Trans Canada by Rail

With approximately 2,775 miles of spectacular views ahead, your Canadian vacation begins today on Canada's West Coast in Vancouver. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel to check in for one night. The remainder of the evening is then yours to relax and enjoy the amenities of your accommodations or to begin getting to know your new surroundings.

Vancouver has a thriving cultural scene, with fascinating neighborhoods to explore and diverse markets, shops and restaurants within reach. You might like to make your way to Granville Island to explore the flavors of its famous market or to walk along the famous seawall to take in the ocean views. You can also opt to add a 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off pass or admission to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to make the most of your night in Vancouver.

There is so much to see and do in this city. Should you wish to extend your stay, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights and sightseeing experiences in Vancouver. Overnight Vancouver

Spend the morning and early afternoon at leisure, uncovering the many incredible things Vancouver has to offer. You might like to visit one of the local museums, such as the Museum of Anthropology, or seek out the murals and street art peppered throughout the city. If you added a Hop-on/Hop-off pass yesterday, you could use it to visit nearly 30 notable locations throughout the city, "hopping off" the bus at locations that pique your interest. Alternatively, you could add an optional excursion to fill your time.

Later in the afternoon, transfer on your own to the train station, where VIA Rail's Canadian awaits for your trans-Canada journey. Settle into your Sleeper Plus Berth*, with couch-style seating by day and curtained upper and lower beds by night, and watch as the city scenery fades into the distance from your picture window. Dinner is served onboard this evening as the train begins its eastbound journey toward Toronto. Overnight train.

Optional Excursion

Granville Island Market Tour - Find yourself immersed in the unique culinary offerings of Granville Island on a two-hour guided walking tour. The culture and flavors of Western Canada are brought to life as you venture through numerous food stalls selling fresh produce and seafood, sweets, and prepared food options. As you explore, enjoy tastes of everything from local cheeses to bread, coffee and chocolate truffles.

*Please note: Upgrades to Sleeper Plus Cabins and Prestige Class cabins are available. Speak with a Rail Specialist for details.

• Dinner

Waking on the train this morning, look out your window to see stunning natural vistas of the dramatic Canadian Rockies come into view. Today's route is one of the most scenic of the entire trip, as the Canadian follows the Fraser and North Thompson Rivers through the mountains. Keep watch for wildlife, including bear and moose, and towering mountain peaks in the distance as you enjoy breakfast in the Dining Car. Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson - the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies - are also visible before the Canadian passes through Jasper.

Leaving Jasper, the Canadian follows the Athabasca River, winding down the Rocky Mountains into the foothills. Enjoy views of glaciers, plunging canyons and endless forests before the train crosses further into Alberta, where the scenery changes as remote settlements and serene lakes dot the landscape. City lights come into view once more as the train passes through Edmonton later today. You can watch all of these changes unfold from your seat, the Skyline Car or while enjoying lunch and dinner in the Dining Car. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Views of Saskatchewan's vast prairies punctuate the scenery as you enjoy breakfast this morning. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains stretch as far as the eye can see as the Canadian rolls on.

With a population similar to that of Montana and an area slightly smaller than that of Texas, Saskatchewan is ideal for sitting back and watching the world go by. Keep your eyes peeled for roaming wildlife or eagles soaring overhead as the route proceeds through this remote region. Lunch and dinner are also served on board as you continue east.

Crossing into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching up to the shores of Hudson Bay, there is plenty to catch the eye. Manitoba's capital is Winnipeg, and the Canadian passes through this fascinating city, home to more than 50 ethnic communities, tonight. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Over breakfast on the VIA Rail's Canadian this morning, cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario, a landscape pocked with scenic lakes and thick forests of ancient trees. While Ontario might be the most populous of Canada's provinces, the remote areas of today's route are raw Canadian wilderness. The domed-glass windows of the Sightseer Lounge provide truly inspiring views as the train rumbles on. Look closely, and you may be lucky enough to spot wildlife against this pristine backdrop. 

After lunch on board, the Canadian changes direction, continuing its journey in a southeasterly direction toward the Great Lakes. You might like to spend some time watching the world pass in your seat or grab a drink in the Park Car before dinner as the train continues through this evocative scenery en route to Toronto. Overnight train. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your final morning on the Canadian begins with breakfast as the train travels south toward Toronto. The views change from the mountains and prairies of the past few days to more familiar suburban scenes as the train makes its way around Lake Simcoe into the Greater Toronto area. 

Brunch is served before arriving mid-afternoon at Toronto's Union Station. On arrival, make your own way to your centrally located hotel, and then you are free to start exploring Canada's largest city. 

You might like to head into the city center to explore the shops and museums, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, or you could see the diverse cityscape and surrounding water views from above by visiting the CN Tower with your included admission. Toronto is home to more than 9,300 restaurants that reflect the tastes, cultures and ingredients of the world, leaving you spoiled for choice when it comes time for dinner tonight. Overnight Toronto. 

• Breakfast, Brunch

An overland journey to remember, this cross-country rail vacation showcased thousands of miles of beautiful Canadian scenery. You had a front-row seat to it all as you traveled through five provinces on VIA Rail's Canadian, enjoying the old-world nostalgia of overnight train travel and an unforgettable perspective on the land.

Your journey concludes this morning upon checking out of your Toronto hotel. A complimentary airport transer that accommodates flights after 11:00 a.m. is available; however, if you are not ready to leave this cultural city, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights or sightseeing in Toronto.