← TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon·3 nights

Montréal: Old Port, Underground City and Atwater Market

A direct train to a French-speaking city with a flat waterfront, a sheltered underground network and a harvest market, arriving beneath one of its major hotels.

Duration3 nights
TransitVIA Rail direct, about 5 to 5.5 hours from Toronto Union Station to Montréal Central Station
DepartsToronto Union Station

After the Toronto Waterfront Marathon: Montréal

The Route: Toronto Union Station → Montréal Central Station → Old Montréal → Montréal-Trudeau Airport Logistics: VIA Rail direct. Montréal Central Station sits beneath the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, so there is no transfer on arrival. Marathon Month: October Duration: 3 nights

Toronto Union ──(about 5 to 5.5 hrs VIA Rail, fastest 4 hrs 16 min)──> Montréal Central Station ──(walk / metro)──> Old Montréal
                                                                                                                         │
                                       Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) ◄──(747 express bus)────────────────────────────────────┘

The marathon finishes on a Sunday in mid-October, and the train to Montréal is a full travel day: roughly five hours seated. VIA Rail runs six to ten direct services daily. Advance fares start around CA$55 and same-day fares can reach about CA$155, so booking early saves money. Use viarail.ca. The seats and the absence of a drive make this a better choice than a hire car after a hard race.

October in Montréal: Highs fall to around 10°C and lows near 3°C, and the first frost often arrives late in the month. Pack layers. The Botanical Garden's Gardens of Light display runs into early November, and the harvest stalls at Atwater Market are open through the month.

Nights One and Two: Old Montréal and the Old Port

Montréal Central Station lies directly below the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, which is the simplest base for a first night. A network of covered underground passages, the Underground City, links the station with Place Ville Marie and other downtown buildings. It is level and sheltered, which helps on a wet day.

The Old Port lies to the south and east, on the St Lawrence River, with a flat waterfront promenade. The cobbles of Old Montréal are less forgiving for sore legs, so keep walking to short stretches. Hôtel Nelligan in Old Montréal offers a quieter alternative, a short walk from the port.

Dinner in Old Montréal can be at Modavie, Gaspar French Brasserie, or Le Club Chasse et Pêche. BEVO Pizzeria is a simpler option. Check menus and opening times, and book a table on weekends.

Night Three: Atwater Market and the Botanical Garden

Atwater Market sits beside the Lachine Canal, where a flat cycle and walking path runs along the water. In October the harvest stalls are in season. Check the market's opening hours before going.

The Botanical Garden lies northeast of the centre and reaches by metro. Its Gardens of Light evenings run into early November, with lanterns set along the paths. The paths are level, and the evening events involve a long stretch of walking, so choose it for the night when the legs have recovered.

Getting to Montréal-Trudeau Airport

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is served by the 747 express bus from downtown, with a stop near Central Station. Check the route and fare at stm.info. A taxi takes about 25 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, take VIA Rail back to Toronto and fly from Toronto Pearson (YYZ).