Is train travel included?

Yes. VIA Rail's Corridor train from Montreal to Quebec City and the Ocean train (Sleeper Plus Class) from Quebec City to Miramichi, New Brunswick, are included.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is mixed. Montreal, Quebec City, and the rail legs are independent travel with local expert planning, while the Maritimes portion from Charlottetown onward runs as a small group tour with a professional driver and guide.

Which trains are used?

VIA Rail's Corridor train and VIA Rail's Ocean train.

What hotels are included?

Named hotels include Hotel Bonaparte in Montreal, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, The Great George in Charlottetown, and The Prince George Hotel in Halifax.

What meals are included?

A selection of meals is included: 2 dinners, 6 lunches, and 8 breakfasts.

What is not included?

Optional extras such as a Cape Breton Island self-drive extension, extra nights in Halifax, and a VIA Rail Corridor extension to Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston cost more, as do most daily sightseeing options.

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Small-group and tailor-made rail vacation

Coastlines and Culture from Quebec to the Maritimes

Rail start from Montreal to Quebec, then small-group touring of Maritimes coast

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) runs this 12-day trip from Montreal to Halifax, mixing independent rail travel with a small group tour through the Maritimes. The first few days are independent: a Corridor train ride to Quebec City, then an overnight aboard VIA Rail's Ocean train (Sleeper Plus Class) to New Brunswick. From Charlottetown onward, a professional driver and guide lead a small group across Prince Edward Island, the Bay of Fundy coast, and Nova Scotia, crossing the Confederation Bridge, exploring the Fundy Trail's cliffs and sea caves, taking a ferry to Digby, and following the Lighthouse Route through Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove to Halifax. Named hotels include the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City and The Great George in Charlottetown. The trip suits travelers who want a scenic rail start followed by the ease of a small guided group for the coastal and historic stretch of the Maritimes, rather than navigating those coastal roads independently.

What to know before you look closer

The trip mixes styles: Montreal, Quebec City, and the VIA Rail legs are independent travel with local expert planning, while the Maritimes portion from Charlottetown to Halifax runs as a small group tour with a shared driver and guide.
After Day 5, travel is mostly by coach and ferry rather than train: a coach to Moncton, a coastal drive to Saint John, a ferry crossing to Nova Scotia, and the Lighthouse Route drive to Halifax.
The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm availability and exact pricing with the operator before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Montreal
Arrive in Montreal
Your Canadian vacation begins in Montreal, the largest city in Quebec. Walk down the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, admire the city's blend of heritage buildings and eye-catching skyscrapers, and take in the views of the St. Lawrence River.
Day 2railovernight: Quebec City
VIA Rail - Montreal to Quebec City
Travel through some of French Canada's most picturesque countryside as you head towards Quebec City, on the Corridor Train, Business Class.
Day 3overnight: Quebec City
Discover Quebec City
Discover the history, charm and flavours of Quebec City today. Options: Gourmet Food and History Walking Tour, Old Quebec City Walking Tour, Dinner at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Day 4railovernight: Onboard train
Explore Quebec's countryside, depart on VIA Rail
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Quebec City. This afternoon, explore Quebec's countryside then board The Ocean train (Sleeper Plus Class) for your journey to New Brunswick.
Day 5railovernight: Charlottetown
VIA Rail to Miramichi, then travel to Prince Edward Island
Awake in the province of New Brunswick and enjoy the countryside views as the train moves towards Miramichi. This afternoon, explore the Acadian coastline and cross the famous Confederation Bridge to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Day 6overnight: Charlottetown
Discover Prince Edward Island
Immerse yourself in the charm and history of Prince Edward Island on your choice of tour. Options: Island Drive and Anne of Green Gables Tour, Charlottetown Food and History Walking Tour, Lobster Boil Cruise.
Day 7overnight: Moncton
Charlottetown to Moncton
Travel back over Confederation Bridge to the province of New Brunswick. Discover the famous Hopewell Rocks and the Bay of Fundy before arriving in Moncton later today. Group dinner in Moncton.
Day 8overnight: Saint John
Bay of Fundy Coast to Saint John
Discover the spectacular Bay of Fundy coastline on your way to Saint John, travelling through the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, a coastal wilderness area with craggy cliffs, isolated beaches, sea caves and waterfalls.
Day 9overnight: Saint John
Discover St. Andrews by-the-Sea
Your destination today is the quaint seaside town of St. Andrews, where you can learn about Ministers Island, a National Historic Site of Canada.
Day 10overnight: Lunenburg
Saint John to Nova Scotia's South Shore
Board the ferry in Saint John and cross the Bay of Fundy to Digby, Nova Scotia. After your ferry crossing, travel to the colourful, historic town of Lunenburg. Group dinner in Lunenburg.
Day 11overnight: Halifax
Mahone Bay, Peggy's Cove and Halifax
Travel along the Lighthouse Route, known for its beauty, historic charm, and rocky coastline. Stop at Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove before arriving in Halifax.
Day 12
Depart Halifax
Bid farewell to the Canadian Maritimes as your trip ends with departure from Halifax.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Boarding The Ocean train, Sleeper Plus Class, in Quebec City for an overnight journey toward New Brunswick.
Day 5Waking in New Brunswick and crossing the Confederation Bridge to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Day 8The Bay of Fundy coastline along the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, with craggy cliffs, isolated beaches, sea caves, and waterfalls.
Day 10A ferry crossing of the Bay of Fundy from Saint John to Digby, Nova Scotia, followed by arrival in the historic town of Lunenburg.
Day 11The Lighthouse Route along Nova Scotia's coast, stopping at Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove before Halifax.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Train journey onboard the daylight Corridor train
Choice of unique guided activities
Airport and train station transfers
Selection of meals included (2 dinners, 6 lunches, 8 breakfasts)
Small group tour in the Maritimes with professional driver and guide
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. VIA Rail's Corridor train from Montreal to Quebec City and the Ocean train (Sleeper Plus Class) from Quebec City to Miramichi, New Brunswick, are included.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is mixed. Montreal, Quebec City, and the rail legs are independent travel with local expert planning, while the Maritimes portion from Charlottetown onward runs as a small group tour with a professional driver and guide.
Which trains are used?: VIA Rail's Corridor train and VIA Rail's Ocean train.
What hotels are included?: Named hotels include Hotel Bonaparte in Montreal, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, The Great George in Charlottetown, and The Prince George Hotel in Halifax.
What meals are included?: A selection of meals is included: 2 dinners, 6 lunches, and 8 breakfasts.
What is not included?: Optional extras such as a Cape Breton Island self-drive extension, extra nights in Halifax, and a VIA Rail Corridor extension to Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston cost more, as do most daily sightseeing options.