The Ottawa Station is great and very spacious with helpful staff. Loved travelling from here twice during our trip to Canada. read more

See all

Don't count on viarail if you want to get anywhere on time. I recommend walking...it's faster and cheaper than the miserable experience I had today. Began my morning by being denied access to a train (for which I had a ticket) that was still sitting in the station because boarding ends 5 mins before departure. My fault for not reading the policy, but not a great start. Spent the extra $$$ to get a ticket on the next train. After onboarding everyone, they announced a 45 minute delay because a crew member was absent. We rode the train for 40 minutes after that. Suddenly, we stopped in a random field. Why? I can't say. They never told us. The employees were sympathetic and I could tell they felt bad. Save yourself the trouble and do not book a viarail ticket. There's a lot of ways I would rather waste $200. read more

VIArail is reliable, but a mediocre company. I've rode them dozens of times and I will certainly choose them again, but they are among the worst rail lines that I've rode on anywhere in the world. I think the only rail lines worse than VIArail, is the super unreliable DB (Deutsch Bahn) and all Japanese companies, Trenitalia, the rail lines of Morocco, France, Norway, Sweden, UK, and Spain are all superior, so 2 stars is kind of generous. They are in the bottom 20% of rail lines. The food is inedible at times, you don't actually have wifi on the train, they block many things, so its censored internet, and not useful. The customer service is not great. The trains are clean, and they have fixed their payment system issues. It used to be necessary to call in to buy tickets, because the online system used to be too buggy. I remember one real nightmare train trip where the staff were absolutely bitchy and horrendous. They get a fat federal subsidy so every ride is subsidized heavily by the federal government. Trains are excellent for the environment, so I ride them whenever I can, but VIA could easily improve in many ways. read more

Travel credits on VIA Rail are quite common I.e. VIA trains are often + 2 hours late - valued at 50 %. I received one and tried to use it on my next trip. I was denied this credit as I used one previously? The agent said 50 % of zero equals zero. Makes no sense to me. Many other carriers provide travel credits and some even provide a convenient way to keep track of them e.g.Air Canada travel credits. AC credits are good for three years. VIA Rail? 12 months. VIA Rail customer service is tone deaf and can only improve. read more

I've had a good experience waiting for my train at the Ottawa train station. The location is pretty good now that it's directly connected to Tremblay station in the LRT. Prior to Line 1 being opened, I would've complained about how there wasn't a station situated in the downtown core, similar to Union Station in Toronto or Gare Centrale in Montreal. I still probably should, given how often problems arise with the O-Train. Regardless, I had no issue arriving here. The interior is very spacious and clean. I didn't have any issue finding my train. I sat down and waited while a friendly employee did a weight check on my baggage. Aside from the lounge, the only real option for food would be the Ministry of Coffee, which only served coffee and pastries. The station could definitely benefit from more substantial food options. read more

Update 2018-11-08: The one and only restaurant at the train station (Sul Posto) has closed. So now the only food option at the train station is vending machines :( Original review: I think VIA Rail in general is great. It's one of my favourite ways to travel. This review is for the Ottawa VIA Rail station specifically. I think that this station is kind of sad. When my parents first visited Ottawa by train, when they arrived at the station they were shocked that the central train station in our nation's capital was not a bustling hub but rather a low tech station in the middle of nowhere. Things have changed in the last 8 years or so. They have TV screens showing the schedule now and not those boards where staff have to stick white plastic letters and numbers into slots on a black board to show which trains were leaving on which tracks and at what time. Really? We were well into the 2000's and the schedule board looked like it was from the 50's. The VIA Rail station in Toronto and Montreal had digital screens since at least the 90's. And what's up with only 1 dining option inside the station (Sul Posto)? Well, there's also vending machines, but that doesn't really count as a true dining option. Toronto's Union Station is full of choices and if you're willing to venture into the Underground PATH you have even more options. Les Halles de la Gare in Montreal not only has dining options but some retail too and you can get to Place Ville Marie easily underground for more shopping. The Ottawa train station is isolated. There is no shopping that you can walk to easily and no other dining options that doesn't involve going outside (there's the White Horse Restaurant that you can technically walk to, but it's not exactly convenient). Why is the train station not in downtown Ottawa? Let's talk about the Panorama Lounge for those traveling VIA 1 (business class). They never have any good magazines like at other locations and they don't have cookies. I would accept a station like this in a smaller city like London, ON but Ottawa is the capital of Canada. When I pick up visitors from the Ottawa train station I find myself always apologizing for it, as I am kind of embarrassed by it. Sad face! read more

