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Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Independent tailor-made rail vacation

Across Canada by Train

13-day coast-to-coast rail journey Toronto to Vancouver on two trains

Illustration of Across Canada by Train

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) operates a 13-day independent rail journey across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver. The trip combines a three-night sleeper journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian, exploration of three national parks (Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff) by coach and on foot, a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, and a two-day Rocky Mountaineer daylight train through the Rockies to the Pacific. You travel independently with no fixed group schedule; Canadian Insiders coordinate support and optional activities throughout. Days in Toronto and the national parks are unguided, allowing you to set your own pace. Hotels range from 3 to 5 star depending on tier. Meals are included aboard both trains, plus one feature dining experience at a local restaurant. This journey suits repeat rail travellers seeking multiple signature train experiences, couples looking for private cabin travel and optional adventures, independent explorers, and photographers drawn to mountains, glaciers, and lake scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price from CAD 13,780 (Comfort Level) covers hotel accommodation, train travel, and specified meals and transfers; confirm exactly which meals and activities are included versus optional paid add-ons before booking.
  • Days 1 and 2 in Toronto are unguided independent time; Days 7, 9, and 10 in the national parks offer optional activities available for separate booking.
  • Final hotel in each city depends on the tier chosen (Comfort, Superior, or Deluxe); the pack lists example hotels but does not confirm all as guaranteed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto

    The sights and sounds of Canada's largest city welcome you as you arrive in the heart of downtown.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Explore Toronto

    Spend a day enjoying the quaint and colorful neighborhoods of Toronto or visit Niagara Falls.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Depart Toronto

    Board The Canadian train in Toronto and begin your transcontinental journey west, travelling north into Ontario's picturesque lake country.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Ontario

    Head west through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield and into the province of Manitoba. See ancient, exposed rock, boreal forest, and countless lakes.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies

    Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    VIA Rail - Arrive in Jasper

    See the magnificent Rocky Mountains early this morning as you get close to Jasper, a laid-back mountain town in the heart of Jasper National Park.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Explore Jasper National Park

    Jasper's wide-open valleys are enticing to a variety of wildlife and are incredibly breathtaking. Spend the day exploring Jasper National Park on your style of tour.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lake Louise

    Icefields Parkway - Jasper to Lake Louise

    Travel along the spine of the Rockies on one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Icefields Parkway, to picture-perfect Lake Louise.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Enjoying Lake Louise and Transfer to Banff

    A varied pace is important, and today you set the cadence. Relax, stroll around the lake, go to the spa, or get out for canoeing, horseback riding, hiking or climbing, before transferring to Banff.

  10. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Explore Banff National Park

    Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rocky Mountain air and head out to explore Banff National Park in your chosen way.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Banff to Kamloops

    All aboard. Settle in while the smell of breakfast wafts from the galley, with a day of spectacular scenery.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver

    Enjoy another day of great food, excellent service and incredible scenery. Arrive in Vancouver late this afternoon.

  13. Day 13

    Depart Vancouver

    You leave the fresh air and mountain peaks of Canada to journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board The Canadian in Toronto and travel north into Ontario's lake country, beginning a transcontinental sleeper journey west.
  • Day 4Wake aboard the train to see the rugged Canadian Shield, boreal forest, and countless lakes as The Canadian heads west through Ontario and Manitoba.
  • Day 6See the Rocky Mountains early morning as The Canadian approaches Jasper, a laid-back mountain town in Jasper National Park.
  • Day 8Travel along the Icefields Parkway, described as one of the most beautiful roads in the world, from Jasper to Lake Louise through the spine of the Rockies.
  • Day 11Board Rocky Mountaineer for a daylight journey from Banff to Kamloops with meals and scenic narration as the train winds through the Rockies.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
  • Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
  • Meals onboard the train
  • Choice of unique guided activities
  • Train station transfers
  • Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
  • Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
  • Electronic travel documentation package
  • Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Canadian (VIA Rail) from Toronto to Jasper with Sleeper Plus Class accommodation, and Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver (SilverLeaf on Comfort and Superior levels, GoldLeaf on Deluxe level).
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent tailor-made travel. There is no fixed group schedule. Canadian Insiders, local experts, plan, coordinate, and support the trip; you travel at your own pace with optional activities to book.
What is included in the price?
Hotel accommodation, sleeper train experience in a private cabin, Rocky Mountaineer daylight journey, meals onboard the trains, choice of guided activities, train station transfers, airport transportation, one feature dining experience, and Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support.
How long is the trip?
13 days and 12 nights from Toronto to Vancouver.
Do I sleep on the train?
Yes. You have a private cabin in VIA Rail's Sleeper Plus Class aboard The Canadian for three nights (Days 3, 4, and 5) traveling from Toronto to Jasper.
What cities and parks does the itinerary visit?
Toronto, Jasper National Park, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Kamloops, and Vancouver. Hotel nights are also spent in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Vancouver.

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