If you’re trying to get from Montreal to Toronto on a budget, the bus is usually the smartest move. Flights run $150 or more, and the train costs $50+ even in economy — but Megabus has been running the 505-kilometer corridor for as little as $48 in recent searches. The catch: schedules shift, prices jump, and there’s more than one operator fighting for your fare. Here’s what you actually need to know before you book.

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Distance: 505 km · Average bus duration: 7h 50m · Quickest bus: 6h 10m · Buses per day: 19+ · Starting price: $48

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current prices without real-time booking session
  • Full luggage policy beyond forum reports
  • April 2026+ schedule updates beyond listed dates
3Timeline signal
  • 2021: Greyhound Canada ceased operations
  • Megabus expanded as primary Ontario corridor alternative
  • Route 2720 currently operates with 3 stops
4What’s next
  • Dynamic pricing means fares fluctuate; book early for sub-$50 deals
  • Aggregators continue adding operators to corridor
  • No confirmed high-speed rail timeline for Montreal-Toronto
Label Value
Distance 313 miles (505 km)
Bus operators Megabus, Greyhound Canada (defunct)
Daily buses 67 via CheckMyBus aggregator
Cheapest Megabus seen $48 (April 20, 2026)
Megabus route 2720 (3 stops: Montreal–Kingston–Toronto)

Is there a bus that goes from Montreal to Toronto?

Yes — Megabus is now the dominant operator for this corridor after Greyhound Canada shut down in 2021. The official route guide lists up to 19 daily departures from Montreal’s Rue Saint-Antoine Bus Station, arriving at Toronto’s Union Station Bus Terminal (81 Bay St, 2nd Floor). Buses run roughly every 4 hours from 6:30 AM through 11:30 PM, with Route 2720 making three stops total.

Megabus schedule

Looking at specific dates in mid-to-late April 2026, CheckMyBus shows consistent scheduling: an 8:00 AM departure gets you into Toronto by 3:00 PM (7 hours), while the 11:00 AM run arrives at 6:00 PM. The fastest option logged so far was an 11:30 PM departure hitting Toronto at 5:40 AM the next morning — just 6 hours 10 minutes door-to-door (CheckMyBus Real-Time Schedules). Afternoon departures (12:00 PM, 1:00 PM) cluster around 6:45–7:05 PM arrivals.

Greyhound options

Greyhound Canada no longer operates this route — or any Canadian routes — after ceasing operations in 2021. The American Greyhound site lists general Toronto fares from $9.48, but there’s no specific Montreal schedule. For practical purposes, Megabus is the only major intercity bus operator serving this corridor (Tour Express — Greyhound Alternatives). Ontario Northland handles northern routes but doesn’t run direct Montreal-Toronto service.

Other operators

CheckMyBus aggregates 67 daily services including Megabus, VIA Rail coaches, and Orléans Express options. Wanderu reports 9 trips per day with Megabus as the most frequent carrier. These aggregators pull real-time availability from multiple booking systems, making them useful for comparing departure times across operators.

Bottom line: Megabus runs the Montreal-Toronto corridor almost exclusively now. Your main choices are morning, midday, or overnight runs — with the overnight being your best bet for speed.

What is the cheapest way from Montreal to Toronto?

The bus wins on price almost every time. Megabus tickets have appeared in the $48–$55 range on recent searches, while Wanderu reported a lowest fare of $13.61 for this route. Busbud’s aggregator data shows an average price of $78 but lists a cheapest available fare of $12 — suggesting significant variance based on booking timing.

Bus vs train costs

VIA Rail trains on this corridor typically run $50+ for economy and much higher for premium classes. The train does shave about 2–3 hours off the journey (roughly 4 hours versus 6–8 by bus), but the price premium is substantial. For budget travelers, the 6-hour Megabus run at $48–$50 represents the best value.

Megabus starting prices

Specific April 2026 fares from CheckMyBus show: the 11:30 PM overnight run cost $48; midday departures on April 17–20 ranged $49–$50; the 8:00 AM run on April 15 was $54. The pattern is clear — evening and overnight departures tend to run cheaper than peak daytime schedules (CheckMyBus Price Data).

Booking tips

Advance booking consistently yields lower fares. Busbud notes that prices fluctuate based on demand and availability, with early bookings securing rates between $12–$15 reported by some travelers. Round-trip combinations are available, though specific round-trip pricing requires a booking session. Booking directly through Megabus.ca or using aggregators like Busbud, CheckMyBus, or Wanderu can surface different fares for the same departure.

The trade-off

Megabus undercuts the train by $50 or more per ticket, but you’re committing to a 6–7 hour journey instead of 4 hours. For solo travelers on a budget, that trade-off usually makes sense. For business travelers with a tight schedule, the train’s premium price might be worth it.

