Ottawa commute from Toronto

[applenano]

Hi guys, I am new to this. My girlfriend recently got accepted to a university in Ottawa. I live in Toronto and was wondering what the best and cheapest way to get up there. I was thinking VIA train service, but I;m not sure. Do they have deals around September? Thanks

[addicted2it]

Hi guys, I am new to this. My girlfriend recently got accepted to a university in Ottawa. I live in Toronto and was wondering what the best and cheapest way to get up there. I was thinking VIA train service, but I;m not sure. Do they have deals around September? Thanks

I had answered a similar question earlier...cheapest option I have found is rideshare/carpool offers from kijiji and CL. Between 25 to 35 $ is what typically ppl charge. I have done this myself and always had good experiences. One thing to always ask for and make sure is how many passengers do these ppl wanna take with them...more than 3 and it can get pretty uncomfortable.....doesnt hurt to ask for make and model too... There are ppl travelling almost daily in either direction and its never hard to find a ride that suits you. Best of all...lot of these ppl pick and drop u at home (in Ottawa - as its pretty small relative to the GTA) if you ask.

Other than that...VIA with discount coupons and Greyhound with advance booking and a student card will be your next best options. Hope that helps!

[Mayoo]

I had answered a similar question earlier...cheapest option I have found is rideshare/carpool offers from kijiji and CL. Between 25 to 35 $ is what typically ppl charge. I have done this myself and always had good experiences. One thing to always ask for and make sure is how many passengers do these ppl wanna take with them...more than 3 and it can get pretty uncomfortable.....doesnt hurt to ask for make and model too... There are ppl travelling almost daily in either direction and its never hard to find a ride that suits you. Best of all...lot of these ppl pick and drop u at home (in Ottawa - as its pretty small relative to the GTA) if you ask.

Other than that...VIA with discount coupons and Greyhound with advance booking and a student card will be your next best options. Hope that helps!

+1 .. I use to give carpool when i was working in ottawa .. a person i know is doing this as a business. look at his site ..

http://www.selsenterprises.com/ottawa.htm

[factum7000]

also greyhound, if you can't find a carpool.

book in advance and round trip is about 80-90$

[CSK'sMom]

Kind of off topic but does anyone know of a more province wide service like Mayoo posted? We have 1 going to school in Timmins in Sept and so far the only option is Greyhound which isn't very economical (time or money wise). >:(

[Mayoo]

Kind of off topic but does anyone know of a more province wide service like Mayoo posted? We have 1 going to school in Timmins in Sept and so far the only option is Greyhound which isn't very economical (time or money wise). >:(

your best bet would be kijiji or Craigslist for that city .. choose "ride share" under services

[ipxxx]

Hi guys, I am new to this. My girlfriend recently got accepted to a university in Ottawa. I live in Toronto and was wondering what the best and cheapest way to get up there. I was thinking VIA train service, but I;m not sure. Do they have deals around September? Thanks

Are you a student as well? (Student Discounts on VIA/Greyhound)

What do you plan on doing when you get to Ottawa? I used to take VIA/Greyhound back and forth from Ottawa to Toronto when I was at Carleton but found that driving was a lot more convenient - you have a car to drive around the city if you want to go places, you can leave and arrive on your own schedule, etc. There are benefits to taking other means of transportation like not being bored out of your mind driving alone for ~4hours in either direction (you can sleep/do whatever on a train for example) =)

Anyways, good luck on your travel arrangements

[habs77]

Kind of off topic but does anyone know of a more province wide service like Mayoo posted? We have 1 going to school in Timmins in Sept and so far the only option is Greyhound which isn't very economical (time or money wise). >:(


U want economical? Buy a scooter. :D

[applenano]

lol. Thanks for all your suggestions guys!!! i think ill do the kijiji thing first... but maybe do via once in a while so i could relax on the train. I do have a car but was thinking it would be nuts on gas cause i got a ford f150.

[83_gemini]

If you get a VIA sixpack (I assume they still have discounts for buying in bul), the train is nicer then the bus, and the cost differential is not much. A 6-pack costs $360.00 (3 round trips).

[addicted2it]

If you get a VIA sixpack (I assume they still have discounts for buying in bul), the train is nicer then the bus, and the cost differential is not much. A 6-pack costs $360.00 (3 round trips).

Thats a good tip.

Back on my carpool suggestion....UofOttawa has a dedicated webpage (search for intercity ride board for UofOttawa) for carpooling. Typically 50/60$ for a roundtrip and as I said before, you will, in most cases be picked up/dropped off t your home in Ottawa.