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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Snow Train

Seven-day rail crossing of Canada via VIA Rail's Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto

Illustration of Canadian Snow Train

Vacations By Rail's Canadian Snow Train is a seven-day independent journey across five Canadian provinces aboard VIA Rail's renowned Canadian, a train accessible only to passengers and no road vehicles. The route departs Vancouver on Canada's West Coast, winds through the Canadian Rockies near Jasper and Edmonton, crosses the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba via Winnipeg, traverses the rocky Canadian Shield of northwestern Ontario, and arrives in Toronto. Travellers spend four nights in private Sleeper Plus Class cabins with en suite washrooms and included meals, plus two nights in Fairmont hotels. Day two takes you aboard the train for dinner in the Dining Car as the Canadian heads into Western Canada; by day three you wake to Rockies views; day four brings prairie panoramas at breakfast; and day five crosses the primordial landscapes of the Shield before the Great Lakes. This trip suits independent rail travellers and couples who want multi-day rail immersion without a guide, with time to explore Vancouver and Toronto on your own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Travellers must arrange and pay for their own flights to and from Canada; the package covers rail and hotels only.
  • This is an independent tour with no guide; you navigate to the station and hotel on your own each day.
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning the exact property may differ by booking date and tier.
  • Prestige Class cabin upgrade is available at additional cost; the base price covers Sleeper Plus Class only.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arriving in Vancouver

    Journey begins in Vancouver on Canada's West Coast. Transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel; free time to explore the city. Admission to FlyOver Canada, a multisensory flight-ride journey across Canada, is included with your stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train

    Traveling east on VIA Rail's Canadian

    Make your own way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station to board VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus Class. Settle into your cabin (seating by day, upper/lower berths at night); meals and non-alcoholic drinks included, with use of the Skyline Car. Dinner served in the Dining Car as the train heads into Western Canada.

  3. Day 3overnight: Train

    Passing through the Canadian Rockies

    Wake to views of the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian arrives in Jasper around midday, then proceeds east through Alberta, passing through Edmonton this evening.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Train

    Crossing the prairies of Saskatchewan

    Views of Saskatchewan's prairies over breakfast, continuing through Manitoba; the train passes through Winnipeg this evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Train

    The primordial landscapes of the Canadian Shield

    Cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario. After lunch the Canadian changes direction toward the Great Lakes, continuing through the evening en route to Toronto.

  6. Day 6overnight: Toronto

    Reaching your destination, Toronto

    Final morning aboard the Canadian traveling south toward Toronto; brunch served before arriving mid-afternoon at Union Station. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel to check in for the night.

  7. Day 7

    Tour Conclusion

    Your journey across five provinces comes to a close this morning. A transfer is included to Toronto's airport for your return flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Boarding VIA Rail's Canadian at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station and settling into a private Sleeper Plus cabin as the train departs westward.
  • Day 3Waking to views of the Canadian Rockies and passing through Jasper and Edmonton as the train heads east through Alberta.
  • Day 4Breakfast amid Saskatchewan's prairie views, then continuing through Manitoba with the train passing Winnipeg in the evening.
  • Day 5Crossing the rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield in northwestern Ontario before the train turns toward the Great Lakes.
  • Day 6Final brunch aboard the Canadian before arriving mid-afternoon at Toronto's Union Station.

Included

  • 2 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 4 nights in Sleeper Plus Cabin aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Transfer to Toronto airport
  • 4 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Admission to FlyOver Canada

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes four nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus Class, with meals and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Independent. You travel on your own following a planned itinerary; no guide is provided. You make your own way to the station and hotels.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail's Canadian, which runs from Vancouver through Jasper, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and the Canadian Shield to Toronto.
What hotels are included?
One night at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and one night at The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, or similar properties depending on your tier.
What meals are included?
Four breakfasts, one brunch, three lunches, and four dinners. Meals are served aboard the train or at your hotel.
Are flights included?
No. The package does not include flights to or from Canada, though a transfer to Toronto airport is included on the final day.

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