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Montreal → Toronto Parcel Shipping: Cheapest Options, Transit Times & Carrier Comparison

Written by Timothy Byrnes | January 21, 2019

Toronto and Montreal—two of Canada’s largest, most dynamic cities—move a massive volume of B2B and e-commerce parcels every day. Shippers in Laval, Brossard, and the Island of Montreal depend on low-cost, reliable delivery to the Toronto GTA—and vice versa. This guide compares services, shows how to cut costs, and answers the questions we hear most.

Disclaimer: The information in all Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.

If you are reading this post, it is likely because you need lower prices or better support. Or likely both! We review the main options to consider and offer our assistance in finding the right solution.

Get a comparison quote for Montreal → Toronto parcel delivery

In this guide
  • Low-cost parcel delivery options
  • Carrier comparison: strengths ETAs
  • How to lower Montreal → Toronto shipping costs
  • Canada Post options
  • FedEx and UPS options
  • Purolator options
  • Regional ground carriers (TFI, GLS/Dicom, Nationex)
  • Jet Worldwide support
  • FAQ: Montreal ↔ Toronto shipping

Low-Cost Parcel Delivery Options from Montreal to Toronto

When choosing a service for the ~540 km lane between Montreal and Toronto, weigh:

  • Delivery time (same day / next day / 1–3 business days)
  • Total cost (base rate, fuel, residential, oversized, Saturday)
  • Size plus weight (watch dimensional/chargeable weight)
  • Tracking and insurance
  • Reliability and customer support

Carrier Comparison: Strengths & Typical ETAs

Carrier Best For Typical ETA (MTL → GTA) Notes
Canada Post Individuals & micro-shops; PO Boxes Xpresspost: 1 day; Regular Parcel: ~3 days Best for light, non-urgent; convenient drop-off
Purolator Time-definite B2B; strong GTA coverage Express 9/10:30/End-of-Day; Ground: 1–2 days Excellent next-day reliability
FedEx / UPS Business accounts; late pickups Overnight AM/PM; 2-Day; Ground 1 day Strong tracking, weekend options in some areas
GLS/Dicom, Canpar, Loomis, Nationex High-volume B2B ground 1–2 business days Economical for standardized carton flows
Compare Montreal → Toronto Rates

How to Get Lower Montreal → Toronto Shipping Costs

  • Right-size packaging: reduce empty space to lower dimensional weight (learn how it’s calculated).
  • Consolidate pickups: ship daily cut-offs instead of multiple small runs.
  • Use ground for 1–2 day lanes: same arrival window at lower cost.
  • Negotiate volume tiers: ask carriers for brackets by weekly carton count.
  • Leverage a multi-carrier partner: Jet optimizes per lane & service level.

Montreal → Toronto via Canada Post

  • Regular Parcel: ~3 business days
  • Xpresspost: typically 1 business day
  • Priority: 1 business day (time-definite)

Best for individuals and micro-merchants. For heavier cartons or strict SLAs, compare with ground/express carriers.

Shipping Montreal → Toronto via FedEx or UPS

FedEx and UPS—North America’s largest carriers—offer reliable next-day and 2-day options with late pickups and excellent tracking.

  • Overnight AM: delivery by 10:30 a.m. (service area dependent)
  • Overnight PM: end-of-day next business day
  • 2-Day / Economy Air: by end-of-day
  • Ground: typically 1 business day on this lane

Get a comparison quote (FedEx/UPS vs. regional ground)

Montreal → Toronto via Purolator

Purolator is a market leader for domestic time-definite shipping with strong GTA coverage.

  • Express 9 a.m. / 10:30 a.m. / End-of-Day
  • Ground: 1–2 business days

Regional Ground Carriers (TFI, GLS/Dicom, Nationex)

TFI International (Canpar, Loomis, ICS), GLS/Dicom (a Royal Mail division), and Nationex offer economical ground service—ideal for standardized carton flows and B2B delivery.

  • ETA: usually 1–2 business days Montreal ↔ Toronto
  • Best for: high-volume shippers with consistent dimensions/weights
  • Watch for: oversize surcharges, residential fees, appointment costs

Delivery Across Canada via Jet Worldwide

Jet Worldwide is a global brand with over 40 years of parcel and pallet experience. We provide multi-carrier comparisons, lane-by-lane optimization, and practical logistics help (transportation, storage coordination, and supply-chain planning).

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Packaging & Sizing Tips (Save on Dimensional Weight)

  • Use right-sized cartons and cut void fill.
  • Keep the longest side < 100 cm when possible to avoid oversize fees.
  • Bundle small items into one master carton to reduce per-piece charges.
  • Print clear labels; avoid taping over barcodes (speeds sortation).

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions: Montreal ↔ Toronto Parcel Shipping

What’s the cheapest way to ship from Montreal to Toronto?

For individuals and non-urgent parcels, Canada Post Regular Parcel is usually the lowest cost. Businesses with regular volume can often achieve lower effective costs using regional ground carriers or negotiated ground tiers via Jet Worldwide.

How fast is delivery Montreal → Toronto?

Next-day delivery is available from Purolator, FedEx, and UPS (AM/PM). Ground services commonly arrive in 1–2 business days. Canada Post Xpresspost is typically next day; Regular Parcel is ~3 days.

How do I reduce shipping costs on this lane?

Right-size your boxes to cut dimensional weight, consolidate pickups, use ground for 1–2 day lanes, and negotiate volume brackets. A multi-carrier approach via Jet Worldwide identifies the best rate-to-service match per shipment.

Are there size/weight limits I should know?

Yes—oversize charges can apply above certain girth/length thresholds. Keep boxes compact and review each carrier’s limits. Use our dimensional-weight helper above to avoid surprises.

Do you offer Montreal ↔ Toronto pallet/LTL options?

Yes. Jet Worldwide can stage palletized LTL, time-definite, and cross-dock solutions between Greater Montreal and the GTA. Ask for pallet pricing.

Get a Montreal → Toronto Quote Talk to an Expert