Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Across Canada by Train

Independent rail crossing of Canada on four named trains, Vancouver to Halifax

Across Canada by Train, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys sells this as an independent, 15-day rail journey across Canada, starting in Vancouver and ending in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Rather than a guided tour, travellers make their own way between stations and hotels, choosing from listed options in each city, so the pace is set by the individual rather than a group leader. The core of the trip is three VIA Rail journeys: four days aboard the Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto, with meals in the dining car and views from the Skyline Car as the train crosses the Rockies, the Prairies and the Canadian Shield past Longlac; the Corridor Service on to Montreal and Quebec; and the overnight Ocean train to Halifax. Along the way are free days in Toronto and Quebec, a Niagara Falls excursion with a Hornblower boat tour, and guided city tours in Montreal, Quebec and Halifax. It suits travellers who want a long-distance rail adventure but prefer to organise their own days rather than follow a group itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent, self-guided package, not an escorted tour: travellers make their own way between stations and hotels, and there is no tour manager.
  • Each city offers a choice of two listed hotels (for example the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre), so which one you get depends on what you book.
  • The package includes long-haul flights each way, including an overnight flight to Vancouver and an overnight flight home from Halifax, in addition to the rail travel within Canada.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Great Rail Journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 0overnight: Flight

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Vancouver

    Your epic adventure begins today when you take your flight from London to Vancouver.

  2. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    On arrival in Vancouver, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Choose from our centrally located hotels. Once settled in your hotel you can explore the city a little on your own. Take a walk around the ocean pathways that skirt the city and give you a great view of the ocean. Visit Stanley Park or the aquarium, or go shopping over on Granville Island. Or, take it easy and enjoy lunch at one of the city's many quality restaurants and just watch local life go by.

  3. Day 2railovernight: VIA Rail The Canadian (train)

    Vancouver & VIA Rail's The Canadian

    Enjoy a morning of free time in Vancouver and get to know the city a little better. You can choose to take a food tour on Granville Island, where you'll discover Vancouver's food scene by tasting your way around different dishes. Or, choose our optional excursion - Vancouver's Flyover Canada. After lunch in one of the city's vibrant restaurants, you'll make your way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station to meet VIA Rail's Canadian sleeper train. With your Sleeper Plus package you'll have access to the Skyline and Park Cars where you'll enjoy breathtaking views as you travel. In the dining car you can enjoy something special from the three-course menu, plus there's a selection of local wines and beers available. Dinner is served onboard, after which you can get comfortable for your first night on the train in your private cabin.

    Meals: Dinner

  4. Day 3overnight: VIA Rail The Canadian (train)

    The Canadian through the Rockies

    Following your first breakfast onboard, head to the Skyline Car for panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery as you pass through the province of Alberta. Lunch is served in the dining car, and you can enjoy more incredible views as you travel on through the Canadian Rockies, and the vibrant city of Edmonton. Dinner is served in the dining car, after which you can get to know your fellow passengers better or relax in your private cabin for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 4overnight: VIA Rail The Canadian (train)

    The Canadian Prairies

    Enjoy your leisurely breakfast onboard this morning and enjoy the views as you pass through Saskatchewan and Manitoba on your way to Toronto. Known as 'the prairies', these western provinces are beautiful areas to travel through and provide many inspiring views. Enjoy lunch in the dining car and relax while you pass by Watrous, Melville, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba. Dinner is served in the dining car, after which you can relax for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 5overnight: VIA Rail The Canadian (train)

    The Canadian Shield

    Take your time over your breakfast this morning and enjoy the scenery that rolls by your window. Today you'll pass by Longlac, on the northern point of Long Lake, that once was part of the historic canoe route for fur traders. Head to the Skyline Car for panoramic views in its observation dome, which gifts you 360 degree views. Lunch and dinner are served in the dining car, and you can relax in the Park Car, or curl up with a good book in your private cabin.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 6railovernight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Following breakfast and lunch onboard the train you'll arrive into Toronto Station in the afternoon. You'll make your own way to your hotel in the centre of town. Choose between our centrally located hotels. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you like. Discover the city's markets and try some of the tasty street food on offer, or simply stroll through the city soaking up the sights and sounds. Head to a museum or to the Art Gallery of Toronto, or relax with a coffee in one of the city's many cool cafes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 7overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    This morning you'll set off on a full day excursion to Niagara Falls. You'll begin by travelling along the Niagara Parkway, along the Niagara Gorge, and to the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-lake. Next, you'll enjoy the famous Hornblower tour, an exciting boat ride that takes you to Horseshoe Falls. After this once-in-a-lifetime tour you'll travel back to Toronto. Alternatively, you can choose to take a helicopter tour of Toronto, or a private sight-seeing tour of the city.

