VIA RAIL HOLIDAYS (Canada)

VIA RAIL HOLIDAYS (Canada)

Travelling across Canada by rail is one of the world’s great journeys, a slow, immersive way to truly understand the scale, diversity, and beauty of this vast country. VIA Rail, Canada’s national rail service, offers a classic long-distance rail experience that blends comfort with nostalgia, connecting remote landscapes, iconic cities, and the open wilderness between.

The most iconic route is The Canadian, running between Toronto and Vancouver, a legendary transcontinental journey that has captivated travellers for decades. Settle into comfortable lounge carriages, enjoy freshly prepared meals in the dining car, and watch the scenery shift from the Great Lakes and the endless Prairies to the rugged Canadian Shield and the soaring peaks of the Rockies. The train travels at an unhurried pace, giving you the freedom to relax, disconnect, and truly enjoy the journey as you move through ever-changing scenery.

Onboard a VIA rail journey, the atmosphere is warm and sociable. Whether you’re unwinding in the Skyline or Park Car with its domed observation windows, enjoying a leisurely meal with fellow travellers, or relaxing in the privacy of your cabin, the sense of community and adventure is unmistakable. This is slow travel at its finest, and as it should be.

Sleeper Plus Class elevates the experience with cosy private cabins, attentive service, and all meals included. By day, spacious armchairs offer comfort and uninterrupted views; by night, they transform into well-appointed sleeping berths. Prestige Class, available on select departures, brings an extra layer of indulgence with roomy double beds, ensuite showers, priority service, and access to a dedicated Prestige Park Car,  your own sanctuary of panoramic windows, curated cocktails, and stylish lounge seating.

VIA Rail also connects many of Canada’s most iconic regions through shorter scenic routes such as from the coastal charm of the Maritimes to the forested landscapes of Québec and Ontario, the remote northern wilderness of Manitoba, and the dramatic mountain corridors of British Columbia. Each journey offers its own character and stories, shaped by Canada’s rich Indigenous heritage, pioneering history, and deep ties to the land.

UNMISSABLE MOMENTS ON A VIA RAIL HOLIDAY

• Wake up to sunrise over the Prairies, with endless golden fields stretching all the way to the horizon as you sip coffee in the observation lounge.
• Dine in a classic railcar where white linen, friendly service, and regionally inspired dishes create a sense of timeless travel elegance.
• Watch the Rockies rise dramatically around you, seen through sweeping dome-car windows offering 360-degree views of peaks, lakes, and forest.
• Glide through scenes unreachable by road, from quiet lakes and dense boreal forest to remote settlements and vast open wilderness.
• Unwind in the Skyline or Park Car, where live commentary, drinks, and panoramic windows create the perfect setting for storytelling and connection.

VIA RAIL HIGHLIGHTS

• Iconic transcontinental journey on The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver
• Choice of Sleeper Plus or Prestige Class for overnight comfort
• Friendly service and a relaxed social atmosphere
• Optional shorter scenic routes across Canada
• A true slow-travel experience showcasing the country’s incredible landscapes