Eastern Canada Rail Vacation: Ontario, Quebec, & Atlantic Canada by Train

Soft landscapes deserve to be traveled softly.

Summary

• Eastern Canada is easily explored by VIA Rail trains
• Top destinations include Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal, and Halifax
• Other famous attractions like Niagara Falls and Peggy's Cove Lighthouse can be visited on day tours and trip extensions from the main train route

If you're looking to explore Canada by rail, then Eastern Canada, with its rolling hills, lush forests, and dramatic coasts, makes the perfect place. Major stops are close together or connected to those further afield by sleeper trains, making an Eastern Canada rail vacation the perfect stand-alone trip, or a great addition to a larger trans-Canada train tour across the country.

Trips like these are perfect for anyone looking to see Eastern Canada, spending time getting to know each place and traveling like a local between.

With over 25 years experience designing rail vacations through Canada's vast landscapes, we've developed a knack for pairing travelers with their perfect rail trip. These are the best destinations on an Eastern Canada train trip, and what to do in each.

Credit: VIA Rail

Where to Visit in Ontario

Ontario is the natural conclusion of eastbound trips on the Canadian, VIA Rail's trans-Canada sleeper train. Or, if you're heading to the West, it's an exciting start. The best places to stop include major cities like Toronto and Ottawa but extend to smaller towns and easy day-trips away from the tracks.

Major Train Stops in Ontario

The main train stations in Ontario by train are Toronto and Ottawa, making them the best places to visit by rail, too. However, day trips to surrounding attractions like Niagara Falls are made easy through smaller train lines and organized tours.

Credit: Destination Canada

What to Do in Toronto

As the largest city in Canada, Toronto is full of fantastic things to do, and one of the best cities to visit in the country. Its towering metropolitan core is astounding, and its surrounding neighborhoods each have distinct charm.

Some of Toronto's best attractions are the CN Tower, St Lawrence Market, or a ferry to the Toronto Islands. The CN Tower, of course, is world-famous and Toronto's most iconic landmark. It's the perfect spot downtown to experience the skyline, as you'll be standing in its most distinct feature. But for a wider shot of the skyline, the 10-minute ferry to one of the Toronto Islands will reward you with a panoramic shot of the city — we recommend Olympic Island for the most postcard-perfect view.

Aside from its attractions, Toronto is best experienced through its network of neighborhoods. Kensington Market is the most famous neighborhood in Toronto. Surprisingly to some, it's not an actual market but a small area just west of downtown. It's made up of an array of international food stalls and vintage fashion boutiques all decorated with street art and murals. It makes a great place for a food tour, something we recommend to our own guests who want to get the most out of the multitude of cuisines represented along Kensington Market's streets.

Block: Canadian Rockies to Toronto by Train with Rocky Mountaineer and Via Rail Sample each of Canada's trains as you travel from Vancouver to Toronto via the majestic Canadian Rockies.

Credit: Shubham Sharan on Unsplash

What to Do in Ottawa

Ottawa is perfect for history-lovers visiting Canada. Not only is Ottawa Canada's capital — chosen by Queen Victoria in 1857 — but seven of Canada's nine national museums are in the city, including the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum.

Ottawa is just dripping in history. Historic buildings line Ottawa River, leading all the way up to Parliament Hill, where the various wings of the Parliament surround a lawn. You'll get an interesting blend of past and present around Parliament Hill. Grand buildings stand proudly on the hill, overlooking Ottawa River and the city beyond, while the streets below buzz with the energy of a modern capital. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that winds through the city, adds another layer to Ottawa's charm. In summer it's a peaceful waterway for boat tours, and in winter it transforms into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink.

For something a little livelier, the ByWard Market neighborhood is just a short walk from Parliament Hill. One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, it's a great place to pick up local produce, artisan goods, and a meal. The surrounding streets are lined with independent restaurants and cafes, and it makes an ideal base for exploring the city on foot.

Credit: Jason van Bruggen

What to Do in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is Canada's most-visited attraction and it's easy to understand why it's a must-see. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls offers the best views of all three falls — Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil — and it's here that you'll feel the full force of one of the natural world's great spectacles.

