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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

USA and Canada Rail Experience

11-day rail journey linking Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, and Toronto

Illustration of USA and Canada Rail Experience

Railbookers runs this 11-day independent rail trip across the United States and Canada, described as visiting Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Jasper, and Toronto. The journey leans heavily on overnight trains: the evidence lists 3 nights aboard Amtrak and 4 nights aboard VIA Rail out of 10 total nights, alongside 3 hotel nights. Amtrak's Empire Builder carries the trip out of Chicago's Union Station, following the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park, before Amtrak's Cascades continues on to Vancouver. In Vancouver, a multi-day hop-on, hop-off pass covers Gastown, Stanley Park's Totem Poles, and Granville Island's Public Market. VIA Rail's The Canadian then heads east to Toronto through the Canadian Rockies, lake country, and prairie fields, with Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited completing the return to Chicago via Buffalo. The day-by-day detail in the evidence is incomplete for several days, so it suits independent travelers comfortable confirming exact stops with Railbookers before booking.

What to know before you look closer

  • The day-by-day itinerary in the evidence only covers days 1, 4, and 5 of this 11-day trip; days 2, 3, and 6 through 11 are not detailed, so confirm the full route, including any time in Seattle and Jasper mentioned in the trip description, with Railbookers before booking.
  • No hotel names or tiers are listed for this trip; the evidence only states 3 total nights of hotel accommodation.
  • The Amtrak legs (Empire Builder, Cascades, and Lake Shore Limited) and the VIA Rail leg are booked in Coach and Economy accommodations; the evidence does not describe a sleeper cabin for the overnight legs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vancouver

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon make your way to Chicago's Union Station to board Amtrak's famous Empire Builder. As you head west, you'll travel along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail following the footsteps of early pioneers. Relax onboard in the observation car while you take in the stunning views of the Missouri River, the beautiful North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park in "Big Sky Country". (Overnight onboard Amtrak) Day 2 Overnight Onboard Amtrak Day 3 Seattle to Vancouver View Details This morning, you'll arrive in Seattle's Kings Street Station. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Seattle, visit popular attractions such as Pikes Place Market or Seattle's Waterfront. In the evening, board Amtrak's Cascades train and travel through the beautiful Pacific Northwest across the Canadian Border into British Columbia and ending in Downtown Vancouver.

  2. Day 4overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Today explore Vancouver at your leisure with your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Visit popular spots including historic Gastown, the Totem Poles in Stanley Park, Granville Island's Public Market and more!

  3. Day 5railovernight: Toronto

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your sightseeing of Vancouver during the day. Later, travel to the VIA Rail station and board the Canadian to continue your trip heading eastbound to Toronto. Spend the next few days relaxing onboard the train as you travel through the vast nation. Take in the scenic landscapes from the observation car as you travel through the Canadian Rockies, rugged lake country and prairie fields. Spend time in the lounge car meeting some of your fellow passengers also embarking on a Canadian rail experience. (Overnight onboard VIA Rail) Day 9 Toronto, ON View Details This afternoon, arrive in Toronto! Visit popular sites such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Harbourfront, Eaton Centre and Chinatown. Admission to the CN Tower, with sweeping views of Toronto, is also included today.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Amtrak's Empire Builder departs Chicago's Union Station, following the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park.
  • Day 4A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Vancouver takes in historic Gastown, the Totem Poles in Stanley Park, and Granville Island's Public Market.
  • Day 5VIA Rail's The Canadian departs Vancouver for Toronto, with the observation car passing through the Canadian Rockies, lake country, and prairie fields.

Included

  • 3 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights aboard Amtrak®; 4 nights aboard VIA Rail® One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Seattle; Seattle to Vancouver; Buffalo to Chicago on the on the Empire Builder®; Cascades® and Lake Shore Limited® One-way VIA Rail in Economy from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian® One-way transfer from the hotel in Toronto to the train station in Buffalo

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The trip includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Seattle, Seattle to Vancouver, and Buffalo to Chicago on the Empire Builder, Cascades, and Lake Shore Limited, plus one-way VIA Rail in Economy from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian.
Which trains does the trip use?
Amtrak's Empire Builder, Cascades, and Lake Shore Limited, and VIA Rail's The Canadian.
Are there overnight train legs?
Yes. The evidence lists 3 nights aboard Amtrak and 4 nights aboard VIA Rail, including overnight legs on day 1 (Amtrak) and day 5 (VIA Rail).
What cities does the trip visit?
The trip description names Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Jasper, and Toronto; the detailed itinerary in the evidence covers Vancouver and Toronto directly.

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