Is train travel included?

Yes. The trip includes a four-day, four-night non-stop journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver in a private cabin, with meals onboard the train.

Is this trip guided or independent?

It is independent, personalized travel with no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the travel details.

Which trains and cabin classes are used?

VIA Rail's The Canadian, offered in Sleeper Plus, Prestige, or Prestige Gold private cabin service, travelling non-stop from Toronto to Vancouver.

What hotels are used?

The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (2 nights) and the Azur Legacy Collection Hotel in Vancouver (2 nights) are named, with hotel standard rising to 5 star on the Prestige and Prestige Gold tiers.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from CAD $5,980 for the Sleeper Plus tier, rising to CAD $9,820 for Prestige and CAD $10,230 for Prestige Gold, which adds Gold Floor hotel access.

What is not included?

Optional extras such as stopping off in Jasper, adding a day in Whistler, or adding a stay in Montreal, along with a Prestige Class upgrade, are listed separately from the non-stop base itinerary.

Fresh Tracks Canada · Tailor-made vacation

Canadian Cross-Country Journey in Winter

Non-stop winter rail crossing on VIA Rail's The Canadian, Toronto to Vancouver

Fresh Tracks Canada arranges this 9-day tailor-made winter trip that crosses Canada coast to coast, starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver. There is no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the travel details while travellers explore Toronto and Vancouver at their own pace. After two nights in Toronto, with time to see the city or visit Niagara Falls, the trip boards VIA Rail's The Canadian for four nights onboard, travelling non-stop with no stopovers en route. The journey crosses Ontario's lake country, the wintry Canadian Shield, the snow-covered Prairies, and the Canadian Rockies near Jasper before reaching coastal Vancouver for two more nights. The trip is offered in Sleeper Plus, Prestige, or Prestige Gold cabin service, with hotel standard rising alongside the rail class. This suits travellers who want the classic transcontinental rail route bookended by short city stays rather than a multi-stop itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel standard and rail cabin both change with the price tier: the base Sleeper Plus tier uses 4-star hotels and a Sleeper Plus cabin, while Prestige and Prestige Gold move to 5-star hotels and a Prestige cabin.
The train passes through or near Jasper, Whistler, and Montreal, but stopping in those places is only available as a paid optional extra, not part of the base non-stop itinerary.
The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Fresh Tracks Canada.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Toronto
Begin your Canadian winter vacation
Welcome to Toronto, Ontario's capital and the largest city in Canada.
Day 2overnight: Toronto
Explore Niagara or Toronto
Spend a day exploring Toronto's bustling, colorful neighborhoods or discover the famous Niagara Falls.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Depart Toronto
Board The Canadian train in Toronto and begin your transcontinental journey west. Admire the views as you leave Canada's largest city behind and travel north into Ontario's picturesque lake country.
Day 4railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - The Canadian Shield
Head west through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield and into the province of Manitoba. See ancient, exposed rock, wintry boreal forest, and frozen lakes, you may even spot waves frozen in the water! Keep an eye out for fishing cabins perched on small islands, as well as moose foraging.
Day 5railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies
Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Fields blanketed in snow stretch endlessly under an immense blue sky. When you look out the window, spot rustic barns and small farming towns.
Day 6railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Canadian Rockies
View the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies this morning. Pass through the small mountain town of Jasper, in the heart of Jasper National Park, before entering the beautiful province of British Columbia.
Day 7railovernight: Vancouver
VIA Rail - Arrive in Vancouver
After travelling through BC's Fraser Valley, your journey onboard The Canadian train comes to an end. Arrive in coastal Vancouver, a spectacular city surrounded by mountains and ocean.
Day 8overnight: Vancouver
Discover Vancouver
Spend the day exploring the city's sights. With a mild climate and so much to do, it's no wonder people flock to this west coast gem.
Day 9
Departure from Vancouver
Your Canadian winter vacation comes to an end as you travel to the Vancouver airport in time for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Boarding The Canadian in Toronto and travelling north into Ontario's picturesque lake country as the transcontinental journey begins.
Day 4Waking to the Canadian Shield's exposed rock, wintry boreal forest, and frozen lakes, watching for fishing cabins and moose.
Day 6Viewing the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies and passing through the mountain town of Jasper before entering British Columbia.
Day 7Arriving in coastal Vancouver after crossing BC's Fraser Valley, ending four nights onboard The Canadian.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Meals onboard the train
Choice of unique guided activities
Airport and train station transfers with a private driver
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Also sold by

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Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada)from $4,211

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The trip includes a four-day, four-night non-stop journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver in a private cabin, with meals onboard the train.
Is this trip guided or independent?: It is independent, personalized travel with no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the travel details.
Which trains and cabin classes are used?: VIA Rail's The Canadian, offered in Sleeper Plus, Prestige, or Prestige Gold private cabin service, travelling non-stop from Toronto to Vancouver.
What hotels are used?: The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (2 nights) and the Azur Legacy Collection Hotel in Vancouver (2 nights) are named, with hotel standard rising to 5 star on the Prestige and Prestige Gold tiers.
How much does it cost?: Prices start from CAD $5,980 for the Sleeper Plus tier, rising to CAD $9,820 for Prestige and CAD $10,230 for Prestige Gold, which adds Gold Floor hotel access.
What is not included?: Optional extras such as stopping off in Jasper, adding a day in Whistler, or adding a stay in Montreal, along with a Prestige Class upgrade, are listed separately from the non-stop base itinerary.