Parking lot closed during winter snow removal is abysmal. Taxi stand takes a poll space route employees at pick up area. Pick up area blocked off by cones only cans allowed people not allowed to drop and pick up very inconvenient. Not good easy access to buses and local trains. Lack of services in the station. They should use the empty parking lot that is closed for a taxi stand would be much more efficient due to parking areas being far from station and nut free for the majority of people needing a 15 minute pick up or drop off. read more

Not as nice looking as the ones in Toronto and Montreal which are located downtown, this Via station is a bit off "track" from Ottawa's downtown core a good 20-15 minutes by car. Plenty of seats @ the station but if you're hungry, there's only one restaurant. :( For other choices of restaurants, you would need to go ealsewhere - a good 5 minute drive. They have train displays of some of the trains that went through here in the mid 1900s. Employees are helpful. This station went through a modernization phase (still not done by the time if this reporting) last year in time for Canada's 150th anniversary. Suggest that you make sure that your laptops or phones have a lot of battery because it could be long. WiFi not fast and easily disconnects. read more

VIA Rail Canada - Some changes - Transportation Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

See all

The station is spacious, open and clean. Boarding is efficient, aside from the passengers that don't want to sit in their assigned seats with a sold out trading. In the lobby a little coffee shop that should not be overlooked. Serving up sandwiches, great coffee and scratch made baked goods made on site. read more

I like this station because it's not too large and it's easy to get to. Since it's not downtown the traffic isn't as bad, and there it's pretty convenient to grab a taxi or Uber to get there, and every time I've gone, there's been a line up of taxis to leave, too. It's a small terminal that is quick to get through and easy to navigate... always a plus for me, because when I take the train I'm usually still half asleep so I need things as straight forward as possible! Double bonus? It's clean! The one reason why I docked a star is due to the lack of food options. The selection on the trains are not all that extensive, so it would be nice to have maybe one more choice prior to boarding, but I have yet to take a train ride long enough for this to really matter. read more

You can't understand the City of Ottawa without understanding that the Federal Government also has ideas about how the City should look. The National Capital Commission (NCC) has grandiose, absurd plans and routinely interferes in what should be normal city building activities. Which brings us to Ottawa's train station. The NCC decided, years ago, that trains are ugly and polluting and should be banished to make way for cars. Therefore, the beautiful downtown train station had the tracks pulled up and removed, replaced with more asphalt, and the "new" train station, a building so ugly only an architect could like it, built out by the trainyards. So instead of a central station, easily accessible from downtown (real cities like Toronto and Montreal, I'm looking at you), the national capital's central rail station is buried in the middle of nowhere; there's public transit access, true, but it's not convenient to downtown or much of anywhere, actually. The VIA staff are pleasant; and I enjoy the train for trips to Montreal, Kingston and Toronto; but I can't get over the ugly building in an inconvenient location. read more

VIA Rail Canada - Fifty years... - Transportation Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

