VIA Rail Canada

VIA Rail Canada Inc. is Canada’s national passenger rail service, mandated as a Crown corporation to operate intercity and regional rail across the country. It serves more than 400 communities and uses a network stretching over 12 500 km of track.

Travel options range from the busy Quebec-Windsor Corridor—linking Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City with frequent departures—to long-haul scenic journeys such as The Canadian running between Toronto and Vancouver via the Rockies.

The company emphasises safety, accessibility and sustainability, offering electronic booking, real-time train status and mobile app features. While service frequency and times vary depending on route and region, VIA Rail remains a major choice for rail travel in Canada.

Passengers should note that service reliability, onboard amenities and scheduling differ markedly between high-demand corridor routes and remote or long-distance lines. For example, long-haul services may involve overnight travel, less frequent trains and scenic rather than fast travel.