Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

17-day rail crossing of Canada from Vancouver to Halifax

Classic Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 17-day, 16-night independent rail vacation across Canada, starting in Vancouver and ending in Halifax on the Atlantic coast. Two nights in Vancouver open the trip before VIA Rail's the Canadian carries travellers east to Jasper, where three nights allow time for Jasper National Park's Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway with its Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. From Jasper, the Canadian continues on a three-day crossing through the Canadian countryside to Toronto, followed by stops in Montreal and Quebec City, where the evidence describes a dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant and a full day exploring the ramparts, castles, and Old Port. The final VIA Rail leg, the Ocean, runs overnight from Quebec City to Halifax on a route the operator describes as passing dramatic coastline and pastoral valleys. This itinerary suits travellers who want an extended, coast-to-coast rail crossing with a guided city tour built into most stops.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as 35 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 is only available as an optional upgrade.
  • Only 1 meal, a dinner in Quebec City, is included across the 17-day trip; other meals are not listed.
  • The evidence's day-by-day itinerary has no separate entries for day 8 or day 9; the three-day VIA Rail crossing from Jasper toward Toronto is described only at its departure (day 7) and its Toronto arrival (day 10).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your Journey Begins in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver! Consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, Vancouver is an ethnically diverse metropolis, filled with world-famous museums, cuisine and shopping. Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and start to explore the city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Continue to enjoy Vancouver's amazing sights today. Discover Granville Island, stop by Chinatown for some Asian cuisine, visit historic Gastown, and enjoy a special meal at one of the many fine dining establishments in the area.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight On Via Rail

    Board the Canadian today and make your way toward Jasper, witnessing more unprecedented views of the Canadian Rockies from the comfort of your seat.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Arrive in the picturesque mountain community of Jasper today and make your way to your hotel for a two-night stay. Enjoy the clear mountain air and beautiful surroundings of the Canadian Rockies.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Get ready to experience some of the most breathtaking points in Jasper National Park on your guided sightseeing tour today, including iconic vistas such as Maligne Canyon (with its disappearing lake), Medicine Lake, and the Athabasca Lookout.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Tour the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. View scenic rocky mountain vistas and local wildlife along the way, 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.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today you will start an unforgettable three-day journey through the heart of the Canadian countryside, passing sparkling lakes, pine covered hills and open plains, with a good chance of spotting bears, elk, deer, or other wildlife.

  8. Day 10overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Arrive early in Toronto this morning and once settled in at your hotel, spend the day discovering the city at your leisure, perhaps visiting the iconic CN Tower, spending time at the Eaton Centre, or strolling the waterfront. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to take in interesting landmarks and neighborhoods.

  9. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls

    Experience one of the world's most magnificent natural wonders on your full day adventure to Niagara Falls today, with a scenic tour through the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and an exhilarating boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls.

  10. Day 12railovernight: Montreal

    Toronto to Montreal

    Today you will take the train from Toronto to the French-Canadian, European influenced city of Montreal. Once in Montreal, check in at your hotel and begin exploring the city at your leisure.

  11. Day 13overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Welcome to the "City of a Hundred Steeples!" Your included guided sightseeing tour today provides an excellent experience of the city, taking you to hot spots such as Olympic Stadium, Montreal Harbor, the historic Hotel de Ville, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, and the Golden Square Mile.

  12. Day 14overnight: Quebec City

    Montreal to Quebec City

    Arrive early to Quebec City today and enjoy a full day exploring this fascinating destination steeped in 400 years of history. Explore ramparts, castles and intriguing museums, and step back in time in Place Royale and Old Port. Dinner tonight is included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

    Meals: D

  13. Day 15railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Spend some more time discovering Quebec City today on your included history city tour before making your way to the VIA Rail station for your journey to Halifax, a scenic route featuring dramatic coastline views and pastoral inland valley scenes.

  14. Day 16overnight: Halifax

    Halifax, NS

    Welcome to Halifax! Make your way to your hotel and check in for an overnight stay. Enjoy the culture and history of this seaside town, perhaps strolling along the waterfront boardwalk and enjoying a meal of fresh seafood by the water.

  15. Day 17

    Your Journey Ends in Halifax

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5A guided sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park visits Maligne Canyon, its 'disappearing lake,' Medicine Lake, and the Athabasca Lookout.
  • Day 6The Icefields Parkway tour reaches the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, with an ice explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a walk on the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 7A three-day VIA Rail journey begins across the Canadian countryside, passing sparkling lakes, pine-covered hills, and open plains, with a chance of spotting bears, elk, or deer.
  • Day 14Quebec City's full day of exploring 400 years of history includes ramparts, castles, Place Royale, and Old Port, plus a dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.
  • Day 15The VIA Rail Ocean departs Quebec City for Halifax on a route described as passing dramatic coastline views and pastoral inland valley scenes.

Included

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

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 across five legs: the Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto, the Corridor from Toronto to Montreal and Montreal to Quebec City, and the Ocean from Quebec City to Halifax.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation, with guided or hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours included in Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's the Canadian, the Corridor, and the Ocean, covering five separate legs between Vancouver and Halifax.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 35 accommodation options across tiers and cities; examples include the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper.
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.
What is not included?
Only 1 meal, a dinner in Quebec City, is included; other meals are not listed as included.

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