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Canadian

A true classic, the original line that put VIA Rail on the map, the Canadian is an overnight rail line that speaks to the experience of long-distance rail travel in years long ago. This train follows a course of approximately 2,775 miles, traversing through mountainscapes, lush evergreen forests, and wide-open prairies during its journey between Vancouver and Toronto. Along the way, VIA Rail's Canadian makes stops in wonderful cities and towns that highlight the country's diversity. Passengers may elect to begin their trip in either bookend location or join the train in one of its stations along the way.

One of the most scenic stretches of the entire route is between Kamloops and Jasper, a resort town surrounded by Jasper National Park and the Rocky Mountains. The train travels along the Fraser River and offers a glimpse at Hell's Gate, a portion of the river that narrows rapidly, forcing the water to erupt at an incredible speed. The Canadian also joins the North Thompson River and offers views of Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson - the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies - before stationing in Jasper.

Hints of yesteryear are detectable on the fully restored 1950s railcars, which were first used when the Canadian Pacific Railway offered its passenger line - also called the Canadian - between Montreal and Vancouver. VIA Rail's Canadian still follows a condensed version of this same course several times a week year-round, presenting all the natural grandeur of Canada as was always intended.

Our customers love our Canadian tours

Winter in the Rockies

28 Mar 2023

KELLEY ANN BOST

“Canada in the winter is absolutely beautiful! We are so glad we did it. The Fairmont Hotels we stayed were all wonderful. We had no difficulties at all with any arrangements for anything they took care of for us! Everyone we dealt with from booking to getting back home was helpful and friendly. We would definitely book another tour again!!

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Canadian Snow Train

19 Mar 2023

DIANA ALICE STORK

“Everything about the trip was terrific, including being rocked to sleep by the train motion at night! Having disrupted internet and cell coverage was great. Forced downtime.

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Trans Canada by Rail

14 Feb 2023

ROGER PHILLIPS

“Absolutely Fantastic!

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Christmas in the Rockies

20 Jan 2023

KRISTA KEENER

“Our airline canceled our flights so we missed the train. But working with the office staff we were able to catch up to our itinerary.

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Canadian Rockies by Rail

02 Nov 2022

MICHELLE PUCKETT

“We really enjoyed our trip it was our 1st on a train so we got to know what we liked and don't like. Food on train was fantastic, met a lot of new people. 1st time on a guided motorcoach tour and we really enjoyed it, made it really nice for my husband as he normally does most of the driving he actually got to sit back and enjoy the sites. Would recommend this to my friends and family. Looking for our next vacation. Our motorcoach guide was wonderful, full of places to see and her knowledge of the area was great.

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Trans Canada By Rail Featuring VIA Rail's Prestige Class

27 Oct 2022

MARY KATHLEEN DUNCAN

“All of the transfers arranged by Vacations by Rail worked flawlessly. No stress there. The train trip itself was as promised, beautiful views out our picture window, very good food and very pleasant and accommodating staff, with one exception. The dining car manager, who had originally agreed that we could have a table for two, when we arrived for the first lunch seating said she couldn't accommodate us - she was too full. Since all of the literature about Prestige Class says you are entitled to room service dining, and since COVID is definitely not over and the usual seating in the dining room is four to a table we had no intention of sitting across the table from two strangers. We had, however, agreed to try the dining room as long as we had our own table. The dining room manager told Sunny, our cabin attendant, that she could accommodate us, so we told Sunny we would try it out. Unpleasant experience when we arrived for lunch, so we left and had room service for the rest of the trip.

