The Canadian (VIA Rail)

VIA Rail Canada
Canada
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The Journey

Navigate from Toronto Union Station to Vancouver Pacific Central across a span of 4466km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Canadian Rockies — Jasper Pass (day 4 westbound)
  • Endless Prairie expanses of Saskatchewan and Manitoba
  • Northern Ontario Lakes and Canadian Shield boreal forest
  • Boreal rock landscape across central Canada
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    97 hours

  • Distance

    4466 km

  • Est. Price

    CAD $514–$8,500 per person (varies by class, season, and availability)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: Snack bar only

Ensuite: No

Meals: All meals in Sleeper Plus dining car

Ensuite: No

Meals: All meals in Sleeper Plus dining car

Ensuite: No

Meals: All Meals & Full Open Bar in Park Car

Ensuite: Yes

Engine / Locomotive

GE/EMD diesel locomotives (varies by section)

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brakes (standard freight car braking system)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Four time zone crossings requiring schedule coordination

  • Freight train track sharing — scenic layovers at major junctions

  • Mountain grades through the Canadian Rockies (Jasper Pass)

  • Prairie horizontal terrain with extreme temperature ranges

  • Boreal forest and Canadian Shield rock exposure in central Canada

Route distance

4,466 km

Journey duration westbound

97 hours (4 days)

Journey duration eastbound

92.5 hours (4 days)

Time zones crossed

4 (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific)

Highest elevation

Jasper Pass, Alberta (~1,200m)

Car types

Skyline dome car, Panorama car (west of Edmonton), Park car (Prestige exclusive)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    97 hours

  • Distance

    4466 km

  • Est. Price

    CAD $514–$8,500 per person (varies by class, season, and availability)

Official Booking Provider