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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

Vancouver to Halifax across Canada by VIA Rail, eastbound

Illustration of Classic Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

Railbookers' Classic Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound is a 17-day independent rail vacation that crosses the country from Vancouver to Halifax by VIA Rail. Two days in Vancouver take in Granville Island, Chinatown, and historic Gastown before Day 3 boards the Canadian for an overnight journey to Jasper. Two nights there include a guided tour of Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake, plus an Icefields Parkway excursion to the Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk. A three-day train journey through the Canadian countryside, described from Day 7, then leads to Toronto, where a full-day trip to Niagara Falls includes a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls. Trains continue on to Montreal for a guided city tour of Olympic Stadium and the Hotel de Ville, and Quebec City, where a full day of history and an included dinner round out the stay before a final overnight train to Halifax. 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 along the way.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator's itinerary materials have no entries for Days 8 and 9 of this 17-day trip; Day 7 describes the start of a three-day train journey, so these two days are presumably still onboard, but their specific activities are not detailed. Confirm the full day-by-day plan with Railbookers before booking.
  • The hotel list offers 35 accommodation options across tiers and cities, described as choices rather than consecutive stays, from Vancouver's Hampton Inn to the Fairmont Pacific Rim; the final property depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Only 1 meal is included across the 17-day trip, a dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant in Quebec City; nearly all other 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: 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, or stop by Chinatown for some Asian cuisine. Visit the historic Gastown to take in the city's past and quaint charm.

  3. Day 3railovernight: 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.

  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 Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and the Athabasca Lookout.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Tour the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, including the Glacier Skywalk and a hot buffet lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.

  7. Day 7railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today you will start an unforgettable three-day journey through the heart of the Canadian countryside, passing a variety of beautiful landscapes including sparkling lakes, pine covered hills and open plains.

  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. 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, including an up close 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.

  11. Day 13overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Welcome to the "City of a Hundred Steeples!" Your included guided sightseeing tour today will take you to Olympic Stadium, Montreal Harbor, the historic Hotel de Ville, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, Golden Square Mile and many more.

  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. Dinner tonight is included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

  13. Day 15railovernight: 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.

  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.

  15. Day 17

    Your Journey Ends in Halifax

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5A guided sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park, including Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and the Athabasca Lookout.
  • Day 6A tour of the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, including the Glacier Skywalk and a hot buffet lunch.
  • Day 11A full day trip to Niagara Falls, including an up close boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 13A guided Montreal tour of Olympic Stadium, Montreal Harbor, the Hotel de Ville, and Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.
  • Day 14A full day exploring Quebec City's 400 years of history, with dinner included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

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 the train travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations covers the full Vancouver to Halifax route on The Canadian, Capitol Corridor, and The Ocean, including 5 nights spent onboard.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with several included guided tours: sightseeing in Jasper National Park, a Niagara Falls day trip and hop-on hop-off tour in Toronto, a city tour in Montreal, and a history tour in Quebec City. Free time is built in around these, including two open days in Vancouver.
What meals are included?
Only 1 meal across the 17-day trip: a dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant in Quebec City.
Where do you stay?
Hotels in Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax, totaling 11 nights, plus 5 nights aboard VIA Rail; 35 accommodation options are offered across tiers and cities.
Is the full itinerary described?
Not entirely. The operator's materials have no entries for Days 8 and 9, which fall within a three-day train journey that starts on Day 7; confirm the details with Railbookers before booking.
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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