US TO CANADA TRAIN TRIPS

Enjoy a train journey north of the border

Cross the border on a train to Canada and discover just how spectacular America's northern neighbour can be. Relax and watch as a vast wilderness of rushing waterfalls, lumbering bears and deep pine forests rolls past your train car window.

There are several trips, available through Amtrak, which will take you north of the 49th parallel. For example, the Amtrak Maple Leaf takes you from New York City to Toronto via the Empire Corridor, through the spectacular Hudson River Valley and the Finger Lakes region.

Or begin in Seattle to see the untouched beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. Travel alongside the glimmering Pacific Ocean, heading north to Vancouver before venturing deep into Canada's wilderness and ending the journey surrounded by sky-scraping Rocky Mountain peaks. Once you arrive in Canada, we can help you plan the next part of your journey. Continue your adventure by riding on the VIA Rail Canadian or the legendary Rocky Mountaineer. Then admire pristine northern scenery from a comfortable seat in the specially designed glass-dome car.

Plan your trip with a Canadian Insider

You know that friendly character you met in the local café who told you to visit that well-kept regional secret which turned out to be the best part of your holiday? That's us.

Have everything organized for you

By this stage, you're already having dreams about mountains, moose and maple trees. We combine your personal preferences with our insider knowledge to save you hours of pointless internet trawling.

Get help when you need it

We're here to make sure you get the inside scoop before you even leave home. And you can relax on your vacation because you know that we're a phone call away if you have any questions while you're in Canada.

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USA vs Canada Train Vacation Facts

The US receives 75.6 million tourists every year, while Canada only receives 20 million. That means in Canada, you'll deal with fewer crowds and line-ups at major attractions.
90% of Niagara Falls flows through Canada and the Canadian side of the falls is much more scenic because it features trees and countryside rather than industrial buildings.
Canada has approximately three million lakes, which is more than the rest of the world combined.
Canada also has the largest coastline in the world — it stretches 125,566 miles (202,080 km).
Canada has 79 million hectares of protected wilderness. Visitors come from all over the world to explore the beautiful national parks, such as Banff, Jasper and Pacific Rim.

A birds eye view of a Hornblower Cruise boat approaching the Niagara Falls

A grizzly bear running through the water with a salmon in it's mouth

A Guide to Traveling from Seattle to Canada

You'll enjoy two of the West Coast's most beautiful cities. Seattle and Vancouver could be cousins - as they are two equally fascinating Northwest metropolises separated by the border. They are both renowned for their superb art museums, live music, international cuisine, beautiful green spaces and public parks.
Departing from historic King Street Station, the Amtrak train will take you over the border into Canada, passing stunning vistas of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker and the Pacific Northwest shoreline along the way. You'll travel through Chuckanut Bay, where the mountains of the Cascade Range meet the sea, and along the shimmering waters of Puget Sound.
Traveling from Vancouver to Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer, you'll admire the ocean views before heading into the heart of British Columbia's interior. You'll travel through increasingly dramatic scenery as you climb towards the peaks of the Continental Divide and into the legendary Alberta Rockies.

Exterior of a SilverLeaf coach of the Rocky Mountaineer train in Morant's Curve

View of the sky and mountains as seen from the Goldleaf dome coach

Traveling by train means that you'll be pampered on the journey with gourmet food, friendly service and comfortable sleeping cabins.

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Rocky Mountaineer
Daylight Train
The Rocky Mountaineer connects British Columbia and Alberta, with stops in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel and Kamloops. The train runs from mid-April until mid-October. The Rocky Mountaineer is a daylight only train designed so that passengers can experience the most spectacular views and optimal photo opportunities.
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VIA Rail Train
The VIA Rail trains connect Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, with four different train routes. Major city stops include Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Jasper, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax. The trains run year round. Depending on the route, they offer daylight or overnight sleeper train experiences.
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Sleeper Train
VIA Rail
There are two train routes in Canada which allow you to sleep on the train. Travel between Vancouver and Toronto on [The Canadian](https://canadiantrainvacations.com/explore/the-canadian-train), with stops in Jasper or Winnipeg. Or travel the East Coast of Canada on the Ocean train [from Montreal to Halifax](https://canadiantrainvacations.com/explore/train-trips-east-coast). Both sleeper train routes are available all year long. Sleeper trains in Canada are equipped with special panoramic viewing cars to provide you with the best view of the scenery day or night.

