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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada Coast to Coast

Halifax to Vancouver across Canada by VIA Rail, coast to coast

Illustration of Classic Canada Coast to Coast

Railbookers' Classic Canada Coast to Coast is a 17-day independent rail vacation that crosses the country from Halifax to Vancouver by VIA Rail. After a first evening by Halifax's harbor, Day 2's overnight train winds through the Canadian Maritimes to Quebec City, where Day 4 brings a guided history tour of the Latin Quarter, the Basilica, and Place Royal with dinner included. Trains continue on to Montreal, where a guided city tour visits Notre Dame Basilica and Old Montreal, and Toronto, with a Niagara Falls day trip and a hop-on hop-off tour. A three-day train journey then crosses the prairies and rises into the Rockies to Jasper, where guided sightseeing takes in Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and the Columbia Icefield along the Icefields Parkway. The final leg by train reaches Vancouver, ending with a guided city tour and the Vancouver Lookout. Riding in Economy class throughout with 5 nights spent onboard, this suits first-time rail travelers who want a full coast-to-coast Canadian crossing with guided touring at each stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list offers 35 accommodation options across tiers and cities, described as choices rather than consecutive stays, from Halifax's Hampton Inn to Quebec City's Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac; the final property depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Only 2 meals are included across the 17-day trip (1 lunch and 1 dinner); most meals are on your own.
  • The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Halifax

    Your Journey Begins in Halifax

    Welcome to Canada! Enjoy the town's charming seaside areas. Find a great restaurant for dinner by the water.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    You have some of the morning free to complete your visit to Halifax. Head over to the VIA Rail station to depart for Quebec City. The train winds its way north and west through the Canadian Maritimes.

  3. Day 3overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City, QC

    Today you will reach Quebec City. You arrive early with a full day to explore this fascinating destination.

  4. Day 4overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City, QC

    Enjoy an engaging history tour of the city with a guide. Explore the Latin Quarter, City Hall, the Basilica, Place Royal, and more. Dinner tonight is included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreal

    Quebec City to Montreal

    Take the opportunity for any last-minute exploring and enjoy a morning at leisure in Quebec City before making your way to the station to board your train to Montreal.

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Today you will explore Montreal. Your included tour includes famous attractions like Notre Dame Basilica, the hip Place des Arts, Place Jacques Cartier, the Hotel de Ville, and Old Montreal.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Toronto

    Montreal to Toronto

    Take the train over to Toronto, Canada's largest city.

  8. Day 8overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls to Toronto

    After exploring Toronto, your tour will depart the city and head out to Niagara Falls.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Free morning to explore Toronto with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. In the evening, board the iconic Canadian Line for your exciting three-day trip across Canada.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    You will journey across Canada today travelling through a variety of beautiful landscapes.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Watch the landscapes transform outside your window, from peaceful lakes and golden prairies to the gradual rise of forested foothills.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    After the train rides into the heart of the mountains, it will arrive in the picturesque mountain community of Jasper.

  13. Day 13overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Included sightseeing tour will take you to Maligne Canyon (with its disappearing lake), Medicine Lake, and the Athabasca Lookout.

  14. Day 14overnight: 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, and the Glacier Skywalk. A hot buffet lunch is included.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Travel to the VIA Rail station today and board the Canadian once more, continuing on toward Vancouver.

  16. Day 16overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    This morning you will arrive in Vancouver!

  17. Day 17overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Enjoy a guided city tour showcasing the best of Vancouver's vibrant neighborhoods and scenic highlights, including the Vancouver Lookout.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4A guided history tour of Quebec City's Latin Quarter, City Hall, Basilica, and Place Royal, with dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.
  • Day 6A guided Montreal tour of Notre Dame Basilica, Place Jacques Cartier, the Hotel de Ville, and Old Montreal.
  • Day 13A sightseeing tour to Maligne Canyon, with its disappearing lake, plus Medicine Lake and the Athabasca Lookout.
  • Day 14A half-day excursion along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, with photo stops at Athabasca Falls, Stutfield Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 17A guided Vancouver city tour of the city's neighborhoods and scenic highlights, including the Vancouver Lookout.

Included

  • One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations from Halifax to Quebec City, Quebec City to Montreal, Montreal to Toronto; Toronto to Jasper and Jasper to Vancouver on The Ocean, Capitol Corridor and The Canadian
  • 12 nights' accommodations
  • 5 nights' onboard VIA Rail
  • 2 meals included (1 lunch, 1 dinner)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations covers the full Halifax to Vancouver route on The Ocean, Capitol Corridor, and The Canadian, including 5 nights spent onboard.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with several included guided tours: a history tour in Quebec City, a city tour in Montreal, a Niagara Falls day trip and hop-on hop-off tour in Toronto, sightseeing tours in Jasper, and a city tour in Vancouver. Free time is built in around these.
What meals are included?
Only 2 meals across the 17-day trip: 1 lunch (a hot buffet lunch on the Icefields Parkway excursion) and 1 dinner (at a Quebecoise restaurant in Quebec City).
Where do you stay?
Hotels in Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Jasper, and Vancouver, plus 5 nights aboard VIA Rail; 35 accommodation options are offered across tiers and cities.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes guided city tours and vehicle-based sightseeing (Icefields Parkway, Glacier Skywalk, Maligne Canyon); no hiking is described in the itinerary.
When does this tour run?
The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials. Confirm available dates directly with Railbookers before booking.

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