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Canadian Rail Adventure

10 Oct 2022

Susan

“I have been looking forward to this trip since 2020. It did not disappoint. One has to remember that Vacations by Rail is a travel agent, not a tour company. This trip is "independent" travel of sorts in that you don't have a guide doing things for you. Shortly before your departure date, you receive a final itinerary along with vouchers for hotel rooms, tours, train travel, etc. You are responsible for getting to the appropriate places on time. No big deal as long as you don't expect a tour guide to take care of you. You will be with many of the same people throughout your travels so you have the opportunity to make friends along the way. The Rocky Mountaineer portion was a wonderful experience. I would recommend getting a seat on the left side of the train (we sat on the right side) as 98% of the points of interest were on the left. We booked the Gold Leaf service and I would recommend it. Sitting in the elevated dome car gave you an awesome view of the Rockies and surrounding area. The hosts (upstairs and downstairs) were excellent - efficient, helpful, informative. The meals (breakfast & lunch) were tasty and filling. You were also offered snacks and beverages throughout the day. It was nice going down to the dining car to eat meals and sitting with new people. There were 750+ people on our train. If you are traveling with someone, you'll need to make sure it's noted somewhere so you'll be assigned to the same train. The hotels (we booked all Fairmont Hotels except for in the one in Kamloops which Rocky Mountaineer booked) were first class. Our view of Lake Louise was stunning. The Fairmont in Toronto was right across the street from the Toronto train station. The Brewster Sightseeing tours (in Banff, between Banff/Lake Louise, and Lake Louise/Jasper) were all informative; and, the guides/drivers-guides were friendly, patient, and fun. I wish the Niagara Falls tour company was more flexible with what was covered. I would have liked to spend more time at the Falls themselves. That tour gave us a spectacular view of the Falls...on land and on the water. That sightseeing company was a bit disorganized as they told people the incorrect departure time and didn't specify a location (the hotel wasn't sure either)...but it all turned out fine. I love train travel so I enjoyed the VIA train from Jasper to Toronto. Some people did not realize that the bags they checked were not accessible until they reached their final destination. The rooms are much too small to accommodate full-sized luggage. We had a Sleeper Plus for two people. It had a toilet (in a separate small room) & a sink. The bunk bed are set up/take down by the room steward daily (we elected to keep them down) since we occupied the public areas during the day. Breakfast is first come, first serve. Lunch and Supper are scheduled - there are 3 seating times for each (you reserve your first dinner slot at the station in Jasper before you board the train.). The customer facing staff from Jasper (they started in Vancouver) to Winnipeg were outstanding. They were so efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable; the staff from Jasper to Toronto were fine, but not outstanding. I would have appreciated having transport arranged to take us from the hotel in Toronto to the airport. We weren't told that the arranged transport wasn't available early in the morning. There should be a note stating the hours of availability so customers can schedule their flights accordingly. The Toronto airport has been experiencing personnel shortages so it is a mess. They really mean it when they say get there 3 hours in advance. People should know there is a phone number they can call to speak to someone at the airport. That person can confirm the departure terminal and how early folks need to arrive. Remember, if you're returning to USA, you go through Border Patrol screening to clear travel into the USA in Toronto. Having NEXUS or Global Entry eased the chaos. NOTE: tips are not included. I hate having to figure out tips. The travel guides usually recommend you tip a certain percentage of what you paid. It's helpful to figure that out before you leave home. We tipped at the table during meal services but there are many others who rely on tips to augment their wages - hosts on Rocky Mountaineer, guides/drives on tour buses, staff on the VIA train, porters, etc. I'm recommending this trip to my friends. I would book with Vactions by Rail again.

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Trans Canada By Rail & the Rockies

09 Oct 2022

Mary Stock

“Excellent vacation with the "moderate" package. I had to contact them once because of a schedule delay (train tracks washed out) and they were immediately responsive and helpful. No other problems.

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Trans Canada by Rail & Alaska by Sea

21 Sep 2022

Bobbie Manigo

“This was a wonderful trip thru BC by train and Alaska by sea. I couldn't ask for much more. Thanks guys for planning this trip for me. Fantastic retirement vacation 👌. C U SOON!!!

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Canadian

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Worldwide Rail Vacations 2023

Worldwide Rail Vacations 2023