Is all train travel included?

Yes. The package covers VIA Rail The Canadian (Vancouver-Jasper-Toronto), VIA Rail services (Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City), and The Ocean (Quebec City-Halifax), plus six nights of onboard accommodation with meals included.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

Independent tailor-made journey between hotel stops, with guided day tours in Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Halifax. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support.

Which trains are used?

VIA Rail's The Canadian (sleeper cabin class) from Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto, standard VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal to Quebec City, and The Ocean (sleeper class) from Quebec City to Halifax.

How many nights in each location?

Vancouver 2 nights, Jasper 2 nights, Banff 1 night, Toronto 2 nights, Montreal 2 nights, Quebec City 1 night, Halifax 2 nights. Six additional nights are spent aboard the trains with meals included.

What is not included in the package price?

Meals not served aboard the trains, personal expenses, optional activities beyond the guided tours listed, and travel insurance.

How much walking is involved?

Guided city walking tours in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax; a day trip to Niagara Falls; and the Icefields Parkway and Rockies Discovery tour with scenic stops. Train stations and hotels require typical luggage handling.

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Trans-Canadian Rail Odyssey

Coast-to-coast Canadian rail journey Vancouver to Halifax on VIA Rail sleepers

Marvellous Escapes' Trans-Canadian Rail Odyssey is an 18-day independent tailor-made journey across Canada, departing from the UK and returning from Halifax. The trip follows a coast-to-coast route from Vancouver on the Pacific to Halifax on the Atlantic, traveling on VIA Rail's legendary sleeper trains: The Canadian across the Rockies and The Ocean along the east coast. Over six nights aboard the trains with included meals, you watch landscapes unfold from coastal forest to alpine peaks to prairie to Atlantic shoreline. Between train legs, you stay two nights each in Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, with one night in Banff and one in Quebec City. Days combine independent exploration with guided tours in major cities and national parks: a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour in Vancouver, a Maligne Cruise and Jasper exploration, the Icefields Parkway crossing to Banff with Columbia Icefield views, a day trip to Niagara Falls, a Montreal city tour, and a Halifax and Peggy's Cove coastal tour. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support throughout. This itinerary suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and photographers seeking both comfort and guided immersion in Canada's major destinations and natural landmarks.

What to know before you look closer

The package price from GBP 5,999 includes UK flights, six nights aboard VIA Rail with meals, and hotel stays, but does not cover other meals or personal expenses.
Hotels are listed by location and night count but without specific names or star ratings in the operator's published materials; confirm property standards with Marvellous Escapes before booking.
Day 11 is a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls from Toronto; confirm transport arrangements and any additional costs with the operator.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Depart the UK and arrive in Vancouver. Transfer to your hotel, settle in, and enjoy your evening exploring the city's waterfront, or relax after your flight.
Day 2overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Enjoy a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to discover the best of Vancouver, from Stanley Park and Granville Island to Gastown's charming cobbled streets.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard The Canadian
Vancouver to Jasper
Board VIA Rail's The Canadian for your first leg across the Rockies. Settle into your sleeper cabin and watch the landscapes transform from coastal forest to mountain grandeur.
Day 4overnight: Jasper
Jasper
Arrive in Jasper, surrounded by the peaks of Jasper National Park. Enjoy time to relax or explore the town's alpine charm.
Day 5overnight: Banff
Banff
Journey along one of the world's most scenic highways from Jasper to Banff. Visit the Columbia Icefield, take in the turquoise lakes, and marvel at majestic mountain scenery.
Day 6overnight: Jasper
Jasper
Travel by shuttle transfer back to Jasper, taking in more stunning views of the Rockies along the way.
Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Jasper to Toronto
Rejoin The Canadian for a spectacular transcontinental rail journey across Canada's heartland. Relax and enjoy the comfort and beauty of life onboard.
Day 8overnight: Onboard VIA Rail
Jasper to Toronto
Watch as the dramatic Rockies give way to the vast, golden plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Day 9overnight: Onboard VIA Rail
Jasper to Toronto
Continue eastward, passing through tranquil lakes and forests as you approach Toronto.
Day 10overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Arrive in Toronto, Canada's largest city. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening exploring at your own pace.
Day 11overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Take a full-day excursion to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Experience its power up close before returning to Toronto in the evening.
Day 12railovernight: Montreal
Montreal
Board VIA Rail for your journey to Montreal, a city known for its European flair and cultural richness.
Day 13overnight: Montreal
Montreal
Discover the 'Heart of Montreal' on a guided motorcoach city tour, visiting highlights such as Old Montreal, Mount Royal, and the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Day 14railovernight: Quebec City
Quebec City
Travel by train to Quebec City, the only walled city in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 15railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Quebec City to Halifax
Board The Ocean, VIA Rail's iconic overnight sleeper train, for your journey along Canada's east coast.
Day 16overnight: Halifax
Halifax
Arrive in Halifax, the maritime gem of Nova Scotia, and transfer to your hotel.
Day 17overnight: Halifax
Halifax
Enjoy a guided tour of Halifax's highlights, including a visit to the postcard-perfect fishing village of Peggy's Cove.
Day 18
Return home
Transfer to Halifax Airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, marking the end of your incredible coast-to-coast journey.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Board VIA Rail's The Canadian in Vancouver and settle into your sleeper cabin as the landscape transforms from coastal forest to mountain grandeur.
Day 5Travel the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, visiting the Columbia Icefield and passing turquoise mountain lakes.
Day 11Full-day excursion to Niagara Falls to experience the power of this natural wonder.
Day 15Board The Ocean, VIA Rail's overnight sleeper train, for the journey along Canada's east coast from Quebec City to Halifax.
Day 17Visit Peggy's Cove, a postcard-perfect fishing village in Nova Scotia, on a guided Halifax highlights tour.

Included

2 nights' hotel accommodation in Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax
Overnight hotel accommodation in Banff and Quebec
6 nights' accommodation aboard VIA Rail with meals included
Flights from UK to Vancouver and return from Halifax
VIA Rail The Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper, Jasper to Toronto, Toronto to Montreal, Montreal to Quebec, Quebec to Halifax
Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Vancouver
Explore Jasper Tour with Maligne Cruise
Icefields Parkway and Rockies Discovery Tour from Jasper to Banff
Day trip to Niagara Falls
Best of Halifax and Peggy's Cove

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?: Yes. The package covers VIA Rail The Canadian (Vancouver-Jasper-Toronto), VIA Rail services (Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City), and The Ocean (Quebec City-Halifax), plus six nights of onboard accommodation with meals included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: Independent tailor-made journey between hotel stops, with guided day tours in Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Halifax. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support.
Which trains are used?: VIA Rail's The Canadian (sleeper cabin class) from Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto, standard VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal to Quebec City, and The Ocean (sleeper class) from Quebec City to Halifax.
How many nights in each location?: Vancouver 2 nights, Jasper 2 nights, Banff 1 night, Toronto 2 nights, Montreal 2 nights, Quebec City 1 night, Halifax 2 nights. Six additional nights are spent aboard the trains with meals included.
What is not included in the package price?: Meals not served aboard the trains, personal expenses, optional activities beyond the guided tours listed, and travel insurance.
How much walking is involved?: Guided city walking tours in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax; a day trip to Niagara Falls; and the Icefields Parkway and Rockies Discovery tour with scenic stops. Train stations and hotels require typical luggage handling.