This was my first time taking Via Rail so I was excited. I took business class from Ottawa to Montreal. The price difference was not much more than economy. I was late to arrive at the station, so my lounge time was not very long. It is nice inside and they have leather seats. There is a coffee machine and cold drinks in the fridge. The sign says they must be consumed only in the lounge. There are private washrooms which are clean and spacious. We stood in single file and proceeded to board the first car. There were 2 staff members on stand by to scan tickets and help with bags. I have a younger appearance and am always mistaken for someone in their early 20s. Not a bad thing ;) But I noticed when I approached the stairs, I was the only person who was not offered assistance with my luggage. I was one of the final passengers to board the train. I noticed that the approximately 15 adults travelling in business class appeared to be over the age of 50. I often find my appearance affects the service I receive, which was the case. Beside the bag incident, the ride was comfortable. I was able to store my carry on in the overhead bin woth my jacket. There was enough leg room to store my other bag on the floor beside me. I was able to select a window seat which was nice. The seats are outdated and require an upgrade. We received drinks and a small snack once the train left. After about 10 mins we got a hot towel. Then the meal was served about 10 minutes after. I choose the vegetarian option as my meal. Although I was not very hungry, I managed to finish the salad and chick peas with rice. I had a glass of white wine with my meal. Afterwards we were offered tea or coffee and organic chocolate in espresso or dark. My ride was about 1 hour and 35 minutes to my stop.I would take Via Rail again in the future and definitely choose to ride business class. Just a reminder that it is important to provide equal customer service despite their appearance. For this reason I give a generous 3 stars. read more

VIA Rail Canada - My vegetarian meal: chick peas with rice, salad and variety of fruits with a glass of wine. - Transportation Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

See all

Mr. H and I went to Ottawa for Canada Day and decided to take the train. One way we went economy and during return we upgraded to Business. Economy: My train left the station at 6.45pm and between getting to the station and boarding, we missed dinner. I wasn't too worried since we would get dinner on the train.. Let's just say things didn't go as planned. They served snacks an hour into the journey and I was told that dinner would only be available after Kingston!! At 9.15pm! So I ordered a wrap (which was gross..) and waited till dinner. Turns out there was a miscommunication and dinner was no longer available because the server thought I cancelled dinner because I ordered a wrap ( a 5 inch wrap!!). So I starved till we got to Ottawa. Ambience: Not enough leg room, the toilet was so gross (the seat is like a beach in a park) and wifi didn't work (it was so slow!). Also everything looked very worn out. Business: My train left at 6.15pm and omg... there was so much leg room!! There was also so much space between Mr. H and I, no more elbowing! Instead of fabric seats, it was now leather :) We were given warm towels and then served drinks with some nuts. An hour into the journey we were served drinks twice, followed by dinner (good dinner!), followed by coffee/tea/drinks. I was one happy passenger, also my wifi was so strong that I watched Murdoch Mysteries all the way to Toronto. Did I mention the lounge at Ottawa? Well, it was clean and they had the best Mocha ever. I wish there was more food but that's ok. Let me just say, travelling economy will never be the same. I will always know that people in Business are getting dinner before me while I settle for dry snacks/wraps. I'll know it's much cleaner with a better toilet and then I'll just want jump off the train. Or... I'll save up and only travel Business ;) read more

See all

Your average train station. This one is spacious & clean. It's not that busy but easy to get to from downtown Ottawa. Not any options for food except vending machines so best to bring food with you. Boarding was quick & easy. I think I like taking the train better than flying! read more

I haven't ridden on a train since the mid-80s. We decided to take the train to Toronto for a concert and purchased our tickets online in advance. We arrived at the station 40 minutes before departure. Right on schedule, boarding started 30 minutes before departure. Getting on the train was quick and efficient. Staff on the train were friendly and professional. We did notice at a couple of stops along the trip that some seats seemed to be double-booked for a couple of people. I'm not sure how something like that happens with today's technology, but everyone was accommodated. Prices for food and drinks weren't too bad, but we will likely bring our own food the next time, which VIA does allow. It was great being able to rest and grab some shut-eye rather than drive to Toronto and back. read more

