadian Train](https://www.canadatrains.com/the-canadian-train) ## Train classes on VIA Rail **Economy class** is the most affordable option on all trains, with reclining seats and complimentary Wi-Fi on Corridor trains. Passengers can purchase meals from a café-style food service area onboard. Fares from Montréal to Toronto start at CAD $55, with savings of up to 30% for advance booking. Children under 12 receive a 50% discount on all fares. **Business class** is available on Corridor trains, including meal and bar service, reclining seats, Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and access to business lounges at select stations, including bullet lounges for business class passengers. All VIA Rail trains accommodate wheelchairs, with accessible cabins on The Canadian and wheelchair lifts at most stations. Service dogs can occupy an additional seat at no extra cost. In-seat meal service can be requested if needed. See: [All Trains and Classes](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-types) ## Canada railway map and main routes Train travel is a convenient, affordable, and comfortable way to experience Canada. VIA Rail travels mostly through the populated southern part of the country, but also reaches remote and spectacular regions. The Corridor is Canada's busiest passenger rail route, running between Québec City and Windsor via Montréal, Ottawa, and Toronto, with frequent daily departures. Ottawa provides access both south and north via VIA Rail express trains, reaching Québec City or Toronto in a couple of hours. Cell service and Wi-Fi availability may vary on remote sections outside the Corridor. See: [All Routes](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-routes) ## Frequently Asked Questions - Is the train system in Canada good? - How much do train tickets cost in Canada? - Do trains in Canada have Wi-Fi? - What is VIA Rail in Canada? - What is The Canadian train? (Answers to these are covered across the Overview, Trains, and Classes sections above.) ## Booking Rail Ninja is presented as the recommended way to book VIA Rail tickets. A Rail Ninja mobile app is also available for booking and managing trips. See: [Book Tickets](https://rail.ninja/canada-trains) ## Key pages - [All Trains](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-types) - [VIA Rail Express Train](https://www.canadatrains.com/via-express-train) - [The Canadian Train](https://www.canadatrains.com/the-canadian-train) - [Via Rail Express Economy Class](https://www.canadatrains.com/via-express-train-economy) - [Via Rail Express Business Class](https://www.canadatrains.com/via-express-train-business) - [Canadian Train Economy Class](https://www.canadatrains.com/the-canadian-economy) - [Canadian Train Sleeper Plus Class](https://www.canadatrains.com/the-canadian-sleeper-plus) - [Canadian Train Prestige Class](https://www.canadatrains.com/the-canadian-prestige) - [All Routes](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-routes) - [Montreal to Toronto](https://www.canadatrains.com/montreal-to-toronto) - [Toronto to Montreal](https://www.canadatrains.com/toronto-to-montreal) - [Montreal to Quebec](https://www.canadatrains.com/montreal-to-quebec) - [Quebec to Montreal](https://www.canadatrains.com/quebec-to-montreal) - [Montreal to Ottawa](https://www.canadatrains.com/montreal-to-ottawa) - [Ottawa to Montreal](https://www.canadatrains.com/ottawa-to-montreal) - [Toronto to Ottawa](https://www.canadatrains.com/toronto-to-ottawa) - [Ottawa to Toronto](https://www.canadatrains.com/ottawa-to-toronto) - [Quebec to Ottawa](https://www.canadatrains.com/quebec-to-ottawa) - [Ottawa to Quebec](https://www.canadatrains.com/ottawa-to-quebec) - [Toronto to Vancouver](https://www.canadatrains.com/toronto-to-vancouver) - [Vancouver to Toronto](https://www.canadatrains.com/vancouver-to-toronto) - [All Stations](https://www.canadatrains.com/train-stations) - [Ottawa Train Station](https://www.canadatrains.com/ottawa-train-station) - [Montreal Train Station](https://www.canadatrains.com/montreal-train-station) - [Toronto Union Station](https://www.canadatrains.com/toronto-train-station) - [Gare du Palais Station (Quebec)](https://www.canadatrains.com/quebec-train-station) - [Vancouver Pacific Central](https://www.canadatrains.com/vancouver-train-station)