Which is cheaper, Megabus or Greyhound?

This comparison doesn’t really work anymore — Greyhound Canada shut down in 2021, and the American Greyhound website doesn’t show a dedicated Montreal schedule. The question has effectively become: Megabus versus everything else. And Megabus is winning on price and frequency for this corridor.

Price ranges

Megabus dominates with fares from $48–$55 in recent searches. Rome2Rio lists a broader range of $10–$110, likely reflecting mixed operator data and peak/off-peak pricing. Trailways — a smaller regional carrier — shows up around $72 on some aggregators, making it more expensive than Megabus for comparable routes. The $10 figure from Rome2Rio probably represents a deeply discounted advance fare.

Timetables

Megabus offers up to 19 daily departures with roughly 4-hour intervals. Greyhound US doesn’t publish a Montreal-specific schedule. Trailways and minor carriers have limited daily runs. If you’re comparing timetable coverage, Megabus is the clear winner in volume.

Reliability

Megabus is the established operator with verified route data, official booking systems, and Wi-Fi/power amenities on most routes. Tripadvisor forum users report consistent on-time performance for the Montreal-Toronto run, with one luggage piece allowed and a Kingston rest stop. Greyhound Canada is simply no longer in the picture.

Why this matters

Greyhound’s exit from Canada left a gap that Megabus has largely filled. If you’re looking for Greyhound-level service, you won’t find it — but Megabus offers comparable coverage and often lower prices for the Montreal-Toronto run.

How much is a train ticket from Montreal to Toronto?

Train fares for this corridor start around $50 in VIA Rail economy — significantly higher than most Megabus fares. VIA Rail schedules for Montreal-Toronto show approximately 4-hour journey times, making the train notably faster but more expensive. The aggregator data from Rome2Rio and CheckMyBus both list VIA Rail alongside bus options for direct comparison.

VIA Rail schedules

VIA Rail’s Corridor service connects Montreal and Toronto multiple times daily. Exact schedules and pricing vary by departure time, class of service, and booking advance. The 4-hour journey time compares favorably to the 6–7 hours by Megabus.

Average costs

Budget aggregators show train tickets typically running $50–$150 depending on class and timing. Economy fares tend to start around $50, while business class or premium options run $100+. In contrast, Megabus averages $48–$55 for comparable travel dates.

Bus alternatives

If you’re comparing all land options, the bus almost always wins on price — typically $48–$78 round-trip equivalent versus $50+ one-way on the train. The catch is travel time: bus takes 6–8 hours versus 4 hours by rail. For a 505-kilometer journey, that difference matters if you’re time-constrained.

The upshot

If saving money matters most, Megabus at $48–$55 is the clear choice. If time is your constraint, VIA Rail shaves 2–3 hours off the journey — but expect to pay $50+ for the privilege. Most travelers on this corridor are budget-conscious, so Megabus dominates on value.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the train?

Neither. Rome2Rio’s comparison of all Montreal-Toronto options lists nine ways to make the journey — plane, train, bus, rideshare, and combinations. The bus consistently comes out as the cheapest land option, while flights are the most expensive (typically $150+) and train sits in the middle at $50+.

Flight costs

Airfare for this 505-kilometer route runs $150–$300+ depending on advance booking and carrier. Add airport transit time, security, and check-in requirements, and the total door-to-door time often exceeds the bus. For short-haul routes like Montreal-Toronto, the bus is usually faster city-center to city-center.

Train vs bus

Train costs $50+ economy versus $48–$55 Megabus. The ~2-3 hour time savings doesn’t offset the price premium for most travelers unless you have urgent time constraints. The train is more comfortable and has better Wi-Fi, but the economics favor the bus for budget travelers.

Total travel time

Megabus: 6h 10m–7h 50m door-to-door including city transit to departure/arrival points. Train: ~4 hours but requires transit to/from stations. Flight: 1–2 hours flying time plus 2–3 hours of airport overhead. For pure city-center-to-city-center travel, Megabus often matches or beats flight total times.

Upsides

  • Bus from $48 versus train at $50+
  • No airport security or transit required
  • City-center departures and arrivals
  • Up to 19 daily Megabus departures
  • Wi-Fi and power on Megabus vehicles

Downsides

  • 6–7 hour journey versus 4 hours by train
  • One luggage piece limit reported by users
  • Stops in Kingston on Route 2720
  • Dynamic pricing can spike during peaks
  • Less comfortable than VIA Rail coaches

How to book your Montreal to Toronto bus

Five steps to secure the best fare on this corridor:

  1. Pick your dates: Midweek travel consistently beats weekend pricing. Saturday departures showed $54 fares versus $48–$50 midweek.
  2. Choose morning or overnight: Evening and overnight Megabus runs tend to be cheaper than midday departures.
  3. Check multiple aggregators: Compare prices across Busbud, CheckMyBus, Wanderu, and Rome2Rio — they pull from different booking systems.
  4. Book direct if possible: Megabus.ca sometimes offers exclusive deals and better seat selection.
  5. Watch for promo codes: Bus aggregators occasionally run sales. A $13 fare appeared on Wanderu; such deals require timing and flexibility.
Bottom line: Flexibility on travel dates and departure time is your biggest lever for sub-$50 Megabus fares. Book 1–2 weeks ahead for the best availability.

