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Vacations By Rail · Independent

Quebec City, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island

10-day independent tour from Quebec City to Prince Edward Island with VIA Rail sleeper

Illustration of Quebec City, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island

Vacations By Rail's 10-day independent tour takes you from the cobblestone streets of French-speaking Quebec City through Canada's maritime provinces. You begin with a guided sightseeing tour of Quebec City's most famous sites, then board VIA Rail's Ocean for an overnight journey in first-class sleeper berths to Halifax, passing through New Brunswick and Moncton with breakfast and lunch in the dining car. From Halifax, you rent a car for six days to explore at your own pace: a guided half-day tour of Peggy's Cove and its lighthouse, free time in Cape Breton to visit the Cabot Trail or Alexander Graham Bell Park, and a drive to Prince Edward Island for beaches and seafood, with a scenic ferry return to Halifax. This trip suits independent travelers who want the comfort of a planned route and a few guided highlights mixed with freedom to set the daily rhythm. Eight nights are in hotels ranging from the Fairmont in Quebec City to the Inverary Resort in Baddeck; one night is aboard the train. Most meals are on your own, though breakfast and lunch are provided aboard the Ocean.

What to know before you look closer

  • The ferry to Prince Edward Island (Day 7) and return ferry to Nova Scotia (Day 9) are not included; Northumberland Ferries costs approximately $78 per vehicle plus passengers
  • Rental car is included for six days but ferry costs must be paid separately
  • Some optional activities, such as the Cape Smokey Gondola (Baddeck) and Lobster Cruises (July-August only), are additional fees
  • The tour includes only two meals; most dinners and lunches are at your own expense

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City

    Arrive in Quebec City, check into your hotel, and explore the shops and boutiques near the hotel at your own pace.

  2. Day 2railovernight: aboard VIA Rail's Ocean train

    Quebec City Sightseeing

    Morning city sightseeing tour taking in the Plains of Abraham, Place d'Armes, the Fortifications, the Parliament Building and Place Royale. Afternoon at leisure, then transfer independently to Ste. Foy rail station to board VIA Rail's Ocean overnight train to Halifax in first-class sleeper accommodations.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Halifax

    VIA Rail's Ocean to Halifax

    Breakfast in the Dining Car and time in the Park Car observation dome, with presentations from the onboard Learning Coordinator (seasonal). 15-minute stop in Moncton. Arrive in Halifax, drop bags at the hotel, and dine independently in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Halifax

    Exploring Halifax

    Half-day narrated tour to the fishing village of Peggy's Cove and its lighthouse, returning to Halifax to see the Citadel, Titanic cemetery, City Gardens and Pier 21. Afternoon free for museums or Spring Garden Road.

  5. Day 5overnight: Baddeck

    Drive to Cape Breton

    Pick up the included rental car and drive to Cape Breton. Stop at Alexander Graham Bell Park in Baddeck, with views over the Bras d'Or Lakes.

  6. Day 6overnight: Baddeck

    Cape Breton at Leisure

    Free day to explore Cape Breton Island: options include the Cabot Trail, Cape Smokey Gondola (optional add-on, not operating before June 15), Fortress of Louisbourg, the Miner's Museum, or a Bras d'Or Lakes UNESCO Biosphere cruise and a stop at St. Peter's Canal.

  7. Day 7overnight: Charlottetown

    Drive to Prince Edward Island

    Drive to Prince Edward Island, taking the ferry (not included) to shorten the journey. Check into the hotel and explore Charlottetown's harbor and Victorian downtown.

  8. Day 8overnight: Charlottetown

    Prince Edward Island at Leisure

    Free day to explore PEI's beaches, Province House, and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Optional Morning or Evening Lobster Cruise available for July/August departures.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Halifax

    Prince Edward Island to Halifax

    Return to Nova Scotia by ferry (not included) at your own pace, with optional stops at local breweries or the Train Station Inn. Time to explore Halifax on arrival.

  10. Day 10

    Halifax

    Tour concludes this morning; extend your stay or return your rental car to Halifax International Airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Quebec City's Plains of Abraham, Fortifications, and Parliament Building, then independent transfer to board VIA Rail's Ocean overnight train
  • Day 3Breakfast in the VIA Rail's Ocean dining car and time in the Park Car observation dome en route to Halifax, with a 15-minute stop in Moncton
  • Day 4Half-day narrated tour to Peggy's Cove lighthouse, then visit Halifax's Citadel and Titanic cemetery
  • Day 5Pick up rental car and drive to Cape Breton, stopping at Alexander Graham Bell Park overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail Canada (1 night on train)
  • 6-day full-size car rental with LDW and unlimited mileage
  • 2 meals

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. One night aboard VIA Rail's Ocean in first-class sleeper berths from Quebec City to Halifax (via Moncton) is included, with breakfast and lunch in the dining car on Day 3.
Is this tour guided or independent?
Mostly independent. You receive a well-planned itinerary and travel on your own. A guided city sightseeing tour is included in Quebec City (Day 2) and Halifax (Day 4); the rest of the days are at your own pace.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights in hotels (Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, Inverary Resort in Baddeck, and The Great George in Charlottetown), one night aboard VIA Rail's Ocean, a six-day car rental with unlimited mileage and loss-damage waiver, and two meals.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, ferry to Prince Edward Island, travel insurance, most meals, and optional activities such as the Cape Smokey Gondola or Lobster Cruises.
When does this tour run?
The tour operates in the summer and fall. The Cape Smokey Gondola does not operate before June 15. Lobster Cruises are available for July and August departures only.
How much walking is involved?
The guided tours in Quebec City and Halifax include city walking and village exploration. Days in Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island are at your own pace with optional activities ranging from leisurely to moderately active.

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