It seems like there is no separate listing for the train station so I'll interview both Via and the Ottawa train station in one review. Two reviews for the the price of one! My apologies if it gets a little long. Let's start with the train station. The main downfall of the train station is its location. I am spoiled by Gare Centrale in Montreal which is right in the middle of downtown. In Ottawa the train station is kind of far from the city center and unless you get a ride you have to take a taxi to get downtown. Maybe it is possible on transit but when I arrived I was eager to get to my hotel so I just grabbed a cab. The station itself is on the small side. There is plenty of seating but the place almost seems dreary and there is one cafe if you want food. There is wi-fi but the connection is on the slow side. Things seem to run pretty efficiently and given its size finding the right way to your train is straightforward. The station does its job in that it helps you get from Point A to B but nothing more than that. Okay now it's time for Part 2. Let's talk about the experience once you're on the train. I enjoy train travel. You can sit back, relax and even get up and take a walk to stretch your legs if you need to. In many cities the train leaves you in the city center. My experiences with Via Rail are for the most part pretty good. The trains run according to schedule and they are quite comfortable. There is always lots of legroom which I really appreciate as someone who measures 5'10. I also find the staff pleasant to deal with. For the most part they are very welcoming. Via Rail promises wi-fi on board but I find that the service can be very unreliable. It sometimes fails to work at all during your trip and at other times it will cut out or slow down significantly. Some trains don't even have outlets for electronics. If you're planning on using for lap top for entertainment or work during your trip make sure it has a long battery life because you might have to make good use of it. So there you have it. There are lots of positives associated with taking Via Rail but there are also a few downsides as well. In general though it is a solid way to get around. read more

This review is impossible. I can't give you my opinion, because I am confused. The VIA Rail station in Ottawa has so much potential, yet that potential continues to be squandered. Rather than a review, I simply have questions (rhetorical I am sure) that will put things into perspective: Why on earth does VIA allow a sub-par coffee shop to be the only eating establishment in the entire train station? This isn't me being rude, it's simply horrible. The selection is weak at best, the customer service isn't there (talk on the phone more while you ring my purchase through, please), the prices are outrageous....I can go on, but the long-and-short of it is, this is a coffee shop that would have gone out of business a long-time-ago if it didn't have the monopoly in a train station. How does it make sense to have only two televisions in the entire train terminal, always playing the same news channels with the sound off - one in English and one in French? A grand total of eight people can see the screens clearly at any given time, while everyone else sits in the bland, boring waiting areas counting the seconds. Who was it that planned the Panorama Lounge in the Ottawa Train Station? The way VIA promotes it, you would think the Queen of England stops by on occasion. In reality, it's a room that can fit about 20 people. Sure the chairs are comfy and if you qualify to enter you get free pop (free, as in you already paid for it by buying a business class ticket), but what else are you giving? Available Wi-Fi IN the terminal? What an age we live in. Why on earth isn't there an easier way to get to the terminal from the mall behind it? A new mall has been constructed behind the terminal, which was an opportunity to reignite the energy around the Via station. Why not have a tunnel leading to the mall from the station? Why not get some foot traffic? The questions are endless, but at the end of the day, this is a great location with a history that dates back decades, but the powers that be are content with having a mediocre train station in the Nation's Capital. The real shame, in my mind, is the fact that the Montreal - Windsor corridor (which Ottawa is part of) accounts for the GREAT MAJORITY of VIA's business. You'd think they might want to keep their current customers happy and loyal. read more

These days I am living on the rail lines between Toronto and Ottawa. Kudos to VIA for upgrading their service and offering super cheap web prices for 7 day advance bookings. Seats are roomy. Wifi is good. Electrical outlet at every seat. Even the onboard dining prices are pretty good. Three round trips in three weeks and all have left and departed on time. Much of the trip depends on the attitude of the conductors and service personnel. Most of them are terrific. One or two grumpy guys have put a damper on an otherwise good experience. By the way, Ottawa now has a great little restaurant in the station. It has a real coffee bar, fresh sandwiches (grilled, pressed, etc.), good looking salads and baked goods. The station has free WiFi as well. Union station is great as a historical and architectural icon. However, too many stairs and too few elevators/escalators make this a daunting place for folks with mobility challenges. read more