The falls themselves are where all the action is, and the best way to experience them is absolutely from the water. The Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat tour takes you right to the base of Horseshoe Falls, and the drenching you receive is, by all accounts, entirely worth it.

But there's still plenty to see even if you're not getting onto a boat. The Journey Behind the Falls tour is a favorite with our guests, letting you explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock and to viewing platforms remarkably close to the water. And, if you're spending the night there, the evening light show — free and daily through summer — turns the falls into something magical.

Niagara Falls is not on the main VIA Rail line, but makes an excellent day-trip, and can be reached on a two-hour train trip from Toronto.

Credit: Ryan Lee

What to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Even though there's no major station at Niagara-on-the-Lake, it makes a perfect addition to a day trip to Niagara Falls.

While we're big fans of the hustle and bustle at the falls, this small town, tucked just 15 miles north, is absolutely brimming with Victorian-era charm. Wandering Queen Street, you'll find beautifully preserved 19th-century storefronts housing boutique shops, wine bars, and restaurants serving locally grown produce. The town sits at the heart of the Niagara wine region, so a glass of ice wine or an estate Riesling is practically obligatory.

Credit: GouvQc / Harmony Le Reste

Where to Visit in Quebec

Visiting Quebec is made easy by the Ontario-Quebec Corridor route. A direct train connects downtown Toronto to downtown Montreal, and onward connections to Quebec City are straightforward from there, making Quebec one of the most accessible and rewarding regions on any Eastern Canada rail itinerary.

Major Train Stops in Quebec

The two main train stops in Quebec are Montreal and Quebec City, both served directly by VIA Rail. Montreal is a rail hub, connecting the Corridor routes from Ontario with the Ocean train heading into Atlantic Canada. Quebec City, reached in under two hours from Montreal, is the final stop on the Corridor.

Credit: GouvQc / Denis Poulin

What to Do in Quebec City

Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Its unique blend of old European charm and Canadian friendliness makes it special in the realm of travel destinations. It's vibrant and lively in summer and absolutely dazzling in winter.

In fact, a Quebec City Christmas should be on every traveler's bucket list as the narrow cobblestone streets are strung with lights, lined with mini Christmas trees, and dappled with squares holding markets and ice rinks. You'll need to get appropriately bundled up and, often, there's snow, but that only adds to the festivities.

The highlight of Quebec City is undoubtedly the Old Town, split between the clifftop Upper Town and the riverside Lower Town. Walking the walls of the Old Town — the only remaining fortified city walls in North America north of Mexico — gives a remarkable sense of scale and history. Below, in the Petit-Champlain district, the oldest commercial street in North America is lined with artisan shops and some of the city's best restaurants.

Credit: Tourisme Montréal / Alexandre Choquette

What to Do in Montreal

While Montreal has a similar European-Canadian blend to Quebec City, it also blends its history with a striking modern flair. Its Quartier des Spectacles often features contemporary street art and events. As a result, Montreal has become one of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities.

You'll find traditional French bistros sitting beside Quebecois diners, modern coffee shops, cozy delis, and world-famous bagel shops all on the same street. The Mile End neighborhood, in particular, is the place to go for some of the best food, independent galleries, and a thriving cafe culture. The outdoor Jean Talon Market is one of the best spots in the city for local foods and we often recommend our guests take a food tour to get the chance to sample it all.

That being said, Montreal's history shouldn't be understated. The city was actually first settled in 1642, and the oldest remaining part of the city has been standing since the 1800s.

Old Montreal, along the St. Lawrence River waterfront, is this historic heart of the city. The cobblestone streets, the grand Notre-Dame Basilica, and the lively terrasses — that being outdoor dining patios — give it a distinctly European and inherently historic feel. The indoor Bonsecours Market, established in 1847 and housed in a gorgeous domed building, is a must-see, as is the inside of Notre-Dame Basilica.

