RS334 VIA Train C Robidoux Train RS1012 TO Van train moose lake Canadian

Canadian Cross-Country Journey

5.0
5 reviews

Length

9 days / 8 nights

Time on train

4 days / 4 nights

Train type

Where it goes

When to go

April – October

Price from

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

  • Decide your desired budget
  • Choose your own activities and experiences
  • Have all the details of your trip arranged for you
Start Planning

Take the cross-country train from Toronto to Vancouver

On this four-night rail journey, travel from Toronto through the Canadian Rockies to coastal Vancouver. As you travel across the country, experience first-hand the diverse landscape of Canada.

Route map of Canadian Cross Country Journey from Vancouver to Toronto
Highlights of your trip

Four days of scenery and locally inspired cuisine aboard VIA Rail’s Canadian train

Experience the exhilarating Niagara Falls and vibrant Toronto

Take in the beauty of Vancouver and its many unique neighborhoods

Enjoy the quaint city of Victoria and famous Butchart Gardens 

Top experiences and features

Sea plane flying over Stanley Park

Explore Vancouver

Surrounded by mountains and ocean, the city of Vancouver is a west coast gem.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Meals whilst onboard the train
Choice of unique guided activities
Airport and train station transfers with a private driver
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Our vacations are not typically ‘escorted.’ You are not tied into a specific group, or a rigid daily itinerary but rather have the freedom of ‘independent’ travel.

This allows you, with the help of our Canadian Insiders, to personalize your trip to suit your occasion, interests, timeframe and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

Your trip can be as rich as you’d like, and completely arranged around your interests and needs. The greatest benefit of working with us is our local knowledge. You can customize your trip and decide what you’d like to see and do.

If your trip is a special occasion, we’ll make sure it is unforgettable. Or if you’re traveling with a group, we’ll take care of the logistics so you can share time together stress-free.

Absolutely! We personalize all our clients’ trips to fit their exact tastes and needs. You can add days at locations that you’d like to explore and spend more time at. Or leave out certain areas that don’t interest you as much. Discuss your travel goals with our Vacation Advisors who make sure that your trip fits your needs and budget.

We partner with many hotels across the country that offer a variety of service levels and unique experiences. Choosing a hotel is based on local availability and personal preference, and our Insiders will help you find the perfect place to rest your head so that you can have the best experience possible.

Hotel amenities can vary by property, so your Vacation Advisor will discuss what’s most important to you, such as air conditioning, parking, laundry, swimming pool, spa, onsite restaurants, or 24-hour room service.

All our trips are personalized to fit our clients’ schedule and budget. The price of your trip generally depends on the travel season, train service, accommodations, and the sightseeing tours you take. When you request a quote you’ll be provided with the detailed information you need

Most of our trips include stops to get off the train to explore Canada’s beautiful locations, national parks and unique cities. However, if you’re keen to maximize your time onboard, we’ll pair you up with the perfect train experience.

All of our overnight train journeys feature a private cabin on board the train. In addition, you'll typically enjoy the train's viewing areas, common lounges, and dining cars where you can socialize with fellow travelers.

Sleeper Plus Class and Prestige Class are offered on VIA Rail’s Canadian train between Toronto and Vancouver. While both class levels include priority boarding, private cabins, meals in the dining car, and access to the train’s viewing cars, there are some key differences.

Sleeper Plus cabins have comfortable daytime seating for one or two people. At night, this seating converts into upper and lower bunks. There is a sink and toilet in the cabin, and a public shower is available down the hall. All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included, with alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Sleeper Plus passengers can access the Park Car (specific times only during peak season) and other viewing cars, like the Skyline Car.

Prestige Class cabins are larger than Sleeper Plus cabins. Prestige cabins feature an L-shaped leather couch that converts into a large lower bed for two. There is a private washroom and shower in the cabin. All meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks are included. Prestige Class guests receive unrestricted access to the Park Car and other viewing cars, as well as priority meal reservations, turndown service, and a dedicated concierge.

For more information on the sleeper-train experience, please speak to one of our local travel experts.

Sleeper Plus and Prestige classes include meals on the train. As you travel across the country, you will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the train’s dining car. These meals are cooked by onboard chefs and are made using fresh ingredients. Lunch and dinner are three courses (starter, main, dessert). The menu options usually include a meat dish, fish dish, and vegetarian dish. If you have dietary requirements or allergies, you can request special meals in advance.

Sample Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip. Some of our trips can be done in the reverse direction.
Indicates featured inclusions
Begin Your Canadian Vacation
Day 01

Begin Your Canadian Vacation

Arrive in Toronto, Canada's multicultural metropolis — comprised of funky, historic neighbourhoods, shimmering skyscrapers, and Lake Ontario's sweeping waterfront.