  9. Day 8railovernight: Montreal

    The Corridor to Montreal

    Enjoy a free morning this morning to do any last-minute shopping in Toronto, before you board VIA Rail's Corridor Service train to Montreal. Sit back and relax onboard the train as the dazzling landscapes drift by your window. On arrival in Montreal you'll make your own way to your hotel. Choose from our well-located hotels.

  10. Day 9railovernight: Quebec

    Montreal

    This morning you'll enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Montreal. On the tour you'll experience the Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, the Olympic Complex, and Mount Royal where you'll climb to the top for incredible views over the city. Alternatively, you could choose a walking tour of Old Montreal, a private sightseeing tour of Montreal, or a Guided Cruise of Montreal. This afternoon, you'll collect your luggage from your hotel and make your way to the train station to once again board VIA Rail's train to continue your journey on to Quebec. On arrival in Quebec, you'll transfer to your hotel for the night.

  11. Day 10overnight: Quebec

    Quebec

    This morning you'll set off by coach on a sightseeing tour of Quebec. You'll visit the old town and the modern part of the city, you'll experience the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Fortifications, the National Assembly, Place Royale, and the Basilica. If you'd rather discover the city on foot you can take a walking tour, or you can simply explore the city on your own.

  12. Day 11railovernight: VIA Rail The Ocean (train)

    Quebec and 'The Ocean' train

    Today you have a free day in Quebec to explore at your own pace. Take some time to go shopping at Petit Champlain, the oldest and most quaint shopping district in the city. Try out one of the quality restaurants for lunch, or book onto a food tour and discover the city through its local dishes. Or simply sit at one of the pavement cafes with a coffee and watch local life go by. This evening you'll transfer to VIA Rail's Ocean train for the night. Get comfortable on board and enjoy your private cabin with your Sleeper Plus package. Your meals are served in the dining car and are accompanied by local wines.

    Meals: Dinner

  13. Day 12overnight: Halifax

    'The Ocean' to Halifax

    Enjoy breakfast and lunch in the dining car as you continue on your journey, passing incredible scenery. In the afternoon you'll make a 15-minute stop at Moncton, a town close to woodland and ocean, and loved by those who favour the outdoors. Your journey then continues on to Halifax. On arrival in Halifax, you'll transfer to your hotel for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  14. Day 13overnight: Halifax

    Halifax

    This morning you will head out on a half day guided tour of Halifax. You'll begin with a scenic drive along the coast to Peggy's Cove. A quaint old fishing village, Peggy's Cove has charming little shops and an iconic lighthouse. Your next stop is the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, where you'll enjoy a re-enactment of what life was like for those people who defended the fort hundreds of years ago. As you make your way back to Halifax after the tour, you'll see Pier 21, Halifax Farmers Market, and the City Gardens, along the way. The rest of your day is yours to explore how you like.

  15. Day 14overnight: Flight

    Halifax to the UK (overnight flight)

    Your magnificent journey comes to its end today when you're transferred to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

  16. Day 15

    Arrive back in London

    You'll arrive back into London the following day, full of inspiring new memories to last you a lifetime.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Canadian threads through the Rockies and Alberta, with panoramic views from the Skyline Car's observation dome.
  • Day 5The train passes Longlac on Long Lake, once part of the historic canoe route used by fur traders.
  • Day 7A full-day excursion to Niagara Falls includes the Hornblower boat tour to the base of Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 9A guided tour of Montreal visits Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal and the Olympic Complex, climbing Mount Royal for views over the city.
  • Day 13A half-day guided tour of Halifax drives the coast to Peggy's Cove and its lighthouse, then visits the Halifax Citadel for a re-enactment of fort life.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation for 8 nights
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail's Canadian, Corridor Service and Ocean trains (5 nights on train)
  • Economy flights from London to Vancouver and Halifax to London
  • Airport transfers
  • 15 meals
  • Niagara Falls including a Hornblower cruise
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Montreal
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Quebec
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Halifax
  • Sleeper Plus package on VIA Rail trains

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes rail travel on VIA Rail's Canadian, Corridor Service and Ocean trains, with 5 nights on the train in a Sleeper Plus package.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent: you make your own way between stations and hotels, and choose your own hotel from the options given for each city.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's Canadian (Vancouver to Toronto, Sleeper Plus), the Corridor Service (Toronto to Montreal and Montreal to Quebec), and the Ocean (Quebec to Halifax, Sleeper Plus).
What hotels are used?
A choice of two hotels in each city, for example the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver, and the Fairmont Royal York or Hotel le Germain in Toronto.
What is not included?
The evidence lists only cancellation and travel insurance as excluded; flights, transfers, most sightseeing and 15 meals are included.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided city tours in Montreal, Quebec and Halifax, plus a climb to the top of Mount Royal in Montreal; no hikes or high-altitude activity are mentioned.

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