Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent tour

The Canadian Nostalgic: Eastbound

7-day sleeper train crossing on VIA Rail's The Canadian, Vancouver to Toronto

The Canadian Nostalgic: Eastbound, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail Vacations operates this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation from Vancouver to Toronto, built around four nights aboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' in a private sleeper cabin. After a night in Vancouver, the train departs in the afternoon of day 2, traveling through the Fraser Valley and past Hell's Gate before reaching the Rockies overnight. Day 3 brings a Rocky Mountain sunrise and a stop in Jasper, with Mount Robson visible on approach, before the route continues across the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba on day 4 and the lakes and forests of Ontario on day 5. All meals are made to order in the dining car throughout the journey. The train pulls into Toronto's Union Station on day 6, where a complimentary CN Tower pass is included for the afternoon. This suits travelers who want the multi-day sleeper train experience itself as the main event, with only one hotel night on either end.

What to know before you look closer

  • The base package uses Popular Hotels (3-star) and a Sleeper Plus Cabin; a Prestige Class upgrade costs an additional CAD $4,250 per person.
  • Airport transfers in Vancouver and Toronto, and rail station transfers between the VIA Rail station and hotels, are not included.
  • Meals other than onboard the train are on your own, and gratuities for rail, hotel, and transfer staff are also excluded.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Arrival

    Arrive in Vancouver, a city known for its cultural and linguistic diversity. This city is very lively and home to a bustling arts scene so you will find that there is no shortage of things to do and places to explore. Popular sites include the urban jungle of Stanley Park, Canada's largest Chinatown and the Robson Street Shopping District.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Aboard the train

    Vancouver Sightseeing. Departure On Board "The Canadian" Train

    Depart Vancouver aboard VIA Rail's "The Canadian" train in the afternoon. Travel through the lush Fraser Valley and along the salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River. Meals will be included on board and you are free to roam about the train as you wish. During the day you'll pass beside river canyons and natural wonders like Hell's Gate. By nightfall you've reached the interior of British Columbia and the sound of the train is rocking you to sleep.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train - The Canadian Rockies

    You'll wake up to a Rocky Mountain sunrise and head to the dining car for breakfast. Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, greets you on your approach to Jasper. The train will stop for a few hours in Jasper, which would allow you some time to look around. Continue on through the province of Alberta and pass through its capital city of Edmonton.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train - Saskatchewan and Manitoba

    Your train continues on through the rolling prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Swaying grasslands and fields of gold stretch out before you in every direction underneath a never ending sky. You'll reach Winnipeg this evening before the train continues on eastwards towards Toronto.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train - Ontario

    The entire day is spent travelling across Canada's second largest province, Ontario. Your route is north of the Great Lakes and the entire day can be spent watching the countryside pass by. Lakes and never ending forests are out your window throughout the day as you glide across our great country on the route the early settlers once took.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Toronto

    "The Canadian" Train - Arrival in Toronto. Complimentary CN Tower Admission

    Arrive in Toronto in the afternoon. "The Canadian" will be pulling into downtown Toronto's Union Station and the rest of the day is yours to explore Canada's largest city. Use your complimentary CN Tower admissions pass to view Ontario's capital city from above. You may choose to walk the glass floor or enjoy a seasonal dinner in the rotating restaurant at the top.

  7. Day 7rail

    Toronto Departure

    Your tour is complete upon your checkout of your hotel room. Thank you for travelling with Canada Rail Vacations! We hope you enjoyed travelling across Canada in this nostalgic setting.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Departure aboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' from Vancouver, traveling through the Fraser Valley and past Hell's Gate.
  • Day 3A Rocky Mountain sunrise and breakfast in the dining car, with Mount Robson visible on approach to a stop in Jasper.
  • Day 5A full day crossing Ontario north of the Great Lakes, with lakes and forests passing the dome car windows.
  • Day 6Arrival at Toronto's Union Station, with a complimentary CN Tower admission pass to view the city from above.

Included

  • 4 nights private bedroom accommodation onboard VIA Rail's "The Canadian" train
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation pre and post-train nights
  • All meals made to order on board "The Canadian" train each day
  • Complimentary CN Tower admission passes
  • Complimentary Vancouver city tour when an additional night is added

Not included

  • Airport transfers in Vancouver and Toronto (available, please ask for details)
  • Rail station transfers between VIA Rail station and hotels
  • Meals, other than onboard the train
  • Gratuities/tip for rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, four nights in a private sleeper cabin aboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian,' from Vancouver to Toronto, in Sleeper Plus Class.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent tour. Hotel nights and sightseeing in Vancouver and Toronto are on your own, apart from a complimentary CN Tower pass.
Which train and class are used?
VIA Rail's 'The Canadian,' in Sleeper Plus Class, with a Prestige Class upgrade available for CAD $4,250 per person.
What meals are included?
All meals are made to order onboard the train each day; meals in Vancouver and Toronto are on your own.
What is not included?
Airport transfers, rail station transfers between the station and hotels, and gratuities for rail, hotel, and transfer staff.
When does it run?
209 departures across all months of 2026 and 2027.

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