Amtrak Vacations

Grand Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

17-day VIA Rail crossing of Canada, Vancouver to Halifax

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

Amtrak Vacations runs this 17-day, 16-night rail vacation across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, riding VIA Rail in Economy class on five legs: The Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper and on to Toronto, Capitol Corridor from Toronto to Montreal and Quebec City, and The Ocean from Quebec City to Halifax. In total, 5 of the 16 nights are spent onboard the train. After two nights in Vancouver, the trip moves through Jasper and Banff, with an included stop at the Columbia Icefield and the Glacier Skywalk, before an overnight rail journey the evidence describes as spanning three days through the Canadian countryside. The route continues through Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, where a full day of sightseeing takes in the ramparts and Place Royale, before an overnight train to the seaside city of Halifax. This suits travelers who want one long, multi-stop rail crossing of the country rather than a single regional trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary in the evidence skips from day 7 to day 10, with no description given for days 8 and 9. Day 7 describes this as a 'three-day journey,' and the included list confirms 5 total nights onboard VIA Rail, so days 8 and 9 are likely still part of that train journey, but the exact daily detail is not in the evidence.
  • The 41 hotel options span multiple tiers and cities, from budget hotels to the Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; the specific hotel used depends on the tier and city selected at booking.
  • Only 1 meal is included across the 17-day trip (1 dinner, in Quebec City).
  • No current departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm availability with Amtrak Vacations 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 with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Enjoy such popular sights as Stanley Park, the Vancouver aquarium and the vibrant downtown Vancouver area.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    This morning, enjoy a guided city tour showcasing the best of Vancouver's vibrant neighborhoods and scenic highlights. As part of your tour, you'll visit the Vancouver Lookout, where panoramic 360-degree views provide a stunning perspective of the city and surrounding mountains. Following the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard 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 an overnight stay before heading to Banff the following day.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Depart for Banff this morning, traveling along the Icefields Parkway - home to alpine glaciers, turquoise lakes and a variety of mountain wildlife. At the Columbia Icefield, experience a ride on the Ice Explorer. Complete your adventure with the Glacier Skywalk which juts out 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. Enjoy lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Return to Jasper today and spend the day at your leisure exploring more of this alpine paradise and gearing up for tomorrow's rail journey.

  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 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, perhaps visiting the iconic CN Tower, spending some time at the Eaton Centre, or just strolling the stunning 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. Drive through the picturesque countryside of the Niagara region with a scenic tour through the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once at the falls, enjoy an exhilarating up close and personal 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. Enjoy a comfortable and scenic ride on your rail journey, with pleasant farm and woodland views out your window.

  11. Day 13overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Welcome to the "City of a Hundred Steeples!" Your included guided sightseeing tour today will provide an excellent experience of the city, taking you to such hot spots as 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. Explore ramparts, castles and intriguing museums. Step back in time in Place Royale and Old Port. Dinner tonight is included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

  13. Day 15railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today, your local tour guide will take you to all of Quebec's top attractions: the Plains of Abraham, the Basilica, the National Assembly, and the Place Royale. Tonight, make your way to the VIA Rail station for your journey to Halifax. This scenic route features 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 5The Icefields Parkway brings an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, and a walk on the Glacier Skywalk, a platform that juts out 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley.
  • Day 7A three-day rail journey through the Canadian countryside begins, on a route the evidence describes as passing sparkling lakes, pine-covered hills and open plains.
  • Day 13A guided sightseeing tour of Montreal, the 'City of a Hundred Steeples,' takes in Olympic Stadium, Montreal Harbor and the Golden Square Mile.
  • Day 14A full day in Quebec City explores ramparts, castles and Place Royale, with dinner included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.
  • Day 15The overnight train to Halifax runs a route the evidence describes as having 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®
  • Transfer from Banff to Jasper
  • 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 rail travel included?
Yes, one-way VIA Rail in Economy class across five legs: 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, with 5 nights onboard the train.
What cities does it visit?
Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.
What hotels are used?
The package lists 41 accommodation options across tiers and cities, from budget hotels to the Fairmont Pacific Rim; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city chosen.
How many meals are included?
1 dinner, at a classic Quebecoise restaurant in Quebec City.
Is there a gap in the published itinerary?
Yes; the evidence skips from day 7 to day 10 without describing days 8 and 9, though the day 7 entry calls this a three-day rail journey.

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