3 Best Fall Train Tours in Canada

Every September, Canada's maple leaves undergo a stunning transformation. They change from summer greens to the distinctive red, orange and gold of autumn.

In Canada's alpine areas, the golden-yellow leaves of the larches stand out against an eye-catching backdrop of blue lakes and rushing waterfalls. There's no better way to celebrate autumn's arrival than with a train tour through Canada.

Our fall train tours include routes through regions with spectacular autumn scenery. The Rocky Mountains offer vibrant golden hues among evergreens while Canada’s eastern provinces showcase a fiery mix of crimson, orange and yellow foliage. The Maritime provinces are also beautiful to visit during the fall months, including the Bay of Fundy and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. 

Canadian Train Vacations has experienced agents available to help you select the best fall foliage train tours based on your needs. Looking to take a relaxing ride through the Canadian Rockies or want to combine your train trip with an outdoor adventure? Our travel experts can make it happen. The advisors at Canadian Train Vacations are happy to answer your questions about fall colour train excursions. Let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Canada Coast to Coast by Train 

Departing from Halifax, the Canada Coast to Coast by Train tour is one of the longest train trips to see the fall colours — 20 days and 19 nights. This itinerary features authentic local experiences and a little bit of everything Canada has to offer, from Niagara Falls to the Canadian Rockies. Canada Coast to Coast starts at $11,380 USD per person and includes 4 nights onboard a sleeper train. 

Miles covered on train: 3,240 

Days on train: 5 

Nights on train: 4

Classic Eastern Canada by Train 

The Canada Eastern Rail Classic includes 8 days and 7 nights of travel and starts at $3,880 USD per person. You'll enjoy guided tours through Montreal and Quebec City, stops along the Nova Scotia coastline and the opportunity to view Quebec's countryside from the comfort of your train car. This tour even includes a visit to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, a quaint village that towers over the Atlantic. 

Miles covered on train: 836 

Days on train: 2 

Nights on train: 1 

Canadian History and Culture by Train 

For history buffs, the Canadian History and Culture by Rail tour includes 10 days and 9 nights of travel through some of Ontario's and Quebec's most historic sites. Starting at $5,280 USD per person, this itinerary includes stops in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and the Niagara region. Small-group sightseeing tours are available, including some exciting activities designed just for foodies. 

Miles covered on train: 465 

Days on train: 3 

Nights on train: 0 

Luxury Options

VIA Rail

For those seeking a more luxurious fall travel experience, you can upgrade to Prestige Class on VIA Rail's The Canadian Train. Here you can enjoy attentive, personalized concierge service throughout your trip, complimentary drinks and delicious meals prepared by onboard chefs, and access to other viewing areas, such as the Skyline Car. Priority reservations for onboard dining and priority boarding at the train station also gives Prestige Class travellers complete peace of mind. Other features of Prestige Class include the Prestige Sleeper cabin, which is 50% larger than the cabin for two in Sleeper Plus class, for the duration of your train journey.

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer has two levels of service — SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. While both offer delicious gourmet meals, complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, entertaining hosts and incredible views, there are a few differences. Seating in SilverLeaf is in a single-level dome car with meals served at your seat. There are small viewing areas in between cars, which are perfect for photo opportunities.

GoldLeaf differs with a bi-level dome car with panoramic windows, perfect for enjoying the fall colours outside. It also has lounge seating in the upper level and dining in the lower level. The lower-level car is where you can enjoy three-course meals, snacks and drinks. Another special element to GoldLeaf is access to the large and exclusive outdoor viewing platform.
 

Accessibility

At Canadian Train Vacations, we work closely with our partners to ensure our trips are accessible for our guests.  Our travel experts can help coordinate with train companies in advance for any specific assistance required. This includes using the hydraulic lift to board the train, booking an accessible cabin, and having staff assist you to transfer between your passenger seat and your wheelchair. Every VIA Rail train has a cabin that is wheelchair-accessible and is equipped with grab-bars in the washroom and tie-downs.

SilverLeaf on the Rocky Mountaineer is a good option for mobility concerns, as there are no stairs and meals are served at your seat. Be sure to speak with our travel experts on accessibility, as we would be happy to discuss all the trip components to ensure they are able to accommodate your mobility needs. 

Nothing can match the fiery beauty of Canada's fall foliage. Warm, golden rays of sunshine shimmer on mirror-like lakes and slant through canopies of auburn, ochre and crimson leaves. The skies are bright and blue, the air is crisp and the sunsets are achingly beautiful. 

