Across Canada by Train

Waking in Vancouver this morning, the first half of your day is at leisure to continue taking in all this waterfront city has to offer. You might like to explore a museum, such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, or wander the floral displays of VanDusen Botanical Garden. For a more structured morning, you could add a food tour on Granville Island to taste various artisan treats.

After returning to your hotel to collect your luggage early this afternoon, transfer on your own to the train station to join VIA Rail’s Canadian on its four-night journey to Toronto. Settle into your Sleeper Plus Berth*, with couch-style seating by day and curtained upper and lower beds by night, and prepare for your journey east. As a Sleeper Plus passenger, your non-alcoholic drinks and meals are included for the duration of your time onboard, and you can enjoy dinner in the Dining Car this evening. Overnight train.

A relaxing day filled with remarkable scenery stretches ahead as the Canadian makes its way through the province of Alberta today. After enjoying breakfast in the Dining Car, you could return to your seat to watch the passing scenery or find a spot in the Sightseer Lounge for a more expansive view.

Today’s route is one of the most scenic of the entire trip, as the train follows the Fraser and North Thompson Rivers through the Canadian Rockies. Keep watch for wildlife, including bear and moose, and snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson – the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies – are also visible before the Canadian passes through Jasper and continues its eastward journey, passing through the cosmopolitan city of Edmonton later today. Lunch and dinner are also available in the Dining Car, and as a Sleeper Plus traveler, you have access to the Park Car, including the Bullet Lounge, in the evenings. Overnight train.

As the train continues toward Toronto this morning, you can admire scenery that is markedly different from yesterday’s dramatic peaks and forests. The western provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are commonly known as “The Prairies” and are awash with sights of plains, hills, lakes and rivers.

Spend the day enjoying the views of Canada’s ever-changing landscape from the lounges onboard the train or the comfort of your Sleeper Plus accommodations. With a population smaller than Dallas in an area similar to Texas, Saskatchewan is perfect for sitting back and watching the world go by. Look for wildlife, such as deer, as the train crosses the southern plains, and then later, the Canadian crosses into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching up to the shores of the Hudson Bay. Its capital is Winnipeg, considered the geographic capital of Canada, and the train pulls through this fascinating and cultural city tonight before continuing east. Overnight train.

The Canadian Shield is one of the world’s largest continental shields, with vast expanses of exposed Precambrian rock and pretty lakes peppered throughout the landscape. The terrain alternates between gently rolling and primarily flat, hinting at the glacial activity here millions of years ago. These visions set the backdrop for today’s travels as you pass through Ontario on your third full day aboard the Canadian. A highlight of this stretch of track is Longlac, which, located at the northern tip of Long Lake, played an important role as part of the historic canoe route for fur traders.

Between meals, you could spend some time in the Skyline Car, enjoying its two salons and observation deck, all of which provide fantastic views of Canada and its constantly changing scenery. Overnight train.

Enjoy breakfast and brunch in the Dining Car as the final miles of this epic journey through Western and Central Canada lie ahead. The Canadian arrives at Toronto’s Union Station this afternoon, and after you disembark, you can transfer on your own to your centrally-located hotel.

From this point, the day is yours to get acquainted with this exciting city at your own pace. Peruse the iconic markets, such as the St. Lawrence Market for a famous peameal bacon sandwich or Kensington Market to savor its street food, vibrant murals and shop fronts. You may also opt to visit Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum, or the Art Gallery of Toronto, or take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront as you gaze at the city’s skyscrapers alongside the CN Tower. Overnight Toronto.

Set your sights on a natural wonder today on a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls. Travel on the Niagara Parkway, winding along the Niagara Gorge through the historic community of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Don an included rain slicker and enjoy a ride on the famous Hornblower*, which travels toward the mist of Horseshoe Falls.

After the cruise, your travel group enjoys lunch with a view of Niagara Falls at a local restaurant and then journeys along the scenic Niagara Parkway with stops at the Floral Clock, Botanical Gardens, Queenston Heights and Niagara Gorge. There is also free time in the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

If you have already seen the falls or are not up for the road trip, you can stay in the city and choose an alternative tour instead (additional charges may apply). Overnight Toronto.

With a morning at leisure in Toronto, you can continue delving into the city’s ambiance at your own pace. You might like to grab breakfast at a sidewalk café or visit a local bakery to try regional pastries, such as butter tarts or beaver tails. Morning is an excellent time to wander along the Toronto Harbour or to enjoy the tranquility of the city’s parks.

