The Canadian Train: How to Experience Canada Coast to Coast by Rail

Hours upon hours upon hours of sweeping views surround you, no matter how far you travel on the Canadian.

The Canadian train is, in totality, a 96-hour expedition of cross-country views and onboard comfort operated by VIA Rail. This is everything you need to know about taking the Canadian and what to expect when you do.

The Canadian Train at a Glance:

• The Canadian is VIA Rail's transcontinental sleeper train between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario
• The journey takes 5 days or approximately 96 hours, and covers 4,466 km (2,775 miles), but can be shortened by departing at stops like Jasper or Winnipeg
• Onboard, you sleep in seats, semi-private bunks, private cabins, or luxurious Prestige Class suites

In April 2025, four of our Canada Rail Vacations team members traveled on the Canadian train as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the experiences we offer meet the highest standards for our guests (If you want to follow the route that our travel experts take, this is their exact itinerary: Rail & Drive through the Canadian Rockies).

This is what they learned.

Credit: Sam Lu

What is the Canadian Train?

The Canadian train is Canada's cross-country service operated by VIA Rail. It runs between Vancouver, on Canada's West Coast, to Toronto in the East. From beginning to end, the train journey takes approximately 96 hours, or 4 days and 4 nights.

Related Post: Train Across Canada: How to Plan the Journey of a Lifetime

In operation since 1955, it is still one of the world’s great train journeys. As a result, it's our favorite way to see the country coast-to-coast, and to introduce it to our guests.

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Why Take the Canadian Train across Canada

Being onboard a trans-Canada train is a unique experience.

From the train, you will see some of the most impressive views in Canada. What makes them even more impressive is how you would never experience them if not for the train. You glide through places far from the typical tourist destinations.

The onboard experience is also complete with small vintage luxuries of transcontinental rail travel, many of which are uncommon today: dining car meals on linen-topped tables, communal lounges home to friendly passengers, and all the time in the world to really sink into the views.

Perhaps the most surprising draw, though, is the people you'll encounter along the way.

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On our team's most recent trip, passengers were made up of young newlyweds on their honeymoon, a dad visiting daughters on separate sides of the country, a solo-traveler on a gap-year from life, and a rail-loving teen traveling with his grandmother.

After spending all day with one another, these people become your friends. You'll find yourselves gathering from first light — watching the sun quietly rise over the Canadian Rockies with a warm coffee — to well after sunset — seeing the occasional lights of small towns passing by.

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Why Travelers Love the Canadian

The Canadian train really leans into the timeless charm of rail travel.

It has vintage steel rail cars all thoughtfully updated over the years. The train contains all the classic perks of long-distance rail inside: communal lounges, domed observation cars, dining cars complete with white tablecloths and full tableware, and private cabins.

Related Post: Top 5 Canada Tours Recommended by Travel Experts for 2025

As a result, travelers get to experience a slower, more immersive alternative to air travel.

Onboard the Canadian

Our team recently traveled in the Canadian train's Sleeper Plus class. They had private cabins (each sleeping two) and enjoyed meals in the dining car. However, theres several ways to enjoy the Canadian.

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What to Pack

Before you depart for your rail vacation, you will have to pack. It is important to note that large luggage will be checked and stored in a separate baggage car. You will only have room for carry-on bags.

If you're traveling with large bags, you should pack an extra smaller one that includes anything you need for your time on the train. This will be brought onboard and stored in your cabin or berth.

This should include:

• All changes of clothes
• Pyjamas
• Toiletries
• Charging cables for electronics
• Books, games, or entertainment items (note: download any media you plan to watch — cell service and internet are spotty along much of the route)
• Camera
• Binoculars

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Check In for Departure & Board the Canadian

Boarding the Canadian is easy. You will arrive at your departure station, check in, enter a waiting room, and then be welcomed to board the train.

Official recommendations suggest you get to the station 1 hour before departure, but we find this to be a little tight. We recommend you arrive at your train station 90 minutes before the time of departure to check in. At this time, you will select your meal time for your first dinner. Arriving with extra time will mean priority choice. If you have large luggage, you will also check it now.

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The Cabins

Cabins are spacious during the day and cozy during the night. That being said, there is always plenty of room to get in and out of bed and access anything you might need.

Prestige Class cabins are the largest onboard. They feature a leather L-shaped couch in the day, which looks out of its window.

