Fresh Tracks Canada · Tailor-made vacation

Across Canada by Train

Tailor-made cross-Canada rail trip on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer, Toronto to Vancouver

Across Canada by Train, a rail journey with Fresh Tracks Canada

Fresh Tracks Canada arranges this 13-day tailor-made, coast-to-coast rail trip across Canada, starting in Toronto and finishing in Vancouver. There is no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the logistics while travellers choose their own pace and activities. After two nights in Toronto, the trip boards VIA Rail's The Canadian for three nights in a Sleeper Plus cabin, crossing Ontario's lake country, the Canadian Shield, and the prairie provinces before reaching Jasper. Five days follow in the Canadian Rockies, moving by road along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and on to Banff, with activities chosen to match each traveller's interests. The final leg rejoins the rails on the Rocky Mountaineer, a daylight journey from Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops that passes the Spiral Tunnels, Craigellachie, and the Fraser Canyon. This suits travellers who want an independently paced, cross-country rail itinerary with flexibility built into the Rockies portion.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel standard and rail class both vary by price tier: Comfort Level (3 to 3.5 star hotels) and Superior Level (4 to 4.5 star) both keep Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf service, while Deluxe Level (5 star) upgrades to Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf.
  • This is a rail-focused trip but not entirely rail: travel between Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff (days 8 to 10) is by road, not train.
  • Two different Banff hotels are named, the Elk + Avenue Hotel and the Rimrock Resort Hotel, without the pack specifying which applies to which tier or date.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Fresh Tracks Canada.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto

    Welcome to 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 The Canadian train

    VIA Rail - Depart Toronto

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

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard The Canadian 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. Keep an eye out for fishing cabins perched on tiny islands, as well as moose and bears.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train

    VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies

    Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Fields of green and gold stretch endlessly under an immense blue sky. When you look out the window, spot rustic barns and small farming towns.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    VIA Rail - Arrive in Jasper

    See the magnificent Rocky Mountains early this morning as you get close to Jasper. This laid-back mountain town lies 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

    For a good vacation, a varied pace is important and today you set the cadence. Relax, stroll around the lake, go to the spa, or ask us about getting out for an adventure like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking or climbing.

  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. A small jolt announces you are on your way, look forward to a day of spectacular scenery. Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels, an engineering marvel, and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver

    The exhilaration of your Canada train trip continues as you enjoy another day of great food, excellent service and incredible scenery. Travel through winding river canyons, pristine forests, mountain ranges, and lush farmland. See the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River.

  13. Day 13

    Depart Vancouver

    Much too soon, you leave the fresh air and mountain peaks of Canada to journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The Canadian crosses the rugged Canadian Shield into Manitoba, passing ancient exposed rock, boreal forest, and countless lakes, with a chance of spotting moose and bears.
  • Day 6The train nears Jasper with early morning views of the Rocky Mountains before arriving in Jasper National Park.
  • Day 8The Icefields Parkway carries travellers along the spine of the Rockies from Jasper to Lake Louise.
  • Day 11The Rocky Mountaineer departs Banff for Kamloops, passing the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
  • Day 12The Rocky Mountaineer continues to Vancouver, passing the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River.

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

Is train travel included?
Yes. The trip includes a Sleeper Plus Class overnight journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian from Toronto to Jasper, and a daylight Rocky Mountaineer journey (SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf) from Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops, with meals onboard both trains.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent, personalized travel with no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the details, and small-group or private sightseeing tours are available as optional day excursions.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's The Canadian (Toronto to Jasper, Sleeper Plus Class) and the Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops, SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf class).
What hotels are used?
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (1 night) and the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver (1 night) are named, along with two Banff options, the Elk + Avenue Hotel and the Rimrock Resort Hotel (2 nights).
How much does it cost?
Prices start from CAD $13,780 for the Comfort Level tier, rising to CAD $14,490 for Superior Level and CAD $17,140 for Deluxe Level, which upgrades the Rocky Mountaineer portion to GoldLeaf.
What is not included?
Optional extras such as private guided experiences (alpine hikes, heli-tours, private transfers), occasion celebrations with champagne or a helicopter picnic for two, a Prestige Class upgrade, and a private Icefields tour with a helicopter flight are listed separately from the base package.

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