Train Ride Montreal-Quebec City
 

Hi <BR> <BR>People ask from time to time about this train ride on this forum, so I thought I'd share my thoughts. <BR> <BR>I bought my ticket more than 5 days in advance, which brought the roundtrip fare to CAN$85. Everything was on time and VIA Rail was comfortable: travel time was 2 hours 50 minutes approximately. A service cart offers very basic munchie/beverage selection down the aisle. <BR> <BR>Scenery-wise it is moderately prettier than taking the bus or driving along the highway (which is pretty dull all in all), but not inordinately so. Highlights are crossing the Saint Lawrence River leaving Montreal, the close-up view of Mont St. Hilaire, a few churches and rivers around St. Hyacinthe and Drummondville, with the most spectacular view being the river crossing to Ste. Foy and Quebec City itself. <BR> <BR>The train station in Quebec City is the prettiest of any I have seen in all my many train travels. High vaulted ceilings, ornate engravings on the walls, copper rooftop and a delightful fountain in front. Montreal's station is pretty ordinary with some engravings, but there's plenty of high quality eateries and even a Bureau en Gros (Office Depot) right there to while away time while waiting. <BR> <BR>DAN

Dan: <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for sharing this. This is exactly what I came to the forum to. I would like to avoid renting a car, and it sounds like the train is the way to go. Did you buy your ticket ahead of time? Is it possible to take a bus as well? I could not find a route from Montreal to Quebec as of yet. Thanks.

sorry, I see that you did buy your ticket in advance, did you buy it online for the railway?

Teri, the bus company operating between Montreal & Quebec is Orleans Express: <BR>http://www.orleansexpress.com/indexen.htm

I did buy the tickets online in advance from www.viarail.ca. You can have VIA Rail mail the tickets to you if in the USA/Canada or you can pick up it up in Montreal. For less than five days in advance I believe the ticket is approximately CAN$120/pp. My train was pretty full (although it was summer on a Friday), so I do recommend booking in advance for the train. Otherwise, Orléans Express bus lines is reasonably priced and tickets may be purchased last minute. <BR> <BR>Have a blast. DAN

Hi Dan, <BR>Since you seem to be "the answer man" I've got some questions. Is there a train station in the Montreal airport? I want to only go to Quebec but am having trouble getting direct air. Also, I want to stay in the heart of the old city, I think. My impression is that there's plenty of charm there and plenty of shops, restaurants. Can you recommend a well located hotel, something small and charming and classy? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help.

HI <BR> <BR>There is a Dorval VIA Rail (and commuter rail) train station near Montreal Dorval Airport although I suspect you'll have to take some sort of bus to get to it from the airport. Others may have actually done this and know more. <BR> <BR>This is how I would get to Q.C. from Dorval airport; I would take the Voyageur shuttle bus straight from the terminal (ca. CAN$10) into Montreal city...which stops right near the downtown Montreal train station (1st stop) and AT the downtown Montreal bus station (2nd stop). Orleans Express runs buses to Quebec City hourly and you can check www.viarail.ca for train schedules from Montreal-Quebec. Others may have different suggestions. <BR> <BR>Sorry, I can't help with accommodations...I always stay with friends. Have a great trip! DAN

Hi Dan,<BR>How much time should one allow between the time their flight arrives and the time the train would depart for Quebec City?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Mark

I never trust that flights arrive on time...but I'll tell you this. In my experience, it takes about 30 minutes to get from the gate to the customs & immigration area, get through customs & immigration, pick up your bags and get to the arrival area at Dorval. Make that 15 minutes if your flight is domestic. Take a taxi to Gare Centrale from Dorval and it's about 30 minutes with usual traffic. <BR><BR>I'd say, to be safe, 2 hours plus. If it were me though, I'd spend the night in Montreal (a city I love).<BR>

Dan,<BR><BR>This is great information! Your insights have been better than any other information I have found on the internet or in travel books. I am planning my honeymoon and we were thinking about staying a few days in Montreal and then taking the train to Quebec City to stay for a week. My question for you is whether it is worth getting a VIA 1 (I think that is the name) class ticket? We will be on our honeymoon so we are willing to pay a bit more for a more relaxing trip, but if there isn't much difference between the classes, we don't want to waste our money. Do you have any insight on this topic? <BR>Thank you for taking the time to help out others with their travel plans. It means the difference between having a nice relaxing travel experience and a stressful one!

It makes me sincerely happy that you appreciate my travel insights, Maris. Unfortunately I have none for you regarding 1st class VIA Rail; I've never actually taken it and don't remember anyone I know mentioning that they took it. <BR><BR>Have a great honeymoon! DAN<BR><BR>

Take VIA One. You won't be disappointed. From the use of the Via One lounges in both Montreal and Quebec, to the service, drinks and food en route, the difference in cost (which admittedly is substantial) is worth it, especially if you are in celebratory mode. We've done it a number of times and have never been disappointed. Have a great trip!

Thank you David & Dan - The information helps a ton - It is always better to hear it from someone who has experienced it than read it in a book. Take Care - Maris

We will be taking the train from Montreal to Quebec and then back. My question is about the return trip, the first train out of Quebec (we will be attending an event the night before that we do not want to miss that ends at 10 pm) and arriving in Montreal at 9 am. Our flight out of Montreal is at 11:30. I am not sure where the train station is in relation to the airport, and how much time it takes to get from one to the other, and what the best mode of transportation is. Is the time we have between the two reasonable? <BR><BR>If need be we can take the late bus out of Quebec, but that would have us traveling late at night, and arriving at a hotel in the middle of the night. <BR><BR>I guess my question is the opposite to the one above- How much time should one allow between the time their train arrives and the time the flight would depart from Montreal?<BR>

JoAnne:<BR>You should have plenty of time. The bus ride from Central Station to Dorval Airport is about 30 mins.

So if the bus ride is 30 minutes, how long would a taxi ride be? Anyone know how much? How often are the VIA trains late?

Taxi should be about 20 minutes. Ride from downtown to airport is regulated 29$ fixed price. Via is often late by 20-30 minutes.

my two friends and i (23-27) will be in montreal for 6 days and were looking into taking the train for a day in quebec city. so, if we decide to take a train from montreal to quebec for a day trip, what should we make sure to see in quebec that we can do in an afternoon? is the trip worth it? thanks so much. :0) joanna