7 of the Best Train Trips in Canada and What You’ll See Along the Way
Offering some of the most scenic views in all of North America, Canada’s excellent long-distance train network is a great way to experience all the best of this incredible country, from the pristine beauty of the Canadian Rockies to the dynamic big cities of the East and West Coasts. VIA Rail operates 494 trains per week in eight Canadian provinces over a network of 7,800 miles of track. So whether you travel on VIA Rail’s classic trans-continental train, The Canadian, from Toronto to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper and Vancouver, the inter-city trains between Toronto, Montréal and Québec, or the Ocean from Montréal to Halifax, you’ll experience fresh, chef-prepared meals, comfortable, relaxing amenities, and spectacular views throughout!
Learn more below about 7 of Amtrak Vacations’ best train journeys through Canada and the spectacular stops they make along the way. And remember, you can get there from any one of Amtrak’s 500+ stations in the U.S.!
1. Classic Canada Coast-to-Coast
The Classic Canada Coast to Coast is a once-in-a-lifetime journey across Canada! Experience the quaint seaside community of Halifax in the Canadian Maritimes, then journey by train to Montreal and explore the historic, multi-cultural streets. Visit Toronto, the country’s largest city, and enjoy a full-day tour out to the Ontario side of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area. Next, journey west for an incredible train experience through the Canadian plains and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Your trip ends in Vancouver where you’ll see all the best sights of this diverse and vibrant city.
2. Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound
Experience the gorgeous scenery and breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies on this incredibly scenic rail journey from Vancouver to Calgary. See amazing views of Vancouver from hundreds of feet above the ground at the Vancouver Lookout. Stroll down the charming cobblestone streets of Victoria. Get up close and personal with massive glaciers during an interactive ride on the Ice Explorer. See the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper. Discover everything that Banff has to offer. Finally, discover all Calgary has to offer!
3. Ultimate Canada and Rockies Westbound
Learn what truly makes the Canadian Rockies so majestic on this amazing journey through four different cities and a fun day trip to Niagara Falls! Tour all the splendid sites of Toronto, including the lovely Harbourfront. Get up close and personal with Niagara Falls with a cruise on the lake. Sip local delicious wine during a winery tour. Explore the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper National Park. Experience breathtaking views of the Rockies during the ride of a lifetime aboard the Jasper Skytram. Visit one of the largest expanses of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, the Columbia Icefield in Banff. Enjoy two days of sightseeing in Vancouver. You’ll be talking about this trip for years to come!
4. Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies by Rail
Experience spectacular landscapes and scenery on this 11-day adventure to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies. Discover the beauty of Glacier National Park as you travel along the world-famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Enjoy one of the most scenic train journeys as you travel through the Canadian Rockies. Tour the Icefields Parkway and ride an Ice Explorer vehicle onto Athabasca Glacier. Explore the picturesque mountain town of Banff and take in the splendour of Lake Louise while relaxing at the historical Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
5. Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria Rail Journey
Enjoy 7-days of sightseeing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on this multi-city journey. Experience the sparkling metropolis of Seattle. Travel all around the city on a sightseeing tour that will take you to the city’s harbour front, the busy Pioneer Square, and to the iconic Space Needle where you can explore its observation deck, towering over 500 feet above the city. After that enjoy the mesmerizing artwork at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. After your time in Seattle, board the Amtrak’s scenic Cascades train route for your trip up to Vancouver. While there, you will travel around the city on a sightseeing tour that will show you the best of what Vancouver has to offer. Then experience the beautiful and lush forests of British Columbia on the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Next up is the charming seaside town of Victoria where you will get to experience the beauty of Butchart Gardens. A magical experience awaits on this 7-day journey!
6. Canadian Rail Experience
Enjoy an experience unlike any other on the Canadian Rail Experience! Capture all of the culture and excitement of both Toronto and Vancouver with fun and user-friendly hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours! Then board VIA Rail’s Canadian for the cross-country trip to the west. Capture the pure beauty and majestic sights of the many plains, mountains, lakes, and glaciers as you travel through the Canadian countryside. With so much to take in on your cross-Canada trip, the travel becomes the destination on this Canadian Rail Experience!
7. New York and Eastern Canada
Travel from the “Big Apple” to the scenic Niagara Falls and on to the historical and cultural Eastern Canada on this 11-day journey. Start in New York where you will explore the city with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour that will bring you to such iconic New York spots as the Empire State Building and Central Park. From there you are on to Eastern Canada where you will visit the majestic Niagara Falls, multi-cultural Toronto, and the historic cities of Montreal and Quebec City. While in Niagara you will enjoy a full-day tour of the city and surrounding areas. In Toronto, you will explore with another hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and admission to the CN Tower. You will also enjoy sightseeing tours in Montreal and Quebec City. An exciting New York and Canadian journey awaits you!
