Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada and Rockies Westbound

Cross-Canada rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver via the Rockies

Classic Canada and Rockies Westbound, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 12-day, 11-night independent rail vacation across Canada, starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver. The trip opens with two nights in Toronto, including a hop-on, hop-off city tour, admission to the CN Tower, and a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls with a boat ride and a winery tour. VIA Rail's the Canadian then carries travellers west for a three-night crossing to Jasper, where three nights allow time for the Icefields Parkway, an ice explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, the Glacier Skywalk, and a Maligne Lake cruise through Jasper National Park. A further overnight train ride continues to Vancouver for two final nights, including the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The independent structure, with optional extras like picking your own hotel or running the route in reverse, suits travellers who want an included sightseeing framework without a fixed group schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as 21 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than one fixed hotel per stop, so the specific property depends on what is picked at booking.
  • The onboard VIA Rail nights are in Economy seating; a sleeping berth on the Canadian is only available as an optional upgrade.
  • Only 3 meals are included across the 12-day trip, all lunches; other meals are not listed as included.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package, though it is shown under a 'Flash Sale' category.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Your Journey Begins in Toronto

    Welcome to Canada! Transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel and start exploring the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, featuring top Toronto sights such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Harbourfront, Eaton Centre and Chinatown. Use your included admission to the CN Tower.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls to Toronto

    This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a full day tour to Niagara Falls. Highlights will include a meal overlooking the falls, a ride on the Hornblower* boat getting you up close and personal with the Falls, free time in both Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake and a winery tour and tasting. After your full day of touring, your bus will drop you back off at your hotel for a relaxing evening.

    Meals: L

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Toronto to Jasper

    Board your overnight VIA Rail train west towards the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your journey across Canada on VIA Rail.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your journey across Canada on VIA Rail.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Welcome to Jasper and the Canadian Rockies. When your train arrives, travel on your own to your hotel in town. Take the afternoon to explore. Use your included admission to the Jasper Skytram to get a whole new perspective on the Canadian Rockies.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    This half day excursion follows the famous Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, with photo stops at Athabasca Falls and Stutfield Glacier, an ice explorer adventure onto the Athabasca Glacier, the Glacier Skywalk, and a hot buffet lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.

    Meals: L

  8. Day 8overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Today embark on an adventure through Jasper National Park! One of your stops includes the breathtaking Maligne Lake. Stand above the massive walls of Maligne Canyon, taking in the views of the rushing waterfalls. Enjoy a scenic cruise and lunch before heading back to Jasper.

    Meals: L

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Vancouver

    Travel to the VIA Rail station and board the Canadian and continue your trip across the country.

  10. Day 10overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    This morning, arrive in Vancouver! Today's full day of sightseeing will start with a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to Vancouver's most popular areas: Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island and more!

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Take some time today to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, one of the most popular tourist attractions in British Columbia. The bridge crosses over towering evergreens with views more than 100 feet above the forest floor.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The overnight VIA Rail train, the Canadian, departs Toronto for a three-night crossing west to Jasper.
  • Day 7A tour of the Icefields Parkway reaches the Columbia Icefield, with an ice explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a walk on the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 8A Jasper National Park tour visits Maligne Canyon and includes a cruise on Maligne Lake.
  • Day 11The Capilano Suspension Bridge crosses more than 100 feet above the forest floor in Vancouver.

Included

  • 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights' aboard VIA Rail®*
  • One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations from Toronto to Jasper; Jasper to Vancouver
  • Three meals included (3 lunches)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes one-way VIA Rail travel in Economy accommodations on the Canadian, from Toronto to Jasper and Jasper to Vancouver, covering 4 nights onboard.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation, with guided sightseeing tours included in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Jasper, and Vancouver.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's the Canadian, used for both the Toronto to Jasper and Jasper to Vancouver legs.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 21 accommodation options across tiers and cities; examples include the Fairmont Royal York and Hilton Toronto in Toronto, and the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites in Niagara Falls.
Is there a sleeper cabin on the train?
Onboard nights are in Economy seating by default. Upgrading to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train is listed as an optional extra.

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