Sleeper Plus Class has three options for cabins:

• Cabin for two
• Cabin for one
• Semi-private berths

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In the cabin for two, two large seats look forward by a picture window. Come nighttime, staff will find you to ask if you would like the bed pulled out. When you return to your cabin, the seats will have been folded away into two bunk beds.

In the cabin for one, one seat is set beside the large window and converts to a single bed at night. There is also a private toilet in the cabin but, unlike the cabin for two, it gets covered by the bed so is inaccessible at night.

Semi-private berths are the cheapest option for the Canadian's Sleeper Plus Class. They feature two benches in the day, and turn into two bunk beds with blackout privacy curtains at night. They have access to shared toilets and showers in the same car. Note that the berths do not have outlets, but electronics can be charged in the lounge car.

You will likely spend less time than you think in your cabin. Our team found they spent little time in the cabins themselves during the day, instead preferring the Skyline car or the social lounges.

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The Skyline Dome Car

The Skyline cars are actually made up of three parts:

• Downstairs cafe-style seating
• Downstairs sofa-style lounge
• Upstairs dome car viewing

Here you can find drinks and snacks, scheduled activities, and the best views in the train. Seating is open for travelers 24 hours a day.

In some Skyline cars during winter trips, and in the Park car year-round, Prestige guests will have designated priority seating at the front of the dome.

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Our favorite part of the Skyline car — beside the amazing views from the dome, of course — is the chance to interact with other passengers. A fantastic mix of people take the Canadian for a wide range of reasons. On the train, we've encountered honeymooners, new retirees, travelers visiting family on the opposite coast, first-time riders, and dedicated fans. This is what really makes the Canadian the experience it is.

You'll find yourself striking up conversations with rail enthusiasts from all over the world, and likely learning a thing or two from some of the most dedicated train spotters as you do.

But if you're looking for a quiet spot to see the views from over the top of a book, you'll find that here too.

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The Dining Car

The Dining car will be found one carriage along from the Skyline, and is a single-layer car lined with linen-topped tables and the same large windows found all along the train.

Tables all seat four and are filled for each meal seating. That means that, if you are traveling in a couple, you will be seated with other passengers while you eat, offering another great chance to get to know your passengers.

(More on dining on the Canadian train later.)

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The Park Car

The Park car is the final carriage in the Canadian, with one located at the very back of each train.

In peak season (late April until mid-October), the Park car is reserved for Prestige class passengers after 6am and before 5pm (and accessible to Sleeper Plus outside of those times).

Complimentary tea and coffee, a full-service bar, and the Bullet Lounge — with extra-large windows overlooking the tracks behind — make up the lower level of the Park car. And, on the upper level, a Prestige class-exclusive (during the designated times) panoramic dome car, again with unobstructed views of the track.

Accessible Cabins

Each Canadian train Park car has one wheelchair-accessible cabin that accommodates a person and one helper. If you would like to book this cabin, please speak to your Travel Designer, and they will try to accommodate this.

Service Levels on the Canadian

There are three service levels onboard the Canadian train: Economy Class, Sleeper Plus Class, and Prestige Class.

Canadian Train Service Levels at a Glance

• Prestige Class: Large cabin with a couch, bathroom, shower, and a lie-flat double Murphy bed. Meals in the dining car, and access to the exclusive Park Car and Bullet Lounge.
• Sleeper Plus Class: Either semi-private berths, private one-person cabins, or private two-person cabins. Meals in the dining car.
• Economy Class: Reclining seat for both day and night. Meals available for purchase.

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Prestige Class Features

Prestige Class is VIA Rail's luxury flagship service.

After priority boarding and time in the Prestige-exclusive boarding lounge, you will board the Canadian at one of the Prestige Class carriages at the end of the train closest to the station. Water and chocolates will be waiting for you in your cabin, and canapes will be served.

You will be sleeping in the dedicated Prestige Class sleeper cars and have exclusive all-day access to the Park car's dome and Bullet Lounge, and its stylish bar. During meals — enjoyed in the main dining cars with Sleeper Plus passengers — alcohol is included in your fare.

Prestige Class cabins are like hotel rooms on the tracks.

The Prestige Class cabins are large, with an L-shaped leather couch facing large windows during the day. Each contains en-suite shower facilities.

By night, Prestige sleeper cabins transform with a fold-down double-sized Murphy bed, with your own private washroom complete with en-suite shower facilities.

