Bike transport by train

[samnarten]

Studying a trip from Ottawa to Mont-Joli.  Want to take a train back to Ottawa.  Not sure how easy that will be, how long it will take and whether we would need to switch trains at all.  Thanks for any help.

[canalligators]

Have you looked at the Via Rail Canada site?

[geegee]

VIA Rail only takes bikes on trains with baggage cars/bike racks. The longer distance trains like the "Ocean" which runs from Halifax to Montreal (via Mont-Joli) usually do. The "Corridor" trains that go from Montreal to Ottawa sometimes don't, which poses a problem when I take the train from Ottawa. However, if you are taking it from Mont-Joli they may transfer it to another train which means you'll get it later. Here's the current schedule of trains with bike racks: http://www.viarail.ca/en/bike

[jcostanz]

I did a trip using Via rail this past summer with a recumbent trike.  It involved taking the train from Toronto to Quebec city(actually Saite-Foy).  It had a train change in Montreal.  I did have to use a train with baggage car and train stations with Checked Baggage service.  In Montreal I didn't have to deal with the bike or checked bags during the layover.  The time it took on the train was near what it would of taken to drive and I didn't need to rent a car/U-haul to transport the trike one way as I rode the bike back home.  Cost was less than rental/drive even with business class from Toronto to Montreal, only economy class or sleeper class avail from Montreal to Quebec City on trains with baggage cars.  I am looking at using the train for next years trip, I just have to figure out where to go.

Jeff

[samnarten]

Thanks for the information, it has gotten me back to planning next year's trip.  A little disappointed to find out the only train from Mont-Joli to Ottawa leaves on Saturdays at 1:30 a.m. Usually well into REM by then.

Thanks again,

Sam