Most Travellers searching for the Montréal VIA Rail station are referring to Central Station (Gare Centrale), the city’s primary downtown railway terminal. Located at 895 de la Gauchetière West, it serves VIA Rail trains travelling to destinations including Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, and other Canadian cities. 

Montréal also has a second VIA Rail station in Dorval, on the city’s West Island, near Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. The two stations serve different travel needs, so passengers should confirm their departure station before leaving. 

Montréal VIA Rail Station Details

  • Station name: Montréal Central Station (Gare Centrale)
  • Address: 895 de la Gauchetière West, Montréal, QC H3B 4G1
  • Phone: 1-888-842-7245
  • Lost items: (514) 871-7761 or (514) 871-7762
  • Parking operator: Park Indigo
  • Nearest metro: Bonaventure or McGill

VIA Rail Canada Montreal Station Map

Montréal Central Station VIA Rail Services

Montréal Central Station is VIA Rail’s primary downtown Montréal departure point. It is located beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hotel and provides connections to local public transportation.

Montréal Central Station VIA Rail destinations and services

VIA Rail operates services from Montréal to several destinations, including:

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Quebec City
  • Halifax
  • Jonquière
  • Senneterre

Montréal to Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City

VIA’s route pages give these figures for the three busiest Corridor trips:

RouteDistanceAverage TimeDepartures per week
Montréal to Toronto538 km5 hours 22 minutes47
Montréal to Ottawa185 km2 hours 4 minutes35
Montréal to Quebec City270 km3 hours 26 minutes34

Weekly departure counts and journey times can change with seasonal schedules and service adjustments. Passengers should check their individual itinerary for departure times, intermediate stops, and arrival information before travelling.

Central Station vs Dorval Station

Montréal has two VIA Rail stations that passengers may use. Choosing the correct one is important, particularly for passengers connecting to flights. 

DetailCentral StationDorval Station
LocationDowntown MontréalMontréal’s West Island
Address895 de la Gauchetière West755 Montréal-Toronto Blvd, Dorval
Airport LinkSTM 747 Express BusFree VIA shuttle to Montréal-Trudeau Airport

VIA Rail Dorval Station provides a free shuttle connection to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. The shuttle generally operates every 45-60 minutes during station opening hours, with an approximate journey time of 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Central Station does not have this free VIA Rail airport shuttle. Travellers departing from downtown can instead use the STM 747 Express Bus.

VIA Rail Montréal Departure Station

Passengers departing from Montréal Central Station should allow sufficient time for ticket collection, baggage services, and boarding.

Montréal VIA Rail departure and boarding guidelines
  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
  • Arrive at least one hour early to pick up a ticket.
  • Be on the platform at least five minutes before departure, since access closes then.

VIA Rail recommends that passengers follow the boarding instructions provided for their particular train.

The station’s departure information displays provide details about individual trains. Passengers should check these displays and their tickets for platform and boarding information.

Business Lounge

Montréal Central Station has a VIA Rail Business Lounge.

Access is subject to eligibility and available space. Passengers can generally enter up to two hours before their scheduled departure. Lounge access after arriving at the destination is not permitted.

Montréal Train Station Address and How to Get There

The VIA Rail Montréal station address is 895 de la Gauchetière West, Montréal, QC H3B 4G1. The station is centrally located and accessible through several transportation options. 

  • Metro: The station is near Bonaventure and McGill stations. STM can be reached at (514) 288-6287.
  • REM: VIA lists the REM as a connection. The REM can be reached at (833) 736-4636.
  • Commuter train: exo trains connect at the station and can be reached at (514) 287-8726.
  • Airport bus: VIA lists the STM 747 express as the airport shuttle.
  • Other buses: STM, RTL, and STL buses are listed, along with the Montréal bus terminal at (514) 842-2281.
  • Taxi and rideshare: Taxi Diamond is listed at (514) 273-6331. Uber also serves the station.
  • Bikes and car sharing: Bixi and Communauto are listed.

Passengers who need assistance can use the accessible drop-off spot to the left of the main entrance.

VIA Rail Montréal Terminal Hours

Hours at the VIA Rail Montréal station are listed separately for each area.

AreaMonday to FridaySaturdaySunday
Station5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Ticket Counter5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.7:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Business Lounge5:00 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.5:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.7:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.

These are published operating hours and should be checked again before travelling, as schedules can change.

Amtrak ticket services have separate hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Montréal Central Station Facilities

Montréal Central Station via rail passengers is a staffed building with these services:

  • Restaurant, snack bar, and convenience store
  • ATM, bank, and currency exchange office
  • Wi-Fi in the station and the lounge
  • Waiting room, washrooms, and telephones
  • Newsstand, vending machines, and photo machines
  • Budget car rental inside the station
  • Bicycle box
  • Interac direct payment and VIA Gift Card at the counter

Baggage Checkroom

A baggage checkroom and baggage registration service run from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday to Sunday. According to VIA Rail, carry-on bags cost $6 per bag in Economy Class and are free in Business Class. The station has no baggage carts, and baggage cannot be stored overnight. Outside those hours, the ticket counter can explain how Lost and Found and the checkroom work.

