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Vacations By Rail · Independent

Quebec to the Maritimes

Montreal to Halifax on VIA Rail with Quebec City and Moncton stops

Illustration of Quebec to the Maritimes

Vacations By Rail's Quebec to the Maritimes is a 6-day independent train journey that begins in Montreal and ends in Halifax, stopping in Quebec City and passing through Moncton. You start with a day and a half in Montreal, including a guided morning tour of Notre Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park, Olympic Park, and Old Montreal. From Montreal you travel by VIA Rail to Quebec City for a guided afternoon tour covering the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, and historic Old Quebec. The centerpiece is an overnight aboard VIA Rail's Ocean sleeper train, where you travel from Quebec City through the Maritimes to Halifax, with breakfast and lunch served in the Dining Car. You spend the final two days in Halifax exploring independently, with the option to join seasonal excursions to Peggy's Cove or take a harbour tour. The itinerary suits independent travellers who appreciate the structure of included rail travel and guided city tours paired with the freedom to explore on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Vacations By Rail publishes no price tiers or comfort options in this pack; confirm whether superior or deluxe plans (mentioned as offering Business Class rail) are available.
  • The tour is independent (self-guided), meaning only the Montreal and Quebec City segments include formal guided tours; Halifax exploration and any side trips are your responsibility.
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; budget separately for these.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Montreal

    Montreal

    Check into your hotel and spend the day exploring Montreal's shops, dining and entertainment at your own pace.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Quebec City

    Montreal Sightseeing

    Morning sightseeing excursion covering Notre Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park, Olympic Park, Old Montreal and St. Joseph's Oratory. Afternoon at leisure, then an evening VIA Rail journey (about 3 hours along the St. Lawrence River) to Quebec City.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: aboard VIA Rail's Ocean train

    Quebec City tour

    Guided sightseeing tour covering the Plains of Abraham, the Latin Quarter, the Citadel, the Fortifications, the National Assembly and Place Royale. Afternoon at leisure, then transfer to the Sainte-Foy rail station for the overnight VIA Rail's Ocean journey to Halifax.

  4. Day 4overnight: Halifax

    Halifax

    Breakfast in the Dining Car, a 15-minute stop in Moncton, and arrival in Halifax. Drop bags at the hotel and dine independently in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Halifax

    Exploring Halifax

    Day at leisure to explore Halifax independently, with optional seasonal excursions to Peggy's Cove or a Harbour Hopper tour of Halifax Harbour.

  6. Day 6

    Conclusion

    Tour concludes; extend your stay in Halifax or transfer to the airport (not included) for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Morning guided tour of Montreal's Notre Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park, Olympic Park, and Old Montreal, followed by an evening three-hour VIA Rail journey along the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City.
  • Day 3Guided tour of Quebec City's Plains of Abraham, Latin Quarter, and Citadel, then overnight aboard VIA Rail's Ocean sleeper train from Quebec City to Halifax.
  • Day 4Breakfast in the Ocean's Dining Car as the train arrives in Halifax after an overnight journey from Quebec City via Moncton.
  • Day 5Unguided day in Halifax with optional seasonal excursions to Peggy's Cove or a Harbour Hopper tour of Halifax Harbour.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 4 nights
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail Canada (1 night on train)
  • 3 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. The price includes VIA Rail travel from Montreal to Quebec City (Economy Class, about 3 hours) and an overnight sleeper cabin aboard VIA Rail's Ocean from Quebec City to Halifax via Moncton.
Is the trip guided or self-guided?
It is independent (self-guided). You follow a planned itinerary, but guided sightseeing tours are included only in Montreal (morning) and Quebec City (daytime). Halifax is unguided; the operator offers optional seasonal excursions to Peggy's Cove and Halifax Harbour, but these are not included.
What meals are included?
Three meals are included: dinner on day 2 (Montreal to Quebec City train journey), breakfast and lunch on day 4 (aboard the Ocean train). Other meals are at your expense.
Which hotels are used?
The Moderate tier (from-price) includes Delta Montreal (1 night), Delta Quebec (1 night), and Cambridge Suites Halifax (2 nights).
How much walking is involved?
Guided sightseeing tours in Montreal and Quebec City involve city walking. Halifax is explored at your own pace. No specific walking distances are documented.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and meals beyond breakfast, lunch and dinner as noted are not included. Optional excursions in Halifax (Peggy's Cove, Harbour Hopper) are at your own expense.

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