Even though Old Montreal is a relatively small area, it's filled to the brim with things to see and do, and that's before exploring any of the similarly lovely neighborhoods surrounding the center. For our own guests, we recommend a half-day tour to experience the "must-see" areas of Montreal such as Mont Royal, Old Montreal, and the city's picturesque riverfront. But if you're more interested in Old Montreal, we arrange organized tours of the historic core to best introduce guests to its stories.

Credit: Frederick Wallace on Unsplash

What to Do in the Eastern Townships

The Eastern Townships (Cantons-de-l'Est) make an excellent trip from Montreal for travelers who want to see rural Quebec at its finest. Rolling countryside, covered bridges, orchard-dotted hillsides, and a string of charming lakeside villages make it one of Quebec's best-kept secrets.

For a brief detour from Quebec's cities, a stay at the luxury retreat Manoir Hovey — which has won two MICHELIN Keys — is the perfect introduction to the Canadian countryside. As a grand lakeside summer home built in 1899 and just a 5-minute drive from the charming village of North Hatley, it embodies a lot of the imagined Canadian vacation. Canoeing the lake by day, tennis on a vintage clay court, leisurely strolls through the surrounding forest — which has some of the most vibrant fall colors in Canada — and unwinding in the Thermal Circuit are only made better by gourmet meals each night, courtesy of the on-site MICHELIN-recommended restaurant.

Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Edelweiss Loren Bedeli

Where to Visit in Atlantic Canada by Train

The Ocean is VIA Rail's oldest train, and is the one that runs into Atlantic Canada. It's fitting that it's the oldest, as the area is steeped in original history.

Major Train Stops in Atlantic Canada

The Ocean, VIA Rail's oldest train, has its main stops in Moncton, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, there are several smaller stops along the route for the train to refuel as it travels.

Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Patrick Rojo

What to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is the easternmost point on the Canadian rail system. That means, if you're planning a true coast-to-coast trans-Canada train trip, Halifax will be your final destination (or your starting point). And, so, any good train trip across Canada will spend at least some time in Halifax.

In Halifax itself, the waterfront boardwalk is one of the liveliest in Canada, lined with seafood restaurants serving the freshest lobster, chowder, and Halifax donairs you'll find anywhere.

From Halifax, you can also explore the surrounding Nova Scotia countryside speckled with historic towns and utterly charming fishing villages.

Lunenburg — the best surviving example of British colonial town design and some of the most gorgeously colorful buildings in the Maritimes — is easily reached in a day. And Peggy's Cove, a small fishing village with a famous white-and-red lighthouse perched on the edge of the rocks, is one of the most photographed spots in the country. With an extra day or two in Nova Scotia, we recommend visiting both for a look at authentic coastal Canadian life and an entirely different Canada to the one you'll find in the Rockies or on the West Coast.

Credit: Destination Canada / Stefanie Heinzmann

What to Do in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton is an island in northern Nova Scotia known for its stunning clifftop drive, the Cabot Trail. The trail follows the dramatic Atlantic coastline as it winds over clifftop roads, past sheltered coves, and through pretty little fishing villages. Needless to say, it's beautiful.

The circular drive can be done in a day, though two days allow you to stop properly and take in the views, the wildlife (moose and bald eagles are regular sightings), and the communities along the way.

Cape Breton will treat you to hours upon hours of some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in North America. Being founded by a combination of Acadians in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Scottish settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries, the island has an enigmatic blend of cultures. The Celtic musical heritage of the island is clear — you're likely to stumble upon a traditional kitchen party or live session in any local pub you duck into — but as you head north, you'll find traditional French Acadian communities like Cheticamp thriving alongside it.

Credit: Destination Canada, Destination Canada

What to Do in Moncton, New Brunswick

Moncton is a natural stopping point on the Ocean route between Montreal and Halifax, and it's a city that often surprises first-time visitors.

The incoming tide of the Bay of Fundy is one of the region's most unusual natural phenomena, as it experiences the highest tides in the world. Hopewell Rocks, a short drive away from Moncton, offers the chance to walk on the ocean floor at low tide and, in a matter of hours, watch the floor disappear as the water rushes back in and transforms the cove. You can go from walking under its spectacular rock stacks in the morning to canoeing between them in the afternoon.

