Best Train Trips in Canada: Exploring the Scenic Routes of the Great White North

Canada, with its vast and diverse landscapes, provides some of the most spectacular and unforgettable train experiences in the world. From the breathtaking Rocky Mountains to the lovely coastal districts, these train tours provide an unrivaled opportunity to discover the country's natural beauty and cultural diversity. In this post, we'll look at the best train trips in Canada, ideal for people wanting adventure, luxury, and magnificent landscapes.

Explore some best train trips in Canada

Discover the list of the best train trips in Canada for travelers

The Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise or Jasper

The Rocky Mountaineer is one of the best train trips in Canada

One of the most well-known train trips in Canada is the Rocky Mountaineer, which provides a sumptuous and picturesque journey through the Canadian Rockies.

Passengers will be treated to panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and dense forests. Highlights include the Fraser River, Hell's Gate, and the Spiral Tunnels.

The Rocky Mountaineer voyage from Vancouver to Banff should be at the top of your list of Canadian rail experiences. The entire journey is picturesque, providing vistas of the animals and significant Indigenous heritage of the Great White North. Seated beneath the glass-domed roofs of the train carriages, you are treated to a tour of the locations and panoramas by thoughtful guides and storytellers. No matter what tier of service you're in—GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf—meals here are as excellent (though the latter's linen-covered tables are a sophisticated touch).

VIA Rail's The Canadian: Toronto to Vancouver

The rail from Toronto to Vancouver is a great train tour in Canada

The Toronto to Vancouver by train tops the list of best Canadian rail trips. The Canadian offers a transcontinental journey from Toronto to Vancouver, covering nearly 4,500 kilometers and showcasing the diverse landscapes of Canada.

• Diverse panoramas: Take in the ever-changing vistas of the huge plains of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the metropolitan panoramas of Toronto, the rugged grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, and the coastal rainforests of British Columbia.
• Comfortable Travel: There are several classes available on the train, such as economy seats and sleeping accommodations with private toilets. The views of the passing landscape are breathtaking from the dome vehicles. 

Prairies, lakes, peaks, valleys, hamlets, waterfalls, and, with any luck, cameos by local fauna like bears, elk, and deer will all be visible to you. Reserve a seat in Prestige Class for the most luxurious train travel you've ever experienced. Imagine a concierge, excellent meals, and private lounges.

The Ocean: Montreal to Halifax

Experience the rail from Montreal to Halifax

For the top train trip in Canada, we recommend the Ultimate Halifax by Rail. This appropriately titled 836-mile journey allows the wide-open vistas and clear-blue waterways unfurl like aqua-tinted postcards as it climbs north into remotest Quebec and east into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Bonus: Having been in operation since 1904, the Ocean is the oldest named passenger train running continuously in North America.

• Coastal Views: View the ancient towns, scenic villages, and the Atlantic shore. Views of the picturesque Matapedia Valley and Chaleur Bay may be seen along the way.
• Experience with Culture: The journey offers a thorough exploration of the marine regions' rich cultural legacy, which includes Acadian history and marine customs.
• Where to stay: You may choose from a variety of accommodations in Montreal, but the elegantly contemporary Hotel Birks Montreal and the opulent Four Seasons Montreal are the best. In the meanwhile, Halifax offers a few options for an inn-in-the-city getaway: the luxuriously comfortable The Pebble Bed & Breakfast in the South End, the ultra-slim Muir, and the Autograph Collection in the downtown waterfront area.

Train de Charlevoix, Quebec City

Discover the rail to the Quebec City

This rail route, which began service in 1889 and connected Quebec City to the isolated town of Charlevoix, travels along a breathtaking stretch of the St. Lawrence shoreline. With the vast river on one side and verdant surroundings on the other, the majority of the vistas along the way appear to have remained unaltered 150 years later. Stops include charming seaside communities such as Baie-St-Paul, which you should try to visit over two days. The route is open from June to October.

Prepare for your trip to historic Basse-Ville (literally "lower city") by staying at the boutique hotel Monsieur Jean, which provides airy, light accommodations combined with warm, welcoming Quebecois hospitality, before boarding the train in Quebec City.

