VIA Rail - "The Ocean" route from Montreal to HalifaxIncluding Quebec City
VIA Rail is Canada’s classic overnight rail passenger service. Aboard “The Ocean” train, you’ll step into a golden past and relive Canada’s history. A truly nostalgic experience, VIA Rail includes meals in mid-century rail dining cars, glass-domed observation cars, and private sleeper cabins to enjoy Canada’s scenery.
The route travelled is between Montreal and Halifax and can also be joined from Quebec City along the way.
Instructions:
For Montreal Departures:
Please arrive at Montreal Central Station 90 minutes to 1 hour prior to departure. For station information, see below: LINK
For Quebec City Departures:
Please arrive at the Quebec City Train Station (Gare du Palais) 30 minutes prior to the transfer time to the Sainte-Foy Station. When checking in you will receive a taxi/bus voucher. The transfer will then pick you up in front of the main entrance of the Quebec City Train Station for the short ride over to the Sainte-Foy Station where you will then board the Ocean train to Halifax. For station information, see below: LINK
*From most hotels in Quebec City, it is a 5-minute taxi ride to the train station. If you are already taking a taxi to this station, you may instead prefer to forgo the included transfer and take a taxi directly to the Sainte-Foy Station. This is approximately a 20-minute taxi ride and you will need to arrive at the Sainte-Foy Station 1 hour prior to the train departure to Halifax.
General Instructions:
Please note that due to the nature of train travel, cabin space is limited therefore full-sized luggage is not permitted in your cabin. Your large suitcases will need to be checked prior to boarding and they will be returned to you when you arrive at your destination. It is recommended that you take the time to rearrange your luggage into a carry-on-sized suitcase and a personal item such as a backpack or purse prior to arriving at the station. Detailed information on luggage allowances is noted below: LINK
When you arrive at the station, please have the VIA Rail Tickets provided with your travel documents on hand in paper form, or on your mobile device. These include a QR code to be scanned at check-in. In the event that your tickets do not show a QR code and you have been provided with an “E-Voucher”, please provide the noted VIA Rail confirmation number and your name at check-in. A valid photo ID is also required at check-in.
Please note that while VIA Rail endeavours to operate on time, the realities of increased freight traffic on tracks that we do not own may give rise to significant delays. We suggest that you plan accordingly, such as not arranging anything on the day that you disembark the train.
For more information on the cabin types and amenities onboard, visit:
Eastbound Train Schedule (As of June 19, 2024):
Supplier: | Train #14 | |||
Departure Location: | Departure Time: | Arrival Location: | Arrival Time: | |
Montreal, QC: | 18:30 | Quebec City, QC: | 21:53 | |
Quebec City, QC: | 21:00 (shuttle time from downtown) | Sainte-Foy, QC: | 21:30 | |
Sainte-Foy, QC: | 22:12 | Moncton, NB: | 13:38 (+1 Day) | |
Moncton, NB: | 13:53 | Halifax, NS: | 18:06 |
To check the status of your train, visit the live map and look for train #14 named “Ocean to Halifax”.
Station Details:
Montreal Central Station
895 de la Gauchetiere West, Montréal, QC, H3B 4G1
Please take a taxi between the Montreal station and all Montreal hotels with the exception of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth as the station is not within walking distance of all other properties Canada Rail Vacations work with. The Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is connected to the station.
Quebec City Train Station
450 rue de la Gare du Palais, Québec, QC, G1K 3X2
Please take a taxi between the Quebec City station and all Quebec City hotels as it is not within walking distance of the properties Canada Rail Vacations work with. The Hotel Manoir Victoria is 500 meters away but may be a difficult walk with luggage.
Please note that passengers boarding the Ocean train to Halifax will be transferred from the Quebec City train Station to Sainte-Foy(Ste-Foy) to meet the train as it does not pass through downtown.
Taxi Coop Ste-Foy shuttle
– The Taxi Coop Ste-Foy shuttle stops for passengers with a connection from Québec City to Ste-Foy in front of the main entrance of the Gare du Palais.
Sainte-Foy(Ste-Foy) Train Station
Please note that passengers boarding the Ocean train to Halifax will be transferred from the Quebec City train Station to Sainte-Foy(Ste-Foy) to meet the train as it does not pass through downtown.
Taxi Coop Ste-Foy shuttle
– The Taxi Coop Ste-Foy shuttle stops for passengers with a connection from Québec City to Ste-Foy in front of the main entrance of the Gare du Palais.
Moncton Train Station
77 Canada Street, Moncton, NB, E1C 0V3
Please take a taxi between the Moncton train station and your final destination in Moncton.
Halifax Train Station
1161 Hollis St, Halifax, NS, B3H 2P6
Please take a taxi between the Halifax station and all Halifax hotels with the exception of The Westin as the station is not within walking distance of all other properties Canada Rail Vacations work with. The Westin is connected to the station.
Luggage Restrictions:
Carry-On Luggage:
1 Personal Item (Per Person)
Max. 11.5 kg (25lb.)
Max. 43 x 15 x 33 cm (17 x 6 x 13 in.)
Equal to a backpack or purse
AND
2 Small Items (Per Cabin)
Max. 11.5 kg (25 lb.) each
Max. 54.5 x 39.5 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in.) each
Equal to a standard sized carry-on luggage
OVERWEIGHT ITEM(S): Items over 11.5 kg (25lb.) not permitted as carry-on bag.
ADDITIONAL ITEM(S): Not permitted. Additional bags must be checked.
Checked Luggage
2 Checked Items
Max. 23 kg (50 lb.) each
Max. 158 linear cm (62 li. in.) each
*Equal to a standard-sized suitcase
In stations where this service is offered, your baggage must be checked at least 45 minutes before departure at terminal stations
For security reasons, baggage is not allowed on board without its owner.
*VIA reserves the right to weigh any and all baggage which may result in applicable allowance fees, as you may be subject to excess charges.
Please note, carry-on luggage will be available to you in your train cabin throughout the trip. Your checked luggage will not be accessible until you reach your final destination aboard this train.