Trains are old, but they get the job done. On longer routes such as Toronto to Ottawa there is food and drink you can buy, similar items to a flight such as tea, coffee, soda, beer, wine, chips and snacks, sandwiches, etc. The seats are spacious although a little old and haggard, but generally it is a comfortable, no frills experience. They do have flaky wifi on the trains that lets you mindlessly pass the time or do a little bit of work if you need to, as well as plugs to power your electronics. The train tickets are generally more expensive than bus, and the train is marginally more comfortable than the bus. Booking in advance and online sometimes garners some savings, too. read more

I've had such mixed feelings about VIA Rail that I've learned to avoid it as much as possible. My dad used to take it to and from Toronto all the time when I was little, so I used to think it was coolest thing ever. Wrong. I took it a few times when I was in university and it no matter how much I tried to like it, it just so much more of a hassle than convenience. They used to have these coupons in random chocolate milk powder tins for a 2-for-1 deal on tickets, and if it wasn't for these coupons, I really don't think I would've taken it otherwise. I believe there are only two trains leaving from the Ottawa station - to Toronto and Montreal. If you've ever driven to Toronto, you would know that it should only take 4-5 hours, on average. Every time I've taken the train, it's taken 6-7 hours without notice, always late, and costs twice the price. One time during the holidays, coming back to Ottawa from Toronto, we had to switch "cars", and instead of letting people just walk through the isles, we all had to get our luggage and carry-ons (Christmas presents) and get off the platform just to move up ONE CAR. How terribly inconvenient! If you have longer legs, I guess you would want the large leg room, but the chairs are pretty much plastic with hardly any padding, so it's a bit of a trade-off. They do have Wi-Fi on the train, though, so if you're a business person or a student with a paper to hand in, I'm sure you'd really appreciate it. read more

I am a frequent rail traveler so I pass through this station a lot and although functional as it may be, it is still quite far from downtown, although much easier to get to than the Greyhound station due to the attached transitway station. The architecture is fairly ugly (I guess I don't appreciate the aesthetics of a girder the way they did in the 60's) but on the plus side it is very well designed in terms of functionality. The concourse area has large wide open spaces, while the big glass walls provide plenty of light and the washrooms are usually nice and clean (although I am fortunate to be short as the men's room is quite cramped). In terms of amenities, the station really could use electronic arrival/departure boards, especially now that VIA are running more Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto trains that have a higher risk of a delay. The current system of a manual board is antiquated. The restaurant is functional, but a bit overpriced, while the TV's showing a live news feed are a good touch. Overall the station is good, with potential to be a lot better if VIA were to invest a little in a few extra amenities. read more

Clean and spacious waiting area. The staff at the ticket counter is patient in helping with my refund request. Unhurried service. There's plenty of seats available at the station and best of all, there's a cafe located right at the end of the station. Taking out and u could eat comfortably at any of the 8 2-seater dining table outside the cafe. Pops/mineral water and snacks vending machines are available as well. Generally, the washrooms are clean. Wifi is available free and the network seems alright with less interruption. I have a good ride experience at Tremblay VIA Canada train station. It's hassle free and do weigh your baggage if u think u are likely to exit the baggage allowance. They are quite strict in that. Just go to the baggage weighing scale in front of the entrance and get it weigh or the staff will come with a mobile scale machine and tag a red sticker with date when it's done. U are allowed a 18kg carry on baggage on the train when checked in facility is not available during your chosen ride. Anything exceeding 18kg - 23kg will required a penalty charge of $20. Just pay the charges at the billing counter and a green tag will be placed on your baggage. They are less stringent on size but extremely skeptical on the weight of your baggage. I was allowed to carry on a 29" luggage since it weighed only 16kg. So size doesn't matter but do not over fed your baggage. Anything that's above 23kg is not allowed on board the train. Perhaps u may need to check with the station staff to get it resolved! Accordingly, no one has exceeded that! Boy! Have a pleasant ride!!! read more

