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First Class Holidays · Independent Tour

Capital Experience by Rail

Eastern Canada by rail and flight from Toronto to Montréal in ten days

Illustration of Capital Experience by Rail

First Class Holidays operates this 10-day independent rail and flight tour across Eastern Canada. You fly from London Heathrow to Toronto, where you spend three nights exploring the city, visiting the CN Tower, and taking a full-day coach trip to Niagara Falls. From Day 4 onward, you travel by VIA Rail Economy trains between Canada's major capitals: Ottawa (two nights), Québec City (two nights), and Montréal (two nights). Each city includes a guided sightseeing tour; the Ottawa to Québec City train journey follows the scenic southern shore of the St. Lawrence River through French-Canadian countryside. Days between tours are free to explore independently. This tour suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer to book transport and accommodation through a tour operator but navigate each destination on their own, without a guide. Meals and incidental activities are at your own expense.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent tour with no escort or guide; arrival and transfers to hotels are your responsibility.
  • Meals beyond one lunch (on the Niagara Falls day) are not included; budget for dining separately.
  • All three train journeys are in Economy class on regional VIA Rail services, not sleeper or premium trains.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto (3 nights)

    UK-Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto and make your way to your hotel for 3 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Enjoy the freedom of a hop-on-hop-off city tour. Admission to the CN Tower is included.

  3. Day 3overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour to Niagara Falls including lunch and a cruise to the base of the Horseshoe Falls (or Journey behind the Falls Nov-April). Return via historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ottawa

    Ottawa

    Take VIA Rail's Corridor train to Ottawa. On arrival the remainder of the day is free to explore Canada's capital city.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ottawa

    Ottawa

    Enjoy a hop on hop off sightseeing tour of Ottawa. The remainder of the day is free to explore.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Québec City

    Québec City

    Take the train from Ottawa to Québec City. The train will travel along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River in the beautiful French-Canadian countryside.

  7. Day 7overnight: Québec City

    Québec City

    Explore historic and modern Québec City on a morning sightseeing tour. You'll see the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Fortifications, Place Royale, the Basilica and more.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Montréal

    Montréal

    Take the short train ride to Montréal today travelling along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River.

  9. Day 9overnight: Montréal

    Montréal

    Today enjoy a 3-hour sightseeing tour of Montréal. See numerous highlights such as the Notre Dame Basilica, historic Old Montréal, the charming Latin Quarter and much more.

  10. Day 10rail

    Depart Montréal

    Check out from your hotel this morning ahead of your departing flight. You may choose to extend your stay in Canada by visiting another region by rail or by air - our Tailormade team will be able to assist with onward arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2 in Toronto: admission to the CN Tower included; explore the city on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
  • Day 3Day 3: full-day Niagara Falls sightseeing tour with lunch and a cruise to the base of the Horseshoe Falls, returning via historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.
  • Day 6Day 6: VIA Rail train from Ottawa to Québec City travels along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River through French-Canadian countryside.
  • Day 8Day 8: short train ride to Montréal, travelling along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River.

Included

  • Return flights from the UK
  • 9 nights accommodation
  • City Tours in Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City
  • Niagara Falls tour
  • CN Tower admission
  • Economy class VIA Rail travel as shown

Not included

  • Meals, sightseeing, excursions and transfers not shown as included

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, Economy class VIA Rail travel on three routes (Toronto to Ottawa, Ottawa to Québec City, Québec City to Montréal) is included. Flights from London Heathrow and nine nights' accommodation are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
No, it is an independent tour with no escort. First Class Holidays arranges flights, accommodation, and rail bookings, but you navigate each city on your own or via hop-on-hop-off city tours.
What meals are included?
Only lunch on Day 3 during the Niagara Falls tour is included. All other meals are at your own expense.
How much walking is involved?
City tours in Toronto, Ottawa, Québec City, and Montréal involve standard city walking. A full-day Niagara Falls tour combines coach travel and time on foot at the falls. Many afternoons and evenings are free to explore at your own pace.
What is not included?
Meals beyond the one lunch shown, sightseeing and excursions not listed, and transfers between airports and hotels are not included.

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