There is also a TV inside the cabin with access to hundreds of shows and movies to enhance the journey.

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Sleeper Plus Class Features

After enjoying priority boarding, canapes and sparkling wine are offered in the Skyline car (both the downstairs lounge and upstairs dome).

We recommend heading to the Skyline car as soon as you can, as seats fill up fast to watch the departure. But as the meal sittings begin — approximately an hour into the journey — passengers leave the dome to eat, meaning you will always have the opportunity to sit there.

You will be sleeping in the Manor sleeper cars, which have three sets of berths, four private cabins for one, two private cabins for two, two shared toilets, and one shared shower room per car.

When you return to your cabin to sleep, you will find a small chocolate on your pillow each night — a little touch that cements the luxury of care found on the Canadian.

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Economy Class Features

Economy class passengers remain in their reclining seats, even overnight. We do not sell this service class, nor do we recommend it for a relaxing long-haul train trip.

While Economy class passengers do get to experience the same views (with access to a Skyline car dome), they don't have access to the onboard dining car or sleeper cars.

When taking a Canadian train trip across Canada, or even for a night, you are there to indulge in the little luxuries that make rail travel so nostalgic and so alluring.

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Dining on the Canadian Train

Dining on the Canadian train is one of the main features. Sleeper Plus and Prestige Classes get all-inclusive meals in the dining car, with Prestige Class also having alcohol included in their fare. Economy passengers must purchase food onboard.

Economy Class Meals

If riding in Economy class, passengers can purchase meals onboard to enjoy from the café-style dining area or from their seats.

Sleeper Plus and Prestige Class Meals

Sleeper Plus and Prestige Class passengers are treated to seasonal, regionally inspired dishes included in their tickets.

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The Food

You will choose your meals on the train from menus, with four options for dinner and three for breakfast. Meal options change daily, and always contain a vegetarian or vegan option. Several other dietary options are available with advance notice. Breakfasts include dishes like omelettes, vegan scramble, sweet choices like waffles or pancakes, and the Transcontinental — the classic eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns fair.

Lunch and dinner are both multi-course affairs.

Lunch starts with soup, and can be chosen from a range of hot sandwiches, wraps, pastas, or burgers. And, of course, ends with dessert.

Dinner similarly starts with soup or a salad, and is a choice of refined dishes. You might have a rich beef tenderloin, a grilled trout fillet, or vegetarian lasagne. One specialty is their rack of lamb, which we highly recommend if it graces your menu. Like lunch, dinner ends with your choice of dessert, which rotates daily.

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Dining Times

Breakfast on the Canadian is served on a first-come, first-served basis, and runs between 7am and 9:30am most mornings. Your first and last mornings onboard the train will feature a continental breakfast at 7am — pastries, coffee, tea, and juice — and a larger brunch in the dining car between 9:30am and 1pm. We have found that travelers take their time in arriving at breakfast, so there is no rush to arrive as soon as breakfast or brunch begins.

Lunch is served in two or three seatings, at 11:30am and 1pm, with an additional seating where necessary. You will select your seating time at breakfast that morning.

Dinner is served in two seatings in the winter, and three seatings in the summer. Meal times are 5pm, 6:30pm, and 8pm, with the first seating being most popular. You will select your seating time upon check-in, for your first day, and at breakfast every day after.

The Experience

Eating in the dining car is one of the fundamental experiences of classic rail travel, and one that people greatly anticipate. We have found that guests — and our team on their recent journeys — praise not only the food but the atmosphere here. White-linen service is the cherry on top of the three-course meals and regionally-inspired menus.

If you begin in Vancouver, keep an eye out for Mount Robson over your first brunch.

Each sleeper car dines and relaxes together. Like in the Skyline dome, you'll sit among these fellow travelers as you eat. An unexpected part of this, for most travelers, is that you'll likely end up with new friends as a result, as you talk across the table and aisle, point out scenes you pass, and share stories of how you ended up onboard the Canadian train.

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The Canadian Route Overview

The Canadian train runs between Vancouver and Toronto. It has several stops along the way, as well as many smaller stops that are occasionally used for departing passengers. Stops along the Canadian Route

The Canadian route from West to East is as follows:

Vancouver ? Kamloops ? Jasper ? Edmonton ? Saskatoon? Winnipeg ? Toronto

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If your train is on time, stops can be anywhere from under 30 minutes up to four hours, and you are free to depart the train and look around the nearby area.

