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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Vancouver to Montreal Trans Canada Adventure

Cross-Canada rail journey from Vancouver to Montreal on VIA Rail's Canadian

Illustration of Vancouver to Montreal Trans Canada Adventure

Vacations By Rail's Vancouver to Montreal Trans Canada Adventure is a 10-day independent rail vacation that connects two of Canada's most significant cities via cross-country train travel. You depart Vancouver and travel four nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian, a sleeper train that carries you through the Canadian Rockies, past Jasper National Park, across the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and through Ontario's vast lakes and forests to Toronto. Along the way, you spend days gazing from the observation cars at mountains, prairies, and calm waters. In Toronto, you take a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls for a boat tour to the base of Horseshoe Falls and a drive through the Niagara Gorge. You then board VIA Rail's Corridor Service for the journey east to Montreal, where a guided motorcoach tour shows you Old Montreal, Mount Royal Park, and Saint Joseph's Oratory. The itinerary suits first-time train travellers and independent explorers who want a structured routing with free time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 2495 covers the package; flights and airport transfers are not included and must be booked separately
  • The Niagara Falls tour and the guided Montreal motorcoach tour are not available on select December 25-26, January 1, Thursday December departures, or Monday-Wednesday January-March departures
  • Hotel accommodations are listed as Chelsea Hotel in Toronto and Delta Montreal, but the operator's plan options (Superior, Deluxe, Prestige) may offer alternative hotels; confirm your final hotel tier at booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring the city on your own. Optional FlyOver Canada excursion available.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    Vancouver Sightseeing / VIA Rail to Toronto

    Spend the morning at Granville Island, Gastown or Stanley Park, then transfer to the train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus accommodations toward the Canadian Rockies.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    En Route to Toronto

    Wake to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train heads towards Jasper, disembarking briefly to stretch your legs, then continue eastward through the evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    East to Toronto

    Travel through Saskatoon and Melville, chatting with fellow travelers and enjoying views from the sightseeing lounges.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    VIA Rail to Toronto

    A highlight of today's trip includes Longlac, part of the historic fur-trading canoe route.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Toronto

    Arrival in Toronto

    The train arrives in Toronto this afternoon; spend time in the Park Car's salons and observation deck and the Skyline Car's observation dome before arrival.

  7. Day 7overnight: Toronto

    Visiting Niagara Falls

    A full-day sightseeing excursion to Niagara Falls, including a lunch buffet overlooking the falls, a Hornblower boat trip to the base of Horseshoe Falls, and a drive along River Road via the Niagara Gorge. Not available December 25, 26 and January 1.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Montreal

    Toronto to Montreal

    Spend the morning at leisure in Toronto before a mid-day train to Montreal on VIA Rail's Corridor Service, getting acquainted with the city in the evening.

  9. Day 9overnight: Montreal

    Heart of Montreal Motorcoach Tour

    A guided motorcoach tour of Montreal's highlights, including Old Montreal, the Olympic Stadium, Mount Royal Park Lookout and Saint Joseph's Oratory. Not included on select Thursday December departures or Mondays January-March.

  10. Day 10rail

    End of Tour

    The Canada rail vacation comes to an end this morning; option to extend your stay in Montreal or head to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Wake to the Canadian Rockies as VIA Rail's Canadian approaches Jasper National Park, disembarking briefly to stretch your legs
  • Day 7Niagara Falls sightseeing tour includes a lunch buffet overlooking the falls and a Hornblower boat trip to the base of Horseshoe Falls
  • Day 9Guided motorcoach tour of Montreal covers Old Montreal, the Olympic Stadium, Mount Royal Park Lookout, and Saint Joseph's Oratory

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 5 nights
  • Four nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto
  • VIA Rail's Corridor Service from Toronto to Montreal
  • Meals included while onboard trains

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is a self-guided independent rail vacation. Vacations By Rail provides a well-planned itinerary, and you travel on your own. Some activities, such as the Niagara Falls sightseeing tour and the Montreal motorcoach tour, are guided.
What meals are included?
Meals are included while aboard both VIA Rail trains. The Niagara Falls tour includes a lunch buffet overlooking the falls.
Are there upgrade options for the train cabins?
Yes. The base package includes Sleeper Plus Class (semi-private berth) on VIA Rail's Canadian. The Superior, Deluxe, and Prestige plan options offer private cabin options, including the Prestige Class with a Murphy bed and dedicated Prestige Concierge service.

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