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Canada by Train

Trains - Tickets - Tours
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​A Travel Guide For Train Travel In Canada.

Here you will find information for Canada about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.

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Useful Information

Population: 37.59 million

Currency: Canadian Dollar

Language: English, French

Capital: Ottawa

Country Code: +1

Time Zones: Newfoundland Time Zone, Atlantic Time Zone, Eastern Time, Central Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone, and the Pacific Time Zone

Train Companies

The rail network in Canada is operated by VIARAIL.

canada rail map

Copyright: RAILWAYHERO

Train Tickets

Buy your train tickets for Canada online at the official homepage of VIARAIL.

Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.

TrAIN tYPES

Via Rail Intercity Trains

  • 2nd Class (Economy): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • 1st Class (Business): Rows of three seats (2+1), complimentary light meals, snacks, and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). A pillow and blanket are also provided for comfort. Priority boarding as well as access to the business lounge are also included.
  • Trains are equipped with toilets, WiFi, power outlets at every seat

Long-Distance Trains

Amenities may differ by train but trains will include seating carriages and sleeping carriages, see Night Trains for Sleeping Carriage Classes.

   Seating Carriage Classes:

  • Economy
    • Rows of four seats (2+2)
    • Comfortable, reclining seats
    • Power sockets at every seat, and free WiFi throughout the train
    • Small meals, snacks, alcohol, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase
    • Pillows and blankets are available for purchase
  • Business
    • Rows of three seats (2+1)
    • Comfortable, leather reclining seats
    • Power sockets at every seat, and free WiFi throughout the train
    • Complimentary small meals, snacks, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
    • Complimentary pillows and blankets
    • Prior to departure, you have access to the station’s Business Class lounge and also priority boarding

International Routes to and from the USA with Amtrak. See national routes in America for train amenities, sitting, and sleeping arrangements.

Maple Leaf

Route: Toronto – Niagara Falls – Buffalo – Rochester – Syracuse – Albany – New York

Adirondack

Route: Montreal – Westport – Saratoga Springs – Albany – New York

Amtrak Cascades

Route: Vancouver (British Columbia) – Seattle – Tacoma – Portland – Salem – Eugene

The Ocean/L’Océan
Montreal – Matapédia – Halifax (1 night) | Montreal – Matapédia – Gaspé (Matapédia – Gaspé by bus)

The Canadian

Toronto – Winnipeg – Edmonton – Jasper – Vancouver (4 nights)

Amenities may differ by train but night trains will include seating carriages and sleeping carriages.

Seating Carriage Classes:

  • Economy
    • Rows of four seats (2+2)
    • Comfortable, reclining seats
    • Power sockets at every seat, and free WiFi throughout the train
    • Small meals, snacks, alcohol, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase
    • Pillows and blankets are available for purchase
  • Business
    • Rows of three seats (2+1)
    • Comfortable, leather reclining seats
    • Power sockets at every seat, and free WiFi throughout the train
    • Complimentary small meals, snacks, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
    • Complimentary pillows and blankets
    • Prior to departure, you have access to the station’s Business Class lounge and also priority boarding

Sleeping Carriage Classes:

  • Sleeper Plus
    • 1-2 Berth rooms
    • A toilet is located in every room, with complimentary towels and toiletries. Showers are located at the end of the carriage.
    • A gourmet meal service is included, and 24 hours a day snacks and hot drinks are available. Alcohol is available for purchase or you can bring your own.
    • Prior to departures, you have access to business lounges and priority boarding
    • Activities onboard are available to you such as movies, wine tastings, and live music; children’s activities are also available on some services
    • A personal concierge is available for organizing activities on and off-board and overseeing the cleaning of your cabin.
    • Access to different cars: Dining car, Panorama car, Park car, Renaissance car, and the Skyline car
  • Prestige: Exclusively trips between Vancouver and Toronto
    • 1-2 Berth rooms
    • The cabin has a leather sofa for daytime travel and is converted into a double bed for sleeping
    • The cabin comes with a private en suite, mini bar, flat-screen TV, and complimentary towels and toiletries
    • A gourmet meal service is included in the ticket price (with three options to choose from per meal), and 24 hours a day snacks and hot drinks are available. Alcohol is available for purchase.
    • Prior to departures, you have access to business lounges and priority boarding
    • A personal concierge is available for organizing activities on and off-board and overseeing the cleaning of your cabin
    • Access to different cars: Dining car, Panorama car, Park car, Renaissance car, and the Skyline car
    • Reserved seating in the Dining car and Panorama car
  • Touring: Exclusively summer trips between Jasper and Prince Rupert
    • 1-2 Berth rooms
    • Reclining, comfortable seats
    • Meal service included, each meal has three courses and comes with a glass of wine and coffee or tea.
    • Local beers and wines are available for purchase onboard the train
    • Enjoy access to different cars, including the Park car and Panorama car

Rocky Mountaineer
The Canadian
Polar Bear Express

Routes

Frequently Travelled Routes In Canada 

National

 
From > To
Duration (h)
Changes Transport
Vancouver to Edmonton 26:50 Direct Train
Vancouver to Winnipeg 53:00 Direct Train
Winnipeg to Toronto 31:15 3 Bus
Toronto to Ottawa 4:35 Direct Train
Toronto to Quebec 9:29 1 Train
Toronto to Montreal 5:11 Direct Train
Ottawa to Quebec 5:46 Direct Train
Quebec to Montreal 3:14 Direct Train

International

 
From > To
Duration Changes Transport
Montreal to New York City, New York 11:25 1 Train
Toronto to Chicago, Illinois 10:14 2 Train
Vancouver to Seattle, Washington 4:25 Direct Train
Vancouver to San Francisco, California 28:17 1 Train

 

Canada travel routes

Canada: Toronto to Quebec

Canada: Toronto to Quebec

Main Train Stations

  • Vancouver
  • Edmonton
  • Winnipeg
  • Ottawa
  • Montreal
  • Quebec
  • Toronto

Train Tours in Canada

Good to know

Best Time To Travel To Canada

As Canada is the second-largest country in the world, it definitely comes with a big difference of climates, from maritime to polar to continental. In the north, you will find long snowy winters and short warm summers, and in the west, you will find rain year-round and mild temperatures.

It’s hard to say the best time to visit Canada as you can visit it year-round, but we recommend visiting in the spring or fall for the manageable temperatures for sightseeing, fewer crowds, and the chance to see the stunning Indian summer. Canada has great hiking, fun snow activities, picturesque national parks, modern cities, and the friendliest of people.

What’s a better way to get across this large country than enjoying a local beer while looking out your coach window to the Rockies or the plains of Saskatchewan? You won’t be disappointed.

  • High Season: June to September
  • Low Season: November to April

 

 

Accommodation In Canada

Booking

The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE

booking-logo

Hostelworld

If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE

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Guidebooks For Canada

Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.

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