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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Canada Coast to Coast with The Ocean, The Canadian and The Rocky Mountaineer trains

Coast-to-coast Canadian rail journey from Halifax to Vancouver on three named trains

Illustration of Canada Coast to Coast with The Ocean, The Canadian and The Rocky Mountaineer trains

Planet Rail operates this 22-day tailor-made rail journey from London to Vancouver, combining three of Canada's most celebrated trains with stays in 4-star hotels across the country. You depart London on an overnight Air Canada flight, arriving in Halifax for two days of sightseeing before boarding The Ocean sleeper train, which carries you more than 800 miles through the night to Montreal. After three free days exploring Montreal's historic quarter and newer downtown, you travel in Business Class to Toronto for tours of Niagara Falls and the city. The centerpiece is The Canadian, a three-night sleeper journey westward across the Canadian Shield and prairies into the Rocky Mountains, with included meals and access to the scenic dome car. You spend two nights in Jasper National Park, then travel by coach along the Icefields Parkway to visit the Athabasca Glacier before arriving in Banff. The final rail legs are aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Gold Leaf Class, crossing the Continental Divide with gourmet meals and ending in Vancouver for three days exploring the Pacific coast. This journey suits repeat rail travellers seeking varied train experiences, couples wanting private sleeper cabins, and those with time to enjoy multiple nights in each destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 9,995 per person (based on two travelling together) covers the package; single occupancy prices are not stated in the operator's details.
  • Several attractions are payable locally: Pier 21, the Citadel, and the Maritime Museum in Halifax; and the CN Tower in Toronto.
  • The Kamloops hotel name is not specified in the package details; confirm the accommodation and amenities with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Halifax

    Flight from the UK and arrival in Halifax

    Fly from London Heathrow to Halifax with Air Canada. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, the friendly, comfortable Hollis Doubletree by Hilton (4 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Halifax

    Sightseeing in Halifax

    A full day to discover Halifax: Pier 21 where thousands of European immigrants arrived, the star-shaped Citadel fortress above the harbour, and the Maritime Museum with its Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits (all payable locally).

    Meals: breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: On board The Ocean

    The Ocean

    This afternoon join The Ocean sleeper service for the overnight journey to Montreal, covering more than 800 miles. Admire the views from the scenic dome in the Park Car; dinner is included in your Sleeper Plus class before you retire to your private sleeping compartment.

    Meals: breakfast, dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Montreal

    Arrive in Montreal

    The Ocean arrives in Montreal this morning, where you spend the next three nights at the charming Le Place d'Armes (4 star), well placed for the city's highlights.

    Meals: breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Montreal

    At leisure in Montreal

    Discover the world's second largest French-speaking city: the historic quarter of Vieux-Montreal with its gas-lit streets, the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral and the Vieux Port parklands facing the St Lawrence River.

    Meals: breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreal

    At leisure in Montreal

    Explore the newer downtown and The Main with its lively restaurants and pavement cafes, climb Mont Royal for views over the skyscrapers, or browse the city's art galleries and museums.

    Meals: breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Toronto

    Montreal to Toronto

    Travel in Business Class through the St Lawrence River valley and alongside Lake Ontario to Toronto, for a three-night stay at the highly-rated Hotel X by Library Hotel Collection (4 star).

    Meals: breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    An included excursion to Niagara Falls: admire the curtain of water from the viewing area, then cruise to the foot of the thundering falls. Lunch is included before you return to Toronto.

    Meals: lunch

  9. Day 9overnight: Toronto

    Exploring Toronto

    A free day in Canada's largest city. Ascend the famous CN Tower (payable locally), visit Yonge Street, the world's longest street at more than 1,100 miles, or take a ferry to the Lake Ontario islands for skyline views.

  10. Day 10railovernight: On board The Canadian

    Westwards to the Rockies aboard The Canadian

    Board The Canadian at Toronto's Union Station for an outstanding journey across Canada to Jasper, settling into your Sleeper Plus cabin as the train sets off westwards.

    Meals: lunch, dinner

  11. Day 11railovernight: On board The Canadian

    The Canadian Shield

    A full day on board crossing the beautiful Canadian Shield, dotted with shimmering lakes and dense forests. Watch for moose, bears and eagles from the scenic dome car. Later the train stops at Winnipeg, the Gateway to the West.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: On board The Canadian

    Across the Prairies

    Travel across the prairies into Saskatchewan, with included meals in the dining car, before the train begins to climb into the foothills of the Rockies past glaciers, plunging canyons and gushing waterfalls.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  13. Day 13railovernight: Jasper

    Arrive in Jasper

    The train arrives in Jasper, a charming town in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Two nights at the delightful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (4 star), set in Jasper National Park on the shores of pristine Lac Beauvert.

    Meals: breakfast

  14. Day 14overnight: Jasper

    Jasper National Park

    A free day in the UNESCO World Heritage national park: the Maligne Canyon limestone gorge up to 164 ft deep, the glacier-fed turquoise Maligne Lake, or the Jasper SkyTram cable car to 2,263 metres for the best views in Jasper.

  15. Day 15overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff on the Icefields Parkway

    Transfer by coach along the Icefields Parkway, more than 140 miles of spectacular mountain scenery past the tallest Rockies peaks, calling at the Icefields Centre to visit the huge Athabasca Glacier. Continue to Banff for two nights at the Moose Hotel and Suites (4 star).

