An unforgettable 4,000-mile journey for just $500.

The 4,000-mile train journey across Canada is one of the world's greatest travel experiences. The spectacular coast-to-coast trip offers some of the most breathtaking scenery found anywhere in the world. And the best part? You can travel across the country for just $558.

The trip will not be train travel exclusively, but that is the most important aspect of the trip. We hope to begin in Quebec City, travel to Ottawa, train across to the mountains, take a side trip to Banff and Jasper and return to Banff and then continue on to Vancouver.

Visiting all of Canada in one trip is a massive undertaking. Canada is the second largest country in the world, spanning an astounding 4 million square miles and 6 time zones. Over 6,350 kilometers (3,946 miles) separate Vancouver from Halifax — about the same distance separating London and New Delhi.

Riding the rails from the Pacific to the Atlantic offers an unparalleled way to see the country. From the stunning beauty of the Canadian Rockies and the vast expanse of the prairie grasslands, you’ll experience a portrait of the geographic diversity that is so uniquely Canadian.

railpictures.net

flickr.com

readersdigest.ca

In August 2017, I traveled on the Trans-Canadian railway.

This is my trip in pictures.

In 1955, the trans-continental train debuted and it was called The Canadian. It became Canada's flagship train and showcased a prime example of railway style.

Amazingly, little has changed since then. The original 1955-built stainless-steel carriages are still being used today, making this train a real classic.

In fact, the train is so iconic that it’s featured on Canada’s $10 bill.

bankofcanadamuseum.ca

The journey stretches 3,946 miles across Canada and takes as little as 5 days — or longer if you make stops along the way.

Travel Tip:

You can travel both eastbound or westbound. There's no better direction, as the trains are all timed to do the scenic sections in daylight.

You'll need 3 trains to travel from coast to coast — The Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto, The Corridor from Toronto to Montréal, and The Océan from Montréal to Halifax.

I started my journey from Vancouver's Pacific Central station. At 8:30 pm, I boarded The Canadian to begin my journey across Canada.

VANCOUVER

See

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Stanley Park
Canada Place

Stay

Delta Hotels by Marriott
BOOK HERE

Day 1

Vancouver to Jasper

18.5 hours

The train departs from Vancouver at night, so travelers have to wait until the next morning to enjoy the scenery.

I found an empty domed observation car. Under the massive panoramic windows, I fell asleep under a sky full of stars.

The next morning, I woke up to spectacular sunrise shining into the observation car.

As the train climbed into the mountains, it soon becomes clear why the train only departed late at night.

In 2008, the train timetable was changed to show more of the Rockies in daylight. I don't think anyone complained.

I figured it was a good time for breakfast. Freshly cooked meals can be ordered at the onboard cafe and restaurant.

As you can probably guess by now.. I'm doing the entire journey on the cheapest ticket: Economy class.

calculatedtraveller.com

Surprisingly, economy class is pretty comfortable. You can often find 4 adjacent seats and convert them into your own double bed.

travel4wildlife.com

You'll be spending most of the time in the beautiful Skyline dome car anyway.

Of course, there are upper classes of travel available including sleeper cabins.

In Prestige class, you get a much nicer Panorama dome car.

reckontalk.com

And also a much nicer bedroom with a private toilet and shower.

neseborek.com

You also can visit the Park car, The Canadian's signature car, to socialize and enjoy free wine tastings, coffee, and live music.

ninjajournalist.com

The restaurant car has full-service dining and all meals are included.

canada.jp

Meanwhile.. I settled back into the reality of economy class.

Can you make stops along the way?

Yes! But there isn't a hop-on-hop-off pass. You'll need to decide on your stops when you buy your train tickets. There are 121 train stations throughout Canada.

One of the prettiest sights is Pyramid Falls, which cascades down 300 feet (91 m) right next to the train.

At 12,972 feet (3,954 m), Mount Robson is the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. The mountain often makes its own weather and can only be seen clearly fewer than 20 days a year.

notabletravels.com

As the train approaches Jasper, it crosses from British Columbia to Alberta, and the clocks move forward an hour.

The area is a wildlife sanctuary, and it's common to see all sorts of wild animals in their natural habitat. There's a good chance of spotting buffaloes, eagles, and even bears.

At 4pm, the train arrives at Jasper National Park. Stay here for a few days to soak in the park's tremendous natural beauty.

photographyforachange.com

JASPER

Eat

Kimchi House
Coco's Cafe
Jasper Brewing Company

Day 2 to 4

Jasper to Toronto

62 hours

Back onboard, the train leaves the snowy peaks of the majestic Rockies behind and heads for Toronto over the next 3 days.

readersdigest.ca

The Canadian slowly lumbers through this massive country, crossing 4 Canadian provinces and 3 time zones on its way to Toronto.