1. See more remote, untamed scenery

While the US does have plenty of unspoiled nature, Canada's pristine wilderness is so much more vast and untouched. Canada has only 10 people per square mile. Compare that to 86 people per square mile in the US and you'll see why Canada is more relaxing and peaceful. And most of Canada's population can be found in the major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Calgary. Once you leave the main centres, you'll find vast tracts of quiet, rugged wilderness. On many of our great Canadian train routes you can travel for hours through forests, lake country and mountains without seeing any human settlements. You can even combine your train journey with an Alaskan cruise that will take you through the legendary Inside Passage where whales swim through cold, clear waters. The diversity of the scenery will blow you away. You might already be picturing the craggy peaks and glaciers of the Rockies, but did you know that there are arid deserts and sun-soaked vineyards in British Columbia? Or limestone grottos and caverns in Ontario? Venture out into the Canadian wilds and you'll find true relaxation and solitude.

2. Explore culturally rich cities

Although Canada's wilderness is pretty easy on the eyes, it's not the only attraction. This northern nation also has plenty of vibrant, cosmopolitan cities that are friendly, safe and multicultural. Each Canadian city has its own distinct personality. Montreal comes to life with a full calendar of exciting events, including a Jazz Festival and a Winter Carnival. Quebec City, with its cobblestone streets and charming cafes, will make you feel like you've been transported to France. Toronto is known for its diverse culinary scene and its world-class museums. While Vancouver is a hotbed of art, with a laid-back vibe and a backdrop of ocean and mountains. Canadian cities are generally smaller than their larger counterparts in the US, so they are easier to navigate. Crime is relatively low and the locals you'll meet (even in the largest cities) tend to be friendly to strangers. And when you want a break from the busy streets, you can usually find beautiful nature trails right within the outskirts of most major Canadian cities.

3. Enjoy more spending power

As the Canadian dollar (AKA Loonie) dips in value compared to the greenback, you'll get even more bang for your buck when you travel to Canada. Now's the perfect time to take advantage of this favourable exchange rate. You can enjoy canoeing across mountain lakes, dining on delicious poutine or BC salmon and staying in top-notch Canadian hotels — for a lot less than you might think (That means more money left over to spend on gourmet Quebec maple syrup or top-tier Ontario wine). For even better value, take a Canadian train journey during the winter. It can be a great time to find deals on airfare and accommodation. Plus, you'll be able to see the pristine wilderness covered in a magical, sparkling blanket of snow.

Why Canadian trains provide the best rail experience

Sure, we might be a little biased (after all, we're the experts in Canadian train vacations.) But we honestly think that Canadian rail journeys offer you an experience that can't be found south of the border.

The second largest country in the world, Canada has so many wonders — from the autumn leaves of New Brunswick to the eerie rock formations of the Alberta badlands and the soaring peaks of the Rockies.

A journey by train in Canada is not just a mere commute — it is an adventure. The scenery you'll travel through will dazzle and the stations along the way are historic monuments to the early pioneering days.

So if you're not sure about whether to book a US or Canadian train vacation, this guide is for you.

VIA Rail's Canadian Train going through the Rocky Mountains

Couple converses while seated in train car

Guest reading a newspaper on a passenger train beside a large window

Recommended Train Tours

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Essential Rockies by Train

Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary

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Across Canada by Train

Toronto, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver

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Montreal and Quebec City Getaway by Rail

Montreal, Quebec City

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Ready to start planning your Canadian journey?

Here at Fresh Tracks Canada, we have gourmet globetrotters, tranquil train-travellers, bold backpackers, and nature lovers. But what ties us together is that we're all passionate travellers. When we're not helping people plan vacations to Canada, we're getting together to plan our own adventures.