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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted small-group tour

Premium Canada Coast to Coast

17-day escorted rail journey from Halifax to Vancouver on four storied trains

Illustration of Premium Canada Coast to Coast

Vacations By Rail's Premium Canada Coast to Coast is a 17-day small-group escorted tour for travelers seeking luxury rail journeys across one continent. Starting in Halifax and ending in Vancouver, this trip combines four of Canada's most celebrated trains: VIA Rail's Ocean from the Atlantic coast, VIA Rail's Canadian across the prairies and toward the Rockies, and Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Service through British Columbia's mountain passes. You will sleep in private Sleeper Plus cabins aboard the overnight trains, wake to changing landscapes from dome cars, and rest each day in five-star Fairmont hotels. The itinerary weaves between guided city tours in Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver; excursions to Niagara Falls, the Icefields Parkway and Athabasca Glacier; and free time to explore Jasper National Park. A Tour Manager travels with your group of no more than 25 guests throughout, organizing transfers, meals and all activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price of USD 10,999; book those separately.
  • The package includes only 20 meals (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners) across 17 days; plan for other meals.
  • An optional upgrade to Prestige Class cabins on VIA Rail's Canadian is available with limited availability; call for pricing.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Halifax

    Beginning your journey in Halifax

    Arrive in Halifax and make your own way to the hotel, meeting the Tour Manager with the evening free.

  2. Day 2overnight: Halifax

    Exploring 'Canada's Ocean Playground'

    A guided tour of Nova Scotia including Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay and the UNESCO-listed harbor town of Lunenburg.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Ocean)

    An overnight journey on VIA Rail's Ocean

    Board VIA Rail's Ocean in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for an overnight journey through New Brunswick toward Québec City.

  4. Day 4overnight: Québec City

    The sights of Quebec City

    Transfer to the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, then a guided city tour and a visit to a 1920s sugar shack for a maple syrup tasting and lunch.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Toronto

    Riding the Corridor Service to Toronto

    Train via Montreal along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Toronto's Union Station.

  6. Day 6overnight: Toronto

    Cruising into the mist of Niagara Falls

    A full-day guided excursion to Niagara Falls including a boat cruise and views from Table Rock, with a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    Across the Canadian Shield on VIA Rail's Canadian

    Board VIA Rail's Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for the first of three nights, crossing Ontario and the Canadian Shield.

  8. Day 8overnight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    Into the great wide open of Canada's plains

    Cross Manitoba and Saskatchewan's prairies aboard the Canadian, passing Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

  9. Day 9overnight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    Crossing beautiful Alberta

    Travel through Alberta toward Edmonton and the Rocky Mountains, with views from the Park Car.

  10. Day 10overnight: Jasper

    Arrival in Jasper

    Arrive in Jasper and transfer to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, with the rest of the day free.

  11. Day 11overnight: Jasper

    Exploring Jasper independently

    A free day to explore Jasper National Park, including Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake.

  12. Day 12overnight: Banff

    Along the incredible Icefields Parkway to Banff

    Coach along the Icefields Parkway, an Ice Explorer excursion onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, then on to the Fairmont Banff Springs.

  13. Day 13overnight: Banff

    The beauty of the Rockies' national parks

    A coach tour of Emerald Lake, Lake Louise and the Spiral Tunnels at Kicking Horse Pass.

  14. Day 14overnight: Kamloops

    Boarding Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service

    A daylight-only GoldLeaf journey on the Rocky Mountaineer through Banff National Park and across the Continental Divide to Kamloops.

  15. Day 15overnight: Vancouver

    Toward Vancouver on Rocky Mountaineer

    Continue on the Rocky Mountaineer through the Thompson and Fraser Canyons to Vancouver, checking in to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

  16. Day 16overnight: Vancouver

    Delving into Vancouver's sights

    A guided tour of Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park and Granville Island, with free time to continue exploring.

  17. Day 17

    Traveling home

    Check out of the Vancouver hotel this morning and begin your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Nova Scotia's coastal towns including Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay and the UNESCO-listed harbor town of Lunenburg.
  • Day 3Board VIA Rail's Ocean in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for an overnight journey through New Brunswick toward Quebec City.
  • Day 6Full-day excursion to Niagara Falls with a boat cruise into the mist and views from Table Rock.
  • Day 7Board VIA Rail's Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for a three-night journey across Ontario, the Canadian Shield, the prairies and toward the Rocky Mountains.
  • Day 12Coach along the Icefields Parkway with an Ice Explorer excursion onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
  • Day 14Daylight-only journey on Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service through Banff National Park and across the Continental Divide to Kamloops.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in a Sleeper Plus Cabin aboard VIA Rail's Ocean
  • 3 nights in a Sleeper Plus Cabin aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • GoldLeaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Small Group - max group size of 25
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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 train travel included?
Yes. The package covers all rail travel: VIA Rail's Ocean from Halifax to Quebec City (one night in a Sleeper Plus cabin), VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper (three nights in a Sleeper Plus cabin), VIA Rail Corridor Service between Montreal and Toronto, and Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Service from Banff to Vancouver (two days).
Is this trip escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish. The group is capped at 25 guests. Most days include guided tours and excursions, though Day 11 in Jasper is free to explore independently.
Which hotels are included?
The package stays in Fairmont hotels: The Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax (2 nights), Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City (1 night), The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (2 nights), Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (2 nights), Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (2 nights), a hotel in Kamloops (1 night), and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (2 nights).
What is not included?
Flights and airport transfers are not included. Cancellation and travel insurance are also not included and must be purchased separately.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating of 2, which includes guided city walks in Halifax, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver, plus board-and-coach transitions. Days 10 and 11 in Jasper offer free time to explore at your own pace.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish a departure calendar in the available information. Contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm available dates.

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