Your journey begins in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. From here travel east on VIA Rail's Canadian, admiring charming alpine towns, unspoiled natural scenery, and amazing wildlife along your route. As you travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, enjoy stops in beautiful Jasper, tranquil Lake Louise, and to the small town of Banff before continuing your journey across Canada to Toronto.
Your rail adventure across Canada and through the Canadian Rockies includes first-class train accommodations including access to the Canadian's Skyline and Park Cars, moderate, superior or deluxe hotel accommodations, sightseeing, ample time at your leisure, and more!
What’s included
Arrive in the coastal city of Vancouver and check-in to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, you're close to many of the city's attractions, shops, and restaurants. Take the day to explore this scenic city on your own. Included is admission to FlyOver Canada, a thrilling multisensory journey across Canada aboard the latest in flight ride technology. Discover the country's most famous sights without leaving your seat. Overnight Vancouver.
Spend the day exploring Vancouver on your own. Later this afternoon, transfer on your own from your hotel to the Vancouver train station to board the Canadian. Settle into your Sleeper Plus accommodations and prepare for your trip into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Your first-class accommodations convert from a sitting room by day to comfortable upper and lower berths by night. Overnight train.
Awake this morning to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train arrives in Jasper. Upon arrival, transfer from the rail station to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Jasper on your own. You may elect to go on a hike, bike the surrounding area, or ride the Jasper Tramway. Overnight Jasper.
Enjoy a full-day scenic transfer en route to Lake Louise. Travel along the Icefield Parkway, a scenic two-lane road that parallels the Continental Divide. A highlight of the day is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you will board an Ice Explorer and journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. Arrive in Lake Louise this evening for your first of two nights. Overnight Lake Louise.
You have a full day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Louise today. Perhaps spend the day exploring the surrounding wilderness, or visit the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the eponymous lake. Known for its turquoise waters, the glacier-fed lake is surrounded by high mountain peaks and is overlooked by the stately Chateau. Overnight Lake Louise.
Travel east today to Banff, a resort town surrounded by the Sulphur and Cascade Mountains. The town, originally settled by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, is a veritable playground, offering an assortment of activities including hiking and biking paths and pristine ski areas. One of Banff's most popular attractions is the Banff Upper Hot Springs located in Banff National Park. Overnight Banff.
Today we explore the exciting town of Banff. Enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountains and a visit to Banff's National Park. Be sure to carve out time to visit the grand Banff Springs Hotel, a former railway hotel constructed in the Scottish Baronial style in 1888. Overnight Banff.
The morning is yours to enjoy Banff at your leisure. Later today, transfer from Banff to Jasper. Overnight Jasper.
Your last day in the Rockies is free to explore at your leisure. Take some time to stroll the quaint mountain town and its many shops and restaurants, take a wildlife tour, or venture out onto the Summit Trail at the peak of the Jasper SkyTram for unprecedented views of six mountain ranges and the Athabasca River. Overnight Jasper.
Transfer to the rail station this afternoon to board VIA Rail's Canadian for your departure east. Tonight, the train travels through Alberta's capital city of Edmonton as you head toward Toronto. Overnight train.
Today's travels take you through Saskatoon, Canada's leader in the high technology and mining industries, and Melville, named after Charles Melville Hays, President of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company. Spend the day chatting with your fellow travelers and enjoying panoramic views from the Skyline Car. This evening stop in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba and once the hub of the Canadian fur trade. Overnight train.
A highlight of today's scenic trip includes Longlac, which, located at the northern tip of Long Lake, played an important role as part of the historic canoe route for fur traders. Spend time in the Park Car enjoying its three salons and observation deck as well as the Skyline Car with an observation dome offering 360-degree views of the ever-changing landscape. Overnight train.
The Canadian is scheduled to arrive in Toronto this afternoon. After you disembark, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel, and spend the remainder of the day exploring this cosmopolitan city as you like. Overnight Toronto.
Your trans-Canada journey ends this today. You may wish to extend your stay in Toronto in order to better explore this cosmopolitan city. Or, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Moderate Accommodations
Hotels include the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel,
Whistler's Inn, Lake Louise Inn, Banff Ptarmigan Inn, and Chelsea
Hotel. VIA Rail accommodations are Sleeper Plus Class in a
semi-private berth. Meals are included onboard the train along with
access to the Park Car with its lounges and 360-degree panoramic
views.
Superior Accommodations
Hotels include the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Sawridge Inn
& Conference Center, Post Hotel,
Moose Hotel & Suites
, and Hotel Le Germain Toronto. VIA Rail
accommodations are Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin. Meals are
included onboard the train along with access to the Park Car with
its lounges and 360-degree panoramic views.
Deluxe Accommodations
Hotels include Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Jasper Park
Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel,
and Fairmont Royal York. VIA Rail accommodations are Sleeper Plus
Class in a private cabin. Meals are included onboard the train
along with access to the Park Car with its lounges and 360-degree
panoramic views.
Explore Banff and the Ice Explorer Tours onto the Columbia Icefields are subject to seasonal operations.
Cabins purchased on VIA rail for a single traveler are Cabins for 1. For upgrade options, ask your rail specialist for details.
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
On The Canadian, we experience an epic journey through Canada, highlighting constantly changing landscapes and dramatic scenery. The train ventures between coastal Vancouver, the stunning Rocky Mountains and the modern city of Toronto on a 2,775-mile route, providing travellers with up to four nights of classic overnight rail travel.
The Canadian is a truly iconic train and transports us across the country in the comfort of restored carriages. Enjoy freshly prepared meals while onboard and beautiful, ever-changing views from the panoramic windows of the Sightseer's Lounge. Sleeper Plus travellers have access to the Park Car, including the Bullet Lounge, in the evenings, whereas Prestige Class guests have all-day access to the Park Car, including reserved seats in the dome area. We travel in semi-private curtained berths in Sleeper Plus Class on The Canadian; however, upgrades to private Sleeper Plus cabins with private restrooms and shared shower facilities and luxurious private cabins in Prestige Class, complete with en suite bathrooms, are available on request.
For more information: click here
The Canadian is a truly iconic train and transports us in restored carriages across the country in comfort. Enjoy freshly prepared meals while on board and spend relaxed daytime hours lounging in the armchairs of the Bullet Lounge, where panoramic windows immerse us in beautiful, everchanging landscapes. We travel in comfortable curtained berths on The Canadian. Upgrading to Prestige Class is available on request.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!
Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.