Summer is just around the corner, and it's time to start planning some getaways from Toronto.
But don't think you need to spend your entire travel budget on an expensive plane ticket — you can take a comfortable train ride to so many gorgeous summer destinations in and around Ontario.
VIA Rail offers several routes from Toronto that won't break the bank, with trips to charming small towns, cities with European flair, and classic attractions.
Get ready to sit back and take in the views — here are seven VIA Rail trips from Toronto to take this summer that ring up at under $200 round trip.
Toronto to Montreal
Price: $108 round trip
Why You Need To Go: Montreal offers so much to see and do, with a mix of serene green spaces and eclectic neighbourhoods that make it a perfect summer spot.
A 5-hour train ride from Toronto with VIA Rail, you can spend a weekend in the 514 and enjoy its bustling nightlife and spectacular food scene.
While you're here, leave time to check out the Notre Dame Basilica, where you'll be blown away by breathtaking interiors and some of the oldest neogothic revival religious architecture in Canada.
Montreal's Quartier Des Spectacles is a great stop for entertainment, with tons of festivals, plays, movies, art exhibitions, dance performances, music concerts, comedy shows, and more regularly going on.
Don't miss a wander through the Atwater and Jean Talon markets, where you'll find local produce such as cheese, fruits, baked goods, and more. And for some outdoor time in nature, head to one of Montreal's many parks, like Jean Drapeau, Mont Royal or La Fontaine.
Toronto to Niagara Falls
Price: $50 round trip
Why You Need To Go: Nothing says summer like a trip to Niagara Falls! You can easily get there from Toronto with VIA Rail on a 2-hour train ride.
While of course you'll want to take in the stunning waterfall, there are tons of other fun things to do in the area.
Be sure to leave some time in your day to explore the many attractions around Clifton Hill, like the Niagara Skywheel, Movieland Wax Museum, and year-round open house Nightmares Fear Factory.
If you get hungry, there are a number of restaurants on the strip, including Canada's only remaining Rainforest Cafe.
Other must-visit attractions in the Niagara area include the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory, where you can interact with over 2,000 colourful butterflies, Journey Behind The Falls, and the White Water Walk.
Toronto to Ottawa
Price: $108 round trip
Why You Need To Go: You can hop on board VIA Rail and be transported to Canada's capital this summer.
Ottawa is home to the Parliament of Canada and iconic sites like the Rideau Canal. If you visit in May (aka the unofficial start to Canadian summer), you can catch the Canadian Tulip Festival and take in an array of colourful blooms.
There are plenty of other things to do in the city throughout the summer, including festivals like the Ottawa Jazz Festival and the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Be sure to also check out the Byward Market district, Ottawa’s oldest, most concentrated neighbourhood that's bustling with boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
You also won't want to miss a visit to the stunning Gatineau Park, the largest green space in the region and the second most visited park in Canada where you can swim, hike and bike.
Toronto to Stratford
Price: $70 round trip
Why You Need To Go: Stratford is a small city located along the Avon River in southwest Ontario and about a 2-hour-and-20-minute train trip from Toronto that feels like a charming English town.
The city, which was originally named after Stratford-upon-Avon in England, is known for being one of Ontario's premier arts destinations for live theatre, music, museums and galleries. Here, you'll find quaint, historical streets, riverside walkways. and world-class theatre.
The Stratford Festival, which runs from April to October, is a famous theatre festival in the area that presents a dozen or more productions, with special emphasis on the plays of Shakespeare.
You'll find a number of charming bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels in town where you can stay the night.
Besides taking in a show, in Stratford, you can embark on a Chocolate Trail, visit a beautiful Shakespearean garden, and shop for treats, artisanal goods and unique items.
Toronto to Quebec City
Price: $192 round trip
Why You Need To Go: If you've been dreaming of a European getaway, you don't need to cross the Atlantic to satisfy your wanderlust.
If cobblestone streets, historic old towns and multilingual culture are what you're looking for, Quebec City could be the perfect spot for you this summer.
The city offers a European charm, with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings and French language and culture.
Don't miss Old Quebec City, where you'll find some of the city's cutest corners and streets, like Rue du Petit Champlain.
The gorgeous street is known for its European architecture and quaint stores, and looks like something out of a fairytale.
Dufferin Terrace is an iconic spot in the city offering great views of the St. Lawrence River and the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.
For nature lovers, be sure to check out Montmorency Falls Park, which is located just 15 minutes from Old Quebec and is home to a dramatic 83-metre-high breathtaking waterfall, as well as hiking trails and a zipline.
Toronto to Kingston
Price: $96 round trip
Why You Need To Go: Just 2 hours and 20 minutes from Toronto by train, Kingston is home to Ontario’s oldest public market and Canada's "hippest live music scene."
The walkable city is where you'll find hidden alleyways containing antique markets and restaurant patios.
For those into spooky experiences, you can take a tour of the Kingston Penitentiary, where ghosts of former inmates have been spotted lurking about.
For things to do during the light of day, you can explore the 1000 Islands region with a cruise. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises offers daily sightseeing and dining cruises in the area that sail from April to October.
Be sure to also check out the Princess Street Promenade, which happens every summer, in downtown Kingston, a festival in which more than 100 businesses and community groups bring goods, exciting activities, exclusive sales and more to Princess Street.
Toronto to Brockville
Price: $86 round trip
Why You Need To Go: Known as the "City of 1000 Islands," Brockville is a must-visit destination this summer for adventure.
Located on the St. Lawrence River, Brockville is home to some of the world’s best freshwater scuba diving.
Enthusiasts can explore century-old shipwrecks and statues located along the bottom of the river, like at Centeen Underwater Dive Park, an underwater sculpture park home to over 45 statues created by some of the area’s best artists and art students.
The city is also a gateway to the 1000 Islands. 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises depart several times daily from Blockhouse Island, taking visitors on excursions of the eastern end the islands.
While you're here, don't miss a chance to check out the historic Brockville Railway Tunnel. The tunnel, which is Canada's first railway tunnel, passes half a kilometre from Brockville’s waterfront, and is decked out with lights and music.
There are plenty of other outdoor activities available in the area, including kayaking and fishing.
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
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