If you’re staring at a map of Quebec and trying to decide between a rental car, a bus, or the train, honestly, just take the train. I’ve done the drive on Highway 20 more times than I can count. It is a straight, grey, soul-crushing stretch of asphalt where the most exciting thing you’ll see is a giant roadside dinosaur or a particularly large gas station.
The VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City route is different. It’s basically the busiest segment of the "Corridor," which is VIA’s bread and butter. While the rest of Canada’s rail network is, frankly, struggling with delays and freight interference, this little stretch between the two biggest cities in La Belle Province is actually reliable. Most of the time.
You start at Gare Centrale in Montreal, which is tucked underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. It feels a bit like a 1960s airport terminal, all low ceilings and echoes. Then, about three hours and fifteen minutes later, you step out into the crisp air of Gare du Palais in Quebec City, which looks like a French chateau. The transition is jarring in the best way possible.
Why the Schedule is Actually a Bit Sneaky
People think there's only one type of train. There isn't.
Depending on the time of day you book your VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City tickets, you might end up on the brand-new Venture fleet or the old, "classic" (read: slightly worn-out) LRC cars. Siemens built the new Venture trains, and they are slick. We’re talking touchless bathrooms, seats that don't feel like they were salvaged from a 1990s Greyhound, and massive windows.
If you’re a morning person, you’ll likely catch one of the early departures around 6:30 AM or 9:00 AM. These are the commuter favorites. You’ll see a lot of people in suits frantically typing on laptops because, let’s be real, the Wi-Fi on the train is "okay" but definitely won't support your 4K Netflix streaming. It’s better for emails. If you need to do a heavy Zoom call, maybe download your files before you leave the station.
The trip usually makes a few stops: Dorval (near the airport), Saint-Lambert, Saint-Hyacinthe, and Sainte-Foy.
Wait. Sainte-Foy is the trap.
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A lot of first-timers see "Quebec" on the ticket for Sainte-Foy and hop off there. Don’t do that unless you actually live in the suburbs or have a very specific reason to be in the west end. Stay on until the very end—Gare du Palais. That’s where the magic happens. You’re right at the foot of the Old City. You can walk to a dozen hotels from there, though the walk is uphill. Quebec City is basically one giant calf workout.
The Economy vs. Business Class Debate
Is it worth the extra sixty bucks? It depends on how much you value a free gin and tonic and a lukewarm salmon fillet.
In Economy, you get a seat. It’s a decent seat. You have a tray table and a plug for your charger. You can buy a sandwich or a snack pack from the cart that rolls through, but it’s standard train food. Think slightly dry wraps and overpriced hummus.
Business Class is a different world.
First, you get access to the lounge in Montreal. It’s quiet, there’s free coffee, and you don't have to stand in the massive line that snakes around the terminal. Once you're on the VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City train, the attendants start feeding you almost immediately. It’s a full three-course meal. They also have a surprisingly good selection of Canadian wines.
- The "Pro" Move: If you book exactly 21 days out, Business Class prices sometimes drop to just twenty dollars more than Economy. At that point, the meal and the drinks pay for themselves.
- The Reality Check: If you’re a family of four, just stick to Economy. The new Venture trains have "quad" seating where you can face each other around a table. It’s way better for kids than the stiff Business Class vibe.
What You’ll Actually See Out the Window
Don't expect the Rocky Mountains. You aren't in Alberta.
The scenery on the VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City run is deeply pastoral. You’re going to see a lot of cornfields. A lot of barns. A lot of small-town churches with those iconic silver steeples that dot the Quebec countryside.
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The most interesting part is crossing the St. Lawrence River. As you approach Quebec City, you’ll go over the Quebec Bridge (Pont de Québec). It’s an engineering marvel with a bit of a dark history—it actually collapsed twice during construction in the early 1900s. It remains the longest cantilever bridge span in the world. Looking down at the rushing water of the St. Lawrence from the train window is the one "camera out" moment of the entire trip.
Surviving the "Last Mile" in Quebec City
Once you roll into Gare du Palais, the experience changes. This station is stunning. It was built in 1915 and looks like something out of a fairytale. But here is the catch: Quebec City is split into "Upper Town" (Haute-Ville) and "Lower Town" (Basse-Ville).
The station is in the Lower Town.
If your hotel is the Château Frontenac or anything near it, you are going to have to go up. You can take a taxi or an Uber, which will cost you about $10–$15, or you can walk up the "Breakneck Steps" (Escalier Casse-Cou). If you have a suitcase, do not walk. You will regret every life choice that led you to that moment.
The Winter Factor
Winter in Quebec is no joke. We're talking snow that reaches the second floor of houses sometimes.
Taking VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City in January is actually much smarter than driving. The 20 highway is notorious for "whiteouts"—sudden bursts of snow that reduce visibility to zero. The train might get delayed by 20 or 30 minutes because of frozen switches or track inspections, but it rarely cancels. Plus, the train has a heavy-duty plow-like front that just pushes through the drifts.
There is something incredibly cozy about sitting in a heated train car with a hot chocolate while a blizzard rages outside. It’s the peak "Canadian Hygge" experience.
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Dealing with the "Freight Priority" Issue
Here is something the VIA Rail brochures won't tell you: VIA doesn't own most of the tracks it runs on. CN Rail does.
In Canada, freight is king. If a massive grain train is coming the other way, your passenger train usually has to pull over into a siding and wait. This is why a 3-hour trip sometimes turns into a 3-hour and 45-minute trip. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating. But it’s the reality of rail travel in North America right now.
Fortunately, the Montreal-Quebec corridor is less prone to this than the long-haul routes like the "Canadian" (Toronto to Vancouver), but it still happens. Build a little buffer into your schedule. Don’t book a fancy dinner reservation for 7:00 PM if your train is supposed to arrive at 6:30 PM. Give yourself an hour.
Baggage Rules are Stricter Than You Think
VIA Rail recently updated their baggage policy, and they are getting weirdly strict about it. It used to be a free-for-all. Now, it’s closer to airline rules.
In Economy, you’re usually allowed one large suitcase and one personal item. If you show up with three massive trunks, they will charge you. And they will make you check them. In Business Class, you get a bit more leeway, but even then, space in the overhead racks is limited.
The new Siemens trains have better luggage towers at the end of each car, which helps. If you’re worried, just pack light. You’re only going to Quebec City, not the Arctic Circle.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the VIA Rail Montreal Quebec City experience, follow this specific sequence:
- Book on a Tuesday. VIA Rail usually runs "Discount Tuesdays" where you can snag Corridor tickets for significantly less than the rest of the week.
- Download the App. Don't bother printing your ticket. The app works offline and the conductors just scan the QR code from your phone screen.
- Choose the "Left" side for the view. If you’re heading from Montreal to Quebec City, sit on the right side of the train for the best views of the river as you cross the bridge. If you're heading back to Montreal, sit on the left.
- Arrive 30 minutes early. You don't need two hours like at the airport, but the boarding process starts about 15-20 minutes before departure and the lines can be long.
- Check the Fleet. If you can, look for departures operated by the new Venture fleet (indicated on some booking screens or by the seating map layout). The ergonomic improvements make a huge difference for your back.
- Walk the Gare du Palais. Even if you're in a rush to get to your hotel, take five minutes to look at the ceiling and the masonry in the Quebec City station. It's one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.
Ultimately, this train ride isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about skipping the stress of the highway and actually seeing the heart of Quebec without having to keep your hands at ten and two. Grab a coffee, bring a book, and let the conductor handle the snow.