The Ultimate Rail Journey Aboard the Canadian

The journey can be done from Toronto to Vancouver or Vancouver to Toronto — the choice is yours! The train covers 4466 km, linking two of Canada’s biggest cities, with stops in Sudbury, Sioux Lookout, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops along the way.

As soon as you step onto the VIA train, you’ll be whisked away to a world of slow travel, where the journey is as important as the destination. Are there more efficient ways to get between Toronto and Vancouver? Absolutely! But none will rival the level of service, style and scenery of travel by rail.

Your home for the journey will be in the Sleeper Plus class, either a berth or upgraded cabin. Inside you’ll find a daytime configuration with comfy seating and a nighttime configuration for cozy sleeping. Cabins have a private two-piece bathroom, with access to a shared shower. Upgrade to the new Prestige Class for even more space and comfort, including a private shower, a modular leather L-shaped daytime couch, a concierge and an in-cabin flat-screen TV.

Spend your days enjoying the onboard amenities and relaxing while watching the incredible scenery rolling by. You’ll have access to the Skyline car, the Panorama car (during peak season) and the Park car — each offering a different ambiance with unobstructed views of the surroundings. You might even spot some iconic Canadian wildlife out the huge windows.

In the dining car, delight in the included three gourmet meals a day — each magically created by chefs in the train’s tiny kitchen using locally sourced ingredients. You’ll appreciate the attention to detail in the dining car — with crisp white linens and printed menus — all set against the backdrop of the huge windows that showcase the jaw dropping landscape outside as you dine. Those who choose to upgrade to Prestige class will also have access to a pre-dinner appetizer service, a personal concierge and all-inclusive beverages, alcoholic beverages and snacks.

As the Canadian makes its way east or west (depending on your choice of direction), you will be treated to unforgettable changing landscapes that unfold in front of you: rural farmland, lush forests, the rocky outcrops of the Canadian Shield, prairie fields, city lights and the snowy peaks of the Rockies. This is the longest train journey in North America — a bucket-list travel experience for many — and is sure to leave you with lasting memories as you slowly make your way across the country.

Want to start your journey in Halifax or continue on to Halifax from Vancouver? Ask us about all the various train route options.