Call to book1-877-929-7245

Tour Search

Favorites

VIA Rail

Canada's railway system is vast and well-established, and an integral part of this network is VIA Rail Canada. Established in 1977, VIA Rail was founded as a solution to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau's call for rail service between cities to become essential. There were few options for passenger train travel before this, as much of the track in Canada was dedicated to freight service. VIA Rail became the first national passenger service in Canada at the time; it has now served passengers for more than 40 years.

VIA Rail took over track from the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways to create its first long-distance cross-country passenger route from Vancouver to Montreal for its flagship route. It named the train that ran the course the Canadian as a nod to its predecessors. This occurred in 1978, just one year after the line's founding. Since then, VIA Rail has expanded to reach over 400 cities and towns throughout Canada, including major destinations - such as Jasper, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec City - and more elusive locales, including Churchill. There is a total of over 7,765 miles of track within the VIA Rail network.

Passengers can capture the changes in the vast Canadian landscape from the large picture windows that line the train cars. Most trains are equipped with power outlets, and some journeys even feature Wi-Fi Internet access. Guests are comfortable during travel in any season, thanks to full air conditioning and heating on all rail lines.

Our customers love our VIA Rail tours

Winter in the Rockies

11/Apr

Helen Adams

“This was a great trip; the hotels were beautiful and we loved the overnight train! Just the right amount of coordination by Vacations by Rail so that our time was our own but all of the transportation details were arranged conveniently and expertly. This was our second Vacations By Rail trip, and we will definitely take more of them as we are big train travel fans.

Collected by Trustpilot

Canadian Snow Train

21/Feb

VICTORIA LEEANN STONER

“Sleeper cabins with private toilet, food included, non alcoholic beverages included, snacks, and entertainment on the train is fantastic. The shared shower is a little less fantastic, might need and automated sanitization system. The experience was 10/10 would recommend.

Collected by Trustpilot

Canadian Snow Train with Jasper

6/Feb

Susan

“This trip was amazing and would highly recommend to anyone interested in train travel.

Collected by Trustpilot

Vancouver to Montreal Trans Canada Adventure

24/Jan

AILEEN GRIESER

“Amazing train trip

Collected by Trustpilot

Across Canada by Train

19 Nov 2023

PERCILLA EDGAR

“It was an amazing adventure! The staff were incredible and I met some very wonderful people along the way. Thank you for the experience!

Collected by Trustpilot

Trans Canada by Rail

08 Nov 2023

ALLEN KOHLER

“When you consider the service provided: 1) Book train w/chosen sleeper, 2) Book accommodation at each end of trip, cost of service was on expensive side. Next time we would do our own booking and save the hundreds. Trip was spectacular.

Collected by Trustpilot

Trans Canada By Rail & the Rockies

05 Nov 2023

ROBERT LUMLEY-SAPANSKI

“Excellent trip and well planned by vacations by rail. Pre trip communications we’re great and all schedules worked well. Accommodations were terrific in the Rockies and the train was cool as well

Collected by Trustpilot

Montreal & Quebec City by Rail

02 Nov 2023

JAMES GREGORY SKILES

“Hotel accommodations and motor coach tours were excellent. The train trip between Montreal and Quebec City was nothing special, even in business class. Boring scenery, which you can’t control. We loved our trip. All of your reps before the trip were exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful.

Collected by Trustpilot

Fall Colors of New England, Quebec & Montreal

23 Oct 2023

Tawny Cleveland

“What a beautiful and well run trip. Our guide, Mark Jacobson, was kind, attentive, informative, and funny. That accommodations were wonderful and the itinerary was just perfect. We appreciated time to our selves to explore as well. Our driver, Patrick, was absolutely amazing. So grateful to have him at the wheel.

Collected by Trustpilot

VIA Rail

38 results matching: VIA Rail