See all

I'm from Edmonton and before about a month ago the last time I was on a VIA Rail train I was 2, and obviously I don't remember the experience. I'm sure people who take VIA Rail regularly, or on a more frequent basis can probably tell you more about their services. I can say that my experience of taking the train was pretty awesome. I did a trip from Toronto to Ottawa, then one from Ottawa to Montreal, and a final trip back from Montreal to Ottawa. Aside from the 2 hour trip from Ottawa to Montreal the free WiFi worked great on the train. I could get some work done (or get distracted by Facebook) and not feel stressed. And since your not driving you don't need to pay attention to other drivers. There are no other drivers. You're on a train track, and there's a conductor or engineer to worry about that. Sure it's not as quick as taking a plane, but you get to see more of the country-side, there's free WiFi, and there's no 2 hour wait at security or boarding to go through. Taking the train was pretty easy to figure out. This VIA Rail train station isn't very big, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at things. The good news is there is absolutely no way you can get lost here, unlike at a larger train station such as Union Station in Toronto. The bad news is this train station doesn't have much for amenities (one coffee/snack shop), and the train station is located pretty far from downtown Ottawa. There is a bus station across the street that can take you into Ottawa, but you have to get exact change, which you can do at the coffeeshop. It would have been nice to have a bit more variety in food options at the train station, since it's so far from anything else, but it's not like flying where you have to spend 2 hours at the train station in order to get on your train. Perhaps it's different depending on the time of the day - like at times with business commuters - but it wasn't very busy when I went. So the train was good, the station a little less but not so bad that I'd never take VIA Rail again. read more

Travelled from Ottawa to Toronto today on Via 1. The lounge in Ottawa is small but I guess big enough for most days. On a Friday before a long weekend...not at all. The lounge had hot and cold beverages to offer along with a few daily newspapers. Business class boarded the train first. There is a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. The meal usually has 3 options for entres - 1 veg, 1 seafood/chicken, 1 red meat. The meal is complimented with red or white wine. The meal also includes a desert. I must say that the food is better than any plane food I have ever had. The service is really good, much better than what I was expecting. After the meal, you can always ask for a hot bev. The journey may be a bit longer than a flight...more than a bit actually. But as compared to the bus, the train is far superior. And free wi-fi on board business class. After experiencing Via 1, I now will have to re-think if I would even consider economy unless it is significantly cheaper. Good Job Via! read more

The Ottawa train station has to be the most depressing station I have ever been to. Up until recently, it at least had a small restaurant and convenience store but alas, it has been replaced by vending machines. What a shame. And the coffee vending machine has to be one of the lamest on the market. I really don't understand why this station can't be more cheerful. It has lots of windows with natural light. Yet it feels gloomy. It's unfortunate as it is a visitor's first welcome to our beautiful city. read more

I would give No stars! I was traveling from Toronto to Ottawa. Getting there was OK, the leg back from Ottawa to Toronto was a problem. I was traveling with a baby and three year old. The cars need to be updated, crying out for cleaner updated seating. They still have ashtrays in the seats and it's impossible to strap a Britax car seat to the seat. Not a comfortable ride for small children. No seatbelts to be found, but I guess they would laugh at that since there are never any train accidents. We almost missed our stop at Toronto, how do you do that? The attendant was a surly French Canadian, with lousy English or he refused to speak it, would not help me with my car seat or our luggage. I had to get out with the kids in tow and one car seat, hike down the corridor, find the luggage centre with the kids, ask them to help me get the luggage. They refused and told me I could leave my car seat and get the my own luggage. They said to hurry, they would hold the train. This has got to be the WORST customer service ever, we will never ever ride the train ever again. Ride the train through the western region Banf Springs, Calgary to Vancouver if you're in need of a romantic train ride. The prejudice against English speaking traveller's can be pretty apparent on the eastern side. The service in Toronto was just Laziness. I would never recommend traveling with kids on via rail, do yourself a favour and rent a car! read more

