VIA Rail: London to Toronto by train

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

For people working in downtown Toronto, the train is often the most civilized way to commute from London: no traffic, no parking, and two hours you can use to work, read or rest. The trade-off is a limited schedule.

Why commuters like the train

• Productive time: with Wi-Fi and a table, many commuters do a few hours of work on board, which can count as part of the workday if your employer agrees.
• Arrive downtown: Union Station connects directly to the TTC subway, the PATH network and many office towers.
• No parking costs in downtown Toronto.
• Reliable in winter compared with driving through snow squalls (though weather can delay trains too).

The limitations

• Limited departures: there are only a few trains a day in each direction, so your arrival and departure times are set by the schedule.
• Delays: VIA shares track with freight trains in parts of the corridor, and delays happen. Have a buffer for important meetings.
• The first and last mile: you'll need to get to London station. Parking nearby, a drop-off, transit, cycling or walking all work, depending on where you live.

Tickets and passes

VIA offers several fare classes, and prices vary with how far in advance you book, the class and the time of travel. For regular commuters, VIA has offered multi-trip passes that lower the per-trip cost compared with single tickets. Check what's currently available on VIA's website. Business class offers more space and extras that vary by train, and some employers will cover it.

Getting to London station

London's VIA station is on York Street downtown, near the core. If you plan to take the train regularly, living in central neighbourhoods such as downtown, Wortley Village, SoHo, Woodfield, Old North or Old East Village can make the station a walk, short bike ride or quick bus trip away. Check current parking options at or near the station if you'll drive.

A typical train commute day

1. Early morning: walk, cycle or drive to London station.
2. On board: emails, focused work or a quiet start to the day.
3. Arrive at Union: walk or take the subway to the office.
4. Office hours: fitted around the return train time.
5. Evening: train home, decompress, back in London for a late dinner.

Combining train and car

Many commuters mix modes: the train when heading downtown and in bad weather, the car when visiting suburban offices or when the schedule doesn't fit. Having both options gives you resilience.

Making the most of the trip

• Bring headphones and a battery pack. Outlets aren't always available at every seat.
• Download documents before you leave, in case Wi-Fi is patchy in places.
• Keep a quiet carriage etiquette for calls, or save them for the station.
• Sign up for VIA's service alerts so you hear about delays early.