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Toronto to Vancouver by Rail

Embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime rail odyssey across Canada's five provinces, gliding through rolling prairies, rugged lake country, and the snowy peaks of the magnificent Rockies. This five-star journey features hotel stays at luxurious, historic rail properties bookending four amazing days and nights in Prestige Class aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian. This nostalgic rail experience harkens the golden age of train travel.


NOTE: Tour information is current as of 4/17/2024.

Program Highlights

 

– Enjoy the serenity of travel by rail as you spend four days unplugged from the outside world, with the beauty of the Canadian wilderness unfolding before you.

– Relax at leisure within your private Prestige Class stateroom—providing 50% more living space than other class cabins—featuring a picture window that's 60% larger than standard cabin windows, a leather couch by day that transforms into a comfortable double bed with luxury linens by night, heated floors and walls, private en suite bathroom with shower, flat-screen TV, and turndown service.

– Prestige Class amenities also include a small travel group size (26 guests max), dedicated concierge service, priority seating in the dining car, and complimentary snacks and beverages in the Park Car 24-hours a day.

– Awake each day to majestic, panoramic views outside your cabin's picture window. Inside The Canadian, many amenities await you among the first-class, art deco style cars, with abundant leisure time to enjoy them all.

– From your stateroom, or from the Prestige Park car's lounge and dome seating, admire the vastness and diversity of Canada—starting at the shores of Lake Ontario, traversing across five provinces—including expansive prairies and the Canadian Rockies—and ending in Vancouver.

– Savor the best in Canadian cuisine with a selection of local and regional specialties prepared by onboard chefs and served on the dining car’s elegant china. Lunches and dinners are three-course meals featuring specialties like Veal Chop with Cajun Spices, Canadian Lake Trout, and Pan-Seared Duck, served with complimentary beer or wine.

– Learn about the landscape, history, and people of Canada's provinces through onboard lectures and presentations.

– Set out on a guided panoramic city tour of Vancouver.

What's Included

  • 1 night at Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and 1 night at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, both famous, luxury Canadian Railway hotels
  • 4 nights accommodations in Prestige Class onboard VIA Rail's The Canadian, where you'll relax while traveling through ever-changing scenery of prairies, the Canadian Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest
  • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (snacks and bar orders are included while aboard The Canadian)
  • Special welcome and farewell receptions
  • Full guiding services of an Orbridge Travel Director as well as expert onboard guides
  • Admission to all activities and tours as described in the 7-day itinerary
  • Private motor coach transportation for the sightseeing tour
  • Gratuities for Orbridge Travel Director, onboard guides, drivers, porters, VIA Rail attendants, and wait staff for included meals
  • Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times

Itinerary

VIA Rail Canada, like other passenger railways in North America, operates on tracks owned by freight companies. While VIA Rail strives for on-time departures and arrivals, increased freight traffic on the railway will often cause delays. These delays could result in delayed departure from Toronto, delayed arrival in to Vancouver, and shortened / limited time off of the train. The majority of your time on this tour will be spent aboard the train. Simply unplug and embrace the journey. Onboard services are guaranteed and any changes to the schedule will be communicated and updated as the journey continues.

Day 1: Arrive in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Welcome to Canada! After arrival, transfer to the Fairmont Royal York—a beautiful, historic property ideally situated steps away from Union Station and minutes from Toronto's main attractions.

This evening, relax and mingle with fellow travelers during a special welcome reception. 
Overnight: Fairmont Royal York (R)

Day 2: Toronto | Board VIA Rail's The Canadian | Hornepayne
This morning, we'll walk across the street to Toronto Union Station to embark upon the journey on rails. Delight in a special mimosa toast to celebrate the departure and an exciting week ahead.

While The Canadian travels across Ontario, venture into the Prestige Park car to embrace the constantly changing scenery and capture endless photo opportunities from the upper-level dome. Combine the passing views with equally outstanding cuisine in the train's dining car, prepared by onboard chefs using specially sourced, local ingredients from the regions through which you will pass. 

