Where do Toronto rail vacations start?

Toronto rail vacations begin at Union Station, where VIA Rail’s The Canadian departs westbound to Vancouver, while the the Québec City–Windsor Corridor links travellers eastward to Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. Serving around 300,000 passengers daily, this gateway invites travellers to discover Canada by rail.

Interior of Toronto's Union Station

At a glance

2 directions from Union Station

Travellers can head west toward Winnipeg, Jasper and Vancouver — or east to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.

2 routes depart from Toronto

The Canadian and The Corridor.

4 service levels across all Toronto departures

Choose from Economy, Business, Sleeper Plus and Prestige, depending on your route.

4,466 km (2,775 mi)

The Toronto to Vancouver route aboard The Canadian is the longest rail journey departing from Toronto.

Best-selling rail trips departing from Toronto

Explore some of our most popular VIA Rail journeys departing from Toronto.

Why is Toronto the starting point for both The Canadian train and Eastern Canada rail journeys?

Toronto is a key starting point for exploring Canada by rail, offering travellers two distinct ways to experience the country. From Toronto Union Station, guests can board The Canadian for a westbound journey through the Prairies to the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver, with panoramic views from the train’s glass-domed Skyline cars. Toronto also provides convenient connections for Eastern Canada rail journeys to destinations in Quebec and the Maritimes, making it a central hub for scenic rail travel.

When booking a train vacation departing from Toronto through Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada, travellers can enjoy comfortable rail journeys with transfers, hotels, tours and excursions included in their vacation. Our Vacation Advisors tailor the route, dates and add-ons to fit each traveller’s schedule and comfort preferences.

TRIPS DEPARTING FROM TORONTO DURATION STARTING PRICE (PER PERSON)
Toronto to Vancouver on the Canadian (westbound) 4 nights / 4 days $514 CAD per person
Toronto to Jasper on the Canadian (westbound) Around 3 days / 3 nights $424 CAD per person
Toronto to Quebec City via Montreal (eastbound) Around 9 to 10 hours $216 CAD per person
Toronto to the Maritimes (with transfer in Montreal) 2 trains, around 1.5 days total with overnight connection $461 CAD per person
Toronto to Niagara Falls (westbound) Around 2 hours $26 CAD per person
Toronto to Ottawa (eastbound) Around 4 to 5 hours $55 CAD per person

Note: The prices above are for rail travel only. To book a personalized journey that includes train tickets, hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, activities and transfers, speak with one of our Vacation Advisors.

Niagara Falls scenic aerial view in autumn

Plan a day trip to Niagara

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If this is your first trip to Canada, a visit to the iconic Niagara Falls is a must. We recommend asking your vacation advisor about adding a boat tour for one of the most stunning views of this natural wonder.

Shannon Brand
Vacation Advisor at Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada

Take a look inside the train trips from Toronto

Train trips from Toronto offer comfortable seating, large windows and a range of onboard amenities, depending on the service and journey. Economy seating areas feature wide reclining chairs with generous legroom, while Business Class offers more spacious seating for daytime journeys between Ontario and Quebec. Large windows provide clear views of the countryside, the St. Lawrence River and small towns along the Corridor route.

On The Canadian, sleeper cabins offer privacy with beds and daytime seating — it's a comfortable space for overnight travel. Dining cars serve chef-prepared meals at your table, while dome lounges feature curved glass ceilings and side windows for panoramic views of Canada’s landscapes. Together, these spaces make the train journey itself part of the experience, giving you opportunities to relax, dine and take in the scenery along the way.

Service levels for train trips departing Toronto

Available service levels for train trips departing Toronto depend on the route. VIA Rail's The Canadian offers Economy, Sleeper Plus and Prestige Class options, while trips along the Québec City–Windsor Corridor offer Economy and Business Class.

NOTE: Personalized journeys booked with Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada do not include rail travel in Economy Class. 

A woman looks out a train car window at sunset

Plan for relaxing

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I always suggest downloading some regional podcasts or audiobooks for your train trip — you can keep your eyes on the scenery as you listen.

Angie Bosworth
Vacation Advisor at Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada

What is there to see in Toronto for rail visitors?

Toronto is worth an extra day or two before or after your train trip, as most highlights are close enough to Union Station to reach on foot or via a quick subway ride.

Landmarks of Toronto with the CN Tower, white stadium dome of the Rogers Centre, and the skyscrapers of the downtown business district.

Standing at 553 metres (1,815 feet) near Union Station, the CN Tower is a favourite first stop for first-time visitors, with sweeping views over the city and Lake Ontario.

Can you add a Niagara Falls day trip?

A Niagara Falls day trip is one of the most popular rail add-ons for guests visiting Toronto, and it's an easy, memorable way to spend a day before or after your train journey. It can be a slow-paced experience well suited to travellers of all ages, including those who prefer a less physically demanding day.

Our local travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada arrange every transfer for you, so a driver is waiting on both ends and there's nothing to coordinate yourself. The falls are about 90 minutes from Union Station by pre-arranged transfer, and a full day gives you unhurried time at the viewpoints, lunch overlooking the gorge, and a comfortable return to your Toronto hotel before dinner.

When is the best time to visit Toronto?

The best time to visit Toronto is in May, June, September, and October, when temperatures are comfortable and there are fewer crowds. These months are ideal for spending a relaxing day or two in the city before your rail departure or after it. 

  • Summer (June to August) is the liveliest period, with major events like the Canadian National Exhibition and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival drawing visitors. Temperatures peak near 30°C (86°F) in July and August.
  • Fall (September to November) brings comfortable temperatures of around 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F), lighter crowds, some of the best hotel values of the year, and beautiful fall foliage. 
  • Winter (December to February) is cold, with temperatures often reaching near or below freezing, but the city turnes festive and many downtown hotels offer lower seasonal rates. 

For more information on weather by season and timing your visit, see our best time to visit Toronto guide.

Popular rail trips departing from Toronto

Toronto is the main starting point for some of VIA Rail's best trips. You can take The Canadian west through the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains all the way to Vancouver. You can also head east toward Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.

Toronto is also a convenient destination for travellers arriving by train from the United States, with direct service from New York on the Amtrak Maple Leaf. 

When planning a rail journey with us, guests benefit from 30 years of VIA Rail expertise and experience. Our Canadian Insiders listen to your preferred comfort level and interests, then design a personalized vacation around you. 

Toronto to Vancouver Train Trip | 2026

This transcontinental route on VIA Rail’s The Canadian spans 4,466 kilometers (2,775 miles), and crosses four time zones and diverse landscapes including boreal forests, prairies, lakes and mountains. It is the ideal trip for those looking to experience Canada's full range of scenery in one journey. Travellers can also enjoy this journey in reverse, from Vancouver to Toronto.

Explore Vancouver to Toronto train journey
A view of a lake from the VIA train on the Toronto to Vancouver route

Trans Canada by Train in Winter | 2026

This 12-day journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian offers an unforgettable experience of Canada's winter wonderland. Travellers pass through the snow-covered Rocky Mountains and the open prairies, where winter's serene beauty settles over the fields. Enjoy the comfort and warmth of the train along the way, while gazing out at some of Canada's most breathtaking winter views.

Explore Trans Canada by train in Winter
VIA Rail train, The Canadian, en route during winter as trees and mountains are powdered with white snow

Train trips from Toronto FAQs

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Last updated: Sep 27, 2026

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