Whether you're traveling through the aspen alpine meadows of the Rockies, the dense forests of Quebec's interior or the craggy coastline of Nova Scotia, Canada will enchant you in the autumn months. When you take a train ride, fall foliage surrounds you, putting you in just the right frame of mind for an outdoor adventure followed by a relaxing evening in front of the fireplace.

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1. Rocky Mountains 

As the needles of the larch trees turn a stunning shade of burnished brash, the alpine meadows of the Albertan Rockies come alive with colour. Gaze through the train windows at the pine-covered mountainsides, where you can see a dramatic contrast between the dark green conifers and the golden poplar and birch. 

Best time for fall colours: Late September to early October  

Recommended activities and tours: Ride the Banff Gondola to get a bird’s eye view of the golden larch trees in fall.

2. Niagara Region 

History buffs may know the famous Winston Churchill quote calling the Niagara River Parkway the “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.” That is especially true in the fall of the year, when the trees in the Niagara region begin their seasonal transformation. Stunning shades of crimson, orange and gold can be seen when leaves are at peak colour. The area is also home to several wineries and orchards, making it an ideal fall getaway. 

Best time for fall colours: Peak colour can happen between late September and late October.  

Recommended activities and tours: Enjoy a personalized immersive experience on a private tour of the Niagara region.

3. Algonquin Park 

If your Canada train journey begins or ends in Toronto, consider adding on a day trip to gorgeous nearby Algonquin Park. You can wander through dense colourful forests and view thousands of lakes and rivers, some of which can only be explored by canoe or on foot. This is also an ideal time of year for camping, as campgrounds are less crowded and you won't be bothered by bugs. 

Best time for fall colours: Peak colour can happen between late September and late October. 

Recommended activities and tours: Speak to your travel advisor about arranging a private tour to the park.

4. Quebec 

The sugar maples of Quebec's forests turn a dramatic shade of crimson in autumn, making this region a treat for the eyes. The pretty countryside and the fiery foliage in the Laurentian Mountains will have you reaching for your camera again and again. 

Best time for fall colours: Peak colour can happen between late September and late October. 

Recommended activities and tours: Take a private tour to Montmorency Falls Park to see the waterfall surrounded by gorgeous trees in all the fall colours.

5. Nova Scotia

At the Eastern edge of Canada lies Nova Scotia, with the fruitful orchards and vineyards of the Annapolis Valley and the sheer cliffs of the Cabot Trail. There's just something so striking about the contrast between the extravagant golden fall foliage and the cobalt blue of the Atlantic. 

Best time for fall colours: Early September to mid October.  

Recommended activities and tours: Explore Cape Breton on a private tour.

Fall Excursions and Experiences

For any of your train vacations, speak to our travel experts about customizing your trip. Our travel experts can work with you on personalizing your itinerary by choosing tours, excursions and dining experiences, all based around your needs and interests. Some activities to incorporate into your Canadian vacation include bike or city walking tours, or even a guided hike to take in the beautiful fall colours.

Another option is a winery tour, which allows you to sample seasonal wines of the region you’re visiting. Food tours can give you a taste of local dishes and seasonal fall ingredients like pumpkin, apples, and cranberries. If you’re looking to enjoy a meal out, many premium dining options highlight Canadian flavors and locally-sourced ingredients for a memorable culinary experience.

For the best fall foliage train rides, plan to take your excursion in late September or early October. This is when the red birch and maple trees are their most vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange. If you visit during late September or early October, you'll get to enjoy the contrast between the red, orange and yellow leaves and the green needles of Canada's evergreen trees. 

Between late September and early October is also an ideal time to take a train tour through Canada if you'd like to avoid summer crowds and enjoy milder weather. By this time of year, summer heat waves have been replaced by mild daytime temperatures and cool nights, making early fall an ideal time to try out new hiking trails, visit one of Canada's national parks or spend the day walking through your favourite city. 

In early fall, the weather conditions are ideal for boating, canoeing and fishing, making it even easier to add excursions to your fall foliage train trip. We'll take care of the planning so that all you have to think about is which activity you want to try first.

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What to pack for your trip

For a smooth autumn journey, consider packing layers, as temperatures can vary throughout the day. Clothing items like light sweaters and rain jackets work best. A scarf, hat and gloves are also ideal for those crisp mornings and cooler evenings. No matter the season, pack comfortable shoes for walking tours and make sure to have a small daypack for essentials like water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and travel documents. Being prepared ensures you’ll be ready for both city excursions and scenic train trips.