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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Heart of Canada: Toronto to Quebec City

Nine-day rail journey through Canada from Toronto to Quebec City

Illustration of Heart of Canada: Toronto to Quebec City

Vacations By Rail's Heart of Canada is a 9-day independent rail vacation from Toronto to Quebec City, combining VIA Rail Business Class travel with guided city tours and coach excursions. The journey starts in Toronto with two nights and a Niagara Falls day trip featuring a Hornblower boat ride to Horseshoe Falls. From there, the itinerary follows the rail corridor through Ottawa (where a guided tour includes Parliament Hill and a Rideau Canal cruise), Montreal (motorcoach tour of Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica, and Olympic Park), and ends in Quebec City (UNESCO Old City walking tour with a costumed guide). Most days involve independent exploration between guided activities. Hotels range from solid three-star business properties to a historic Quebec property. Eight nights of accommodation, Business Class rail, and most coach and boat transfers are included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer a mix of structure and free time, with small-group guided tours adding local context to each stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; rail fare is part of the package.
  • Day 4 tour is replaced by a Canadian Museum of History tour in early May and late October.
  • Breakfast and dinner are not included; only three lunches are provided across the 8 nights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Arriving in Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto and make your own way to a centrally located hotel for a two-night stay, with the rest of the day free to explore.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    A day at Niagara Falls

    A coach excursion to Niagara Falls, including a boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls on the Hornblower, lunch overlooking the falls, and free time in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

    Meals: Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Ottawa

    Traveling to Ottawa with VIA Rail

    Board VIA Rail's Corridor Service train to Ottawa in Business Class, with lunch included onboard, arriving late afternoon.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Ottawa

    Uncovering Canada's capital

    A small-group sightseeing tour by land and water including a walking tour of Parliament Hill and a cruise along the Rideau Canal (replaced by a Canadian Museum of History tour in early May and late October).

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreal

    On to Montreal in French Canada

    Board VIA Rail in Business Class for a two-hour journey to Montreal, with lunch included onboard.

    Meals: Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreal

    The sights and culture of Montreal

    A guided motorcoach tour of Old Montreal, the Notre Dame Basilica and Olympic Park, with a stop at Mount Royal Park and the Old Port of Montreal.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Quebec City

    Your fourth and final destination, Quebec City

    Board VIA Rail in Business Class for the final train journey to Quebec City, the only remaining walled city in North America.

  8. Day 8overnight: Quebec City

    A walking tour of Quebec City

    A guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Quebec City with a costumed guide, including the Place d'Armes, City Hall and Notre-Dame-de-Quebec-Basilica-Cathedral.

  9. Day 9

    Tour conclusion

    Check out of the hotel and begin your journey home independently; extra nights in Quebec City can be arranged.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Coach excursion to Niagara Falls with a Hornblower boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls and lunch overlooking the falls.
  • Day 4Small-group guided tour of Parliament Hill and cruise along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa's capital.
  • Day 8Walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Quebec City with a costumed guide, visiting Place d'Armes, City Hall, and Notre-Dame-de-Quebec-Basilica-Cathedral.

Included

  • 8 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Business Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 3 lunches

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. VIA Rail Business Class is included for all train legs: Toronto to Ottawa, Ottawa to Montreal, and Montreal to Quebec City, with lunch onboard each journey.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent with guided tours. You travel on your own between cities by train and coach, but each destination includes a small-group guided sightseeing tour.
What hotels are included?
The Moderate tier includes the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, Delta Montreal, and Hotel Chateau Laurier in Quebec City.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walking tours occur in Ottawa (Parliament Hill), Montreal (Old Montreal and Olympic Park), and Quebec City (Old Quebec). A Rideau Canal cruise in Ottawa and Niagara Falls boat ride substitute walking in those cities.
What meals are included?
Three lunches are included: one on the Day 3 train to Ottawa, one on the Day 5 train to Montreal, and one on Day 2 in Niagara Falls with the coach excursion.
When does the tour run?
Vacations By Rail lists this as a daily departure tour with no specific seasonal restrictions, though the Day 4 Ottawa itinerary changes in early May and late October.

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