Canadian history and culture train tours

Use our sample itineraries to see what your rail journey could look like. We personalize all itineraries to include your preferred destinations, routes, rail experiences, tours, transfers and more. 

Quebec City and Montreal are two of Canada’s most distinctive European-inspired heritage destinations, both easily reached by rail along the Windsor–Quebec City Corridor. The Windsor–Quebec City Corridor is VIA Rail Canada’s busiest and most heavily used passenger rail network linking Windsor, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. 

Travelling from Toronto to Montreal by train takes about 5 hours, while the Toronto to Quebec City train journey takes about 9 hours. As your train approaches Quebec City, it crosses the Quebec Bridge, which is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. With comfortable seating and changing views of Ontario and Quebec along the way, rail travel offers travellers of all ages a relaxed way to travel between cities without the demands of driving or flying. 

Quebec City is the heart of French Canada, with a distinctly European feel that comes from its historic architecture, fortified walls and centuries-old streets. We recommend walking the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec's Haute-Ville (Upper Town), where Château Frontenac overlooks the St. Lawrence River. The historic district of Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, the Plains of Abraham mark the site of the 1759 battle that changed the course of Canadian history. Today it's one of the city's most popular parks.

Montreal's French-Canadian heritage shapes everything from its architecture to its food, and many locals speak both French and English. We recommend wandering through Old Montreal to see 17th- and 18th-century buildings, cobblestone streets and the waterfront, or exploring the city's neighbourhoods, galleries and restaurants.

Many rail itineraries can include meaningful experiences led by Indigenous communities. Near Quebec City, Wendake is home to the Huron-Wendat Nation and offers storytelling, traditional cuisine and a First Nations hotel-museum. In the Yukon, the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse shares the history and living culture of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Adding Indigenous culture experiences in Canada to your journey gives you a deeper understanding of the country's story.

The White Pass and Yukon Route is a historic heritage railway that offers a comfortable and memorable way to experience the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Construction began in 1898 at the height of the gold rush to connect the coastal port of Skagway, Alaska, with Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1900, the railway closely follows the rugged mountain trails taken by prospectors, climbing to White Pass Summit on the border between Alaska and British Columbia before continuing north, while passing breathtaking scenery, deep valleys, and historic landmarks. 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip famously rode a special White Pass and Yukon Route train during their July 1959 royal tour. Today, through careful restoration and modern replica engineering, passengers can ride in vintage-style cars while taking in the views and experiencing part of the history and culture of Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. From the comfort of your seat, you can take in the scenery and learn about the people and events that shaped the region. Canadian Train Vacations by Fresh Tracks Canada does not offer itineraries for the historic White Pass and Yukon Route.