Anderson Vacations · Independent rail journey

18 Day West To East Across Canada By Rail

Transcontinental Canada rail journey Vancouver to Halifax in private cabins

18 Day West To East Across Canada By Rail, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations operates this 18-day, 17-night independent rail journey across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax. The trip opens with an overnight aboard Via Rail's The Canadian, crossing the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies to Jasper, where a Columbia Icefield tour includes an Ice-Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier. A second overnight rail leg in a private cabin carries travelers on to Toronto, with city sightseeing, a full-day Niagara Falls tour, and connections by train to Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, each with its own guided city tour. The oldest walled city in North America, Quebec City, closes with a 3-course dinner before travelers board Via Rail's Ocean train overnight, again in a private cabin, arriving in Halifax to Atlantic Ocean views and coastal villages. Halifax sightseeing, including Peggy's Cove, ends the package. With meals included on board the train and a low level of physical demand throughout, this trip suits travelers who want a full transcontinental rail crossing with city stops along the way.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence does not name specific hotels; it states only that 12 nights of accommodation are included.
  • The suggested add-on to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on day 18 is not part of the included package.
  • The private cabin for two applies to the Vancouver-Toronto and Quebec City-Halifax legs; the class for the Toronto to Quebec City rail segments is not specified in the evidence.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Via Rail (The Canadian)

    Vancouver to Jasper overnight onboard VIA Rail

    Board The Canadian for breathtaking scenery between Vancouver and the Rocky Mountains, taking in the lakes of Northern Ontario, boreal forest and western Prairies over the full cross-country journey.

  2. Day 2overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Arrive in Jasper and spend the afternoon on a wildlife tour, the Jasper Tram, or visiting the Maligne Valley.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Icefield Parkway and Columbia Icefield sightseeing (Small Coach)

    A tour to the Columbia Icefields with time to take the Ice-Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90 minute tour, or visit the Icefields Interpretive Centre.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard Via Rail (The Canadian)

    Jasper to Toronto overnight on board VIA Rail

    Board VIA Rail for the journey east toward Toronto.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard Via Rail (The Canadian)

    On board VIA Rail

    Explore the forests, prairies, lakes and Rocky Mountains while relaxing onboard the train (page describes days 5 and 6 as a single 2-day rail leg).

  6. Day 6railovernight: Toronto

    On board VIA Rail

    Continue the rail journey east, arriving into Toronto.

  7. Day 7overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Toronto's fully narrated hop-on hop-off tour, visiting the CN Tower, SkyDome, Toronto Harbourfront, Casa Loma Castle, the Eaton Centre, Hockey Hall of Fame and Yorkville, with an elevation ride to the top of the CN Tower and entrance to Ripley's Aquarium.

  8. Day 8overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls Day Tour (Coach)

    A full-day tour through the Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls, with a buffet lunch overlooking the falls, a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls, the Whirlpool Rapids observation deck, the Floral Clock, and Niagara-on-the-Lake with a country market and winery visit.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Ottawa

    Toronto to Ottawa on board VIA Rail

    Travel past small villages, maple forests and pasture land to Ottawa, the capital of Canada.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ottawa

    Ottawa Sightseeing (Coach)

    An open-top double-decker or historic trolley tour of the nation's capital, with a day pass to hop-on and hop-off at leisure.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Montréal

    Ottawa to Montreal on board VIA Rail

    Travel through rural Ontario and cross into Quebec, arriving in Montreal, with a 90-minute walking tour of the west side of Old Montreal.

  12. Day 12overnight: Montréal

    Montreal Sightseeing (Coach)

    A three-hour city tour taking in over 200 points of interest including Notre Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, Old Montreal, the French Quarter and Mount Royal, followed by an afternoon discovery cruise on the St. Lawrence River.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Québec City

    Montreal to Quebec City on board VIA Rail

    Follow the St. Lawrence River through rural landscapes to Quebec City, the oldest walled city in North America, with a 3-course dinner in the heart of Old Quebec this evening.

  14. Day 14overnight: Québec City

    Quebec City Sightseeing (Coach)

    A leisurely walking tour of Quebec's architecture and historical sites with a local guide, followed by an afternoon coach tour to the Beaupre Coast and Montmorency Falls.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Onboard Via Rail (The Ocean)

    Quebec City to Halifax overnight on board VIA Rail

    A helicopter tour of Quebec City and surrounds, then board VIA Rail's Ocean train this evening for an overnight in a private cabin, leaving French Canada for the Atlantic Maritimes.

  16. Day 16overnight: Halifax

    Halifax

    Wake to views of the Atlantic Ocean, rolling hills and coastal villages, arriving into Halifax in the early evening.

  17. Day 17overnight: Halifax

    Halifax Sightseeing (Coach)

    A Halifax city tour taking in the Spring Garden Road area, Old Town Clock, St. Paul's Church, the Titanic Burial Site and Halifax Citadel National Historic Park, with an afternoon visit to Peggy's Cove.

  18. Day 18

    Halifax

    The package ends with checkout from your hotel. An add-on to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (including the site of Anne of Green Gables) is suggested.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Canadian departs Vancouver overnight, crossing the Rocky Mountains, boreal forest, and the western Prairies.
  • Day 3A tour to the Columbia Icefields includes a 90 minute Ice-Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 8A full-day tour to Niagara Falls includes a buffet lunch overlooking the falls and a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 13The rail journey from Montreal to Quebec City follows the St. Lawrence River to the oldest walled city in North America, with a 3-course dinner in Old Quebec that evening.
  • Day 15VIA Rail's Ocean train departs Quebec City overnight in a private cabin, leaving French Canada for the Atlantic Maritimes.

Included

  • 12 nights of accommodation
  • Via Rail private cabin for two from Vancouver to Toronto
  • Via Rail private cabin for two from Québec City to Halifax
  • Meals on board the train
  • Sightseeing and attractions as listed

Not included

  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Pre/post accommodation
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. Via Rail's The Canadian (Vancouver to Toronto via Jasper) and The Ocean (Quebec City to Halifax) are included, each in a private cabin for two, with meals included on board.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail journey, with sightseeing tours and options offered at each stop rather than a fixed escorted group.
Which trains are used on this trip?
Via Rail's The Canadian, Via Rail between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, and Via Rail's The Ocean.
Is overnight sleeper accommodation included?
Yes, a private cabin for two is included on the Vancouver to Toronto leg and the Quebec City to Halifax leg.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates this a low level of physical demand tour, though some activities or sightseeing may require walking short distances.
How much does this trip cost?
Anderson Vacations prices this trip from CAD $10,059 per person.

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