Travelling between Ottawa and Montreal and don't have your own vehicle? Definitely recommend taking the train. The Ottawa station is a little out of town but the train deposits you in the heart of downtown in just two hours. And, if you can plan a little ahead, pay the extra for business class. Free meals and alcohol as well as bigger seats while you enjoy the free wifi (the wifi is in all train cars). read more

I love taking VIA. Comfortable, charming, great, dependable service. Amazing on-board staff. It's affordable for any budget, too, if you plan ahead. It's the most civilized way to travel. Truly hassle free. Instead of looking at traffic, you enjoy a tranquil view. read more

VIA Rail Canada - Winter scenery! - Transportation Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

See all

There's an extremely rude customer service rep who works there by the name of Roger. I was confused at the station upon arrival in Ottawa and asked him for directions and he decided to start behaving in a rude and condescending manner. On the day of my departure from Ottawa I saw him yelling at some guy asking where the baggage claim was, I also noticed that he conveniently stopped wearing his name tag at that point most likely so that passengers can't report him to head office. It's a good thing Via Rail doesn't have competing passenger rail companies and is government subsidized because if this was an airline with competition employees like Roger would either be fired the next day or drive it into the ground. It's a shame that this is the type of service we get from our rail system in Canada, SNCF in France may be late but at least its employees are kind and understanding. read more

Just what we all need on shorter routes, easy commute , clean stations, good service , good coffee :) found all these & enjoyed the relaxing ride up down Ottawa - Montreal .. And the online booking is a breeze ! Via rail Canada, you exceeded my expectations., read more

Constant interruptions with tracks and piss poor service. If you can use an alternative method of transportation, do so.

Immoral, illegal and wrong. I took a train on January 21st, 2020 from Ottawa to Toronto. I am a 24 year old girl who has had diabetes my entire life and was not feeling well and NEEDED water or I become very ill. I walked to the only coffee shop there and asked to buy water, a woman with curly black hair said that they don't sell any but can pick either a pop or juice (that's too much sugar for my diabetes) so I kindly asked if I could have a cup of water then I just needed to drink it and take a seat somewhere as I was extremely dizzy and she hands me a cup and tells me to go to the washroom across the station and fill it up at the fountain!!!! THERE WAS A SINK INFRONT OF HER!!! DISGUSTING ATTITUDE AND COMPASSION FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I had to ASK her if I could have their tap water to where she proceeded to roll her eyes and fill it!! This is illegal, immoral and absolutely awful. I'm a young and athletic person but if circumstances were different I'm afraid someone's health would have been jeopardized and lawsuits would be in action. Just awful. read more

Via if you listening, we have travelled Ottawa Montreal 10 times in the last thee months and every time considered and rejected via despite staying at the Fairmont in Montreal which is amazingly directly above the montreal terminal (great food and services there!!!) Ottawa however is a train wreck. #1 location location location. Why in the name of Cow would you abandon the amazing station downtown for the disaster location in the 60s or 70s? #2 Parking. If I have to drive 30 min or more to the station why has there been no investment in parking. #3 Station. Ottawa station is a assault to the senses. A capital city with a Station that belongs in the third world please quit if it is really this bad. #4 baggage. While allowances are generous moving two bags and a carryon per person needs some more logistical planning via. Prices are close and I might have even put up with the very dated interiors. I want to travel a lot more by via but you need to invest a lot more money or this will remain a hobo class travel modality. read more

The first time I have ever been on a train was a couple days ago from Ottawa to Quebec City. Getting our tickets and boarding and everything was good, and then we found our seats. The train ride was really good, but then in Montreal we had different seats, but in the same car so that was easy. But when we found our seats two people were sitting in them already. Finally they were in a different car then us and everything was solved. Then next time I rode a train was today. It was a little bit more unpleasant. We weighed our bags and they were good, but then we had to drag our bags down two flights of stairs, lift them up the steep steps onto the train, then find some space in the upper compartments to find more people sitting in the seats we had booked. We each compared the tickets and they were exactly the same. We got a Via Rail person to come and figure it out and he just gave us different seats so that basically solved the problem. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it was just really stressful. read more