Montréal – Sainte-Foy (Québec) – Rimouski – Miramichi – Moncton – Halifax
The Ocean is North America’s oldest named passenger train. Linking Montréal and Halifax, this train offers a scenic journey from the francophone metropolis of Montréal along the St. Lawrence River through the Notre Dame mountains. Followed by meandering along the Acadian coast before reaching the east coast metropolis of Halifax.
Tickets
The most direct way is with viarail.ca and 1-888-842-7245 (Canada and USA)
Compared to the more popular tourist train, The Canadian fewer tour groups books tickets for this train. However, if you are travelling as a group ensure to book far enough in advance.
Fares
| Fare Comparison | Economy Reclining seat | Sleeper Plus Cabin for 2 (1 occupant) | Sleeper Plus Cabin for 2 (2 occupants) |
| Montreal – Halifax | $180 | $650 | $583* |
Destinations
Designed as an overnight sleeper train, the Ocean has two main destinations: Montréal and Halifax. In between the trains stops at smaller cities serving as a crucial link to the anchor cities.
The Ocean will always stop at these stations (plus several more):
- Montréal Central
- Sainte-Foy
- Rimouski
- Miramichi
- Moncton
- Halifax
The rest are smaller flag stops that stop on request only.
Timetable
| VIA Rail The Ocean Train #14 (eastbound) | |||
| Effective 2026-03-30 | Time | Day #: Day, Day, Day | |
| Montreal Central | Departure | 18:30 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sat |
| Sainte-Foy (Québec City) | Arrival Departure | 21:48 22:12 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sat |
| Rimouski | Arrival Departure | 02:25 02:30 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Sun |
| Mariamchi | Arrival Departure | 11:25 11:30 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Sun |
| Moncton | Arrival Departure | 13:30 13:55 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Sun |
| Truro | Arrival Departure | 16:32 16:37 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Sun |
| Halifax | Arrival | 18:36 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Sun |
| VIA Rail The Ocean Train #15 (eastbound) | |||
| Effective 2026-03-30 | Time | Day #: Day, Day, Day | |
| Halifax | Departure | 11:30 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sun |
| Truro | Arrival Departure | 12:56 13:00 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sun |
| Moncton | Arrival Departure | 15:44 15:59 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sun |
| Mariamchi | Arrival Departure | 17:59 18:04 | Day 1: Wed, Fri, Sun |
| Rimouski | Arrival Departure | 01:24 01:29 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Mon |
| Sainte-Foy (Québec City) | Arrival Departure | 06:13 06:28 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Mon |
| Montreal Central | Arrival | 09:53 | Day 2: Thu, Sat, Mon |
This list is not exhaustive, many smaller stations and request stops are excluded
All scheduled times are according to local time zone.
The Ocean is prone to heavy freight traffic and poor track condition. Expect delays.
Onboard
Wi-fi is available in the Service car along with a lounge and a takeout food counter. Cellular service service when passing through urban areas/
The Dining car serves meals for Sleeper Plus class passengers. Economy passengers can access but must pay for their meals.
| Class breakdown | Economy Reclining seat | Sleeper Plus Cabin for 2 | Sleeper Plus Cabin for 2 with shower |
| Meals included | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access to Service car (lounge) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Communal shower(one per car) | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Private washroom(shower, sink, toilet) | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Access to Park car Dome | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Train cars:
- Economy: reclining seats to enjoy the overnight trip
- Sleeper car: for Sleeper plus class.
- In suite shower or communal shower
- Service car: lounge with take out food to relax and enjoy company
- Dining car: restaurant with priority to Sleeper Plus (Economy class access)
Park car:no longer offered on the Ocean. The rear Park car with dome is no longer available as the space to turn the train around in Halifax. The nearby container port closed their looping track. Therefore, there the Ocean no longer operates as a ‘unidirectional’ train to ensure the Park car is always at the rear.
When to travel
- Time of year to travel, summer solstice, max daylight
- Winter- snow Christmas, landscapes
- Peak season is during summer and Christmas.
- Low reason is during the autumn and spring when fares are lower.
What you’ll see
The Ocean offers a scenic journey from bright lights of Montréal along the St. Lawrence River. While not directly travelling into Québec City, the Ocean crosses the St. Lawrence River to stop at Sainte-Foy. The train continues overnight along the river until Rimouski where the train turns inland travelling through the Notre Dame Mountains (part of the Appalachians) along the Matapédia Valley continuing through the forests, before emerging into the picturesque Maritimes at daylight. Now meandering along the Acadian coast past quaint fishing villages passengers will begin to smell the salt air. After Moncton and after crossing the Chignecto Isthmus (linking Nova Scotia to the mainland) the train continues onward to the east coast metropolis of Halifax terminating next to the ocean and Pier 21 – where historical immigrants to Canada first landed. In total this train crosses three provinces: Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Classes
Economy
Sleeper Plus
Pros
- A scenic, slow-travel experience to discover Canada’s Maritimes through forests and coastline.
- Overnight service with comfort and space to move around.
- Two classes: economy, sleeper plus, to fit your budget
- All inclusive experience for sleeper plus (meals, turn down service)
- Dining car available with great customer service
- A charming, quaint experience on one of North America’s oldest named, operating overnight trains
- Wi-Fi is available in the Lounge (service) car.
Cons
- Long travel time of 22 hours compared to a 2 hour flight between Montréal and Halifax.
- Limited to 3 departures a week; not daily.
- Waiting in line (airport style) to board at major stations (Montréal and Halifax).
- Slow train speed due to poor condition of the track compounded with freight traffic delays.
- Lack of budget sleeper accommodations with meal included
- Very expensive sleeper plus class for solo travellers (you have to pay for the entire roomette).
- The removal of the dome and Park car is very disappointing.
- Limited frequency (only 3 times per week)
- VIA Rail, while its marketing and websites are glossy, still operates with outdated equipment, both on board and within the company itself. The Renaissance cars (Sleeper and Economy cars) were not designed for Canada’s colder climate.
Notes
- Bring a small bag around during the day as you leave your room and explore the train.
- Dress for the season (winters can be very cold and stations by the ocean can be windy) and make the most of the stops to get outside, stretch, and enjoy some fresh air.
All systems operated by
VIA Rail Canada
