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Interested in traveling in Business Class on the VIA Rail train in Canada? This post details our experience on the VIA Rail train ride from Toronto, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec in Business Class.
Train travel in Canada is the way to go! When we were planning our trip to Canada and deciding on between taking a flight from Toronto to Montreal or giving the VIA Rail system a go, it just made more sense for us to take the train. Not only do we love train travel, it seemed more efficient than making our way to/from airports, getting through security, checking bags, etc.
We also decided that since it was a five-hour ride from Toronto to Montreal, we would treat ourselves to a little comfort in Business Class! It was such a great experience, I wanted to detail a bit on how it went.
Booking VIA Rail Tickets
I booked our tickets for Business Class on VIA Rail through their website here: https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan-your-trip/book-travel.
Tips to Save Money
Trains at peak times are often going to be more expensive (think late morning to early afternoon), so you might want to consider traveling early in the morning or later in the afternoon. We took the 3:15 p.m. direct train to Montreal (pay attention to the durations listed on the website as you don’t want to make connections that extend your journey unnecessarily) and the cost was affordable.
We made a few stops along the way, but did not have to get out, change trains, or have any type of connection/layover.
Train Classes
For the different classes, you have: Escape, Economy, Economy Plus, Business, and Business Plus. Each comes with its own level of perks in terms of price, baggage allowance, refund/exchange capabilities, points earnings, and food/drinks/amenities, etc.
Ticket Pricing
Booking prices are shown in CAD, so if you’re coming from the U.S., be sure to do the conversion (i.e. in 2019, a one-way Business Class ticket could cost $178 CAD, which is equal to about $135 USD (and some change)). As mentioned above, pricing varies depending on your time/route chosen and which class you choose. It also depends on the day of the week and time of year!
We went in May 2019 and booked on a Wednesday and paid $137 CAD per person (that’s about $104.15 in USD today) – and that cost included taxes & fees.
VIA Rail Business Class Lounge
One of the great perks of traveling in Business Class with VIA Rail is access to their Business Class Lounge at Toronto’s Union Station. We arrived early for our train since it was our first time using the VIA Rail system and wanted to check out the station and figure out where we needed to be. We were able to get access to the lounge and have plenty of time to relax (about an hour) before we departed.
If you aren’t sure where to look for the lounge access, just be sure to ask someone at the customer service desk – tip: it is in the main entrance hall!
Beverages such as soft drinks, juice, tea, and coffee are complimentary (sorry, no hot meals or snacks though), and you can get on the free WiFi if you are needing to get some work done or simply want to watch some TV or movies with a streaming service.
Getting on the Train
Because it was our first time traveling with VIA Rail, we definitely had to ask a few questions about where to go. We located the sign for our gate (below), but weren’t sure where to wait or queue up as Business Class passengers. Luckily, everyone at the station was super helpful.
There is a general “boarding” area near the gate and an attendant will come down prior to boarding and call out for Business Class passengers to board first ahead of the regular coach passengers. You’ll follow the attendant up the escalator and onto the train platform to the Business Class train car.
You do not have to wait in the boarding line at the gate. Easy peasy – just like queuing up for flights at the airport!
Luggage
Business class passengers are allowed two large bags in addition to a carry-on and personal item, which will be stowed in a designated luggage area in your train car.
There are overhead compartments to store small luggage items/carry-ons, but there was enough space to place my backpack between us both and have my purse/camera bag on the table in between our seats.
Seats & Leg Room
One of the main reasons that we upgraded to Business Class was for the extra legroom! Having a 6’4″ husband means I am always in search of the best legroom with our transportation options, and this was pretty perfect for us!
In the photo below, I’m on the left (PLENTY of legroom), and my husband is on the right. There was enough legroom so that his knees weren’t cramped up against the seat in front of him, and enough to allow him to stretch out his feet underneath the seat in front.
The seats were nice and comfy and suited us just fine for a five-hour ride. Seats in Business Class cars are configured in two and one – meaning two seats on one side of the car, and singles on the other. We did not have the option of choosing which seats to sit in when I booked the tickets online (not sure if there is a different process when booking with a ticket agent in person), but it automatically gave us a two-seater together in row 5.
Meals, Snacks & Drinks
Here’s the other reason why I really wanted to travel in business class – the food, the drinks, and the snacks! Ah, the life of a foodie.
We were welcomed with a glass of water, a snack pack, and an alcoholic beverage of our choice. I went with white wine and Micah decided on a beer. Here’s the great part for all you fellow lushes – alcohol is included with your Business Class train ticket! No lie, I consumed about six glasses of wine on our train trip. We both got refills on our welcome drinks after our hostess (or is it attendant?) made her way back up the aisle.
Dinner Service
Dinner was served about two hours into our journey (around 5:00 p.m.). Passengers getting off at the midway point at the Kingston Station were given the option of having their meal earlier.
I had pre-ordered the vegetarian meal, which turned out to be a really delicious mushroom and cheese ravioli in a creamy herb sauce, served with a side salad, some fruit, choice of bread (I went with the olive bread), and a s’mores cookie for dessert. I opted for the white wine again with dinner…and again I got refilled when she came back through (that’s four so far!).
My husband went with the beef tenderloin in an au jus type sauce, served with scalloped potatoes, a side salad with salami, choice of bread (also opted for the olive loaf), and a really incredible chocolate caramel cake (I was a little jelly of his dessert but he kindly shared a few bites with me)! He opted for red wine with his dinner.
It was a little bumpy during our meal service (probably the most bumpy of the trip, unfortunately), which meant I had to hold my wine while I ate to minimize spillage. My table was a little loose so it didn’t hold my wine too well.
I saved my s’mores cookie for dessert so that I could enjoy it with my final two glasses of wine while we caught up on episodes of Black Mirror for the rest of our trip.
Meal service = A+
Onboard Entertainment
WiFi is free on board! I worked a little for the first hour of our train ride and then we tried to search through their free entertainment options but didn’t find too many interesting things available. We settled on watching Black Mirror episodes I had already downloaded through my Netflix app.
Views from the Train
It was so lovely to see the Canadian countryside in between Toronto and Montreal! We had nice spring weather and traveled by daylight for most of the trip (we left around 3:00 p.m. and arrived in Montreal a little after 8:00 p.m., after a slight delay due to a medical emergency on board where we remained stopped at the Kingston station for a period of time).
Miscellaneous Notes
Language on the Train
This route goes between Toronto (Ontario) and Montreal, which is in the province of Quebec (a French-speaking province), so all announcements will be made in both English and French.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms were roomy and clean, which was pleasant since I had to make several trips there (might have been those six glasses of wine).
Crew
The crew on board were friendly and helpful! No complaints from us.
Arriving in Montreal was nice and easy – we headed up the escalator to the main hall at the Montreal Central station, and went out to the taxi area to grab a cab to our hotel.
See you next time VIA Rail!
We cannot wait to travel again in Canada on the VIA Rail train (and you bet we will be in Business Class) to explore more of the Canadian countryside!
VIA Rail Video Blog
For a little something extra, check out our short video blog:
Check out these posts too!
- Toronto Itinerary for First-Timers
- Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto
- Exploring the Food of Toronto’s Kensington Market
- St. Lawrence Self-Guided Food Tour
And don’t forget to pin this for later!
