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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Eastern Canada Rail Journey

Independent VIA Rail journey through Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City

Illustration of Eastern Canada Rail Journey

Railbookers runs this 9-day independent rail vacation across Eastern Canada, starting in Toronto and ending in Quebec City, with stops in Ottawa and Montreal along the way. VIA Rail in Economy class covers the rail legs between cities, and 8 nights of hotel accommodation are included. The trip opens with three nights in Toronto, including a day trip to Niagara Falls with a boat cruise up to the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls, plus a wine tasting in Niagara's wine region. A hop-on hop-off tour then covers Toronto's own sights, from the Royal Ontario Museum to the Hockey Hall of Fame. From there, VIA Rail carries travelers on to Ottawa for a single night, then to Montreal for a guided tour of Old Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica, and finally to Quebec City, where a guided tour of Old Quebec and an included dinner close out the trip. It suits travelers who want rail-linked cities paired with a handful of guided highlights.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 23 hotels listed are accommodation options across price tiers and cities, not a fixed sequence of consecutive stays, so which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you select.
  • Ottawa gets only one night on this itinerary, a quicker stop than the two or three nights spent in the other cities.
  • Only 2 meals are included across the 9 days, one lunch and one dinner, so most meals are on your own.
  • The evidence pack lists no departure dates, so we cannot confirm which months this trip actually runs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Your Journey Begins in Toronto

    Welcome to Toronto! Today you have free time you to explore this energetic, cosmopolitan city known for its arts and culture.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls to Toronto

    Spend the day today exploring one of the wonders of the natural world, Niagara Falls. Enjoy a boat cruise taking you right up to the mighty American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls where you'll hear the thundering roar of the falls and feel the mist. Enjoy lunch with views overlooking the falls and stop in Niagara's wine region for a wine tasting.

  3. Day 3overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Discover Toronto today on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Enjoy iconic Toronto locations including the Royal Ontario Museum, St. Lawrence Market, the second largest Chinatown in North America, Eaton Centre where you will find more than 250 shops and the Hockey Hall of Fame!

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ottawa

    Ottawa, ON

    This morning, board the VIA Rail train to travel on to Canada's capital city, Ottawa! After arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city's many popular landmarks and attractions. You might choose to visit Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, or stroll through the lively ByWard Market area.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreal

    Ottawa to Montreal

    Today you will board the VIA Rail train to travel on to Montreal!

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Today, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Montreal. The tour will bring you to major city landmarks such as the historic Old Montreal, Olympic Stadium, and Notre Dame Basilica. Let the history and the culture of the city sink in as you enjoy your tour.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Quebec City

    Montreal to Quebec City

    This morning board the train for your journey up to Quebec City. Sit back and relax as you travel on Canada's national railroad.

  8. Day 8overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City, QC

    Explore Quebec City and learn about its history and distinctive European ambience that visitors fall in love with. Your guided tour will take you throughout Old Quebec to Place Royale, the Latin Quarter, and the Petit-Champlain neighborhood. Tonight, your dinner is included at a popular, local restaurant.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Quebec City

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A boat cruise brings travelers close to the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls at Niagara, followed by lunch overlooking the falls and a wine tasting in Niagara's wine region.
  • Day 3A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Toronto stops at the Royal Ontario Museum, St. Lawrence Market, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
  • Day 4The VIA Rail train carries travelers to Ottawa, Canada's capital city, with time to visit Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market.
  • Day 6A guided sightseeing tour of Montreal visits Old Montreal, Olympic Stadium, and Notre Dame Basilica.
  • Day 8A guided tour of Old Quebec takes in Place Royale, the Latin Quarter, and the Petit-Champlain neighborhood, with dinner included at a local restaurant that evening.

Included

  • One-way VIA Rail® in Economy from Toronto to Ottawa; Ottawa to Montréal; Montréal to Québec City
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 2 meals included (1 lunch, 1 dinner)

Questions travellers ask

Is the rail travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail travel in Economy class is included from Toronto to Ottawa, Ottawa to Montreal, and Montreal to Quebec City.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Guided sightseeing tours are included at Niagara Falls, in Montreal, and in Quebec City, alongside independent time in Toronto and Ottawa.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail, in Economy class, covers all three rail legs between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.
What meals are included?
Two meals are included: one lunch, at Niagara Falls, and one dinner, in Quebec City.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes hop-on hop-off and guided city touring in Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, plus a Niagara Falls boat cruise; no hiking or altitude activity is mentioned.

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