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Musical instruments

Musical instruments

Musical instruments may be brought on board and will count as one (1) piece of the carry-on baggage allowance.* Depending on the type of instrument, they can also be brought as checked baggage and transported in the baggage car.

* This policy doesn’t apply to Renaissance cars as there is no space to safely store large instruments on board.

Guitars/Violins

String instruments such as guitars or violins can be carried on board, even if their dimensions slightly exceed the baggage allowance. However, for security reasons, they must comply with the following instructions:

  • Musical instruments should always be in a rigid or in a hard-shell container specifically designed for shipping such items.
  • The owner must sign the waiver of responsibility on the baggage registration tag.

Cellos

  • Any passenger traveling with a cello must contact our Customer service to advise that they will be traveling with a non-standard item by calling 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245) or TTY 1-800-268-9503 (persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing).
  • Cellos are accepted as checked baggage in long distance trains*, with a $50 fee.
  • Cellos are not allowed on Renaissance trains.

* For the Canadian and the Ocean trains only.

Double basses

Due to their size and fragility, double basses are not allowed in VIA Rail trains.

Cellos are accepted as checked baggage in long distance trains* with a $50 fee. They will be transported in the baggage car at the customer's risk.

* For the Canadian and the Ocean trains only.

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