Around midday, make your way to the rail station to board VIA Rail’s Corridor Service to Montreal, the next destination on your cross-country journey. Montreal is known as Canada’s cultural capital and is home to an array of ethnic communities. Upon arrival this afternoon, transfer independently to your centrally located hotel, and then enjoy the rest of the day to explore the diverse culinary scene or stroll through popular districts, including historic Old Montreal. Overnight Montreal.

This morning, get to know Montreal on a sightseeing tour that takes you past more than 200 points of interest. As you weave through the city, watch for highlights like the Notre Dame Basilica, historic Old Montreal and the Olympic Complex. The tour also pauses for a panoramic view over Montreal from the top of Mount Royal. Should you wish to see Montreal another way, consider switching to an alternative tour (additional charges may apply). As the tour concludes, the afternoon is yours to continue uncovering the city’s history and culture at your own pace.

Montreal is brimming with restaurants serving international cuisine and regional favorites, which you can uncover this evening. Maybe seek out poutine, a hearty dish of French fries, fresh cheese curds and gravy. Overnight Montreal.

Enjoy a free morning* to wrap up any sightseeing you might like to accomplish in Montreal before making your way to the train station to board VIA Rail’s Corridor Service to Quebec City. This journey takes less than four hours and transports you to a truly romantic corner of French Canada.

The only remaining fortified city north of Mexico, Quebec City exudes old-world charm and is beloved for its distinct European ambiance. On arrival, transfer independently to your hotel for the night, and then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to get acquainted with this historic city. You might like to wander through the narrow streets of Old Quebec, perusing the shops and restaurants, or set out in search of a view of the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Overnight Quebec City.

Your day begins with a chance to get acquainted with Quebec City during a comprehensive sightseeing tour via motorcoach, showcasing both the historic and the modern sides of Quebec City. Highlights of your excursion include the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Fortifications, the National Assembly, Place Royale, and the Basilica. You could instead opt to see Quebec City with an alternative tour (additional charges may apply).

With the rest of the afternoon at leisure, you can continue exploring the city on your own. You might like to revisit one of the stops from your tour to get a more comprehensive look, or you could have a seat at a sidewalk café and soak up everyday life in this unique city.

This evening, an included transfer takes you to the rail station in Sainte-Foy for your overnight journey to Halifax aboard VIA Rail’s Ocean. Settle into your accommodations and bid adieu to Quebec as the train leaves the St. Lawrence River behind and begins its journey toward the Maritimes. Overnight train.

Breakfast is served in the Dining Car this morning, and afterward, you can soak up panoramic views as the train continues east toward the coast.

This afternoon, the Ocean pulls into Moncton, an outdoor lover’s paradise, for a 15-minute stop, during which you can stretch your legs and get a glimpse at the town. Because Moncton is well-situated with both ocean and woodland views, its beautiful scenery sets a lovely backdrop as we reboard the train to continue the last leg of the journey to Halifax.

Transfer independently to your hotel on arrival, and after checking in, you could venture to Argyle Street, located in the heart of downtown Halifax, which has a variety of restaurants serving fresh Nova Scotian seafood. You may also opt for a meal by the water along the boardwalk to further embrace the seaside ambiance during your free evening. Overnight Halifax.

Nova Scotia’s capital city has much to offer in the way of attractions and natural beauty, and today, you are introduced to some of the most enticing offerings on a half-day guided tour.

The excursion begins with a scenic drive down the coast to Peggy’s Cove. This charming fishing village is renowned for its lighthouse, but it also boasts a picture-perfect downtown filled with shops and many natural features, including smooth granite rocks. From here, the tour continues to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for an immersive reenactment that demonstrates what life was like at the fort hundreds of years ago. Actors in period uniforms introduce you to military history through stories and artifacts.

Venturing back into downtown Halifax, your driver narrates the journey and points out must-see attractions, such as Pier 21, Halifax Farmers Market, and the City Gardens. You may also see the Titanic cemeteries, the largest of which is Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where 121 victims of the famous shipwreck are buried. The remainder of your day is at leisure upon return to your hotel. Overnight Halifax.

Eight picturesque provinces, 2,700 miles of changing vistsas and three VIA Rail train journeys: This remarkable overland journey has provided a true showcase of Canada. Your travels gave you time to absorb the laid-back scenes of Vancouver before traveling into the vibrant cities of central Canada on VIA Rail’s Canadian. Following an excursion to Niagara Falls in Toronto and sightseeing tours in Montreal and Quebec City, a final overnight rail journey on VIA Rail’s Ocean took you to the shores of Halifax, completing your amazing cross-country route.

Your Canadian rail journey ends this morning. You can make your own way to the airport to begin your travels home, or speak to a Rail Specialist about extending your stay to explore more of Nova Scotia.