11 Day Eastern Canada Train Tour with VIA Rail

from Toronto to Halifax with Ottawa, Montreal & Quebec City

Explore Canada’s cultural cities with this relaxing tour of Eastern Canada by rail. Highlights of this journey of exploration include: the “Centre of the Universe” in Toronto; our nation’s capital in Ottawa; trendy, chic Montreal; the European flare of Quebec City; an overnight train journey along the St Lawrence River to the maritime city of Halifax on Canada’s East Coast. Every component of this tour can be customized to suit your specific needs and desires.

Travel Dates in 2024 & 2025

2024 Start Dates

Starting on Sundays and Wednesdays and Fridays

January 24, 26, 28, 31
February 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28
March 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31
April 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28
May 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31
June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
July 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31
August 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
September 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
October 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
November 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
December 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29

2025 Start Dates

Starting on Sundays and Wednesdays and Fridays

January 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31
February 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28
March 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
April 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
May 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
June 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
July 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
August 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31
September 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28
October 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31
November 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
December 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31

Travel Summary

  • Day 1: Toronto Arrival - overnight in Toronto
  • Day 2: Toronto Sightseeing - overnight in Toronto
  • Day 3: Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour - overnight in Toronto
  • Day 4: VIA Rail from Toronto to Ottawa - overnight in Ottawa
  • Day 5: VIA Rail from Ottawa to Montreal - overnight in Montreal
  • Day 6: Montreal Day Tour - overnight in Montreal
  • Day 7: VIA Rail from Montreal to Quebec City - overnight in Quebec City
  • Day 8: Quebec City sightseeing - overnight on "The Ocean" Train to Halifax
  • Day 9: Full day on board "The Ocean" Train to Halifax - overnight in Halifax
  • Day 10: Peggy’s Cove Tour - overnight in Halifax
  • Day 11: Halifax Departure

Route Map

What's Included

  • VIA Rail from Toronto to Ottawa
  • VIA Rail from Ottawa to Montreal
  • VIA Rail from Montreal to Halifax
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation
  • Toronto Hop On, Hop Off City Bus Tour
  • Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour
  • Ottawa Hop On, Hop Off City Bus Tour
  • Montreal Hop On, Hop Off City Bus Tour
  • Quebec City Hop On, Hop Off City Bus Tour
  • Peggy's Cove Sightseeing day tour (mid-June through October)
  • Independent Tour

Not Included

  • Transportation from the Toronto airport (available, please ask for details)
  • Transportation to the Halifax airport (available, please ask for details)
  • Rail station transfers between Toronto VIA Rail Station and Toronto Hotel
  • Rail station transfers between Ottawa VIA Rail Station and Ottawa Hotel
  • Rail station transfers between Montreal VIA Rail Station and Montreal Hotel
  • Rail station transfers between Halifax VIA Rail Station and Halifax Hotel
  • Meals, other than onboard train
  • Gratuities for rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Toronto

Arrive in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the capital of Ontario. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours! We’ve included passes to the CN Tower and a two day Hop on/ Hop off pass for you to use at your leisure. Spend the next three nights in your downtown Toronto hotel.

Day 2 - Toronto Sightseeing

Build your own Toronto experience with the freedom of our hop-on-hop-off city tour aboard a double decker bus. Let the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides educate you on the fun facts and history of Toronto as they take you through the city with stops at/near all major hotels in the downtown area. Stops include Chinatown, the CN Tower, the Distillery District, the Royal Ontario Museum and more. The ticket also includes a free boat tour (available seasonally) of the Toronto Harbour and Islands.

Day 3 - Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour

This is a full day tour to Niagara Falls. Travel through wine country where Niagara Falls, one of the Seven Great natural wonders of North America, is waiting for you! Board the Hornblower boat and feel the mist on your face as you cruise along the roaring base of Horseshoe Falls. You’ll also get the chance to experience the falls from above, standing within feet of its lip.

End of the day tour with a visit to Niagara on the Lake, a pretty little village overflowing with flowers and home to the Shaw Festival of Theatre. Return to Toronto in the early evening.

Day 4 - VIA Rail in Business Class from Toronto to Ottawa

Board VIA Rail’s Corridor train en route to the Capital of Canada. Ottawa is home to the Prime Minister and Parliament Hill. Within a short walk from your hotel, you can tour the iconic Parliament Hill, visit many of the country’s national museums, or walk along the World Heritage Site of Rideau Canal.

Day 5 - VIA Rail in Business Class from Ottawa to Montreal

Spend the morning and early afternoon in Ottawa. You can brush up on your French as you travel in Business Class along VIA Rail’s Corridor as you depart Ottawa in the late afternoon. Say bonjour as you cross into the culturally-rich province of Quebec and enter Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world. You can wine and dine as you wish tonight whether that’s at a high-end restaurant or snacking on some poutine—Canada’s favorite food! Spend tonight in your Montreal hotel room.

Day 6 - Montreal Day Tour

Spend the day on a tour that will take you to some of Montreal’s most famous attractions. These include; Old Montreal, the Notre Dame Basilica and Olympia Park.

Day 7 - VIA Rail from Montreal to Quebec City

A morning departure on VIA Rail’s Corridor will give you a full day in the historic city of Quebec. Quebec City is located on the Saint Lawrence River and is the only fortified city north of Mexico. The narrow cobble stone streets and old stone buildings are a truly remarkable site.

Day 8 - Free time in Quebec City. Overnight aboard "The Ocean" Train to Halifax

A free day to explore Quebec City. You may wish to do a guided tour, rent a car or a bicycle and explore the countryside. It’s beautiful. Later, you’ll board “The Ocean” train and head out for the Maritimes! Settle into your bed aboard the train and be rocked to sleep.

Day 9 - "The Ocean" train to Halifax

As the sun rises, you’ll be travelling eastwards through New Brunswick and on towards Nova Scotia. You’ll pass through rural villages on your way to the east coast of Canada. Enjoy some spectacular views on board. Breakfast and lunch are included aboard the train before your late afternoon arrival in Halifax.

Day 10 - Peggy’s Cove

Depart from Halifax and head to Peggy’s Cove, located on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean for views of Nova Scotia’s unique coastline and to learn about the history and culture! The fishing village has long been a backdrop for tales of pirates and shipwrecks, and you will have some free time to explore the rocks, walking trails, village, and many quaint boutiques and gift shops in the cove.

Day 11 - Halifax Departure

Your tour ends when you check out of your hotel. Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations!

11 Day Tour Pricing 2024 & 2025

2024 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

Date Range

Popular Hotels
VIA Rail Sleeper Cabin

Superior Hotel
Upgrade

Deluxe Hotel
Upgrade

Jan 3 - Apr 21:

$4671

+$491

+$1303

Apr 22 - May 24:

$5149

+$1064

+$1613

May 26 - Jul 26:

$5393

+$1238

+$1846

Jul 27 - Oct 13:

$5393

+$1238

+$1846

Oct 14 - Dec 31:

$4899

+$1064

+$1613

2025 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

*Book your 2025 Canada Rail Vacation now and receive 2024 pricing for 2025 travel
**You’ll also receive complimentary hotel room upgrades where available

Please contact us for additional details.

Pricing Details:
  • Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars and are subject to an additional 5% Canadian sales tax.
  • Prices are based on double occupancy. For single and triple sharing, please request a quote.
  • To qualify for any current Specials, please request a quote.
  • Upgrades to Premium hotel rooms (5 stars) and Private Tours/Transfers are available. Please request a quote.

Approximate Exchange Rates:

$1.00 CAD =

$0.75 USD

€0.68 EUR

£0.59 GBP

$1.11 AUD