The train also typically stops at many smaller stops like Sudbury Junction, Sioux Lookout, and Parry Sound to refuel or change crews. Passengers remain onboard for these stops.

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Highlights by Region

The joy of the transcontinental train in Canada is that you'll pass through six different provinces, each with its own charm and character.

• British Columbia: Vancouver’s cityscape & via lush coastal terrain
• Alberta: Waking to the Canadian Rockies & Mount Robson
• Saskatchewan: The golden prairies at sunrise & sunset
• Manitoba: The end of prairies & the start of the Canadian Shield
• Ontario: Muskoka lakes and forests
• Quebec: Rolling farms & charming woodland

The CN Train Tracks

The Canadian train, along with all VIA Rail trains, shares the tracks with freight trains. This can lead to delays as freight has priority on all routes, and may result in your stop times varying.

You shouldn't anticipate using any short stops for sightseeing (although, in Jasper, you will likely have the opportunity to see some of the town from the downtown station). Instead, see each stop as a chance to stretch your legs on the platform before returning to the train to enjoy the onboard amenities.

If you're looking to spend more time in any of the destinations the train stops at, talk to your Travel Designer. They can arrange for extra nights to be spent at each.

When to Take the Canadian

The Canadian train operates year-round. This means you can take it whenever it calls to you.

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The Canadian in Winter

The Canadian train in winter is perhaps its best-kept secret. You'll be welcomed onboard a real-life Polar Express — one that is festively decorated when the season is right — to journey through days upon days of snowy landscapes.

From inside a cozy cabin or the warm dome car, you'll watch snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and vast white fields pass you by. Hot drinks, available all day long, and hearty onboard meals will complete the season's atmosphere as you see the Great White North at its most iconic.

We highly recommend the Canadian Snow Train — its winter service — to any visitors looking to experience Canada's winter, and have designed a number of itineraries around it as a result.

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The Canadian in Summer

Summer is the most popular time to take the Canadian.

The days are longest, meaning more hours for sightseeing from the dome car. From British Columbia's coastal rainforest to the mountains and lakes that define the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you'll have the chance for days full of sunny sights. Similarly, the golden prairies in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are positively glowing in summer.

While summer means that the Canadian is at its busiest, extra carriages are added during peak season so passengers are just as evenly spread as any other time.

Our Favorite Canadian Train Packages

Below are our best-selling train trips on the Canadian train. We have included passages starting in Vancouver and heading east from there, but all packages can be completed in reverse.

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The Canadian - VIA Rail Vancouver to Toronto Train

9 Days / 8 Nights | 5 days on the Canadian train | Available May to October

Complete the longest train ride in North America, the Canadian train, in its entirety.

At either end of your journey, we've included a full day in Vancouver and one in Toronto to explore each further with tours tailored to your liking.

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Trans Canada Winter Rail Vacation

12 Days / 11 Nights | 5 days on the Canadian train | Available December to April

Experience winter in Canada from onboard the Canadian train.

One of the benefits of the Canadian train is that it runs throughout the year, letting you safely see the beautiful snow-capped mountains from the warm, cozy train.

Journey to the Rockies, where you'll explore Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper — and enjoy custom tours and expert-designed experiences — before re-boarding the Canadian and continuing on to Toronto.

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies

6 Days / 5 Nights | 2 days on the Canadian train | Available May to October

Arrive in the Rockies on the Canadian train before transferring to the road for tours and transfers through the vast mountains. You'll see it from every angle without missing any gems.

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Best of the Canadian Rockies Winter Train Trip

7 Days / 6 Nights | 2 days on the Canadian train | Available December to April

See the wonders of Canada in the snow.

Whether tucked into bed in your private cabin, or watching the snow fall over the Skyline's dome, watch the landscape transform from the coast to the snow-capped mountains. And once in the Canadian Rockies, it's a winter wonderland from there on out.

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Christmas in the Canadian Rockies Winter Rail Vacation

7 Days / 6 Nights | 2 days on the Canadian train | Available December

With a single departure date each year, this is a Christmas like no other.

Arrive in the mountains by snow train, and then spend the holidays in Jasper Park Lodge for the perfect log-cabin Christmas.

