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First Class Holidays · Independent Rail Journey

Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza

East-to-west Canada rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver on two trains

Illustration of Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza

First Class Holidays' Trans Canadian Rail Extravaganza is a 13-day, 12-night independent journey from Toronto to Vancouver combining two of North America's most celebrated rail services with coach travel through the Canadian Rockies. You begin in cosmopolitan Toronto, take a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls with an included boat cruise and winery tour, then board VIA Rail's Canadian at Toronto's Union Station for a three-night crossing of the prairies in a private Sleeper Plus bedroom, waking each morning to changing landscapes from Northern Ontario's lakelands through Manitoba's wheat fields to the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival in Jasper, you switch to coach travel along the Icefield Parkway with an included Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier, staying in Lake Louise and Banff with guided tours of Banff's mountain scenery and a gondola ride on Sulphur Mountain. The final leg is a two-day journey aboard Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service, following the Thompson River and Rainbow Canyon to Vancouver. The package includes return UK flights, all 12 nights of accommodation, and 13 meals throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Days 12 and 13 both show 'Depart Vancouver, Arrive UK'; the itinerary does not clarify the return flight timing or whether there is a night between departure and arrival.
  • Hotel transfers in Vancouver are not included; you arrange your own transport from the airport to your hotel on arrival.
  • The itinerary does not specify which nights in Toronto are before and after the Niagara Falls tour, or the final hotel check-out time on Day 11.

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 and depart at 09:45 for a three-night journey across the prairies in a Sleeper Plus Class private bedroom.
  • Day 7Travel the Icefield Parkway by coach with an included Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier, stopping at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and Athabasca Falls.
  • Day 9Tour Banff with a included gondola ride on Sulphur Mountain, viewing the Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, and Tunnel Mountain Drive overlooking Bow Valley.
  • Day 10Re-board Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service and travel from Banff through the Thompson River and Rainbow Canyon to Kamloops.

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

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper (three nights in a private Sleeper Plus bedroom) and Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service from Banff to Vancouver.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
First Class Holidays lists this as an Independent Rail Journey. You make your own way to your hotel on arrival in Toronto and Vancouver; there is no group guide.
What hotels are included?
The package includes nine nights in hotels in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Vancouver, plus three nights on board VIA Rail. The pack does not name the specific hotels.
Which meals are included?
Thirteen meals are included: five breakfasts, six lunches, and two dinners. All meals aboard VIA Rail are included; Rocky Mountaineer meals are included in SilverLeaf Service.
Does the price include flights from the UK?
Yes. Return flights from the UK to Toronto and from Vancouver are included in the package price.
How much walking is involved?
Day 7 includes an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Day 9 includes a gondola ride and walking tours in Banff and views of the Hoodoos and Sulphur Mountain. Day 2 includes a Niagara Falls boat cruise. General city walking in Toronto, Lake Louise, and Vancouver is expected.

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