This evening, fall asleep to the steady sound of the rails, and open your blinds to greet the morning's lovely panoramic views.
Overnight: The Canadian (B,L,D)

Day 3: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Today offers scenes of boundless prairies as the train continues to Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Look forward to daily informative discussions by the travel director and concierge staff. Seek opportunities to spot wildlife, including black bears, wolves, and eagles. During the stop in Winnipeg, if time allows, guests can walk and explore the sights, including an outside visit to Forks Market. Remember that excursions off the train are contingent on the train’s progress and possible delays. Pack your sense of flexibility and ease into a relaxed mode of "cruise control" while an attentive staff caters to your needs and keeps you informed. 
Overnight: The Canadian (B,L,D)

Day 4: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Edmonton, Alberta
Today it's all aboard for Saskatoon. Visit one of the beautiful observation cars to witness the passing landscape, stop into the Prestige Park Car to taste some of Canada's top-tier varietals with freshly made hors d’œuvres, or grab a pal and a window seat for a friendly game of cards.
Overnight: The Canadian (B,L,D)

Day 5: Jasper | Kamloops, British Columbia 
Today is your final full day aboard the train, with planned, brief  stops in Jasper and Kamloops. Admire the dramatic and ever-changing landscape as the train navigates the Canadian Rockies and unveils a world of raw and rugged beauty. Marvel at the scenery along the Fraser River and the incredible obstacles overcome to build a railway here.

One of today's highlights will include Hell's Gate, the most slender part of the Fraser River. It is aptly named for its narrow cliff walls that create a funnel for hundreds of millions of liters of water rushing through every minute. For perspective, consider the volume of Niagara Falls—Hell's Gate is double that. Capture the soaring cliffs and churning waters of the mighty river with your camera during this memorable experience. 
Overnight: The Canadian (B,L,D)

Day 6: Vancouver
This morning enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking in Vancouver.

Set off on a guided city tour to discover the lush gardens and notable totem poles of Stanley Park and the cobblestone streets of Gastown. Afterward take advantage of leisure time to stroll the vendor stands on Granville Island.

The remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Vancouver or perhaps take advantage of the luxurious amenities at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

After dinner at leisure, rejoin fellow travel companions for a special farewell dessert reception to celebrate this epic cross-country adventure.
Overnight: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (B,R)

Day 7: Vancouver | Depart for U.S.
After breakfast, guests departing during the suggested times take the complimentary transfer to Vancouver International Airport for flights home. Guests continuing on the optional post-tour will take the ferry to Victoria. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception

(Itinerary subject to change.)

Activity Level

Easy

Guests should be comfortable boarding and disembarking trains without assistance, walking and moving between cars while the train is in motion, and navigating steep, narrow stairs to the upper level of the observation car. All hallways are narrow and have handrails, but train travel can be unpredictable and some unexpected movement may occur. Guests who enjoy the relaxed pace of train travel will delight in spending much of the program's time on the railway. At brief train stop locations, ground may be uneven and covered in loose gravel, with no sidewalks. 

Accommodations

Fairmont Royal York—Toronto

Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929, it was the tallest building in Canada at the time—and featured magnificent architecture and luxury, including more than 1,000 en suite guest rooms, a glass-enclosed roof garden, and a concert hall with a 50-ton pipe organ. It has recently undergone a five-year, multimillion-dollar renovation to combine stunning, redesigned guest rooms with carefully preserved historic elements.

Located directly across from VIA Rail's Union Station, this elegant downtown property is minutes away from the city's best attractions and features five restaurants, four lounges, and an indoor pool, gym, spa, and business center. Underneath the hotel begins a 19-mile underground network of shopping and malls, featuring more than 1,200 stores, accessible by the direct entrance from the hotel lobby.

Room Amenities: Individual climate control, pillow top bed, flat-screen HDTV, Wi-Fi (additional fee), coffee and tea maker, minibar, and en suite bathroom with hair dryer.

VIA Rail’s The Canadian

VIA Rail continually renovates and redesigns its fleet—originally built in the 1950s—to retain a vintage, historical feel while providing modern, comfortable, and stylish accommodations.

Aboard The Canadian, you'll experience an inviting blend of modern amenities with a sense of nostalgia, offering the perfect way to unplug and enjoy nature's beauty at a slower pace.

The Canadian offers comfortable accommodations, thoughtful service, beautiful views from the domed Prestige Park Car, and gourmet cuisine made by onboard chefs using locally sourced ingredients.

Prestige Class provides an elegantly appointed cabin, including an oversized picture window with blinds, flat-screen TV, modular leather L-shaped couch seating by day and comfortable double bed with luxurious bedding at night, and private en suite bathroom, featuring a shower, deluxe amenities, and hair dryer. Guests in Prestige Class also enjoy priority boarding, private concierge service with in-cabin cocktails and canapés, turndown service, and privileged access to the Park Car.

