Disembarking Via Rail’s Ocean : Mont-Joli to Montreal, QC

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 whales, belugas, and finbacks are often spotted just offshore. But at 1:30 AM, the only thing visible was the soft flicker of lights across quiet station platforms.

Around 4 AM, we woke up as the train arrived in Rivière-du-Loup, about 2 hours behind schedule. For us, this town holds special meaning. Back in 2019, it marked the end of our first year (of four years) hiking the Trans Canada Trail. By the time we trekked into Riviere-du-Loup,  we had walked thousands of kilometres from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Today, however, our visit was just another brief pause on our newest journey, but one that stirred powerful memories.

Sunrise over the St. Lawrence River

As the night gave way to early morning, the train rolled through the communities of La Pocatière and Montmagny. We watched through the windows as the first soft hues of pink, gold, and red stretched across the sky, reflecting off the river. These are the kinds of moments that slow travel is made for: unplanned, unhurried, and unforgettable.

We soon approached Sainte-Foy, a suburb of Quebec City. From here, the Ocean crossed the St. Lawrence River via the historic Quebec Bridge, the longest cantilever bridge in the world. It's a feat of Canadian engineering and one of the country’s most significant historical bridges.

Coffee, Countryside, and Classic Rail Travel

With sunrise fully in bloom, we made our way to the Service Car to stretch our legs and grab a coffee. This simple lounge car has a few cozy seats and a small selection of snacks for purchase. Regardless of the limited selection, it was a welcome space after a long night sitting up in Economy class.

With a cup of strong coffee in one hand and a muffin in the other, we settled into one of the lounge seats and chatted. Outside, the train reversed direction as it crossed the river once more, pulling through Charny and into the CN Joffre rail yards before resuming its westward path.

Leaving Sainte-Foy, we are about four and a half hours behind schedule and have approximately 3-4 hours to go before arriving in Montreal. Discovering that we are behind schedule by a couple of hours means that we will likely get into Montreal well after its scheduled arrival time and miss our connection to Toronto today. Throughout it all, the Via Rail staff are amazing and come through the cars asking people for their reservation numbers to ensure that our connections are rebooked for tomorrow. This is the sort of courtesy that makes these journeys wonderful.

Between Charny and Montreal, the landscape transforms. The Ocean glides through pastoral farmland, dense maple forests, and quiet Québécois villages that seem untouched by time. About two hours after leaving Sainte-Foy, we arrive in Drummondville.

From here on, the route is increasingly urban as we weave through communities on the outskirts of Montreal. With only about an hour in our voyage left, the Ocean makes quick stops in communities of Saint-Hyacinthe and Saint-Lambert.

Arrival in Montreal: The End of One Journey, the Start of Another

Beyond Saint-Lambert, the lush forests and serene Quebec countryside soon give way to the skyline of Montreal. Accompanying this sight, the Via Rail staff announces that we were soon due into the Ocean’s final destination. These announcements are always somewhat melancholy for us. Part of us is excited to be in Montreal and glad to have safely completed another segment of our journey, but these feelings are also mixed with the quiet sadness of stepping off the train.

Soon, familiar places such as the Expo 67 site and the 1976 Montreal Olympic stadium came into view. Outside the train, the sun was setting as the train crossed the St. Lawrence River on the Victoria Bridge. Continuing on we passed alongside a busy rail yard and dense residential neighbourhoods before descending into Gare Centrale, Montreal’s central station.

Having arrived, we collected our bags and disembarked onto the underground platform. Walking to the escalator, we ascended up into Gare Centrale, the metro hub for the city of Montreal. Around us commuters navigated the main hall and concourse while bakeries and shops buzzed with excited customers.

While our adventure on the Ocean concludes in the heart of one of Canada’s largest and most vibrant cities our journey is still far from over.

Final Thoughts on Day Two of the Ocean

Ultimately, we disembarked four and a half hours late, which means that we missed our connection and will have to wait in Montreal for the night before boarding the Corridor service that runs between Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, where we will board the Canadian en route from Toronto to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Despite arriving behind schedule, the experience of riding the Ocean from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Montreal, Quebec, remains one of the most relaxed and meaningful ways to see Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Whether you're travelling for the scenery, the history, or simply to feel a deeper connection to Canada’s vast landscapes, this train journey delivers moments of quiet beauty that are easy to miss by plane or car. From sunrises over the St. Lawrence to the quaint villages of rural Quebec, there’s something here for anyone drawn to the gentle rhythm of train travel.

Reflecting on the Ocean

In the end, the journey on Via Rail’s Ocean service from Halifax to Montreal is not just about reaching your destination – it’s about the entire experience. In a world where everything seems to be about speeding up—whether it’s flights, road trips, or even our daily lives—sometimes the best way to travel is at a slower pace. Via Rail’s Ocean service offers a unique opportunity to slow down and experience Canada’s east coast in a way that flights or buses simply can’t match. If you’ve ever wanted to reconnect with nature, enjoy a comfortable ride, and take your time crossing Canada, then this is the journey for you.

Government cutbacks in recent years have altered this service the Ocean is no mere commuter train taking passengers from A to B. Instead, it is both a living part of Canadian history as well as one of the best ways to see the country. Simply put, this trip is a testament to the magic of slow travel. Whether you’re searching for an eco-friendly escape or just a means to take a step back from the hustle of modern life, this rail adventure is the perfect way to discover Canada.