Vancouver to Toronto on the VIA Rail Canadian Train(Trip value - $9500.00)
Founded in 1984 and registered as a charity in 1987, Ups & Downs has been supporting individuals who have Down syndrome, their families, and friends in the Calgary area for over 20 years.
Step back into a golden past aboard “The Canadian” train – destination Toronto. With five days aboard the train, you’ll be mesmerized by Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Prairies and lake country, you’ll be rocked to sleep by the motion of the train and you’ll savour made to order meals as you glide across our great country. This nostalgic journey from Vancouver to Toronto aboard this 50’s era train is one you’ll never forget.
VIA Rail is Canada’s classic overnight rail passenger service. Aboard “The Canadian” train, you’ll step into a golden past and relive Canada’s history. A truly nostalgic experience, VIA Rail includes made to order meals in mid-century rail dining cars, glass domed observation cars, and private sleeper cabins to enjoy Canada’s scenery.
This seven-day vacation for two people is offered for any of our available 2023/ 2024 departure dates.
Route Map
Travel Summary
- Day 1: Vancouver Arrival - overnight in Vancouver
- Day 2: VIA Rail departure On Board "The Canadian" Train in the afternoon - overnight aboard the train
- Day 3: "The Canadian" Train - The Canadian Rockies - overnight aboard the train
- Day 4: "The Canadian" Train - Saskatchewan and Manitoba - overnight aboard the train
- Day 5: "The Canadian" Train - Ontario - overnight aboard the train
- Day 6: "The Canadian" Train - arrival in Toronto - overnight in Toronto
- Day 7: Toronto Departure
What's Included
- 4 nights of private bedroom accommodation onboard VIA Rail's "The Canadian" train
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation (pre and post-train nights)
- All meals are made to order on board "The Canadian" train each day
- All Taxes
- Independent Tour
Not Included
- Rail station transfers between VIA Rail station and hotels
- Meals, other than onboard the train
- Gratuities/tip for rail and hotel staff
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 - Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver, a city known for its cultural and linguistic diversity. This city is very lively and home to a bustling arts scene so you will find that there is no shortage of things to do and places to explore. Popular sites include: the urban jungle of Stanley Park, Canada’s largest Chinatown and the Robson Street Shopping District.
You will spend the night in your Vancouver hotel room.
Day 2 - Vancouver Sightseeing. Departure On Board "The Canadian" Train
Depart Vancouver aboard VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” train in the afternoon.
Take the morning to explore Vancouver. This afternoon, you’ll board the VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” train. Travel through the lush Fraser Valley and along the salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River. Meals will be included on board and you are free to roam about the train as you wish. During the day you’ll pass beside river canyons and natural wonders like Hell’s Gate. By nightfall you’ve reached the interior of British Columbia and the sound of the train is rocking you to sleep. Spend tonight onboard the train in your private cabin.
VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” train offers a truly unique experience of Canada’s diverse scenery. All meals are included and can be enjoyed in the dining car, and you will have the opportunity to take in the scenery in the glass dome. At night you will retire to your private cabin. You’ll be spending the next four nights on board as you watch our country unfold in front of you.
Day 3 - "The Canadian" Train - The Canadian Rockies
You’ll wake up to a Rocky Mountain sunrise and head to the dining car for breakfast. Mount Robson—the highest point in the Canadian Rockies— greets you on your approach to Jasper. The train will stop for a few hours in Jasper, which would allow you some time to look around. Continue on through the province of Alberta and pass through its capital city of Edmonton.
Take the time to get to know the train and all of its services. There are regular scheduled talks about local areas of interest. Or get to know all about the various personalities aboard the train, you’ll certainly meet some interesting characters during these four days of adventure. Read a book, watch a movie or catch up on some writing, as there is plenty of time for it all.
Day 4 - "The Canadian" Train - Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Your train continues on through the rolling prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Swaying grasslands and fields of gold stretch out before you in every direction underneath a never ending sky. You’ll reach Winnipeg this evening before the train continues on eastwards towards Toronto.
Day 5 - "The Canadian" Train - Ontario
The entire day is spent travelling across Canada’s second largest province, Ontario. Your route is north of the Great Lakes and the entire day can be spent watching the countryside pass by. Lakes and never ending forests are out your window throughout the day as you glide across our great country on the route the early settlers once took.
Day 6 - "The Canadian" Train - Arrival in Toronto
Arrive in Toronto in the afternoon. “The Canadian” will be pulling into downtown Toronto’s Union Station and the rest of the day is yours to explore Canada’s largest city. You may choose to go up the CN Tower to walk the glass floor or maybe enjoy a seasonal dinner in the rotating restaurant at the top. You will spend the night in your Toronto hotel room.
Day 7 - Toronto Departure
Your tour is complete upon your checkout of your hotel room.
Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations! We hope you enjoyed travelling across Canada in this nostalgic setting.
How to bid on this trip:
This trip will be available to bid on through an online auction found on the blue links at the top and bottom of this page. This auction will be live until June 21, 2023. We recommend also attending the Ups and Downs Annual Street Meet on June 17, 2023 between 10 AM – 1 PM at Pearce Estate Park.
The street meet includes:
- 3 KM Walk-A-Thon at Pearce Estate Park in the neighbourhood of Inglewood, Calgary
- Entertainment- includes a DJ, face painting, and a Member Talent Show
- BBQ lunch
- Raffle prizes and silent auction
See here for additional information and to book your ticket to the event:
If don’t win the auction, but you are interested in purchasing one of our tours and supporting Ups and Downs Calgary. Canada Rail Vacations will donate 5% of proceeds to Calgary Down Syndrome Association for all reservations made prior to July 1, 2023.
*To support this cause, please reference Ups and Downs Calgary in the note section of your quote request.