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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made rail holiday

The Ocean: Rail journey to the Maritimes

Eight-day rail journey from Montréal to Halifax on VIA Rail's Ocean sleeper train

Illustration of The Ocean: Rail journey to the Maritimes

Wexas Travel operates this eight-day journey from Montréal to Halifax, blending overnight rail travel with escorted city exploration and coastal excursions across Atlantic Canada's Maritime provinces. The trip begins with two days in Montréal and a guided day-trip to Québec City and Montmorency Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On Day 3, you board The Ocean, VIA Rail's sleeper train, retiring to your private Sleeper Plus cabin after a three-course dinner in the dining car. You awake to Atlantic Ocean views on Day 4 as the train approaches Moncton near the Bay of Fundy, then transfer across the Confederation Bridge to Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island. Day 5 includes a guided Island Drive through farmland and villages, with a tour of the Green Gables House that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel. The final days split between Charlottetown and Halifax, with multiple sightseeing options ranging from a Lobster Cruise to Peggy's Cove and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. This itinerary suits history-loving couples, food and wine travellers, and those who prefer guided structure with some choice in how they explore each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one night of the seven involves train travel; the rest is hotel-based with coach and private transfer transport
  • Hotels listed as options (Hotel Le Germain or Fairmont in Montréal, Hotel Halifax or Sutton Place in Halifax); your final accommodation depends on the tier and availability

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hotel Le Germain Montréal (Superior) or Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montréal (Superior)

    UK to Montréal

    Enjoy VIP lounge access before boarding your flight to Montréal. On arrival, travel independently to your downtown hotel and head out to explore. Canada's second-largest city is surprisingly easy to explore either by foot or metro.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hotel Le Germain Montréal (Superior) or Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montréal (Superior)

    Québec City & Montmorency Falls

    Today you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, marvelling at the European architecture and history of the old town. Your guide will see you to some of the highlights, including a visit to the Montmorency Falls, which is a full 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. This evening, return to your Montréal hotel.

  3. Day 3railovernight: VIA Rail - Sleeper Plus Private bedroom and shower

    Montréal & The Ocean

    You'll start today with a choice of guided tours in Montréal. You'll then board The Ocean, a VIA Rail train service which will see you into the heart of Canada's Maritime provinces. Relax in the comfort of your Sleeper Plus private cabin as you glide through rural Québec, with hot drinks, snacks, and a three-course dinner in the dining car before retiring to your cabin for the night.

  4. Day 4railovernight: The Great George, Charlottetown (Superior & Deluxe)

    Moncton & Charlottetown

    Today, you'll awake to views of the Atlantic Ocean outside the train window. Enjoy breakfast as you pass rolling hills and charming coastal villages on your way to Moncton, near the Bay of Fundy, home to the world's highest tides. From Moncton, you'll transfer to Charlottetown via the 13km Confederation Bridge. Come the afternoon, check into your hotel in Charlottetown.

  5. Day 5overnight: The Great George, Charlottetown (Superior & Deluxe)

    Island Drives & Anne of Green Gables Tour

    Today's scenic route sees you through verdant farmland and past pretty villages along the North Shore and Green Gables Shore region. Pause at quaint fishing harbours, picturesque lighthouses and Cavendish Beach national park. Tour the Green Gables House, the farm that inspired Anne of Green Gables in 1908, and stop at Prince Edward Island Preserve Company.

  6. Day 6overnight: Hotel Halifax, Halifax (Superior) / Sutton Place Hotel, Halifax (Deluxe)

    Charlottetown to Halifax

    This morning you'll explore Charlottetown with a choice of sightseeing tours - perhaps a Lobster Cruise or a Charlottetown Highlights Tour. In the afternoon depart on a private transfer back over the Confederation Bridge to Halifax.

  7. Day 7overnight: Hotel Halifax, Halifax (Superior) / Sutton Place Hotel, Halifax (Deluxe)

    Halifax

    In Halifax this morning a further choice of tours will introduce you to the city's highlights: a coastal cruise taking in lighthouses, pretty Lunenburg & Mahone Bay or Peggy's Cove, or the Halifax Hop-On Hop-Off tour taking in the Titanic Cemetery, Citadel, Alexander Keith's Brewery, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

  8. Day 8

    Return to the UK

    This morning, depart your hotel and head to the airport to return to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Sightseeing tour of Québec City's UNESCO World Heritage old town and visit to Montmorency Falls, 30 metres taller than Niagara Falls
  • Day 3Board The Ocean, VIA Rail's sleeper train, and relax in a private Sleeper Plus cabin with a three-course dinner in the dining car
  • Day 4Wake to Atlantic Ocean views as The Ocean approaches Moncton, gateway to the Bay of Fundy with the world's highest tides
  • Day 5Tour the Green Gables House on Prince Edward Island, the farm that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel, and explore Cavendish Beach

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Montréal and returning from Halifax
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Quebec City & Montmorency Falls sightseeing tour
  • VIA Rail onboard accommodation for 1 night between Montréal and Moncton
  • Montréal Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions - Montréal Half Day Sightseeing Tour, Walking Tour of Old Montréal or Beyond the Market Food Walking Tour
  • Private transfers between Moncton and Charlottetown
  • Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables Tour
  • Charlottetown Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions - Lobster Cruise, Charlottetown Highlights Tour
  • Private transfer between Charlottetown and Halifax
  • Halifax Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions - Coastal Cruise Lighthouses & Lobster Traps / Peggy's Cove Tour / Lunenburg & Mahone Bay / Halifax Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • National Park entry fees

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes one night aboard VIA Rail's Ocean sleeper train from Montréal to Moncton in a Sleeper Plus private cabin with en-suite shower, plus all flights, hotels, and transfers.
Which train is featured on this trip?
The Ocean, operated by VIA Rail, runs overnight from Montréal to Moncton. You travel in a Sleeper Plus private bedroom with shower and receive a three-course dinner in the dining car.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is a tailor-made holiday with guided tours in Québec City and Montréal, an Island Drive with tour guide in Charlottetown, and freedom-of-choice excursions in Halifax. Day 1 arrival in Montréal is independent; you travel to your hotel yourself.
What meals are included?
Dinner on The Ocean is included, along with breakfast as you approach Moncton. The itinerary states 'Meals as per itinerary,' but specific breakfast and lunch details are not listed; confirm inclusions directly with Wexas Travel.
When does this trip run?
Departures run from May 2 to October 15, 2026. Superior rooms are available May 2-23 and October 1-15 (from GBP 2,890); peak season May 24 to September 30 costs from GBP 3,240.
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking on guided tours in Montréal and Québec City, and walking during sightseeing excursions in Charlottetown and Halifax. No specific distance or difficulty is stated; the itinerary does not mention hikes or strenuous activity.

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