UPDATE, September 29: According to a report by CBC News, VIA Rail has postponed its planned pilot project for direct train service between Montreal and Toronto, which would have skipped several eastern Ontario stops. The service, originally set to launch on September 29, 2025, promised downtown-to-downtown travel and cuts of up to 40 minutes on some trips. In a statement Monday, VIA cited operational constraints with our rail partner, CN as the reason for the delay. The project had faced criticism from local officials along the route. VIA added that it will continue working with CN to find solutions that could allow the direct service to be tested and launched in the future.
Starting September 29, 2025, VIA Rail will roll out a three-month pilot project offering non-stop train service between Montréal and Toronto on select routes.
On the news of Air Canada to debut transatlantic routes on revolutionary narrow-body aircraft, and Canadians requiring fingerprinting in Europe starting in October 2025, the goal of this project is to test faster, direct service on the busy Montréal–Toronto corridor.
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While official departure and arrival times remain the same, passengers could arrive 30 to 40 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Trains 60, 61, 68, and 69 will operate directly between the two cities without any intermediate stops, while the schedule for Train 50 will be reduced.
How much does it cost to go from Montreal to Toronto by train?
The average price round-trip is $80 and the average price one-way is $40.
What is the impact on intermediate stations?
Passengers booked to board or exit at stations removed from the schedule will be automatically transferred to the next available train with space that stops at their departure and destination stations.
If that train is full, they will be moved to the following train with available seats.
Exceptions:
Passengers boarding or detraining in Dorval or Guildwood will be transferred to Montréal or Toronto.
Train-specific details:
Train 50: Passengers from Guildwood to Brockville, Smiths Falls, Fallowfield, or Ottawa will be rebooked on a train departing from Toronto.
Train 60: Passengers from Guildwood or Dorval will be rebooked on the new Toronto–Montréal direct service.
Train 61: Passengers from Dorval or Guildwood will be rebooked on the new Montréal–Toronto direct service.
Train 68: Passengers boarding in Toronto and exiting in Dorval will be rebooked on a Toronto–Montréal service.
Train 69: Passengers from Dorval or Guildwood will be rebooked on the new Montréal–Toronto direct service.
Time Out Tip: If a suitable alternative train cannot be booked due to capacity limits, VIA Rail will contact affected passengers directly to offer other options.
For more information about the Via Rail train schedules, click here.
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