The Skeena (Jasper, Alberta to Prince Rupert, BC)

Experience one of the best train trips in Canada from Alberta to Prince Rubert

This train tour from Alberta to Prince Rupert is the perfect Canadian winter adventure. The Dome only with windows 360-degree vistas of the majestic Canadian Rfcxcockies are available from this trek into the wilderness. An ocean's worth of lakes, including the stunning Yellowhead, Lucerne, and Moose, are also visible throughout the seven-hour train voyage. possess additional time? The train leaves for the seaside Prince Rupert the next morning, where highlights include seeing grizzly bears and whales. Bonus: The train crosses the Continental Divide at British Columbia's border with Alberta.

When the train arrives in Prince Rupert, on Kaien Island, make your way to the Crest Hotel. From there, you may enjoy stunning views of Prince Rupert Harbour from your hotel room.

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train: Sault Ste. Marie to Agawa Canyon

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a seasonal day trip that offers a breathtaking journey through the wilderness of Northern Ontario.

Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park near Sault Sainte-Marie is only accessible by trail or rail, making it an exciting place to explore. Hop on and off this 90-minute journey as you pass four magnificent waterfalls and a trail system brimming with unspoiled natural beauty. Bonus: Beavers, the most Canadian of creatures, regularly pass through here. 

The Polar Bear Express: Cochrane to Moosonee

Explore the Polar Bear Express is a great experience for tourists

The Polar Bear Express, which departs from Cochrane and travels to the isolated village of Moosonee, provides a memorable journey into Northern Ontario.

Although Ontario is larger than both France and Spain put together, most tourists only stay in its major southern cities. Starting from the little town of Cochrane, which is around 500 miles north of Toronto, the Polar Bear Express travels five hours north to Moosonee, which is so far north that there is no road connection. The route follows a journey through a primeval terrain of twisting rivers and dense forests, which was popular with fur merchants centuries ago. Be aware that getting to Cochrane requires taking a plane to northern Timmins and then an overnight bus trip.

The White Pass & Yukon Route: Skagway, Alaska to Carcross, Yukon

Enjoy one of the great rail journeys in Canada for tourists

While starting in Alaska, the White Pass & Yukon Route is a historic narrow-gauge railway that travels into the Yukon Territory, offering a spectacular journey through the mountains.

It is still quite an accomplishment to build a railway across the gorges, mountains, and glaciers of the Gold Rush region, especially considering how difficult it was to do it in 1898. As your train climbs a stomach-churning 3,000 feet in just 20 miles to the peak of White Pass, take in vistas of Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. You will understand how the railway bonded a young Canada after exploring such dangerous territory.

Via Rail from Winnipeg to Churchill

Experience in one of the most beautiful train rides in Canada 

Traveling 1,054 miles north, from cosmopolitan Winnipeg to the tundras of Churchill, the world's polar bear capital, feels more extraterrestrial than provincial. Only reachable by plane or train, it's also a great place to see beluga whales and might be the greatest place on Earth to see the northern lights. Along the way are some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see. The Pas, Thompson, and Weir Rivers are little river villages. Invest in the Sleeper Plus class on Via to have a bed and a shower.

Once you get in Winnipeg, make sure to check into the imposing Fort Garry Hotel, which is almost a century old and a fine example of twentieth-century châteauesque architecture, complete with prominent cornices and a high-pitched copper roof. In case your journey required a little more of an old-world flavor.

Ready for Your Best Train Trip in Canada?

Train excursions in Canada provide a unique and fascinating opportunity to discover the country's many landscapes, which range from the spectacular Rocky Mountains to the lovely coastal districts. Whether you are looking for a deluxe experience, a cultural excursion, or a gorgeous day trip, Canada has the right train vacation for you.

Begin arranging your rail excursion today and find the best luxury train trips in Canada. Whether you select the deluxe Rocky Mountaineer, the transcontinental Canadian, or the historic White Pass & Yukon Route, you will have a memorable voyage through some of the world's most stunning landscapes. Pack your bags, board the train, and go on a once-in-a-lifetime tour through Canada's magnificent landscapes. 

If you're considering a vacation to Canada, keep in mind that many nations require a visa to visit Canada. Many countries can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for short-term stays, which speeds up the admission procedure.