carrieklchow

I am planning to travel this summer and fly in Quebec City and fly out from Toronot. Duration is about 12 days. I looked at some travel guide books and it states that Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto are cities of good public transport. I don't know if I should rent a car at Quebec City and return it in Toronto (it is not cheap). If I am not renting a car, any advices or information how to travel from one city to another, i.e. Quebec City to Montreal, Montreal to Ottawa, Ottawa to Toronto (and Nigara Falls).

aucho53

Hi Carrie,

check out the site www.viarail.com. The train is a clean, comfortable way for you to get from one city to another. I would not recommend renting a car unless you want to take a drive outside of the cities to see country side etc. But if you simply plan on remaining within the cities you should be fine with public transport and doing some nice walking/exploring

Layla

carrieklchow

Layla:

thanks. will check out the website for ViaRail.

cc

LJ

Both Toronto and Montreal have excellent transit and I can't imagine you needing to have a car while in these cities or to travel between them. And most side-trips (Niagara Falls, for example) are well served by tour group buses etc. Quebec City presents more of a challenge from that perspective, but it is very compact.

Bon voyage!

BAK

My temptation, if money is an issue, would be to fly into Quebec City, take the train to Montreal, take the train to Ottawa, take the train to Toronto, and then in Toronto perhaps rent a car just for a day and visit Niagara Falls, and surrounding areas.

If money doesn't really matter, rent a car half way thorugh your time in Montreal, and use it to see some of non-central Montreal, Ottawa, the route to Toronto, and Niagara Falls, and then return the car a couple of days before leaving Toronto to go home.
bak

carrieklchow

Hi, All:

thank you.

I have done some homeworks on ViaRail. My daughter is 12 years old so she doesn't entitle for a lot of discount. The total cheapest one-way trip fare for 3 of us: from Quebec to Montreal is $135.45, from Montreal to Ottawa is $98.10, from Toronto to Nigara Falls is $63.00, didn't check how much does it cost from Ottawa to Toronto. ViaRail also offers a 10 trip pass, "Corripass??" adult $299, youth $269.

BAK, I like both of your ideas of rent a car in Toronto or mid-way. I will do my homework again on renting a car vs rail+taxi+other public transits.

thanks again for all the responses.

cc

QueScaisJe

VIA Rail offers a variety of discounted/special/supersaver fares which offer savings. These may have restrictions such as advance booking, and be non-refundable and/or non-exchangeable. For example, a Toronto-Montreal trip is $59 with the Comfort Class "Special" fare.

If you are (or travelling with) a senior 60+, VIA also offers a 2-for-1 deal: purchase one senior fare and your travelling companion is free regardless of age.

If you don't mind travelling by bus, Coach Canada has service between Toronto and Montreal. There are often promotions for as little as $10 one way per person, which is a very good deal.

All these promotions are capacity-controlled, so book early if you can.

Apres_Londee

Yes, the via discounted rates are called "supersaver" fares and you can see whether or not they are available when you're playing around on the website. As the previous poster says, these are sold in advance and go quickly. There is a $20 fee for changing your ticket, I believe.

I also agree with all of the other posters, I think the train is a no-brainer for the trip you describe. In Quebec City and Ottawa yo can easily get taxis to and from the station and your hotel. These are compact cities with everything of interest within walking distance. In Montreal and Toronto you will have good pubic transportation options.

I really would not take the bus. The train is a million times more comfortable, no comparision between the two in my mind. And driving would present you with all the traffic hassles- timing things to avoid rush hour, parking, etc. Too many headaches for a city-based itinerary.

BAK

I used to live concurrently in Toronto and Montreal, and once I wore out my car, I started takign the train.

It was generally very pleasant.

And I'd vote against the bus --- especially with a 12 year old. The train is fun, and you can get up and walk around. No need for first class ont he train.

BAK