Cross-Canada Train Travel: Is It Worth It in 2025?

Canada is an incredible country to explore. With endless landscapes, pristine waters, and lush greenery, it is simply paradise. Exploring Canada by train is an entirely different experience, by all means. You get to see picturesque landscapes while experiencing the comfort of Canada’s popular sleeper trains. So let’s learn more about cross-Canada train travel.

Cross-Canada Train Travel: Is It Worth It in 2025?

A train trip across Canada is what many dream of. It is a journey full of joy, with the lush greenery and stunning landscapes of the region best explored by rail. Some may question whether cross-Canada train travel is worth the money and hype. Let’s see how you can experience Canada on a train and the places you can explore.

Cross-Canada Trains and Routes

The Canadian

The Canadian travels from Toronto to Vancouver. The route passes through the Great Lakes, granite outcrops, billowing grasslands, and dense forests, ultimately leading into the Canadian Rockies. The train features a round-the-clock concierge service, offering the option to enjoy meals and snacks in the comfort of your cabin. Prestige Class passengers have access to a dome car featuring a lounge for relaxation and an observation deck at the upper level for sightseeing.

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer is one of the most popular train trips in Canada. It provides a comfortable and luxurious train trip through the Rocky Mountains from April to September every year. It is primarily a sightseeing train, and hence, it slows down at key points of interest in natural landscapes. The train operates through 3 routes that go through the Rocky Mountains. The route is between Vancouver and either Jasper or Banff.

The Corridor

The Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, also known as The Corridor, is operated by VIA Rail. The train goes from Ontario to Quebec. It begins in Windsor, located in southern Ontario, and concludes in Quebec City, the capital of the province of Quebec.

The complete train route takes between 16 and 22 hours, with two train changes. You can catch a glimpse of iconic landmarks in Canada on this route. These landmarks include Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.

The Ocean Train

The Ocean Train, also operated by VIA Rail, is the oldest continually operating railway line in Canada. The train travels from Montreal, Quebec, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The route connects Atlantic Canada with the rest of the region, passing through Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The journey takes 23 hours to complete and provides magnificent views of Canada’s East Coast.

The Skeena Train

The Skeena train is a VIA Rail service connecting Jasper, Alberta, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. It is a route that takes you through some of Canada’s most stunning landscapes. Passengers can enjoy views of gushing rivers, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife when travelling along this rail route.

White Pass and Yukon Route

White Pass and Yukon Route is small but not without stunning views of landscapes and lush greenery. The train ride passes through the slopes of the White Pass, following the path set by those who set out for the Klondike Gold Rush. It is a heritage rail ride with a lot to learn about history along the way. The train consists of original parlour carriages that go back to the 1880s.

Winnipeg to Churchill

Winnipeg to Churchill is Canada’s northernmost rail ride. The train journey takes you through prairies and forests to the Arctic. The rail line is the only one that provides an overland link to the shores of Hudson Bay, which is the polar-bear-watching centre of Churchill.

Cross-Canada Train Travel: Facts

Here are some interesting and informative facts about cross-Canada train travel.

• Canada is so big that the train trip between Vancouver and Toronto is about 1.5 times the distance between London and Moscow.
• Canada has 9 out of the 12 climatic regions in the world. The Canadian Train goes through almost every landscape in the world.
• Some of the cross-Canada trains feature glass-dome viewing cars that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
• The Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger train with access to Canadian Pacific Railway routes, such as the route between Banff and Vancouver.
• VIA Rail is the only railway company that provides services from one coast of Canada to the other.

How to Plan Your Cross-Canada Train Travel

• Choose your train journey according to your preferences, as Canada offers many epic rail rides. The most iconic train ride is the Canadian Train, while the Ocean Train is apt for East Coast exploration.
• Plan your stops in major cities like Toronto, Jasper, and Vancouver, where you can visit significant attractions.
• Many travellers enjoy the scenic Canadian train trips. Therefore, book several months ahead for the best fares and preferred travel dates.
• Choose your class from economy to prestigious. The prestigious class offers benefits such as private washrooms, spacious cabins, and all-inclusive meals.

Cross-Canada Train Travel: Packing Tips

Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your cross-Canada train travel.

• Pack only what you require in a small suitcase or backpack. If your luggage is big, you need to check it separately on longer train routes.
• Pack your medications and travel-sized toiletries as you need. A small first aid kit may prove to be useful.
• Pack layered clothing to keep you comfortable, as the weather in Canada can be unpredictable. A quality pair of walking shoes will also be handy for excursions.
• Bring along magazines and books, or download music and movies for entertainment during the ride.

What to expect in your Cross-Canada Train Travel

Here’s what you can expect in your cross-Canada train trip.

• Picturesque views of stunning landscapes from mountains to grasslands, forests, and more.
• On-board meals and services.
• Relax-paced ride to sink into the surroundings.
• Stops and excursions to explore significant attractions and locations.

Why should you take a train trip across Canada?

Here are the reasons you should take a train trip across Canada.

• You will see more while travelling on a train, such as forests, mountains, lakes, canyons, valleys, rivers, and more.
• You have the opportunity to socialize with other Canadian and international travellers on your journey.
• It will be a comfortable and relaxing journey.
• The train goes directly to the centre of most cities. So, you can do everything from sightseeing to shopping, dining, and more.

Where to visit on your Cross-Canada Train Travel

Toronto

Swapping from The Canadian to The Corridor gives you the chance to explore Toronto as you have a night’s layover there. Places you should visit here include the CN Tower, the Toronto Railway Museum, and Kensington Market.

Vancouver

Vancouver is the starting point or destination for most cross-Canada train trips. You can experience nature at its best in Vancouver with ideal locations for hiking and kayaking. You can even go shopping in the city or explore the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Quebec City

Immerse yourself in French-Canadian culture as you take a walk along the cobblestone streets of Quebec City. You can even soak up the sun at Baie de Beauport, the local beach. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world.

Montreal

Montreal is a cosmopolitan city where you can immerse yourself in the French culture. It’s full of historic museums, mesmerizing architecture, and high-end restaurants. Montreal is the art and cultural hub of Canada, so there’s so much to do here.

Jasper

Jasper is a popular stop on most of the train rides in Canada. It is because of Jasper National Park, where there is abundant wildlife from elk to moose, bears, and many more.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg, in Manitoba, is a city that combines metropolitan amenities with the quiet prairies. It is where you can experience the best of both worlds. Some places to visit in Winnipeg include its museums and other cultural sites.

Halifax

Halifax is situated on the other end of the Trans-Canada railway. It is a place where you can taste delicious local cuisines and specialties. The Halifax Harbourfront Food Walking Tour is a must-do experience when visiting Halifax.

Wrap-Up

Cross-Canada train travel is a must-do experience when visiting Canada. If you want to connect with nature, the Jasper and Vancouver areas are ideal. If you’re looking for a city break, consider heading to Toronto. Quebec and Montreal will give you a feel of the culture and history of the region.