This train from Toronto will take you to dreamy Muskoka towns and here's what it'll be like
You won't need a car to get to these spots.
A person walking in Muskoka. Right: An Ontario train driving through trees.
If you're craving a Muskoka getaway but don't have a car, your luck is about to change. A new train service from Toronto will take you directly to stunning Muskoka small towns and other Northeastern Ontario destinations.
This passenger train service, which ceased operations in September 2012, is making a comeback. The reintroduced rail service will take travellers from Toronto's Union Station to 15 other stops, including charming small towns in the Muskoka area.
Here's what to know about this returning train service from Toronto.
Ontario Northland is reinstating its Northlander Passenger Train which "will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating a more connected, integrated transportation network," according to the website.
The train will run from Toronto to a new Timmins station with a connection to Crochane. There will be 16 stops in total and some destinations along the route include the quaint Muskoka towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville, as well as places like North Bay and Temagami.
Plans for the rail service were launched in 2020, and in May 2024, the train set manufacturing began.
While there is no set start date for the service, the trainsets are expected to be delivered in time for a mid-2020s launch.
By 2041, annual ridership is projected to be between approximately 40,000 and 60,000.
A spokesperson for the Northlander told Narcity that the trainsets "are modern and built with passenger comfort and accessibility in mind."
On board, you can enjoy wide aisles, wifi and food cart service, similar to what you'd experience on an airplane.
There will also be a business class complete with both individual seats and pod seating options with a table.
Ticket prices have not yet been confirmed, but you can expect "affordable" rates.
Soon, you'll be able to plan trips to Muskoka and beyond without a car. Keep an eye out for the rail service's opening date.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.