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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

Independent transcontinental Canada rail vacation, Vancouver to Halifax eastbound

Illustration of Grand Canada Coast to Coast Eastbound

Railbookers runs this seventeen-day, sixteen-night independent rail vacation eastbound across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax. After two nights in Vancouver, including a guided city tour and 360-degree views from the Vancouver Lookout, travelers board the overnight VIA Rail train 'the Canadian' on day 3, with views of the Canadian Rockies en route to Jasper. Banff follows on day 5 with a drive along the Icefields Parkway, an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk, before a second overnight train carries travelers east through the Canadian countryside to Toronto. From there the route continues to Niagara Falls on day 11, Montreal for a guided city tour on day 13, and Quebec City on day 14 for the ramparts, Place Royale, and the Old Port, with dinner at a classic Quebecoise restaurant. A final overnight train departs Quebec City in the evening of day 15 for Halifax. With five nights spent onboard VIA Rail in Economy accommodations, the trip suits independent travelers who want a full coast-to-coast look at Canada by train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight VIA Rail segments are in Economy accommodations, not a private sleeper cabin.
  • The itinerary calls out a lunch at the Columbia Icefield on day 5 and a dinner in Quebec City on day 14 as included; most other meals are on your own.
  • The published itinerary has no separate day-by-day entries for days 8 and 9, which fall within the three-day train journey described on day 7.
  • The listed hotels are a set of 41 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city choice, not a single fixed stay.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your Journey Begins in Vancouver

    Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and start to explore the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Guided city tour visiting the Vancouver Lookout for panoramic 360-degree views.

  3. Day 3railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Board the Canadian today and make your way toward Jasper, witnessing views of the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Arrive in the picturesque mountain community of Jasper for an overnight stay before heading to Banff.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Travel along the Icefields Parkway, ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and complete the Glacier Skywalk. Lunch included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center.

    Meals: L

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Return to Jasper today and spend the day at your leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Start an unforgettable three-day journey through the heart of the Canadian countryside.

  8. Day 10overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Arrive early in Toronto this morning. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to take in landmarks and neighborhoods.

  9. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls

    Full day adventure to Niagara Falls, including a scenic tour through Niagara-on-the-Lake and a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls.

  10. Day 12railovernight: Montreal

    Toronto to Montreal

    Take the train from Toronto to Montreal, checking in at your hotel and exploring the city at leisure.

  11. Day 13overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Guided sightseeing tour visiting Olympic Stadium, Montreal Harbor, Hotel de Ville, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, and Golden Square Mile.

  12. Day 14overnight: Quebec City

    Montreal to Quebec City

    Arrive in Quebec City for a full day exploring ramparts, castles and museums, Place Royale and Old Port. Dinner included at a classic Quebecoise restaurant.

    Meals: D

  13. Day 15railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Local tour guide visits Quebec's top attractions including the Plains of Abraham, the Basilica, the National Assembly, and Place Royale. Evening train to Halifax.

  14. Day 16overnight: Halifax

    Halifax, NS

    Welcome to Halifax! Check in for an overnight stay and 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 2A guided city tour visits the Vancouver Lookout for panoramic 360-degree views.
  • Day 3Travelers board the overnight VIA Rail train, the Canadian, toward Jasper, with views of the Canadian Rockies en route.
  • Day 5Travel along the Icefields Parkway includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 11A full-day Niagara Falls trip includes a scenic tour through Niagara-on-the-Lake and a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 14A full day in Quebec City covers the ramparts, castles, museums, Place Royale, and Old Port, with dinner 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®
  • 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 accommodations is included across the route, 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 trains.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Travelers have free time such as day 6 in Jasper and day 12 in Montreal, alongside guided sightseeing tours in most cities.
Is the overnight train a private sleeper cabin?
The included VIA Rail travel is in Economy accommodations, not a private sleeper cabin.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 41 accommodation options across the trip's stops and price tiers, including hotels such as the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and The Crimson Jasper; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city option chosen.
What is included besides the trains and hotels?
Hop-on hop-off tours and the Vancouver Lookout in Vancouver, the Icefields Parkway with an Ice Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk near Banff, a hop-on hop-off tour of Toronto with a Niagara Falls day trip, and guided city tours of Montreal and Quebec City. A lunch at the Columbia Icefield on day 5 and a dinner in Quebec City on day 14 are also called out in the itinerary.
How many nights are spent onboard the train versus in hotels?
Eleven nights are in hotels and five nights are spent onboard VIA Rail.

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