16 Day Train Tour Across Canada with Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail

from Vancouver to Halifax with Banff, Jasper, Toronto, & Montreal

You’ll start at the Pacific Ocean and end at the Atlantic Ocean. Over 16 days, you’ll see the full breadth of our great country. From lush West Coast rainforests to remote glaciers atop mountains, to Canada’s Prairies, lake country, and rugged East Coast, you’ll see Canada in a way that few people ever have. The highlights of the trip are nine days of life-changing train travel onboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer and the nostalgic VIA Rail trains and 4 nights total in the Rocky Mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Over the course of this trip, you will travel through eight provinces including places you would have never dreamt existed: this is our Canadian Trip of a Lifetime.

Travel Dates in 2024 & 2025

2024 Start Dates - Eastbound

Starting on Sundays

April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
September 1, 15, 22, 29
October 6

2025 Start Dates - Eastbound

Starting on Sundays

April 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18
June 1, 18, 29
July 13, 27
August 10, 17, 31
September 7, 28
October TBA

*Additional dates will be added as they become available throughout 2024. For dates not listed, please contact us for availability.

Travel Summary

  • Day 1: Vancouver Arrival - overnight in Vancouver
  • Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops - overnight in Kamloops
  • Day 3: Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Banff - overnight in Banff
  • Day 4: Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola - overnight in Banff
  • Day 5: Banff to Lake Louise Sightseeing Tour - Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls - overnight in Lake Louise
  • Day 6: Sightseeing Tour from Lake Louise to Jasper including Columbia Icefields Excursion - overnight in Jasper
  • Day 7: Board "The Canadian" Train in Jasper - overnight aboard the train
  • Day 8: "The Canadian" Train through Saskatchewan and Manitoba - overnight aboard the train
  • Day 9: "The Canadian" Train through Ontario - overnight aboard the train
  • Day 10: "The Canadian" Train - arrival in Toronto. CN Tower Admission - overnight in Toronto
  • Day 11: Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour - overnight in Toronto
  • Day 12: VIA Rail Business Class from Toronto to Montreal - overnight in Montreal
  • Day 13: Montreal Sightseeing. Board "The Ocean" Train - Montreal to Halifax - overnight aboard the train
  • Day 14: "The Ocean" Train - arrival in Halifax - overnight in Halifax
  • Day 15: Halifax Peggy's Cove tour - overnight in Halifax
  • Day 16: Halifax Departure

Route Map

What's Included

  • 11 nights hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights private bedroom accommodation on board "The Canadian" train in Sleeper Plus Class
  • 1 night private bedroom on board "The Ocean" train
  • 2 day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service
  • 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
  • *Complimentary Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour of Vancouver provided when an additional night in Vancouver is added to your vacation package
  • Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
  • Banff and Yoho National Park Tour from Banff to Lake Louise (Tour not available in April and October)
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer (Tour not available in April and October)
  • CN Tower admission
  • Full day Niagara Falls excursion with meal
  • Toronto to Montreal VIA Rail train (Business Class)
  • Montreal Hop on, Hop off tour
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops & Banff
  • Gratuities/tip for Rocky Mountaineer train staff
  • Independent Tour

Not Included

  • Rail station transfers in Jasper, Toronto and Halifax
  • Transportation to/from Vancouver and Halifax airports
  • Meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, VIA Rail and Niagara Falls day trip
  • Gratuities/tip for hotel, VIA Rail and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver Arrival

Arrive in Vancouver, 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. If your schedule permits, purchasing “Hop On Hop Off” bus passes is a great way to see the city at your leisure. You may also add a second night in Vancouver to your vacation package and receive complimentary Hop On Hop Off passes through Canada Rail Vacations! Popular sites include: the urban jungle of Stanley Park, Canada’s largest Chinatown and the Robson Street Shopping District.

Spend tonight in your downtown Vancouver hotel room.

Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops

Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and raise your glass as the train heads northeast out of Vancouver. Your journey across Canada has officially begun! Travel alongside the mighty waters of the salmon-rich Fraser River and pass the powerful rapids of Hell’s Gate.

Towards the end of today you’ll approach the drier grasslands of Kamloops, where you will be spending the night in your hotel room.

Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Banff

As you travel east towards the province of Alberta, you are greeted by the Canadian Rockies. Rocky lakeshores, snow-capped mountain peaks and crisp glacial streams accompany you as you dine on locally-sourced, gourmet meals.

Learn about points of interest such as astoundingly high Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels. End off today in the friendly mountain resort town of Banff where you will spend the next two nights in your hotel room.

Day 4 - Banff Sightseeing Tour including Banff Gondola

Today you’ll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf or relaxing as you choose.

Day 5 - Banff to Lake Louise Sightseeing Tour - Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls

Your bus leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Banff and Lake Louise. Cross the Continental Divide, and pass through Yoho National Park offering scenic sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans across the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This world famous lake is known as the Jewel of the Canadian Rockies and is one of the most photographed locations in the world. Tour is not available in April and October, when it is replaced with Scenic Transfer.

Day 6 - Sightseeing Tour from Lake Louise to Jasper including Columbia Icefields Excursion

Today you’re riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada—the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, The Columbia Icefield and the powerful Athabasca Falls.

While at the Athabasca Glacier, climb aboard the Ice Explorer—a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier. Listen as your guide explains all about its natural wonders. This is the day to pose for your new profile picture. Spend the next night in Jasper. Tour is not available in April and October, when it is replaced with Scenic Transfer.

Day 7 - Board "The Canadian" Train in Jasper

Your trip of a lifetime continues as you board “The Canadian” train. The train offers a truly unique experience of Canada’s diverse scenery. All meals are included and can be enjoyed in the dining car. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take in the scenery in the glass dome. At night you will retire to your private cabin as the gentle sway of the train rocks you to sleep.

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 8 - "The Canadian" Train through 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 the Halifax.

Day 9 - "The Canadian" Train through 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 10 - "The Canadian" Train Arrival in Toronto

Arrive in Toronto in the afternoon and the rest of the day is yours. Use your CN Tower admissions pass to view Canada’s capital city from above. You may choose 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 11 - Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour

Travel through wine country where Niagara Falls, one of the Seven Great wonders of the World, 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 off the day tour with a visit to Niagara on the Lake, a pretty little village overflowing with flowers. Return to Toronto in the early evening.

Day 12 - VIA Rail Business Class from Toronto to Montreal

You can brush up on your French as you travel first class along VIA Rail’s Corridor. 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 13 - Montreal Sightseeing. Board "The Ocean" Train - Montreal to Halifax

Spend the morning of the day on a guided tour that will take you around to some of Montreal’s most famous attractions. These include; Old Montreal, the Notre Dame Basilica and Olympia Park. We’ve included admission to the Notre Dame Basilica for you. 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 14 - "The Ocean" Train - Arrival in 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 15 - Free Day in Halifax or Peggy's Cove Tour

You’ve come a long way and have finally reached the Atlantic Ocean! Go for a stroll along the harbour walk, visit the Seaport Farmers’ Market or learn about Canadian Heritage from the museum of immigration. The day is yours to discover. If you would like to visit Peggy’s cove, please let us know and we would be happy to arrange a tour for you.

Spend the night in your Halifax hotel room.

Day 16 - Halifax Departure

Your tour ends when you check out of your hotel. We truly hope this was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations!

16 Day Tour Pricing 2024 & 2025

2024 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

Date Range

Popular Hotels
SilverLeaf Train Service

Superior Hotel
Upgrade

Deluxe Hotel
Upgrade

GoldLeaf Train Service
Upgrade

VIA Rail Prestige Class Upgrade

Apr 14 - Apr 21:

$10112

+$1253

+$1925

+$720

+$3000

Apr 22 - May 26:

$11456

+$1517

+$2431

+$880

+$3000

May 27 - Jul 28:

$12322

+$1729

+$2815

+$880

+$3000

Jul 29 - Sep 29:

$12416

+$1729

+$2815

+$910

+$3000

Sep 30 - Oct 6:

$10968

+$1517

+$2431

+$720

+$3000

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Upgrade:

N/A

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel Upgrade:

Included

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Hotel Upgrade:

N/A

Included

Included

N/A

N/A

VIA Canadian + Ocean Train Service:

Sleeper Cabin

N/A

N/A

Sleeper Cabin

Prestige Cabin

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