Carry-on baggage

 ITEM

ACCEPTED AS
CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

MUST BE
CHECKED

DETAILS

Airway pressure devices for people with sleep apnea 

X

Travellers with respiratory problems can bring an oxygen concentrator or CPAP machine on board with them.Compressed oxygen cylinders are subject to the following restrictions:

• Limit of one (1) cylinder per traveller.
• The cylinder must not exceed 91 cm (36 in.) in length or 15 cm (6 in.) in diameter (maximum volume of 15,000 cm³ or 1,000 cu. in.).
• It must be transported in a cart that protects the regulator.

Compressed oxygen cylinders 

X

Travellers with respiratory problems can bring an oxygen concentrator, a CPAP machine or a compressed oxygen cylinder on boardwith them. Compressed oxygen cylinders are subject to the following restrictions:

• Limit of one (1) cylinder per traveller.
• The cylinder must not exceed 91 cm (36 in.) in length or 15 cm (6 in.) in diameter (maximum volume of 15,000 cm³ or 1,000 cu. in.). 
• It must be transported in a cart that protects the regulator.

Medical equipment 

X*

*Medical equipment such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, portable oxygen tanks, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs are accepted on board and do not count toward the carry-on baggage allowance.

Kirpans

X*

*Kirpans are accepted as long as they are not visible to other travellers and remain in their sheath at all times while on board the train.

Hockey bags

X*

X

Renaissance

train

*Junior-sized hockey bags that are no more than 158 linear cm (62 linear in.) are accepted as carry-on baggage on HEP and LRC trains.

Hockey sticks*

X*

X

Renaissance train

*Travellers can bring a hockey stick or document tube in addition to the allowed carry-on baggage, except in Renaissance cars, where these items must be checked due to a lack of space to safely store them.

Coolers

X*

*Only small coolers with an airtight lid are permitted on board.

Musical instruments

X*

X

Renaissance

train 

Standard-size musical instruments can be brought on board and count as part of the carry-on baggage allowance.

*This policy does not apply to Renaissance cars, as they lack the space to safely store a guitar or cello. However, such non-standard items can be checked into the baggage car.

Golf bags

X^*
 

X

Renaissance

train

Golf bags can be brought on board and count as part of the carry-on baggage allowance.

*This policy does not apply to Renaissance cars, as they lack the space to safely store a golf bag. However, such non-standard items can be checked into the baggage car.

Skis

X*

X

Renaissance

train

Skis can be brought on board and count as part of the carry-on baggage allowance.

*This policy does not apply to Renaissance cars, as they lack the space to safely store skis. However, such non-standard items can be checked into the baggage car.

Ice skates

X*

*Skates must be transported in a closed bag.

Snowboards

X*

 X

Renaissance train

A snowboard can be brought on board and counts as part of the carry-on baggage allowance.

*This policy does not apply to Renaissance cars, as they lack the space to safely store a snowboard. However, such non-standard items can be checked into the baggage car.

Travel items for infants and children under the age of 2

X

Infants and toddlers (with a reserved seat or travelling on a parent’s lap) are entitled to the same carry-on baggage allowance as their adult companion.

Portable strollers

X

Strollers not exceeding 25.5 cm (10 in.) in diameter or 92 cm (36 in.) in length when folded are accepted on board, and do not count toward the carry-on baggage allowance.

Checked strollersare transported at the owner’s risk.

Portable playpens

X

Portable playpens are accepted on board and count toward the infant’s/toddler’s carry-on baggage allowance.

Children’s car seat

X

Car seats are accepted on board and do not count toward the carry-on baggage allowance if the child for whom it is intended is also on board.

If the child is not travelling with the individual who is transporting the car seat, the seat will count toward the traveller’s carry-on baggage allowance.

Document tubes*

X

A maximum of one (1) document tube per traveller is permitted. The tube must not exceed 15.25 cm (6 in.) in diameter or 137 cm (54 in.) in length.

Folding bicycles

X

Folding bicycles must be packed in a bag whose dimensions can be easily measured. With the bicycle inside, the bag must not exceed 62 linear in.

Plants

X

Plants must be wrapped and must not exceed the maximum dimensions allowed.

Military bags

X

Members of the Department of National Defence (DND) travelling on official business: These travellers are permitted to bring more baggage on board than the normal allowance, as these items may be essential to national security (subject to certain conditions*). There is no limit to the number of bags they are permitted to bring on board.VIA Rail staff will propose the checked baggage service for excess carry-on baggage when available. *Conditions: If baggage items exceed 23 kg (50 lb.), these travellers are responsible for transporting their own baggage and must be able to do so.
 

Personal food items aboard
the Canadian

X

• medical reasons
• severe allergies (special accommodation required – please escalate to 2nd level to Customer Relations Department)
• baby formula and baby foods

ITEM

ACCEPTED AS
CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

MUST BE
CHECKED

DETAILS

Martial arts and self-defence items

NO

YES

Household appliances

NO

YES

Firearms and sharp objects

NO

YES

• Firearms and Ammunition
• Martial-arts and self-defense items (machetes)
• Sharp objects such as: Regular knives, hunting knives, Swiss army knives, chef's knives, bows, cross bows and arrows, hatchets, box cutters and other dangerous sharp items.

Exceptions: Police Officer travelling on a VIA train while on duty. 

Camping equipment

NO

YES

Bicycles

NO

YES

Oversized boxes

NO

YES

Explosives and flammable liquids

NO

YES

Trunks

NO

YES

Computer screens with cathode ray tubes

NO

YES

Machinery parts

NO

YES

Tires

NO

YES

Display cases

NO

YES

Cradles

NO

YES

Televisions

NO

YES

Weapons and sharp objects

NO

YES

• Firearms and ammunition
• Martial arts and self-defence items
• Sharp objects, such as knives, including hunting knives, Swiss Army knives and chef’s knives (e.g. meat cleavers), machetes, axes, utility knives and other dangerous sharp objects.
  
  EXCEPTIONS
• On-duty police officers and other authorized armed personnel provided they have given prior notification to VIA Rail Police.  
• Kirpans worn by members of the Sikh community are exceptions to this rule, provided they are not visible to other travellers and remain in their sheath at all times while on board the train. 

Lithium battery-powered devices

YES

YES

Small lithium battery-powered vehicles are not accepted in either checked baggage or carry-on baggage due to safety concerns associated to the lithium batteries.

Prohibited vehicles include: hoverboards, AirBoards, electric skateboards, airwheels, mini-Segways, balance wheels, battery-assisted bikes and electric scooters.