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Canadian Rockies Train Tour Grand Circle

7 Days / 6 Nights | 2 days on the Canadian train | Available May to October

If you want to experience all of Western Canada's best by train, a circle trip through the Canadian Rockies — combining both VIA Rail's Canadian train to start and Rocky Mountaineer to end your adventure — lets you do just that.

How to Plan Your Trip on the Canadian Train

Our Travel Designers will work one-on-one with you to plan your trip on the Canadian so you don't have to worry about missing anything important. However, these are a few small things to note as you begin.

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Booking and Availability

The most important thing to consider when planning a trip on the Canadian train is that Prestige Class tickets sell out months in advance, so it is key to book early. Prestige Class is highly exclusive, with just a few passengers per train experiencing the luxury. Luckily, our Travel Designers will help you find tickets and book everything you need. They make sure to arrange for each experience to blend seamlessly to the next, with no extra effort from you, so that your vacation runs smoothly.

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Travel Logistics

We will work with you to decide which direction of travel is best for you, depending on where you are visiting from and what you hope to see most.

Most US travelers will fly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Vancouver International (YVR) Airports. You can begin the trip in whichever of these cities you land in.

We recommend an extra night before and after your trip, to allow for plenty of time to reach your departing flight. We will happily assist you in booking these.

Or, you can instead experience a smaller segment of the route. Again, your Travel Designer can work with you to include any extra days or hotel add-ons in stops along the way.

Is the Canadian Train Worth It?

The Canadian train ride is absolutely worth it. Especially if you are looking for a 'slow travel' experience, we cannot recommend VIA Rail's Canadian train more.

The Canadian is one of the only true long-distance, luxury overnight trains in North America. It offers the unique chance to cross an entire continent by rail — an experience that is exceedingly rare in this day and age.

But, even if you spend just one night onboard, you will still get a sample of the joy of the slower way, and the stunning scenery associated with it.

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Book Today with Canada Rail Vacations

Reach out to a Travel Designer today to begin planning your Canadian rail vacation. And for more inspiration, as well as feature offers, subscribe to our newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

FAQs

How much does it cost to take the Canadian Train?

It costs approximately $750 for one night on VIA Rail's Canadian train from Vancouver to Jasper in Sleeper Plus class. But VIA Rail prices depend on what service level you travel in and how far you travel on the Canadian.

To complete the whole train route from Vancouver to Toronto, our packages begin around $3,200 and include the necessary extra night in both departure and terminus cities for international travelers, and custom excursions while you're there.

While it is cheaper to take Economy class, for overnight train travel, we recommend Sleeper Plus class and above onboard the Canadian train, and only sell these classes as a result. This ensures a comfortable night's sleep and the full luxury train experience. Should I bring food onto the Canadian?

If you are traveling in Sleeper Plus or Prestige Class, all meals onboard are included in your fare and served in the dining car, so there is no need to bring additional food onboard.

However, outside food is permitted, and alcohol can be brought to be consumed within a private cabin (not applicable to berth seating).

How many days is the Canadian Train?

From Vancouver to Toronto, the Canadian train trip takes five days and four nights. You'll spend approximately 96 hours onboard the Canadian, not accounting for delays.

Should I take VIA Rail's Canadian train or Rocky Mountaineer?

Whether you should take the Canadian train or Rocky Mountaineer depends on what kind of experience you want. Both offer luxury rail travel, but cater to different travel styles.

The Canadian train is best for travelers looking to take a train across Canada and for a classic sleeper train experience.

The train travels in both day and night, and you spend nights sleeping on the train itself in onboard cabins. You can travel between Vancouver and Toronto, or depart at one of the many stops along the way. All the while, you enjoy fresh-cooked meals onboard in the dining car, panoramic views from the Skyline dome car, and the company of fellow travelers with a love of train travel. The Rocky Mountaineer is ideal for travelers who want a luxurious sightseeing experience in the Canadian Rockies.

The train offers a daylight-only service — it stops overnight while you sleep in a hotel — through the Canadian Rockies. Its routes encompass journeys between Vancouver and Banff, Jasper, or Lake Louise. The journey features chef-made fine dining onboard, as well as expert storytelling from your hosts, but you spend the majority of the journey in your seat (and, for GoldLeaf passengers, the dining car), and the trip is more of a private one, as you enjoy the views and listen to the commentary. For more information on Rocky Mountaineer, see our dedicated post: Rocky Mountaineer Train: What to Expect.