Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Canada Coast to Coast

Nineteen-day escorted Canada tour by coach and VIA Rail sleeper trains

Canada Coast to Coast, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys operates this 19-day escorted tour across Canada, from Vancouver on the Pacific coast to Nova Scotia on the Atlantic, with a UK Tour Manager throughout. The first week combines coach travel through the Fraser Valley and the Rockies to Jasper with a ferry crossing to Vancouver Island and the Butchart Gardens. From Jasper, the tour boards VIA Rail's Canadian for a three-night Sleeper Plus journey across the prairies and the Canadian Shield to Toronto, passing through landscapes where moose, lynx and black bears can be seen from the train. After Niagara Falls, Montreal and Québec City, an overnight cabin crossing on VIA Rail's Ocean follows the St Lawrence River into New Brunswick and on to Halifax, finishing with a guided tour of Nova Scotia's coastline, including Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. It suits travelers who want an extended cross-country trip mixing scenic overnight rail travel with the country's major cities and coastlines.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Jasper and Québec City hotels are each listed as one of two named properties, for example The Crimson Jasper or Jasper Inn & Suites in Jasper, and Hilton Quebec or Delta Hotels in Québec City, so the specific hotel you get is not fixed in the evidence.
  • Several days include only a morning or afternoon of guided activity, with the rest of the day free for independent exploration, for example Vancouver on day 2 and Québec City on day 14.
  • Upgrades such as Prestige Class or Sleeper Plus Cabin on The Canadian, and pre or post-tour extensions like the Grizzly Bears of Knights Inlet Lodge, cost extra and are not part of the base price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrival in Vancouver

    Meeting the Tour Manager at London Heathrow, board the flight to Vancouver, arriving in the early evening local time. Hotel is a short distance from Downtown Vancouver and the harbour. Evening free to unwind or explore local cuisine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Exploring Vancouver

    Guided sightseeing tour of Vancouver's most characterful districts including Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park and Granville Island. Rest of the day free to explore independently.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vancouver

    The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island

    Coach to Tsawwassen for the ferry to Vancouver Island's Swartz Bay. Visit the Butchart Gardens, then transfer to Victoria for independent lunch and exploration. Sail back to Vancouver in the evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Sun Peaks

    Through the mountains to Sun Peaks

    Leave Vancouver by coach through the Fraser Valley, stopping at Hope for independent lunch, then via the Coquihalla Highway through the Cascade Mountains to Sun Peaks.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Into the Rockies to Jasper

    Enter the Rocky Mountains via the Yellowhead Highway, following the North Thompson River to Clearwater, then on to Mount Robson and Jasper. Free evening to explore Jasper.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    The stunning sights of Jasper National Park

    Free morning to unwind or stroll around Jasper. Afternoon scenic excursion into UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park through the Maligne River valley, visiting Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: VIA Rail Canadian (train)

    Crossing Alberta on the Canadian

    Time to enjoy Jasper before transferring to the train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian. Three-night journey across Canada to Toronto begins. Dinner served onboard as the train winds down the Rocky Mountains into the foothills.

    Meals: Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: VIA Rail Canadian (train)

    Into the great wide open

    Wake up to Saskatchewan's vast prairies. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served onboard. Cross into Manitoba, passing through Winnipeg late in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: VIA Rail Canadian (train)

    Across the Canadian Shield

    Cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario over breakfast. Pass through remote wilderness with moose, lynx and black bears. After lunch onboard, the Canadian heads southeast towards the Great Lakes. Dinner served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Toronto

    Arrival in cosmopolitan Toronto

    Final morning onboard VIA Rail's Canadian with breakfast. Arrive at Toronto's Union Station after lunch. Transfer to city centre hotel. Evening free to explore Toronto independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    A cruise among the spectacular Niagara Falls

    Full-day guided excursion to Niagara Falls. Cruise among the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Independent lunch in Niagara. View falls from Table Rock. Visit the whirlpool and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Return to Toronto.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Montreal

    To the 'City of Saints' by rail

    Relaxing morning in Toronto before boarding VIA Rail to Montreal. Arrive in the early evening and transfer to central four-star hotel. Evening free to explore Montreal.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Québec City

    The Corridor Service to Québec City

    Breakfast at the hotel, then travel to Montreal's Central Station for an afternoon journey on VIA Rail's Corridor Service to Québec City. Arrive late afternoon and check into four-star hotel. Free evening to explore the cobbled streets.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14overnight: Québec City

    Discovering Québec City and maple syrup tasting

    Guided city tour covering the citadel, Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and a visit to an authentic 1920s sugar shack for a maple syrup tour and tasting followed by a three-course lunch. Afternoon and evening free for independent exploration.

    Meals: Lunch

  15. Day 15railovernight: VIA Rail Ocean (train)

    Free day in Québec City and overnight on VIA Rail Ocean

    Free day to explore Québec City including Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and Place Royale. Late evening transfer to Sainte-Foy train station to board VIA Rail's Ocean service for an overnight journey to Nova Scotia.

  16. Day 16railovernight: Halifax

    Through New Brunswick to the Atlantic Ocean

    Overnight journey along the St Lawrence River and into New Brunswick. Breakfast and lunch served onboard. Arrive in Halifax in the early evening and check into four-star hotel attached to the train station near the old port.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  17. Day 17overnight: Halifax

    The maritime gems of picturesque Nova Scotia

    Guided tour of Nova Scotia's Atlantic coastline. Visit Peggy's Cove and its lighthouse, Mahone Bay and UNESCO-listed Lunenburg. Free evening to try local food including chowder and Digby scallops.

  18. Day 18overnight: In flight

    Homeward bound

    Free morning and afternoon to explore Halifax. Depart hotel in late afternoon for Halifax airport. Short connecting flight to Montreal, then overnight flight to London Heathrow.

  19. Day 19

    Arrival in London

    Arrive at London Heathrow as the incredible Canadian journey comes to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 7The tour boards VIA Rail's Canadian in Jasper for a three-night Sleeper Plus journey across Canada, with dinner served onboard as the train descends from the Rocky Mountains into the foothills.
  • Day 9The Canadian crosses the Canadian Shield through remote wilderness where moose, lynx and black bears can be seen from the train.
  • Day 11A full-day guided excursion cruises among Niagara Falls' American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 14In Québec City, the tour visits an authentic 1920s sugar shack for a maple syrup tour, tasting and three-course lunch.
  • Day 15An overnight journey on VIA Rail's Ocean service follows the St Lawrence River into New Brunswick, arriving in Halifax the next evening.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights in Sleeper Plus aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • 1 night in double occupancy cabin aboard VIA Rail's Ocean
  • Economy Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver, Halifax to London Heathrow via Montreal
  • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes: 3 nights Sleeper Plus aboard VIA Rail's Canadian from Jasper to Toronto, 1 night in a double-occupancy cabin aboard VIA Rail's Ocean from Québec City to Halifax, plus Economy Class VIA Rail travel from Toronto to Montreal and Montreal to Québec City.
Is it escorted?
Yes, a UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, per the included list.
Which trains does the tour use?
VIA Rail's The Canadian (Jasper to Toronto, sleeper), VIA Rail's Corridor Service (Montreal to Québec City), and VIA Rail's The Ocean (Québec City to Halifax).
What hotels are used?
13 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels across Vancouver, Sun Peaks, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal, Québec City and Halifax, with two named hotel options in Jasper and Québec City.
When does it run?
The evidence lists 9 departures across April, May, June, July, August, September and October in 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance.

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