  • Private Transfer from Toronto Airport
Explore Niagara or Toronto
Day 02

Explore Niagara or Toronto

Spend a day exploring the colorful neighbourhoods of Toronto, or discover famous Niagara Falls.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Niagara Falls Day Tour

    On this full-day small-group tour, get up close to Niagara Falls on a Hornblower boat ride and explore the quaint town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

  • Downtown Toronto Foodie Tour
  • Toronto Small Group Sightseeing Tour

    Experience Toronto from its many vantage points on this small-group sightseeing tour. See the city's scenic waterfront, the CN Tower, Queen’s Park and more.

  • Dinner at the CN Tower
VIA Rail - Depart Toronto
Day 03

VIA Rail - Depart Toronto

Board The Canadian train in Toronto and begin your transcontinental journey west. Travel north into Ontario's picturesque lake country.

VIA Rail - Ontario
Day 04

VIA Rail - Ontario

Head west through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield and into the province of Manitoba. 

  • The Canadian Train - Onboard Service

    Watch the changing scenery from the train's viewing cars and enjoy hot meals in the dining car. Ask your Vacation Advisor about the differences between Sleeper Plus Class and Prestige Class.

VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies
Day 05

VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies

Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces — Saskatchewan and Alberta.  

VIA Rail - Canadian Rockies
Day 06

VIA Rail - Canadian Rockies

View the magnificent Rocky Mountains this morning. Travel through Jasper National Park before entering the province of British Columbia.

VIA Rail - Arrive in Vancouver
Day 07

VIA Rail - Arrive in Vancouver

After travelling through BC's Fraser Valley, your journey onboard The Canadian train comes to an end. Arrive in coastal Vancouver — a spectacular city surrounded by mountains and ocean.  

  • Transfer from Train Station
  • FlyOver Canada Admission

    During your free time today, see Canada from coast to coast at FlyOver Canada. Take a seat in front of a 20-metre-wide spherical screen and enjoy a breathtaking flight simulation. 

  • Dinner in Vancouver

    Dine at one of our favourite harbourside restaurants. Watch seaplanes land and enjoy views of the North Shore Mountains.

Discover Vancouver and the West Coast
Day 08

Discover Vancouver and the West Coast

Spend the day on your choice of tour. With a mild climate and so much to do, it's no wonder people flock to this west coast city.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour

    Begin your day with a scenic ferry sailing between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Enjoy leisure time in Victoria, then visit world-renowned Butchart Gardens. 

  • Vancouver and the North Shore Tour

    Visit Vancouver's main attractions and neighbourhoods. Highlights include Stanley Park, Granville Island, Vancouver Lookout and Capilano Suspension Bridge.

  • Whistler Day Tour

    Explore the Sea to Sky highway with a guide — pass stunning mountain ranges, the world's second-largest granite monolith and Shannon Falls, then discover the beauty of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Gondola and Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, train-service level and hotel class. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.
Sleeper Plus
Hotel Accommodation
VIA Rail Service
Loading... pp

View full itinerary

Like this trip? Get more details with a sample itinerary:

  • Day-tour options and descriptions;
  • Departure dates;
  • Suggestions for personalizing your trip.
Schedule a call

Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.
Toronto skyline with high-rise buildings and Fairmont Royal York hotel

Fairmont Royal York

Example of a Deluxe hotel in Toronto

Situated directly across from Union Station, the Fairmont Royal York is steps away from Toronto's iconic sights and attractions. After a day of exploring, head to the hotel’s health club and spa which features an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam room.

Personalize This Itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Upgrade to Prestige Class

Upgrade to Prestige Class

Prestige Class is Canada’s version of the Orient Express. Available on VIA Rail’s The Canadian Train between Vancouver and Toronto, this luxury double cabin includes a special concierge service throughout your journey. This is one of our most popular upgrade options.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 5 reviews

Fresh Tracks was very responsive to our questions and needs

We liked all of the trip/travel documents that provided all of the details that we needed to plan and enjoy our trip. Fresh Tracks was very responsive to our questions and needs an... 

John and Mary review of their [object Object] trip

John and Mary

MN, USA

Insider Tips

For me, the cross-Canada trips are the perfect blend of diversion and relaxation. My favorite stretch is the descent from the Rockies' alpine forests into the panoramic vistas of the prairies.

Greg A

Greg

Canadian Insider

Discuss your Canadian train vacation with a local travel expert

Cartoon polar bear speaking on the phone

Or call us toll free

Cartoon polar bear speaking on the phone

Similar Trips

View some of our other favorite trips