Accessibility

The VIA Rail Montréal station lists these accessibility features:

  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance and platform
  • Wheelchair elevator to the train, a stair lift, and a courtesy wheelchair for boarding
  • Hearing loop at the ticket counter
  • ASL and LSQ interpreters on request
  • Service animal relief area near the ticket counter, in the baggage collection area

Curbside Assistance

Passengers who need help getting from the vehicle drop-off area into the station can request curbside assistance.

Montréal VIA Rail curbside accessibility assistance details

The accessible drop-off area is located to the left of the main entrance.

VIA Rail requests at least 48 hours’ advance notice for this service.

To arrange assistance, call 1-888-842-7245.

Passengers using a TTY can dial 711 and request a relay connection to 1-855-321-8421.

Montréal Train Station Parking

Park Indigo runs the parking at the VIA Rail Central Station Montréal Travellers use, with indoor and outdoor lots for short and long stays. VIA’s page lists no parking rates, so drivers should check Park Indigo’s website before arriving.

VIA Rail Montréal Train Schedule

VIA has no single fixed timetable for the station. Montréal Central Station VIA Rail departures each have their own days and times, and these change by date and season. The schedule search on viarail.ca lists every train for a chosen day.

Passengers can follow these steps:

  1. Open the schedule search on the official VIA Rail website.
  2. Enter Montréal as the departure station, then choose the destination.
  3. Pick a date and select “Display detailed schedule” for each train.

VIA’s route pages show several departures a day for Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec City. The times they list apply to one date only.

Montréal Train Station Arrivals and Departures

For arrival and departure information, call VIA’s information line at 1-888-842-7245. Real-time tracking is available through VIA’s Train-Alert service, which sends email or text alerts, and through the VIA Rail mobile app. VIA also posts travel advisories for track work and schedule changes on its service pages.

MTRL

Montreal — Live Arrivals & Departures

Updated 1 minute ago · Times are local
Train
From → To
Arrives
Departs
Status
31VIA Rail Corridor
Montréal OttawaStarts here
Arrives—
Departs6:00 AMScheduled
Departed
20VIA Rail Corridor
Montréal QuébecStarts here
Arrives—
Departs6:25 AMScheduled
Departed
22VIA Rail Corridor
Ottawa Québec
Arrives8:11 AMScheduled
Departs8:36 AMScheduled
On time
33VIA Rail Corridor
Québec Ottawa
Arrives8:40 AMSched. 8:37 AM
Departs9:00 AMScheduled
On time
15VIA Rail Ocean
Halifax MontréalEnds here
Arrives10:02 AMSched. 9:53 AM
Departs—
10 min late
604VIA Rail Abitibi
Senneterre MontréalEnds here
Arrives7:46 PMScheduled
Departs—
On time

Before Leaving for the Station

Passengers can follow these suggestions to make their departure from VIA Rail Montréal Station easier.

  • Carry one photo ID, or two pieces of ID without a photo. Only original documents count.
  • Have the ticket ready on paper or on a phone.
  • Pack carry-on bags for Corridor trains, which cannot take checked baggage. The station checkroom is a separate service.
  • Book accessibility help at least 48 hours ahead.
  • Check the VIA Rail Canada Montréal Station page, the schedule, and advisories on the travel date.

Montréal Central Station is the main downtown departure point for VIA Rail passengers travelling to Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and other destinations. Its ticket counter closes at 7:30 p.m., so evening travellers should pick up tickets earlier or buy online. Before travelling, confirm the station’s opening hours, ticket-counter availability, train schedule, and parking arrangements.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Montréal VIA Rail station?

VIA Rail Montréal Central Station is at 895 de la Gauchetière West, Montréal, QC H3B 4G1.

Are there two VIA Rail stations in Montréal?

Yes, Montréal Central Station is downtown, while Dorval Station is located on Montréal’s West Island near Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.

What time does the VIA Rail Montréal station open?

The station opens at 5:00 a.m. on weekdays, 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. It closes at 11:00 p.m. every day.

How early should passengers arrive?

VIA recommends arriving 30 minutes before departure, or one hour if a ticket must be picked up.

Can I get a military discount at Montréal VIA Rail Station?

Yes, eligible Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans may qualify for the special VIA Rail Military Discount when booking trips from Montréal Central Station.

Can passengers store bags at the Montréal train station?

Yes, the station offers a baggage checkroom and baggage registration service during set hours. Economy class passengers will have to pay $6 per carry-on bag, and those in Business Class can access it for free.

How do Travellers get from the airport to Montréal Central Station via rail?

VIA lists the STM 747 express bus. VIA’s free shuttle runs between the airport and Dorval station, not Central Station.

Is parking available at Montréal Central Station?

Yes, Park Indigo runs indoor and outdoor parking. Check the current parking operator’s website for rates, availability, and overnight parking arrangements.