VIA Rail Canada Review

Secure place and pleasant and helpful staff. Wifi everywhere

Canrailing was one of the best experiences of my life. Especially helpful was leaving your rucksack with a member of staff in a red T shirt, who would then put the rucksack on the train for you, instead of using the left luggage lockers. The Canadian people really made the trip: they were warm, friendly and helpful. Prince Rupert and the Rocky Mountains, especially Athabasca Falls and Lake Louise were such an awesome experience, as was seeing a black bear running along a farmer's field from the safety of the train. I had lots of fun and it was well worth the effort. Huge appreciation to all the Canadians who made such a special trip possible.

Excellent! The trains are very clean and comfortables, and the personal are very nice. I recommended this!

It is actually at Central Station. You can take the train to several destinations in Canada.

I'm a premier member, been using the train for two years quite frequently. They leave exactly on time. Any delays usually encountered en route by another passing train or very bad weather conditions. I prefer trains instead of buses although the travel time is very close to similar. There is good personal space with power outlets for each chair. The environment is fair, nothing fancy. I like the new chairs with more space and feels more clean. The free wifi ranges from fair to terrible. Good for emails and texts, not for streaming. The staff are super nice and funny at times. I just wish they get faster? Trains ... so I won't even bother using the plane. Maybe one day :)

If we could be served in French systematically in Quebec !!!

I always get great service from Via Rail. Employees are very helpful and always smiling.

Jan 7, 2018, New Brunswick, take the #viarailcanada train to Montreal and 3 hours notice learn that it no longer works ... a bus instead of the train ... all without compensation! Total disappointment. In addition, this is the second time this has happened to me!

Went on the flagship 'The Canadian' from Vancouver to Toronto, in a sleeper berth. An enjoyable experience overall, though due to massive delays a lot of people were getting cabin fever. There was very little time at any of the scheduled stops. The staff and food were good. Lots of interesting activities in the observation carriage.

Friendly employees clean space and connected to the underground. Best way to get back and forth to NYC.

Via rail ... a love-hate story.
Trip Quebec-Mtl:
Friday night economy class, we had a wagon they call (I believe) "the rebirth"; each row has 3 seats wide (2 glued, the central aisle and only one on the other side).
A total comfort, comfortable bucket seat, lots of space, dim lights, big tablet for the computer and even put my coffee .... that happiness !!!

Return trip (Mtl-Quebec):
Sunday night in economy class always.
It was atrocious. A nightmare.
We had a wagon with four rows of seats in each row (2 glued, center aisle and 2 glued).
Seats very uncomfortable, a very small tablet to put the computer (which happens to fall regularly).
The big lights on all the time (I asked to sift them, but I'm told it's not done); in short impossible to rest! Travel totally uncomfortable.
Via Rail who advertises to travel comfortably and rest ..... we will forget that!

terrible service all around!!!!! seems like employees are living int he 1950s what a disaster!!! i have gone first class and second class same service!!!! CRAP!!!!

The service crew were really nice. However, the trains are not reliable. Delays over an hour is really common and you don t get any compensation for any inconvenience. Just a 50% travel credit which is an insult, considering that they are asking us to engage in their services again. No sympathy given to passengers.
While I understand that delays are inevitable, the least they could do was to offer services or compensation for the inconvenience caused. Because of their delays, I ve spent a lot on cab services, rushing to my destination from the train station. On one night, the delay caused me to miss the last public train in Montreal. What could have taken me 20mins, took me an hour. Imagine if you have a plane to catch, they wouldn t offer anything except for their travel credits .
At the end of the day, while the service from the crew may be good. You re risking a lot of time and money from a highly probably delay. It s a big gamble for those travelling around Canada. And it is not cheap. Might as well go for the more affordable buses.
Definitely would not recommend viarail. Especially for travellers looking to enjoy their time in Canada.

Meal on board the Montreal - Ottawa train
Fish!

Very good tickets at the last minute, good price, good staff. Thanks you

We took economy class and it was great. Enough leg room and reclining seats. It was a pleasant trip. Price is a bit high.

If you buy tickets on Tuesdays you can get jaw dropping deals, if not, it s a little painful to the pocket

The service is ok
The new car bench is comfortable
The restoration is passable

But where you lose the most points your Wi-Fi connection is inconceivable in 2016 that your connection is also mediocre ...... so when it just do not offer it

The custom services staff are very helpful. I call them ask something about the train trip. He found I actually ordered tickets on wrong day that already past. Better than I found it by myself at the last minute, Phew! They help me change the reservation to the right day for my famiily. I almost ruined our family vacation by mistake, however, they saved my March break vacation! Thank you!

Love the via rail, the station is easy to navigate (unlike toronto) and the staff are very helpful. I always love taking the train home!

Great option to travel in Canada, we took the train from Windsor to Toronto then to Montreal.

I was received the racist behavior of their crew. Does VIA Rail tolerate racism?

I was received from their crew. Is VIA Rail tolerant of racism?

Special needs & Accessibility
I recently embarked on a short adventure with my mother aboard Via Rail and I cannot express well enough in words what an amazing Team all of these dedicated professionals are. I am a frequent train traveller with Via Rial, but travelling with my mother who's needs are total support care with special needs assistance, this was going to be, I presumed, an overwhelming feat of worry and concern. NOT THE CASE! Every
Via Rail Team member we met along our short 4 day journey exceeded expectations rolling out 'Red Carpet' service.

