VIA Rail Holidays

Travel Canada with VIA Rail

Travel Canada in style and comfort with VIA Rail. As Canada’s national rail provider, VIA Rail can help you explore a good chunk of Canada. From hopping onboard for shorter inter-city routes to travelling across the vast country on a five-day epic journey, with VIA Rail and Canadian Affair you can create the rail holiday you want. We can advise you to help you get the most out of your time on the rails, tailor-making VIA Rail holiday packages to suit you.

Cabins and meals

Prestige - Complete luxury

Prestige class is only available on The Canadian route and spaces are limited, but it is the most luxurious way to travel with VIA Rail. You'll be treated to a private cabin with en-suite which has a comfortable double bed by night which converts into a smart seating and TV area by day. The cabin has an en-suite shower room, ensuring total privacy. Prestige passengers can benefit from both lounge and scenic cars and delicious dining.

Sleeper Plus - Comfortable cabins

Sleeper Plus gives you a comfortable bed in a one, two or four berth cabin with a shower. On The Canadian, passengers can access the domed views of the Panorama and Skyline cars, the bars and lounges of the Park car, plus the restaurant-style meals of the Dining car. Sleeper Plus passengers on The Ocean route have access to the Dining car, Services car and Park car.

Economy - Comfortable and affordable

In Economy, you'll sleep in your comfortable chair which reclines. On The Canadian route, you'll have access to a vestibule and two restrooms in the Economy Car. You'll also be able to access the panoramic Skyline car with a choice of affordable meals in the dining area. Economy passengers on The Ocean have access to the Renaissance sleeping car, the dining car and the services car which offers a place to relax and watch TV.

Top tips for VIA Rail travel

Our top tips for getting the most out of your VIA Rail train holiday:

• Book early for private cabins, especially the Prestige Sleeper Cabins. They are only available on selected routes and are very popular.
• Your luggage allowance on board depends on your class of travel, so always check with one of our agents upon booking.
• Always be at the station a minimum of one hour prior to departure if checking in luggage, and 30 minutes prior if you’re just travelling with a carry-on.

VIA Rail Routes

The Corridor - Québec and Ontario

Connecting all the great cities of Québec and Ontario, this service is a fantastic way to city-hop and to take in as much of these fascinating provinces as possible. Cities include Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Kingston and even Niagara Falls. Chat to us to create a package taking in all the sights you’d like to see.

The Ocean - Montreal to Halifax

This stunning one night, one day journey travels from Montreal to Halifax through the province of Québec and out to Atlantic Canada before arriving in Nova Scotia’s capital. You'll sleep on board the train.

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VIA Rail Routes

The Canadian - Toronto to Vancouver

An awesome cross-country route taking you from the east, across the prairie lands of central Canada, through the Rockies and out to Vancouver on the Pacific Coast. Or of course, back in the other direction. These trans-Canada trains are exceptionally comfortable and it is a brilliant way to really make your holiday about the journey and not necessarily the destination. Plus, sleeping on the train is an added adventure!

Getting started

Step one – speak to our experts

Interested in travelling on a VIA Rail holiday to Canada? To find out more, or to book, simply give our Canada Travel Experts a call. Share your ideas for your dream holiday and we'll tell you more about our existing itineraries or tailor-make your holiday from scratch.

Step two – choose your route

With a good part of Canada covered by rail, choosing your route is the hardest part - there’s so much to see! Use the train to link between the cities you want to explore. This is particularly handy in the east where the major cities in Ontario and Québec are well connected. You can even travel out further to Atlantic Canada. Make the train journey the main event with a trip on the five-day ‘Canadian’ route from Toronto to Vancouver.

Step three – choose the level of service

For a shorter journey, an economy service fits the bill but if you’re travelling overnight or for a few days, you'll want to ensure that you’re comfortable and rested for when you arrive. Choosing a Sleeper Plus or Prestige service means resting your head in a comfy bed each night.

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