If taking the train across Canada isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. Seeing the country by train is an unforgettable experience. The train trip is a wonderful way to slow travel across Canada and enjoy the scenery, cities, and people along the way.
The journey has something for everyone. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, an urban explorer, a train devotee, or consider yourself an equal opportunity traveler, you will visit the nation’s most popular locales. On the West Coast, Vancouver delights with its proximity to both the mountains and the ocean. The Canadian Rockies will bowl you over in awe, when its alpine towns seamlessly collide with its acclaimed National Parks, Jasper, and Banff. The cosmopolitan appeal of Toronto and Ottawa is, well, appealing, while Montreal, with its French flair, delights. The natural wonders of the Maritimes, including Halifax’s Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, offer a glimpse at what makes Canada’s eastern seaboard so special.
Some Canada rail tours include overnight journeys aboard premier sleeper trains, such as VIA Rail’s Canadian train. This train departs both from Vancouver and from Toronto and puts some of Canada’s most wondrous scenery on display as you travel across Canada. Other tours utilize the Rocky Mountaineer, run by IRT, which is an all-daylight luxury train that delves deep into parts of the country that are inaccessible by any other mode of transportation. There are tours that fit every budget – from luxury travel to economy (but if do travel economy, be prepared to “sleep” in your normal train seat).
Thoughts to think before you book.
Contrary to what you would think, winter is a great time to take a trans-Canadian train. The trips are much cheaper than high season, but even more importantly, there are fewer people to compete with for views on the train. But make sure if you do travel during this season to bring a warm winter coat.
One of the only bumps that you might experience is delays. This is mainly because on Canada rail, freight trains bring in more money than passenger trains do so they get priority on the track. The freight company also owns the train tracks that you will be traveling on.
Make sure to choose a train with a “Dome Car” because it is one of the best parts of traveling by train. Comfortable seating is elevated above the other train cars, which give you a 360 view of your journey.
Equally, make sure that the tour operator that you choose uses connected Wi-Fi. Not all trains are equipped with the service.
You will travel through 5 time zones, so don’t bother worrying about the time. During the journey, you will pass through Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific zones. It will always be changing. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
If traveling by train across our northern neighbor piques your interest, check out these three different itineraries. Perhaps one of them will appeal and soon enough you will be hearing “All Aboard!”
Across Canada by Train
Vacations by Rail www.vacationsbyrail.com/canada
This 14-day journey begins in beautiful Vancouver. This coastal city is home to beautiful landmarks like Gastown, the Sunken Gardens, and Queen Elizabeth Park. You will have a day at leisure before boarding VIA Rail’s Canadian to continue to your next destination, Toronto.
Before arriving in Toronto, you will enjoy a four-night rail journey aboard the Canadian as you get to know fellow travelers, read a good book or take in the beautiful passing scenery. While in Toronto, enjoy a day trip to spectacular Niagara Falls. Take a boat ride to witness firsthand the magical falls that make this magnificent landmark so famous. You will then travel by rail from Toronto to Montreal. Have time at leisure to explore legendary attractions like Old Montreal and the Olympic complex. Afterwards, it’s on to Quebec. You will have ample time to visit the historical and modern highlights of this beautiful city on a comprehensive sightseeing tour, the perfect way to witness the absolute beauty that encompasses the city. Continuing, you head to Halifax aboard the Ocean. While in Halifax you can visit charming Lunenburg, a scenic port town with the largest fish fleet in Nova Scotia.
Pamper yourself with first-class accommodations, delicious meals, and access to exclusive lounge cars to view Canada’s ever-changing scenery. Stay in centrally located hotels and enjoy sightseeing tours to get you acquainted with each unique city on your route. And, of course, enjoy ample time at your leisure to see each city your way.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Vancouver
Day 2 – VIA Rail to Toronto
Day 3 – Across Alberta
Day 4 – Eastbound through the Prairies
Day 5 – Across the Canadian Shield
Day 6 – Toronto
Day 7 – Niagara Falls Excursion
Day 8 – Toronto to Montreal
Day 9 – Montreal to Quebec City
Day 10 – Quebec City Sightseeing
Day 11 – Quebec City to Halifax
Day 12 – VIA Rail En Route to Halifax
Day 13 – Excursion to Lunenburg
Day 14 – Halifax
Vancouver to Halifax
Canada Rail Vacations www.canadarail.ca
On this journey, you start the journey on the Canadian west coast and end on the Atlantic. Over the course of 16 days, you will see lush West Coast rainforests, remote glaciers atop mountains, Canada’s Prairies, lake country, and the rugged East Coast. It will be life changing train travel as you chug through eight provinces and places you would never dreamt existed.
The world-famous Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury sightseeing train that travels exclusively through the Canadian Rockies by daylight, slowing to highlight natural marvels. While indulging in hand-crafted, local cuisine, top-shelf beverages, and endless snacks and treats, you will listen to professional guides who will narrate Western Canada’s storied history and highlight unforgettable natural beauty. The Rocky Mountaineer stops overnight in the lake town of Kamloops so guests can sleep in a comfortable hotel and get ready for the rest of their adventure.
Aboard The Canadian train, you’ll step into a golden past and relive Canada’s history. A truly nostalgic experience, VIA Rail includes made to order meals in mid-century rail dining cars, glass domed observation cars, and private sleeper cabins to enjoy Canada’s scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver Arrival
Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops – overnight in Kamloops
Day 3: Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Banff – overnight in Banff
Day 4: Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola – overnight in Banff
Day 5: Banff to Lake Louise Sightseeing Tour – Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls – overnight in Lake Louise
Day 6: Sightsee from Lake Louise to Jasper including Columbia Icefields Excursion – overnight in Jasper
Day 7: Board “The Canadian” Train in Jasper – overnight aboard the train
Day 8: “The Canadian” Train through Saskatchewan and Manitoba – overnight aboard the train
Day 9: “The Canadian” Train through Ontario – overnight aboard the train
Day 10: “The Canadian” Train – arrival in Toronto – – overnight in Toronto
Day 11: Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour – overnight in Toronto
Day 12: VIA Rail Business Class from Toronto to Montreal – overnight in Montreal
Day 13: Montreal sightseeing. Board “The Ocean” Train – Montreal to Halifax – overnight aboard the train
Day 14: “The Ocean” Train – arrival in Halifax – overnight in Halifax
Day 15: Halifax Sightseeing Day – overnight in Halifax
Day 16: Halifax Departure
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure
The Society of International Railway Travelers: Irtsociety.com
This 16-day luxury travel passage offers passengers private tours of Yoho National Park, Icefields Parkway, and Niagara Falls. Spend four days exploring the pristine wilds of Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff National Parks. The tour runs between Toronto and Vancouver. It crosses northern Ontario’s scenic lake lands, the prairies of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and the towering Canadian Rockies, before ending on the Pacific Coast.
Take this legendary Trans-Canada rail tour on two first-class trains: The Canadian, with VIA Rail’s lovely service, including its luxurious Prestige Class, and the all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train.
Itinerary
Day 1: Toronto
Day 2: Private tour of Niagara Falls
Day 3: Depart Toronto
Days 4-5: On board Canadian
Day 6: Jasper
Day 7: Private Jasper sightseeing
Day 8: Jasper
Day 9: Lake Louise
Day 10: Lake Louise
Day 11: Private Yoho Tour, Lake Louise-Banff
Day 12: Private Banff sightseeing
Day 13: Banff
Day 14: Banff-Kamloops
Day 15: Kamloops-Vancouver
Day 16: Vancouver
