Is train travel included?

Yes. The trip includes multiple overnight journeys in a private sleeper cabin aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian, from Vancouver to Jasper and again from Jasper to Toronto, with meals onboard the train.

Is this trip guided or independent?

It is independent, personalized travel with no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the details, and small-group sightseeing tours are available as optional day excursions.

What hotels are used?

The Azur Legacy Collection Hotel in Vancouver (2 nights) is named, along with two Banff options, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Moose Hotel and Suites (2 nights); the evidence does not name a specific Jasper hotel.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from CAD $8,390 for the Comfort Level tier (3 to 3.5 star hotels), rising to CAD $9,290 for Superior Level (4 to 4.5 star) and CAD $10,870 for Deluxe Level (5 star), all with VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class.

How much walking or activity is required?

The itinerary lets travellers choose activities to match their own activity level, from ice walking, snowshoeing, or dogsledding in Banff to a less active highlights tour; about one in five travelers needs mobility-related support, which can be accommodated.

What is not included?

Optional extras such as a Northern Lights add-on with aurora viewing, dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing, a Prestige Class upgrade, and a private Icefields tour with a helicopter flight are listed separately from the base package.

Fresh Tracks Canada · Tailor-made vacation

Trans Canada by Train in Winter

Tailor-made winter rail trip on VIA Rail's The Canadian, Vancouver to Toronto

Fresh Tracks Canada arranges this 12-day tailor-made winter trip across Canada, starting in Vancouver and finishing in Toronto. There is no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the travel details while travellers set their own pace. After two nights in Vancouver, the trip boards VIA Rail's The Canadian for an overnight sleeper journey to Jasper, waking to snow-capped Rockies peaks near Mount Robson. A road transfer along the Icefields Parkway then connects Jasper and Banff, passing frozen waterfalls and vast mountain valleys, before the trip returns to the rails at Jasper. The Canadian continues for three more nights onboard, crossing the snow-covered Prairies and the Canadian Shield's frozen lakes and boreal forest, before arriving in Toronto. With flexible activity choices in Banff and mobility support available, this suits travellers who want a long winter rail journey without a rigid group schedule.

What to know before you look closer

Two different Banff hotels are named, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Moose Hotel and Suites, without the pack specifying which applies to which tier.
The Jasper to Banff and Banff to Jasper legs (days 5 and 7) are road transfers along the Icefields Parkway, not train travel, even though this is framed as a train trip.
No specific Jasper hotel is named in the evidence, even though two separate nights (days 4 and 7) are spent there.
The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Fresh Tracks Canada.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Vancouver
Begin your Canadian Winter Vacation
The cool, fresh air is invigorating as you start your Canadian winter train vacation. Vancouver's relatively mild weather is a great introduction, but look to the north and discover the winter scene you've been dreaming of, Vancouver's coastal mountains stand before you covered in pure white snow.
Day 2overnight: Vancouver
Discover Vancouver
With a mild climate and so much to do, it's no wonder people flock to this west coast city! Explore Vancouver and the surrounding areas with one of the many activities available.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver
Board The Canadian train in Vancouver. Settle into your private cabin and watch the ever-changing scenery as you travel through beautiful British Columbia. See farmer's fields, winding river canyons, and icy forests.
Day 4railovernight: Jasper
VIA Rail - Arrive in Jasper
Awake to see the glistening snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies all around you, including Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. After breakfast, step off the train in the charming mountain town of Jasper and get ready to explore Jasper National Park.
Day 5overnight: Banff
Icefields Parkway to Banff
Enjoy a scenic transfer along the spine of the Rockies, the Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of Canada's most beautiful routes. Each turn reveals frozen waterfalls and impossibly vast mountain valleys.
Day 6overnight: Banff
Explore Banff
Nestled amidst the soaring peaks of Banff National Park is the town of Banff, the liveliest of the Rocky Mountain towns. The energy is contagious. It's small enough to walk around and home to world-class eateries and boutiques.
Day 7overnight: Jasper
Travel from Banff to Jasper
Spend the morning exploring Banff. Browse the quaint local shops for souvenirs, or enjoy a scenic stroll before catching your transfer back to Jasper along the Parkway. Enjoy one more night in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 8railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Depart Jasper National Park
Board The Canadian train, wind your way out of Jasper National Park and head towards Toronto. Take in the spectacular views as you leave Canada's iconic Rocky Mountains behind.
Day 9railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies
Make your way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Fields blanketed in snow stretch endlessly under an immense blue sky. When you look out the window, spot rustic barns and small farming towns.
Day 10railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train
VIA Rail - The Canadian Shield
Awake in the province of Ontario and travel through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield. See ancient, exposed rock, wintry boreal forest, and frozen lakes, you may even spot waves frozen in the water! Keep an eye out for fishing cabins perched on small islands, as well as moose foraging.
Day 11railovernight: Toronto
VIA Rail - Arrive in Toronto
After travelling south through Ontario's cottage country, your journey onboard The Canadian train comes to an end. Arrive in Toronto, Canada's cultural heart and largest city.
Day 12rail
Depart from Toronto
Leave the clean air and colourful sights of Canada behind as your Canadian train vacation ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Boarding The Canadian in Vancouver and watching the scenery change through British Columbia's farmer's fields, river canyons, and icy forests.
Day 4Waking to snow-capped Canadian Rockies peaks including Mount Robson, then stepping off the train in the mountain town of Jasper.
Day 5A scenic transfer along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, past frozen waterfalls and vast mountain valleys.
Day 10Waking in Ontario to the Canadian Shield's exposed rock, wintry boreal forest, and frozen lakes, watching for fishing cabins and moose.
Day 11Arriving in Toronto after travelling south through Ontario's cottage country, ending the journey onboard The Canadian.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Meals onboard the train
Choice of unique guided activities
Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
Train station transfers
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

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Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada)from $5,908

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The trip includes multiple overnight journeys in a private sleeper cabin aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian, from Vancouver to Jasper and again from Jasper to Toronto, with meals onboard the train.
Is this trip guided or independent?: It is independent, personalized travel with no fixed tour group; local Canadian Insiders coordinate the details, and small-group sightseeing tours are available as optional day excursions.
What hotels are used?: The Azur Legacy Collection Hotel in Vancouver (2 nights) is named, along with two Banff options, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Moose Hotel and Suites (2 nights); the evidence does not name a specific Jasper hotel.
How much does it cost?: Prices start from CAD $8,390 for the Comfort Level tier (3 to 3.5 star hotels), rising to CAD $9,290 for Superior Level (4 to 4.5 star) and CAD $10,870 for Deluxe Level (5 star), all with VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class.
How much walking or activity is required?: The itinerary lets travellers choose activities to match their own activity level, from ice walking, snowshoeing, or dogsledding in Banff to a less active highlights tour; about one in five travelers needs mobility-related support, which can be accommodated.
What is not included?: Optional extras such as a Northern Lights add-on with aurora viewing, dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing, a Prestige Class upgrade, and a private Icefields tour with a helicopter flight are listed separately from the base package.