Our East Coast Train Journey on Via Rail's Ocean

Via Rail's Ocean : Slow Travel Across Atlantic Canada by Train If you’re seeking a travel experience rooted in rhythm, reflection, and a means of exploring Atlantic Canada, then climbing aboard Via Rail’s Ocean might be the perfect journey. Stretching 1,346 kilometres from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Montreal, Quebec, the Ocean doesn’t just connect cities - it weaves together provinces, cultures, and stories.   Much like its western sibling, The Canadian , the Ocean invites you to embrace a different kind of travel. One that values presence over speed, scenery over schedule, and moments over mileage. After crossing oceans, hiking across countries, and journeying through Canada by rail more than thirty times, we’ve come to see the Ocean not just as a train ride—but as a meditation on movement and meaning.   Why Take the Ocean? There are faster ways to travel between Halifax and Montreal. But none offer the same intimacy with the land. As the train rolls through the Maritime coun...

Via Rail’s Corridor Journey from Montreal to Toronto There is something wonderful and timeless about travelling by train, especially when you are in the midst of crossing Canada by rail, seeing some of its most vibrant cities, and enjoying the nation’s landscapes. Connecting Via Rail ’s east coast service, the Ocean with its transcontinental train, the Canadian is the intercity route, the Corridor . This train journey spans two provinces, regularly traversing from Montreal to Ottawa to Kingston to Toronto. En route, the Corridor connects travellers with regional history and culture. Though the Corridor is more of a transit route than a leisurely adventure, there’s something beautiful about the way it connects the diverse landscapes of Quebec and Ontario. From the moment you board the train, you realize how much more relaxed and spacious it feels compared to taking a car or flying. No long airport lines or cramped bus seats—just comfortable coaches, the hum of the rails beneath you...

End of the Line on the Ocean There’s a certain kind of magic to waking up on a train. The rhythm of the rails, the dim glow of early morning light through the windows, and the knowledge that you're slowly gliding toward your next destination—all make for a uniquely peaceful travel experience. Our second day aboard Via Rail ’s Ocean began just past midnight, as we departed Mont-Joli, Quebec, and continued along the southern shores of the St. Lawrence River, making our way west toward Montreal. For those considering a transcontinental train journey across Canada, this rail journey through Atlantic Canada, though quieter and less talked about, offers some of the most serene and soulful moments of the trip. Early Morning in Quebec By the time we pulled out of Mont-Joli, the world outside was cloaked in darkness. While towns like Rimouski and Trois-Pistoles passed silently in the night, we knew we were rolling through one of Quebec’s most celebrated whale-watching regions, where blue w...

Via Rail’s Ocean and Atlantic Coastlines For those drawn to the quiet rhythm of slow travel, there are few journeys more rewarding than crossing Canada by train. While many visitors dream of Via Rail ’s transcontinental Canadian , its Atlantic counterpart—the Ocean —offers a charming and often-overlooked adventure from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Montreal, Quebec. Spanning over 1,300 km and connecting three provinces and two time zones, this overnight train brings you from seaside to city, weaving through forests, valleys, and small-town Canada. We’ve taken this route round-trip four times now, and no matter how often we board the Ocean , the anticipation is always the same: a quiet thrill, a sense of possibility, and a familiar appreciation for letting the world pass slowly by. In the 1990s, on our first voyage along the Ocean route, we travelled on the iconic steel cars, often associated with the Canadian service. As the years passed by, Via Rail switched to what was referred to as Re...