Sambro Island

Canada Eastern Rail Classic

5.0
20 reviews

Length

8 days / 7 nights

Time on train

1 day / 1 night

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

The best overnight Eastern Canada train tour

Explore Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax! Spend just over a week traveling between Quebec and the Maritimes on an overnight train, exploring each destination with an insider guide.

Route map of Canada Eastern Rail Classic trip from Montreal to Halifax
Highlights of your trip

Travel onboard VIA Rail's Corridor and Ocean trains

Journey through the rolling Quebec countryside

Explore Nova Scotia's coastline and villages

Enjoy unique tours in Montreal, Quebec City and Nova Scotia with local guides

The best accommodation selections

Top experiences and features

Waves around Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

See Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

Visit Peggy's Cove - a picture-perfect village which stands on granite rock, high above the crashing Atlantic surf.

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
Train journey onboard the daylight Corridor train
Choice of unique guided activities
Airport and train station transfers
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 Canadian Insiders 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.

We define a boutique hotel as being a smaller, more intimate property with an extra emphasis on service. They usually have some of the best restaurants and lounges in town.

The weather depends on the season. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging -5°C (23°F). Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures averaging 25°C (77°F).

Trip 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 activities
Arrive in Montreal
Day 01

Arrive in Montreal

Arrive in Montreal — rich in culture and beautiful architecture. Join Montrealers on one of the Old City's lively terraces, or stroll around Mount Royal and listen to local musicians work their craft. 

  • Private Transfer from Airport
  • Dinner in Montreal

    Try traditional French cuisine at one of our favourite Montreal restaurants.

  • Suggested Evening Activity – Aura Lightshow at Notre-Dame Basilica

    If you have time this evening, discover the artwork of the Notre-Dame Basilica through multimedia installations. A combination of light, orchestral music, and stunning architecture provides an unforgettable experience. 

Explore Montreal
Day 02

Explore Montreal

Explore diverse Montreal with your choice of activity. Discover museums, galleries, eateries, and historic hidden gems. 

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Small Group Sightseeing Tour of Montreal

    Explore Montreal's must-see areas and attractions on this fully guided tour. Visit Mount Royal, Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory and more.

  • Private Food Tour in Old Montreal
  • Walking Tour of Old Montreal

    Explore the winding cobblestone streets of Old Montreal on a guided walking tour. 

VIA Rail – Montreal to Quebec City
Day 03

VIA Rail – Montreal to Quebec City

Travel through some of French Canada’s most picturesque countryside as you head towards Quebec City. Step off the train and into a little bit of Europe — right here in Canada! 

  • Transfer to Train Station
  • The Corridor Train, Business Class

    Relax in your spacious business class seat as you follow the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec City. Meals and full-bar service are included onboard the train. 

  • Transfer from Train Station
Discover Quebec City
Day 04

Discover Quebec City

Travel back in time as you explore Old Quebec's 17th-century fortifications and winding cobblestone streets.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Private Walking Tour of Old Quebec

    Explore the cobblestone streets of fortified Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

  • Quebec City Sightseeing Bus Tour

    Discover Quebec City's history on a guided sightseeing bus tour. See the Plains of Abraham, the Château Frontenac, the Notre-Dame Basilica, and more.

  • Old Quebec City Food Tour

    On this guided walking tour, treat yourself to a behind-the-scenes experience of Old Quebec City and discover its culinary history and gastronomy. 

VIA Rail - Depart Quebec City
Day 05

VIA Rail - Depart Quebec City

Spend a full day discovering Quebec City and the surrounding countryside. Late this evening, board The Ocean train and begin your journey east to Halifax.

    You have 2 options to choose from today:
  • Day at Leisure, with Traditional Québecois Dinner

    After exploring the city on your own, dine on traditional Québecois cuisine at the historic Maison Jacquet, built in 1675. 

  • Private Montmorency Falls Bike Tour
  • Transfer to Train Station
  • The Ocean Train, Sleeper Plus Class

    Your private cabin features comfortable seating next to a large picture window. Hot meals are served in the dining car. 

VIA Rail – Arrive in Halifax
Day 06

VIA Rail – Arrive in Halifax

After traveling through rural New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, your journey onboard The Ocean train ends as you arrive in Halifax. Enjoy the welcoming Celtic atmosphere of the Canadian Maritimes’ largest city.    

  • Transfer from Train Station
Discover the Charm of the Maritimes
Day 07

Discover the Charm of the Maritimes

Head out and discover the charm of Nova Scotia. Rich in Celtic heritage and bursting with historical significance, this seafaring region offers some of Canada's most picturesque coastlines, with fishing villages perched above the Atlantic Ocean.

    You have 2 options to choose from today:
  • Private Peggy's Cove and Halifax Sightseeing

    With a private driver, enjoy the scenery as you travel along Nova Scotia’s unique coastline to Peggy's Cove. Later, explore historic Halifax. 

  • Lunenburg and South Shore Tour

    Travel south to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its colonial architecture and seafaring history. Wind your way back to Halifax along the Aspotogan Peninsula.

Depart Halifax
Day 08

Depart Halifax

Bid farewell to the Canadian Maritimes as your trip ends with departure from Halifax.

  • Private Transfer to Halifax Airport

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.
Comfort Level
Hotel Accommodation
VIA Rail Service
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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.
Exterior of Hotel Bonaparte in Old Montreal

Hotel Bonaparte

Example of a Comfort hotel in Montreal

Built in 1886, Hotel Bonaparte is a historic gem in the centre of Old Montreal. The city’s bustling shops, restaurants, and museums are close by. Gaze out over cobblestone streets, church spires, and pretty gardens from one of the beautifully appointed guestrooms.

Personalize This Itinerary

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

Explore Charlevoix region

Explore Charlevoix region

Just a short drive from Quebec City is the Charlevoix region — a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The region boasts an array of exciting experiences: farm-to-table cuisine, art galleries, whale watching, hiking, biking, and more. We can arrange a day tour or a multi-day excursion depending on your timeframe.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 20 reviews

I would have never found these hidden gems had I tried to arrange my own trip

What I liked is that there were no worries. We had never been to this part of the continent and everything unfolded precisely as the itinerary said it would. I also liked the hotel... 

Jim and Pam review of their [object Object] trip

Jim and Pam

AZ, USA

Insider Tips

Quebec is an extraordinary place. Deep-rooted culture and history, mixed with the love of good food make it the perfect destination. While most people visit Montreal and Quebec City, this province has so much more to offer! From small charming towns with quirky histories to popping fall colours and breath-taking natural beauty and biodiversity, mixed with a pride of place unique to the region, this is a province worth exploring in much more depth.

Anjuli B

Anjuli

Canadian Insider

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