All cabin beds are doubles. Due to cabin size and layout, separate twin beds are not possible in Prestige Class.

NOTE: Due to lack of a reliable signal along much of the route, Wi-Fi is not available on board. However, connecting to Wi-Fi may be possible at these stations: Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper, and Vancouver. Cellular phone service may be available in some areas.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Opened in 1939 in a partnership between the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways—and just in time for a visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth—this opulent gem, known as the "Castle in the City," quickly became a landmark in Vancouver. The hotel has hosted many famous entertainment acts and was once even home to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The recently renovated hotel features distinguished restaurants and lounges, a gym, and a spa.

Room Amenities: Individual climate control, pillow top bed, flat-screen HDTV, Wi-Fi (additional fee), coffee and tea maker, minibar, bathrobes, iron and ironing board, and en suite bathroom with sundries and hair dryer.

(Accommodations subject to change.)

Optional Pre-Tour

Niagara Falls & Toronto


Discover the wonders of Niagara Falls and Toronto. With the guidance of a skilled captain, get up-close and personal with Canadian Horseshoe Falls and breathtaking Great Gorge, experiencing the roar, power and mist they create. Additionally, enjoy a guided city tour through Toronto to explore a majestic castle, a vibrant farmers market, and 360º views from the CN Tower.

Itinerary

Day +1: Arrive in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
After arriving to Toronto Pearson International Airport transfer to the hotel.

Settle into your accommodations and enjoy the remainder of the day to explore the city.
Overnight: Fairmont Royal York

Day +2: Toronto | Niagara Falls 
Today embark upon what many consider to be Canada's most memorable experience: a cruise around majestic Niagara Falls. Witness Mother Nature's power during a thrilling Hornblower boat tour led by passionate guides who entertain with legendary stories, history, and fascinating facts about the Niagara region. Niagara Falls started forming around 12,000 years ago from glacier activity and consists of three waterfalls—the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Learn how the combined water flow of the cataract falls results in enough hydroelectric power to fuel the entire area.

Next enjoy lunch overlooking the falls followed by leisure time in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This picturesque town epitomizes old charm with clapboard houses, tree-lined streets, and lovely gardens—some dating from the early 19th century. Delight in Niagara-on-the-Lake's character and history by strolling around and viewing landmarks, such as the Memorial Clock Tower, Niagara District Court House and St. Vincent de Paul Church. There is much to see on quaint and unhurried Main Street, with its unique shops, beautiful flower beds, and historical buildings. Satisfy your sweet tooth by sampling locally produced "chimney cakes," ice cream, gelato, jams and marmalades.
Overnight: Fairmont Royal York (B,L)

Day +3: Toronto | Main Program Begins
After breakfast set off on a half-day guided city tour. Marvel at the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era as you explore the exterior and grounds of Casa Lomaa historic castle built atop Davenport Hill overlooking downtown Toronto. Once the residence of Sir Henry Pellatt, a wealthy and eccentric Canadian financier, this grand mansion required 300 men, three years, and $3.5 million to build. If interested, discover more of Casa Loma's fascinating past along with fabulous and fanciful gothic architecture.

Next prepare your tastebuds for lunch at St. Lawrence Market—hailed by National Geographic as one of the top food markets in the world.

Afterward visit the CN Tower—a celebrated icon of Toronto's skyline at more than 1,815 feet high and one of the "Seven Modern Wonders of the World." Soar to the sky in one of the glass elevators to 1,122 feet for the outdoor observation deck to feel the breeze. On a clear day, gaze at astounding views of the city and lake, Niagara Falls off in the distance, and sometimes, even helicopters flying below you.

This evening join fellow travelers to begin the main program. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch

Pre-tour space is limited. We recommend reserving early for best availability.

This pre-tour is not escorted by an Orbridge Travel Director. Included sightseeing is accompanied by a local guide.

(Itinerary subject to change.)

Activity Level

Moderate

It is our expectation that guests on this program are able to walk a mile at a moderate pace (sometimes on steep or slippery surfaces), get in and out of a motor coach, board a water vessel, and walk up a flight of stairs without assistance.

Accommodations

Fairmont Royal York—Toronto

Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929, it was the tallest building in Canada at the time—and featured magnificent architecture and luxury, including more than 1,000 en suite guest rooms, a glass-enclosed roof garden, and a concert hall with a 50-ton pipe organ. It has recently undergone a five-year, multimillion-dollar renovation to combine stunning, redesigned guest rooms with carefully preserved historic elements.

