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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

The Grand Canadian Rail Odyssey

Thirteen-day rail journey across Canada from Vancouver to Toronto on two signature trains

Illustration of The Grand Canadian Rail Odyssey

Cox & Kings' 13-day Grand Canadian Rail Odyssey is a luxury rail journey across Canada's vast landscape, beginning in Toronto and ending in Vancouver. The trip combines two of Canada's most celebrated trains: VIA Rail's Canadian, where you sleep in a private cabin and travel three days and three nights from Toronto to Jasper passing through Ontario's lakes, the prairies, and into the Rocky Mountains; and the Rocky Mountaineer, traveling westward in GoldLeaf Service from Banff to Vancouver with views of the Continental Divide, Yoho National Park's Spiral Tunnels, and the Thompson River. Between rail segments, you stay in five-star Fairmont hotels and join guided excursions including the Icefields Parkway with a ride on ancient ice and the Glacier Skywalk, the Yoho and Kootenay National Parks tour, and Niagara Falls. The itinerary balances train time, hotel comfort, and curated experiences, making it suited to luxury seekers and repeat rail travellers who want Canada's geography revealed without logistical planning.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price includes scheduled international flights, but check your preferred travel dates, as summer (June-August) costs GBP 770 more than May or September.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto (Fairmont Royal York)

    Arrive Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto, Canada's dynamic and cosmopolitan gateway city. After travelling to your downtown hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to unwind and explore at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto (Fairmont Royal York)

    Toronto

    Today brings one of the country's most iconic experiences as you join an included Niagara Falls Small Group Tour. At the falls themselves, bypass the queues with priority boarding for the Hornblower boat tour (also included).

  3. Day 3railovernight: VIA Rail, The Canadian

    Toronto to Jasper VIA Rail

    This morning, check in at Toronto's Union Station and settle into your private cabin aboard VIA Rail's legendary 'Canadian' train. Glide past Ontario's mosaic of shimmering lakes, dense forests and rolling countryside, while enjoying brunch and dinner served onboard.

  4. Day 4railovernight: VIA Rail, The Canadian

    Toronto to Jasper VIA Rail

    Rise with the gentle sway of the train as it carries you into Manitoba, where Ontario's forests give way to the prairies. Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard punctuate the day.

  5. Day 5railovernight: VIA Rail, The Canadian

    Toronto to Jasper VIA Rail

    Awaken as your train progresses through Manitoba and into Saskatchewan, the heart of Canada's breadbasket. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard offer leisurely interludes.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper (Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge)

    Arrive Jasper

    Disembark and feel the mountain air fill your lungs, sharp and invigorating against the mountainous backdrop. After an orientation that sets the scene, you are escorted to your hotel.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise)

    Arrive Lake Louise

    Today's included excursion is along the legendary Icefields Parkway, offering the chance to step onto ancient ice aboard the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle and to gaze out across plunging valleys from the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk. A picnic lunch is also included.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

    Arrive Banff

    Rise to the unbridled beauty of Lake Louise. The morning is yours to explore at your own pace, before a mid-day transfer along the Bow Valley highway beckons, arriving in the lively mountain town of Banff.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)

    Banff

    Venture beyond the well-trodden paths on today's included Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks small-group tour. Begin with a walk through Marble Canyon, continue to Emerald Lake, and the day crescendos at Takakkaw Falls.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kamloops

    Arrive Kamloops

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer and travel westward. Crossing the Continental Divide, marvel at the ingenuity of the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park. Pause in thought as you pass Craigellachie, the historic site where the last spike united the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885.

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver (L'Hermitage Hotel)

    Arrive Vancouver

    Rejoin the Rocky Mountaineer as it follows the Thompson River, passing Ashcroft and continuing through Rainbow Canyon. By late afternoon, the Pacific port city of Vancouver emerges on the horizon.

  12. Day 12overnight: Vancouver (L'Hermitage Hotel)

    Vancouver

    Today, join an included Vancouver City Highlights and Capilano Suspension Bridge tour that reveals both the cosmopolitan polish and natural drama of Vancouver.

  13. Day 13

    Fly home

    Today marks the close of your adventure. With memories to last a lifetime, take a taxi to Vancouver Airport and prepare for your overnight flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Join an included Niagara Falls small-group tour with priority Hornblower boat boarding to bypass queues.
  • Day 3Board VIA Rail's Canadian at Toronto's Union Station in a private sleeper cabin and glide past Ontario's lakes, forests, and countryside with meals served onboard.
  • Day 7Travel the legendary Icefields Parkway and step onto ancient ice aboard the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle, then walk the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk with a picnic lunch included.
  • Day 10Board the Rocky Mountaineer, cross the Continental Divide, and marvel at the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
  • Day 12Cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge as it sways over a forested canyon during the included Vancouver City Highlights tour.

Included

  • Scheduled international flights
  • Superior accommodation
  • Niagara Falls Small Group Tour from Toronto
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail in Sleeper Touring service
  • Meet & Greet in Jasper with orientation of the town
  • Full day tour between Jasper and Lake Louise with picnic lunch
  • Scheduled coach transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
  • Yoho & Kootenay National Park Tour from Banff
  • Transfer between hotel and rail depot in Banff
  • Rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service
  • Return transfer between rail depot and hotel in Kamloops
  • Vancouver City Highlights Tour
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge & Lookout Admission from Vancouver
  • National Park fees

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes rail travel on VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper in Sleeper Plus or Prestige sleeper service, and on the Rocky Mountaineer from the Banff area to Vancouver in GoldLeaf Service. All meals aboard both trains are included.
What hotels are included?
Cox & Kings books you into five-star Fairmont properties: the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (2 nights), Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper (1 night), Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (1 night), and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff (2 nights). You also stay in Kamloops and Vancouver for 2 nights each.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The itinerary includes guided excursions such as a Niagara Falls small-group tour, the Icefields Parkway full-day tour with Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk, the Yoho & Kootenay National Parks tour, and a Vancouver City Highlights tour. Transfers between hotels and rail stations are arranged.
When does it run?
Cox & Kings offers departures in May, June through August, and September. Prices start at GBP 8,985 in May and September, and GBP 9,755 in summer months.
Are flights included?
Yes. Scheduled international flights are included in the package price.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
The activity level is described as Leisurely. Activities include walking tours at Niagara Falls, an all-terrain vehicle ride onto ancient ice, a walk on the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk, a walk through Marble Canyon, and crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge. No strenuous hiking is required.

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