Went here to try to get a refund following a truly awful trip on the so-called Ocean Train. Unhelpful, bureaucratic. A meeting took place. A letter was sent in follow-up. I was given a partial refund of 450C$ about 6 weeks after my return to the UK. Administration and management of this sorry organisation mirrors the disgraceful service it offers

Traveling from Montreal to Ottowa - The coach looks clean, but is rather smelly and and stuffy inside. It feels like no fresh air has entered it since it was built.

The trains are really dirty and old. There were still the glasses and bottles of the last passengers. I paid way too much for the condition of the cars.

It is a train station station that meets its purpose

I use Viarail often and I would say about the half the trips are unpleasant for one reason or another. Please note that the Wifi is completely inadequate for most purposes and the "foward/rear-facing" note on your ticket may be completely meaningless.

Overall, wonderful experience and would recommend. Can only speak to Business Class. Nice lounge at the Montreal Central Station with drinks, apples, and French magazines/newspapers, and the attendant notifies everyone of when to board. On board: spacious seating with free wifi, outlets, and large bathrooms. The food on board was pretty good, though would be nice to have had more info on type and frequency of snacks/meals and drinks. Drink service on my 5 hour train ride could've been more frequent.

Got assigned the worst seat, it was the emergency exit seat, against a wall so it didn't recline at all and there was very little room. WiFi kept cutting out so I couldn't even do my work. The train arrived over 45 minutes late. For half the price I could have taken the greyhound that had better WiFi and the same if not better leg room.

I like the station especially for restaurants and the display is very adequate it can be found easily

Directly links to Montreal's underground shopping district, and easily access the subway, busses and US bound trains. VIA staff are helpful. The porter took our luggage hours ahead of departure and ensured it was loaded on our train car for a small tip.

Train Montreal-Quebec late 1h. Having known I would have taken my car, even with the traffic it would have been shorter.
A manager told me that it happened often. I will never take the train again. In addition to being expensive, it is by no means reliable.

Staff are super helpful, very accommodating for my dog. The station also has a lot of food options <3

Loved train, loved the scenic stations of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Planning on visiting Montreal again this year by VIA.

Take the train to Ottawa often. Great ride, price too high.

I often take the train to Quebec-Montreal and inadvertently tonight I was in the wrong line, I was talking on the phone and missed my train. This is my mistake and I accept it but the employee I spoke to to inform me was extremely stupid, no respect and turns me back with the back of his hand telling me to make do. .. The person who was at the counter was not really more helpful, no smile, no desire to work, in short at Montreal Central Station it's hard! I'm waiting for the bus, I don't think my next trips will be by train. Very very disappointing.

This station is very nice, staff is friendly, but trains in Canada are too expensive.

Very good rail service ...
respected schedule!

If I was late as often as VIA Rail is, I would be out of a job pretty quick. Two things on the ticket matter: the destination and the arrival time. Try to get those two things right before upgrading the seats.

Worst company ever, prices are way too high and the trains always late.

I have to use VIA fairly often as they have a monopoly on a lot of transport routes. The prices are definitely way too high for what it is. Wi-fi is essentially unusable, and more often than not the train will experience significant delays, because they prioritize freight trains rather than passenger trains. Also, no complimentary anything is given, and food items are basically pre-packaged items bought from a store and marked up 500% in price. Honestly you're better off taking the bus for half of the price.

Really good if you don't mind regular 45-60 minute delays without explanation or compensation

Busy train station but lines clear quickly. Good location downtown Toronto, although Union Station is a little confusing.

1st time taking the train and they caused $750 damage to my brand new bicycle. I will never trust them again, and you should reconsider trusting them with anything you care about. I've been going back and forth with them for the last 7 weeks and they refuse to take responsibility. Next time, just rent a car!

For more than 20 years that I travel very regularly with Via Rail, whether passing through the magnificent station of the palace in Quebec or the central station of Montreal, I have always had excellent service in French. Sometimes train delays, but hey, it's not Europe with TGVs, but it's very safe, especially with the bad weather that we have in Quebec.

A lot of space to wait and small restaurants for all tastes

'GRAND' central station with direct path to the underground malls and the Fairmont Hotel

Horrible service experience!

I went to the little corner when this little station was crowded. After 2-3 minutes I came out of the bathroom and to my amazement, I saw the train passed before my eyes.

No message on the intercom to let people know that the train was about to leave. I didn't have time to wait for the next train, so I had to organize myself differently.

No sympathy from the employee on site. I called Via Rail customer service: they didn't even offer a partial refund.

Friend's tip: don't use the restroom while you're at it.

Pretty friendly people and very punctual when we boarded our train from Montreal

Went from Toronto to Montreal and back. On the way back, made the unfortunate mistake of being in their last wagon (VERY shakey) and got viciously nauseated and had to run to the washroom every half an hour to puke. So if you re someone like me and gets car sick easily, do NOT book yourself on the last wagon as it shakes more than the others. Other than that, it was nice, clean, plenty of leg room. Coffee was good.