What past riders say

Real traveler experiences fill in details that operator sites omit. Forum posts and aggregator reviews reveal practical realities about the Montreal-Toronto run.

Travel by bus from Montreal to Toronto in as little as 6 hours 10 minutes. With over 19 buses a day from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM.— Megabus Official Route Guide

They have a limit of one piece of luggage. The bus stops once, in Kingston.— Tripadvisor User Review

The quickest bus can get you there in 6h 10m and is operated by Megabus.— Busbud

The catch

One luggage piece and a Kingston rest stop are consistent complaints from overnight riders. If you’re boarding with two bags, you’ll need to check the current policy — or pay for additional baggage. The rest stop adds roughly 15–20 minutes to the total journey.

Confirmed vs unclear

Based on the research, here’s what we know for certain versus what’s still fuzzy:

Claim Status Source
Megabus route exists, 6h 10m fastest trip Confirmed Megabus Official Route Guide
Up to 19 buses daily, 6:30 AM–11:30 PM Confirmed Megabus Official Route Guide
Prices start $48–$55 for April 2026 Confirmed CheckMyBus
Average duration 7h 50m, distance 510 km Confirmed Busbud
Exact current prices without live booking Unclear Requires real-time session
Full luggage policy details Unclear Forum reports only
High-speed rail timeline Unclear No confirmed government announcement
Bottom line: Megabus is the operator, $48–$55 is the ballpark for spring 2026 fares, and 6–8 hours is the journey time. The exact fare on your specific date requires a live search — but you can plan your departure preference (morning, midday, overnight) now.

Related reading: Why Ottawa, Not Toronto

Additional sources

checkmybus.com, tripadvisor.com, us.megabus.com, wanderu.com, megabus.com, rome2rio.com

Megabus offers similar budget options on the London to Toronto Megabus route starting at $4, ideal for comparing fares and schedules.

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Frequently asked questions

Montreal to Toronto bus timetable?

Megabus runs up to 19 departures daily from roughly 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM, with buses every 3–4 hours. Specific times (8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 11:30 PM) appeared in April 2026 searches. For your specific date, check Megabus.ca or an aggregator like CheckMyBus.

Montreal to Toronto bus time?

The fastest Megabus trip is 6 hours 10 minutes (overnight run). Most departures take 6h 40m–7h 5m. The average across all operators is 7 hours 50 minutes. Your actual journey time depends on the specific departure and whether the bus makes intermediate stops.

Montreal to Toronto bus round trip?

Round-trip combinations are available through aggregators, though specific pricing requires a booking session. In reverse direction, Megabus shows 7h 0m–7h 15m runs from Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal back to Montreal Mansfield Terminal, with fares around $49–$55.

Is Megabus actually $1?

Occasional promotional fares have appeared at $1 on some routes, but the Montreal-Toronto corridor typically runs $48–$55 in confirmed searches. Rome2Rio lists a $10–$110 range that likely includes deeply discounted advance fares and premium peak pricing combined. The realistic floor for this route appears to be $12–$48 depending on advance booking and timing.

How do I get from Montreal to Toronto cheaply?

Book Megabus 1–2 weeks ahead, travel midweek, and target evening or overnight departures. Fares from $48–$55 are the norm; $12–$15 deals require flexibility and early booking. Skip the train ($50+) unless time is your priority.

Montreal to Toronto train?

VIA Rail operates this corridor in approximately 4 hours for $50+ economy. The train is faster and more comfortable but costs more than the bus. For budget travelers prioritizing cost, Megabus at $48–$55 for 6–7 hours is the better value proposition.

Montreal to Toronto bus price?

April 2026 searches show Megabus fares of $48–$55 for this corridor. Busbud reports an average of $78 with a cheapest available fare of $12 — reflecting significant pricing variance. The most consistent prices in verified searches fell in the $48–$54 range for spring 2026 departures.

For budget travelers deciding between Montreal and Toronto, Megabus at $48–$55 is the clear winner over train or plane — but only if you can commit to the 6–7 hour journey. If time matters more than money, VIA Rail shaves 2–3 hours for a $50+ premium. The choice is straightforward: maximize flexibility (bus, $48) or maximize speed (train, $50+).