Moncton is also the heart of Acadian culture in Canada, and the vibrant Francophone community gives the city a character all its own. For travelers interested in French-Canadian culture, it offers a lesser-known alternative (or add-on) to Quebec.

Credit: Destination Canada

What to Do in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Prince Edward Island is a beautiful addition to any train trip in Canada. Just across the Confederation Bridge, you'll find a lush island of rolling green hills extending to the coast, where they meet the Atlantic Ocean at red cliffs and golden sand beaches. Charlottetown fits right in, lined with charming red-brick buildings — many entirely unchanged since the late 1800s — and colorful clapboard houses.

The best place to see Charlottetown's historic buildings are on Victoria Row, a pedestrianized cobblestone street lined with preserved brick buildings inhabited by local shops and eateries. From there, the best direction to wander is toward the waterfront, made easy as streets lead to harborside boardwalks flush with restaurants, galleries, and fresh seafood stalls.

Charlottetown is also where Canadian Confederation was born. Province House, the site of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that began the country, still stands in the heart of downtown, and a visit is a great window into founding Canadian history.

Outside of Charlottetown, small towns and villages dot the countryside, many of which are made up of classically-maritime clapboard homes. It's out here that you'll find Prince Edward Island's most famous celebrity: Anne of Green Gables. In Cavendish, on the north side of the Island (and just over half an hour's drive away from Charlottetown), you can find Green Gables Heritage Place, a loving restoration of the titular character's home from the novel.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

How to Book

From Ontario to Prince Edward Island and the rugged Atlantic coast, our Eastern Canada rail vacations link vibrant cities with charming coastal towns. Travel by rail between Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Charlottetown, and Halifax, combining iconic sights like Niagara Falls and the Bay of Fundy with fresh Atlantic seafood and centuries-old history.

Our most popular Eastern Canada rail itineraries include our Explore Eastern Canada by Train trip (8 days) and Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors tour (5 days). But Eastern Canada is also the most popular coast to end our trans-Canada train trips, from which you are free to explore the Maritimes to their fullest, or let us arrange it for you.

With over 25 years experience designing bespoke rail vacations in Canada, our team of local Travel Designers knows Eastern Canada inside out. We handle every detail — from your VIA Rail tickets and private sleeper cabins to hotels, transfers, and custom excursions — so all you have to do is step aboard and enjoy the journey. Reach out to a Travel Designer today to start planning your Eastern Canada rail vacation.

FAQ

When to take an Eastern Canada rail vacation?

A rail vacation in Eastern Canada is great at any time of the year, but the places you should go are slightly different.

The best time to visit Atlantic Canada by train is in summer, so you can capitalize on the gorgeous weather — blue skies and fluffy clouds. Summer also means the best conditions for day trips to places like Peggy's Cove and the Cabot Trail.

Eastern Canada is also renowned for its vibrant fall foliage. September and October bring a breathtaking transformation across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, as maple forests erupt in shades of red, amber, and gold. A fall rail journey through the Eastern Townships or along the Ocean route is one of the most spectacular travel experiences the country has to offer.

Winter, meanwhile, is the time for Quebec City — with its snow-dusted streets and festive atmosphere, it's one of the most magical places in North America from November through February. And in spring, the cities come alive with energy as locals emerge after winter, making it a wonderful time to explore the cafe culture of Montreal or the blooming gardens of Ottawa.

Where can you take a VIA Rail train in Canada?

VIA Rail connects over 410 stations across Canada, including major cities in Eastern Canada, Central Canada, and the West Coast.

That means you can directly visit cities like Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax all by train. Some of these are connected by sleeper train — the trip from Montreal to Halifax is overnight on the Ocean train — while others can be done in just a few hours.

You can also visit world-famous attractions like the Canadian Rockies on the trans-Canada sleeper train, or venture into lesser-known regions like Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world, Northern British Columbia, and the Maritimes.