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First Class Holidays · Independent Rail Journey

Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza

Toronto to Vancouver by VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer in 13 days

Illustration of Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza

First Class Holidays' Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza is a 13-day independent rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver, combining two of North America's most celebrated train routes. The itinerary spans cosmopolitan Toronto, Niagara Falls, the Canadian prairies, and the Canadian Rockies, staying in the alpine towns of Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. You'll spend three nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus Class bedroom, crossing the scenic lakelands of Northern Ontario and the wheat fields of Manitoba and Saskatchewan with all meals provided. After exploring the Athabasca Glacier via the Icefield Parkway and the attractions around Banff, you'll board Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf Service for the final two-day leg through the mountain passes and Fraser Valley to Vancouver. The package includes return flights from the UK, nine nights in hotels, and 13 meals, but you arrange your own transfers on the arrival and departure days.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price of 8,999 GBP (approximately 12,018 USD) includes return flights from the UK, but does not include the Vancouver airport transfer on arrival or departure, meals and attractions beyond the 13 listed, or gratuities.
  • This is an independent rail journey, not escorted; day 1 requires you to make your own way to your Toronto hotel, and day 12 requires you to arrange your own airport transfer in Vancouver.
  • Days 2 and 12-13 involve non-rail travel: a full-day coach tour to Niagara Falls and a return flight to the UK.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto and make your own way to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Toronto. Toronto's waterfront - one of North America's largest recreational waterfronts, is a scenic backdrop for many popular and entertaining attractions including Ontario Place, SkyDome, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Islands.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    Today enjoy a breath-taking full-day tour through the Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls. You'll get up close to the thundering cascade of water as it drops over the edge on your included cruise (or Journey Behind the Falls if weather conditions prevent the boat sailing - normally before mid-May). Enjoy an included lunch overlooking Niagara Falls before a winery tour and tasting.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class - Private Bedroom)

    VIA Rail - Canadian Train

    Make you way to Toronto's Union Station to board VIA Rail's 'Canadian' for your train journey across the prairies to the Canadian Rockies (train departs at 09.45). Onboard the Canadian. Train for 3 nights: Sleeper Plus Class - Private Bedroom

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class - Private Bedroom)

    VIA Rail - Canadian Train

    Today is spent crossing the scenic lakelands of Northern Ontario. All meals included.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class - Private Bedroom)

    VIA Rail - Canadian Train

    Continue west through the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the breadbasket of Canada with its golden wheat fields starching as far as the eye can see. All meals included.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    This morning awake to arrive in Jasper, a small alpine community located in the majestic Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park was established in 1907 and is the largest national park in the Rockies.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Travel by coach today via one of the most scenic highways in North America - the Icefield Parkway. Time allows for an included Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way stops will be made at Bow & Peyto Lakes, the Crowfoot Glacier and Athabasca Falls.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Depart Lake Louise mid-morning for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Banff, arriving midday. The town of Banff is a spirited place, alive with adventure and wonder. In all directions you're surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst straight out of the ground.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Banff

    This morning, tour through the town of Banff and its environs. This stunning alpine resort town is filled with boutique shops and restaurants and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Among the highlights are visits to the Hoodoos (shaped by centuries of wind), Surprise Corner, Sulphur Mountain (gondola ride included), and Tunnel Mountain Drive - which overlooks the splendour of Bow Valley and the Cave and Basin where Banff's history began. Enjoy the afternoon on your own to explore this charming resort.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kamloops

    Kamloops

    You'll travel in SilverLeaf Service aboard Rocky Mountaineer for the scenic rail journey of a lifetime. On your journey, you'll enjoy incredible service from professional and attentive staff, a fabulous meal cooked fresh with locally sourced ingredients and, of course, be surrounded by world-class views.

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Re-join Rocky Mountaineer and follow the Thompson River and pass through Rainbow Canyon with its cliffs striped with pinks, greens and greys creating a stunning affect. The last leg of the journey takes you through the lush farming region of the Fraser Valley to arrive in the pacific port of Vancouver late afternoon. On arrival transfer to your hotel (not included).

  12. Day 12

    Depart Vancouver - Arrive UK

    Make your way to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

  13. Day 13

    Depart Vancouver - Arrive UK

    Make your way to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board VIA Rail's Canadian at Toronto's Union Station for a three-night journey across the prairies in a private bedroom, with all meals included.
  • Day 4Spend the day crossing the scenic lakelands of Northern Ontario aboard the Canadian.
  • Day 7Travel via the Icefield Parkway and ride the Ice Explorer onto Athabaska Glacier, with stops at Bow and Peyto Lakes and Crowfoot Glacier.
  • Day 9Ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain in Banff and explore the Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, and Tunnel Mountain Drive overlooking Bow Valley.
  • Day 10Board Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service from Banff, enjoying fresh-cooked meals and world-class views through the Canadian Rockies.

Included

  • Return Flights from the UK
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights accommodation on-board VIA Rail
  • Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf between Banff & Vancouver
  • 13 meals - 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Rail station transfers in Jasper, Banff and Vancouver

Not included

  • Meals, sightseeing and attractions not shown as included
  • Gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper in Sleeper Plus Class private bedrooms for three nights, and Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf Service from Banff or Kamloops to Vancouver for two days.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from the UK, nine nights hotel accommodation, three nights onboard VIA Rail, Rocky Mountaineer travel, 13 meals (5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners), and rail station transfers in Jasper, Banff, and Vancouver.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
First Class Holidays operates this as an independent rail journey, meaning you travel on your own schedule. Day 1 and day 12 are unguided; you arrange your own hotel transfer in Toronto and your own airport transfer in Vancouver.
What hotels are included?
The itinerary includes nine nights in hotels in Toronto, Niagara Falls area, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Kamloops, and Vancouver, plus three nights in a private bedroom aboard VIA Rail.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes a full-day Niagara Falls excursion, guided tours of Banff and its surrounding areas, and activities such as a gondola ride and Ice Explorer ride. Expect moderate walking in towns and scenic stops.
What is not included?
Meals, sightseeing, and attractions not shown as included, plus gratuities. The Vancouver airport transfer on arrival is not included.

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