Search

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Canada Grand Rail Odyssey (Eastbound)

Coast-to-coast Canadian rail journey on VIA Rail The Canadian, 13 days

Illustration of Canada Grand Rail Odyssey (Eastbound)

Marvellous Escapes' Canada Grand Rail Odyssey (Eastbound) is a 13-day tailor-made journey spanning the North American continent by rail and air. You begin in Vancouver with two days of independent exploration using a Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass, discovering Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the city's coastal views. From there, you board VIA Rail The Canadian in Sleeper Plus cabins, beginning a four-night transcontinental journey. The first leg carries you east through the Fraser Valley into the Canadian Rockies, arriving at Jasper National Park, where you spend three nights. You enjoy a guided cruise on Maligne Lake and explore the alpine town at leisure. Day 6 takes you along the stunning Icefields Parkway via guided coach tour, passing turquoise lakes and the Athabasca Glacier before a single night in Banff. You return to Jasper, then reboard The Canadian for a three-night journey across Alberta's prairies and through Ontario's forested valleys. After two nights in Toronto, a guided full-day excursion takes you to Niagara Falls before your return flight to the UK. The trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking private cabin comfort, independent explorers who value both guided structure and free time, and those drawn to the romance of sleeping aboard a legendary train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip includes flights from the UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto, making this a combined air-rail package rather than rail-only travel.
  • Day 6 involves a one-night stay in Banff followed by a shuttle transfer back to Jasper on Day 7; confirm the logistics and hotel options with Marvellous Escapes.
  • The itinerary lists guided excursions and free time in various locations; arrival days and some transitions are unguided, so you are responsible for self-directed exploration on Day 1-2 and Day 11.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Fly from the UK to Vancouver and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Settle in and enjoy the evening at leisure in this dynamic coastal city, surrounded by ocean, forest, and mountains.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Enjoy exploring at your own pace with a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour pass, allowing you to discover Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, and more.

  3. Day 3railovernight: onboard VIA Rail

    Vancouver to Jasper

    Step aboard the iconic VIA Rail 'The Canadian' for your eastbound journey. Relax in your Sleeper Plus cabin as the train glides through the lush Fraser Valley and into the majestic Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Wake to breathtaking views as you arrive in Jasper National Park. The rest of the day is free to explore the charming alpine town, surrounded by mountain peaks and abundant wildlife.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Enjoy a guided excursion to the stunning Maligne Lake, where a scenic cruise offers panoramic views of Spirit Island and surrounding glaciers.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Travel along the Icefields Parkway on a guided coach tour to Banff. Admire turquoise lakes, alpine meadows, and the impressive Athabasca Glacier en route.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Return to Jasper by comfortable shuttle transfer, retracing part of your scenic mountain route. Spend a final evening surrounded by the serenity of the Rockies.

  8. Day 8railovernight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    Rejoin VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' for the ultimate transcontinental rail experience. Relax in your private cabin and enjoy first-class service as you journey eastward across Alberta's prairies.

  9. Day 9overnight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    Watch the ever-changing scenery unfold - endless golden plains, forested valleys, and charming rural towns - as you continue your cross-country voyage.

  10. Day 10railovernight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    As the train enters Ontario, enjoy a day of relaxation and reflection onboard, soaking in the passing landscapes from the observation car.

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto, Canada's vibrant metropolis on the shores of Lake Ontario. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace, perhaps visiting the CN Tower or harbourfront district.

  12. Day 12overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Take a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Witness the thundering cascades up close before returning to Toronto for a final evening in the city.

  13. Day 13railovernight: overnight flight

    Return home

    Transfer from your hotel to Toronto Airport for your return flight to the UK, bringing your unforgettable Canada Grand Rail Odyssey to a close.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Embark on VIA Rail The Canadian at Vancouver station; settle into your Sleeper Plus cabin as the train winds through the Fraser Valley toward the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 5Take a guided cruise on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, viewing Spirit Island and surrounding glaciers from the water.
  • Day 6Travel the Icefields Parkway on a guided coach tour, passing turquoise lakes, alpine meadows, and the Athabasca Glacier en route to Banff.
  • Day 8Rejoin VIA Rail The Canadian at Jasper for the transcontinental journey east; watch Alberta's golden plains and forested valleys unfold from the observation car over three days.
  • Day 12On a full-day excursion from Toronto, witness Niagara Falls up close, experiencing the thundering cascades before returning to the city.

Included

  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Vancouver & Toronto
  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Jasper
  • 4-nights accommodation aboard VIA Rail
  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Banff
  • Flights from UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto
  • VIA Rail The Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper, Jasper to Toronto
  • Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Vancouver
  • Explore Jasper Tour with Maligne Cruise
  • Icefields Parkway and Rockies Discovery Tour from Jasper to Banff
  • Daytrip to Niagara Falls

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes both legs of VIA Rail The Canadian (Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto) in Sleeper Plus class, with four nights aboard the train.
Is this an escorted or independent journey?
It is a tailor-made journey with guided excursions. You have independent time in Vancouver and Toronto with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass and free exploration; guided tours are provided for Maligne Lake, the Icefields Parkway, and Niagara Falls. Marvellous Escapes offers 24-hour on-trip support.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail The Canadian, the famous transcontinental sleeper train, running Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto in Sleeper Plus cabins.
What accommodation is included?
Two nights in Vancouver, three nights in Jasper, one night in Banff, two nights in Toronto (all hotels), plus four nights in Sleeper Plus cabins aboard VIA Rail The Canadian.
What is the starting price and what does it cover?
From £4,599 GBP (approximately USD 6,142). The price includes flights from the UK, hotels, train travel, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass in Vancouver, guided tours to Maligne Lake and the Icefields Parkway, and the day trip to Niagara Falls.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Most days involve city walking at your own pace (Vancouver, Toronto) or guided coach tours. The Maligne Lake excursion includes a scenic cruise. No high-altitude hikes or strenuous activities are mentioned.

Similar journeys