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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Snow Train with Jasper

Illustration of Canadian Snow Train with Jasper

Vacations By Rail's Canadian Snow Train with Jasper is a 10-day independent rail journey across Canada from Vancouver to Toronto. Travellers board VIA Rail's Canadian, one of the continent's celebrated long-distance trains, spending four nights in a Sleeper Plus Class berth while riding through the Canadian Rockies, Alberta's foothills, Saskatchewan's prairies, and the rocky Canadian Shield. The trip anchors around a three-night stay in Jasper National Park, where an included wildlife discovery tour explores the park before two full days of free time allow independent exploration or optional activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing, or a guided foodie tour. Hotels are positioned in Vancouver (one night) and Toronto (one night) at the trip's bookends, with meals included throughout. The independent structure suits travellers who prefer to set their own pace at each stop while enjoying the curated rail and hotel arrangement; transfers between the hotel and train station are your responsibility.

What to know before you look closer

  • Travellers are responsible for making their own way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station on Day 2 and from Jasper's train station to the hotel on Day 3; no guided arrival support is mentioned.
  • The from-price of $2,395 USD covers the Moderate tier with semi-private berths in Sleeper Plus Class; Prestige Class cabins are available at a higher cost as an optional extra.
  • Two of the three nights in Jasper (Days 4 and 5) are unguided; optional paid excursions and rental activities (ice skating, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking) are available locally but not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arriving on Canada's West Coast

    Vacation begins in Vancouver. Transfer independently to your hotel; included 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off pass available to tour the city.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train

    Boarding VIA Rail's Canadian

    Make your own way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station to board VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus Class. Meals and non-alcoholic drinks included; use of the Skyline Car and Park Car. Dinner served in the Dining Car.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Into the Canadian Rockies to Jasper

    Wake to views of the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian arrives in Jasper around midday; make your own way to your hotel and check in for three nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper National Park your way

    A local-guide wildlife discovery tour of Jasper National Park, then free time to explore Downtown Jasper (Astra Theatre, Jasper Planetarium).

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    A free day to enjoy Jasper

    A full day to explore Jasper National Park or the town independently, with locally payable rental options (ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking), or optional guided excursions (Jasper Downtown Foodie Tour; Maligne Valley & Pleckaitis Canyon Icewalk).

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train

    Eastbound to Toronto on the Canadian

    An included transfer takes you from Jasper Park Lodge to the train station to reboard the Canadian for a three-night ride to Toronto, following the Athabasca River through the Rockies and into Alberta, passing through Edmonton this evening.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Train

    Across the prairies of Saskatchewan

    Views of Saskatchewan's prairies; the glass-roofed panoramic observation car is the best vantage point. The train crosses into Manitoba and passes through Winnipeg tonight.

  8. Day 8overnight: Train

    The remote Canadian Shield

    Cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario. After lunch the Canadian changes direction toward the Great Lakes, continuing toward Toronto.

  9. Day 9overnight: Toronto

    Arriving in Toronto

    Final morning aboard the Canadian traveling toward Toronto; brunch served before arriving mid-afternoon at Union Station. Walk across the street to the five-star Fairmont Royal York hotel.

  10. Day 10

    Tour conclusion

    Your trans-Canada vacation, through five provinces, concludes this morning upon checking out of your hotel. A transfer is included to Toronto Pearson Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board VIA Rail's Canadian at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station in Sleeper Plus Class; dinner served in the Dining Car as the train departs westbound.
  • Day 3Wake to views of the Canadian Rockies; the Canadian arrives in Jasper midday, surrounded by mountain landscape and national park terrain.
  • Day 7View Saskatchewan's prairies from the glass-roofed panoramic observation car as the train crosses into Manitoba and approaches Winnipeg.
  • Day 9Final morning aboard the Canadian travelling toward Toronto; brunch served before arrival at Union Station mid-afternoon.

Included

  • 5 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 4 nights in Sleeper Plus Berth aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Shared transfer to Toronto airport
  • 4 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Choice of immersive excursions

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 4 nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus Class berths, with all rail travel throughout the tour.
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. A local-guide wildlife tour is included in Jasper; other days are unguided.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail's Canadian, running Vancouver to Toronto via Jasper, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. Sleeper Plus Class (semi-private berth) or Prestige Class cabins are available.
What meals are included?
4 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners. Meals aboard the train include dinner in the Dining Car; non-alcoholic drinks and use of the Skyline Car and Park Car are included.
What are the main hotels?
The Moderate tier includes the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver (1 night), Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (3 nights), and the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (1 night).
When does the trip run?
The operator does not publish a departure calendar in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail to confirm dates.

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