  16. Day 16railovernight: Banff

    Banff National Park

    A day among the sights of Banff National Park: Lake Louise ringed by mountain peaks, the vividly coloured Emerald Lake, the Kicking Horse Pass, Takkakaw Falls and the Spiral Tunnels, a marvellous feat of railway engineering.

  17. Day 17overnight: Kamloops

    The Rocky Mountaineer in Gold Leaf Class to Kamloops

    Leave Banff on the superb Rocky Mountaineer, crossing the Continental Divide through the scenery of the First Passage to the West. In Gold Leaf Class enjoy the outdoor viewing platform, bi-level glass-domed coaches and gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs. Overnight at a local hotel in Kamloops.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch

  18. Day 18overnight: Vancouver

    Kamloops to Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer

    The final stretch to Vancouver offers some of the most dramatic scenery on the line through the Fraser and Thompson Canyons, arriving at the Pacific Coast. Three nights at the highly-rated Hotel l'Hermitage (4 star).

    Meals: breakfast, lunch

  19. Day 19overnight: Vancouver

    Discovering Vancouver

    Two full days in this vibrant city between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains: Gastown with its historic buildings and famous steam clock, and the spacious Stanley Park with its intricate totem poles and sea-wall cycle routes.

  20. Day 20overnight: Vancouver

    Discovering Vancouver

    Venture further afield to Grouse Mountain, the Peak of Vancouver, with its cable car to the summit, take a ferry to Granville Island and its famous market, or stroll the harbour front watching the sea planes.

  21. Day 21overnight: Overnight flight

    Vancouver to London - Homeward bound

    After a last morning of sightseeing you are transferred to the airport for your overnight Air Canada flight back to London.

  22. Day 22

    Arrive in London

    Your flight arrives in London, completing your coast to coast Canadian adventure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board The Ocean sleeper train in Halifax for an overnight journey of more than 800 miles to Montreal, viewing the landscape from the scenic dome car before retiring to your private cabin.
  • Day 8An included excursion takes you by cruise to the foot of Niagara Falls, then returns to Toronto with lunch included.
  • Day 11Cross the Canadian Shield aboard The Canadian, watching for moose, bears, and eagles from the scenic dome car as the train stops in Winnipeg.
  • Day 15Travel by coach along the Icefields Parkway, visiting the Athabasca Glacier and passing the tallest Rocky peaks en route from Jasper to Banff.
  • Day 17Board the Rocky Mountaineer in Gold Leaf Class from Banff, crossing the Continental Divide through dramatic mountain scenery with gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs.

Included

  • Economy Class return flights from London to Halifax and Vancouver to London with Air Canada
  • Business Class rail travel from Montreal to Toronto
  • Gold Leaf Class rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer daytime journeys from Banff to Kamloops and Kamloops to Vancouver, including all meals
  • Sleeper Plus Class overnight journey on The Ocean train from Halifax to Montreal in a 2-berth cabin with shower, including all meals on board
  • Sleeper Plus Class three-night journey on The Canadian train from Toronto to Jasper in a 2-berth cabin with w.c. and washbasin and access to the shower room, including all meals on board
  • 16 nights' hotel accommodation at 4 star hotels with breakfast in Halifax and Montreal, including 2 nights in Halifax, 3 nights in Montreal, 3 nights in Toronto, 2 nights in Jasper, 2 nights in Banff, an overnight stay in Kamloops and 3 nights in Vancouver
  • Niagara Falls tour and cruise including lunch
  • Journey by coach from Jasper to Banff on the Icefields Parkway, including a visit to the Athabasca Glacier
  • Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Halifax and from your hotel in Vancouver to the airport

Not included

  • Pier 21, the Citadel and the Maritime Museum in Halifax (payable locally)
  • CN Tower, Toronto (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Economy Class return flights London to Halifax and Vancouver to London with Air Canada, Business Class on the Montreal to Toronto train, Sleeper Plus on The Ocean and The Canadian overnight trains, and Gold Leaf Class on the Rocky Mountaineer daytime journeys. All meals on board the three named trains are included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and tailor-made by Planet Rail. You travel self-guided, though on-board crews operate The Ocean, The Canadian, and Rocky Mountaineer trains.
Which trains are used?
The Ocean (Halifax to Montreal, overnight sleeper), an unnamed train in Business Class (Montreal to Toronto), The Canadian (Toronto to Jasper, three nights sleeper), and Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Kamloops and Kamloops to Vancouver, daytime Gold Leaf).
What hotels are included?
Four-star hotels: Hollis Doubletree by Hilton (Halifax), Le Place d'Armes (Montreal), Hotel X by Library Hotel Collection (Toronto), Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Jasper), Moose Hotel and Suites (Banff), a local hotel in Kamloops, and Hotel l'Hermitage (Vancouver). Breakfast is included at all.
How much walking is involved?
City exploration is self-guided with free days in Montreal, Toronto, Jasper, Banff, and Vancouver. An included Niagara Falls tour and the Icefields Parkway coach journey are the main group activities. Optional paid attractions include climbing Mont Royal and the CN Tower.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail does not publish fixed departure dates in the available materials; contact them directly to confirm availability and book dates.

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