Located directly across from VIA Rail's Union Station, this elegant downtown property is minutes away from the city's best attractions and features five restaurants, four lounges, and an indoor pool, gym, spa, and business center. Underneath the hotel begins a 19-mile underground network of shopping and malls, featuring more than 1,200 stores, accessible by the direct entrance from the hotel lobby.

Room Amenities: Individual climate control, pillow top bed, flat-screen HDTV, Wi-Fi (additional fee), coffee and tea maker, minibar, and en suite bathroom with hair dryer.

(Accommodations subject to change.)

What's Included

  • 2 nights accommodations at the Fairmont Royal York or similar, with breakfast each morning
  • Guided city tour of Toronto
  • Access to all stops included on the city tour 
  • Private transportation to/from Niagara Falls
  • Niagara Falls boat tour, including lunch featuring spectacular views
  • Gratuities to local guide and driver

Optional Post-Tour

Victoria


Enjoy two nights in delightful Victoria—British Columbia’s picture-perfect capital. This colorful pedestrian-friendly city is an ideal spot for whale watching, biking, shopping and sampling from the wide variety of cafés and restaurants that line bustling Government Street.

Itinerary

Day 7: Vancouver | Victoria
This morning take an included transfer to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Aboard a BC Ferry cruise the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver to Victoria—a passage providing unlimited scenery with a likelihood of spotting various marine wildlife.

Arriving to Victoria explore world-famous Butchart Gardens—a national historic site of Canada replete with lush greens and colorful blooms. Blossoming for more than 100 years, it offers 55 acres of gardens with 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses and 50 full-time gardeners who create a wonderland of beauty everywhere you look. 

Afterward stop for lunch on your own before joining a local guide for a panoramic tour of Victoria through Chinatown, past the Parliament buildings, along Dallas Road and through Beacon Hill.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Explore some of Victoria's most beautiful downtown sites, including: Christ Church Cathedral, with its gothic stone architecture, magnificent stained glass windows and Helmuth Wolff organ; Craigdarroch Castle, a stunning Victorian mansion; Bastion Square, site of the original Fort Victoria, with its spectacular views of the local harbor; or the renowned Royal British Columbia.
Overnight: Fairmont Empress

Day 8: Victoria
Today features additional opportunities to explore more of this charming city. Enjoy a walking tour of the downtown to appreciate its history and culture or a whale-watching cruise to see the wildlife-filled waters off the coast. Take time for a carriage ride, English-style high tea, or a stroll through some of Beacon Hill Park's 200 acres. There is an endless array of ways to fill your day. You may even choose to end the day with a renowned haunted Victoria tour or a visit to one of the many craft breweries in town. Your hotel concierge can help set up a day perfect for you.
Overnight: Fairmont Empress (B)

Day 9: Victoria | Depart for U.S.
After breakfast guests departing during the suggested times take a complimentary transfer to Victoria International Airport for flights home. (B)

B = Breakfast

Post-tour space is limited. We recommend reserving early for best availability.

This post-tour is not escorted by an Orbridge Travel Director. Included sightseeing is accompanied by a local guide.

(Itinerary subject to change.)

Activity Level

Moderate

It is our expectation that guests on this program are able to walk a mile at a moderate pace, get in and out of a motor coach, and walk up a flight of stairs without assistance.

Accommodations

Fairmont Empress

Welcome to Canada's "Castle on the Coast!" Located on Victoria's Inner Harbour, this luxury hotel offers unparalleled hospitality and comfort. The Fairmont Empress has been named a Condé Nast Readers' Choice and Gold List hotel and honored by Travel+Leisure as a top Canadian hotel. Also a National Historic Site, the Empress is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary; of vintage and cutting-edge. Guests can enjoy the various on-site amenities, including a full spa, fully equipped gym, and indoor heated pool. Or perhaps experience Tea at the Empress—a daily tradition since 1908.

Room Amenities: Individual climate control, cable TV, high-speed internet and Wi-Fi (additional fee), coffee and tea maker, bathrobes, safe, and en suite bathroom with hair dryer.

(Accommodations subject to change.)

What's Included

  • A 1.5 hour ferry cruise from Vancouver to Victoria across the Strait of Georgia
  • 2 nights accommodations at the Fairmont Empress (or similar) with breakfast each morning
  • Guided panoramic city tour
  • Admission to Butchart Gardens
  • Gratuities to local guide
  • Airport transfer for guests departing during the suggested times

Terms and Conditions