The train emerges into vast prairieland that continues for miles – across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, known as the breadbasket of Canada.

The sheer scale of Canada becomes undeniable as the train picks up speed over dead straight stretches of track. Small communities and the occasional farm flash past.

There's something beautiful about the vast stretches of amber and green laid out under the immense sky.

Travel Tip:

In October or November, you can transfer trains at Winnepeg to Churchill – the land where the polar bears live. There’s no better place in the world to see them. Unfortunately, catastrophic flooding damaged the tracks when I was on this trip.

The next morning, I woke up next to a lake.

Actually, many many lakes.

We're now in the lush forests of Ontario, surrounded by its thousands of trees and lakes.

Multiple days on a train sounds dreadfully boring. In truth, the train is a uniquely social experience.

The train often collaborates with young musicians and local artists who entertain passengers with live music in the lounge car.

Or you can have a stress-free journey, leisurely watching the countryside slip by as you enjoy the comfort and ease onboard.

Entertainment on the train is only limited by your imagination. Over breakfast, we invented salt-and-pepper checkers.

Together with a freshly-cooked medium-rare burger and beer.. you'd start to wonder if people who fly across the country and never take the train are crazy.

That evening, we were treated to an incredibly sublime sunset.

The next morning, The Canadian pulls into Toronto's Union Station.

The station sits in the center of Toronto in the shadow of the famous CN Tower — CN standing for Canadian National Railways, of course!

Shining tears mao. TORONTO

Eat

Scaramouche
Richmond Station
Pai Northern Thai Kitchen

Many people choose to end their journey in Toronto, with it being The Canadian's final stop.

But my plan was to travel to the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 4

Toronto to Kingston

2.5 hours

We're now in Eastern Canada! From here, I switched to the The Corridor, an inter-city train route that's perfect for city hopping.

backcountrycanadatravel.com

Travel Tip:

You can easily take the train from Toronto to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Or if you want to end your trip in the US, there's also a train from Toronto to New York City which travels along the scenic Hudson River.

My first stop was the colonial city of Kingston to visit the mansion-covered Thousand Islands.

pavanmickey.blogspot.com

Fun fact:

Thousand Island dressing came from the Thousand Islands.

The islands range from the aptly named 'Just Room Enough Island'..

flickr.com

..to Heart Island, where you'll find the incredible Boldt Castle.

tam.style

KINGSTON

Eat

Common Market
Aqua Terra

Day 4

Kingston to Montréal

2.5 hours

I continued east and made a stop at Montréal, Canada's second-largest city and its cultural heart.

quebecoriginal.com

Among all the cities in Canada, Montréal has decidedly the most different vibe. It almost feels like you've stepped into Europe.

vogue.com

MONTRÉAL

See

Speed Racing – achievements ( Y8 Account powered) – View all Y8's games with achievements. Speed racing game for kids.

Mont Royal Summit
Notre-Dame Basilica
Local Montreal Food Tours

Eat

Les Enfants Terribles
St-Viateur Bagel
Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois

Day 4

Montréal to Quebéc City

3.5 hours

If you're short on time, you can hop on The Ocean at Montréal, an 836-mile (1,346 km) overnight train that runs to the finish line at Halifax.

canadiantrainvacations.com

The Ocean uses modern Renaissance trains that were built for the Channel Tunnel train between UK and France. The project was aborted and the trains were sold to Canada.

I stopped at Quebéc City, a quaint 400-year-old city well known for its cobblestone streets, grand winter festivals and gorgeous architecture.

telegraph.co.uk

You won't miss the skyline-defining Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, claimed to be the most photographed hotel in the world.

QUEBÉC CITY

See

Terrasse Dufferin
Plains of Abraham
Montmorency Falls

Stay

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
BOOK HERE

Day 5

Quebec City to Halifax

18 hours

The final stretch to Halifax. The Ocean runs along the St Lawrence River into the Maritimes. If you're lucky, it's possible to spot whales from the train.

Good morning New Brunswick! It's also known as the drive-through province.. but don't be mistaken — it’s worth stopping here for the Bay of Fundy, famous for having the highest tides in the world.

tourismnewbrunswick.ca

As the train approaches Halifax, it runs alongside glistening waters. We've crossed a continent from coast to coast, from Vancouver to Halifax, from the Pacific to the Atlantic..

As the train pulls into Halifax, there's a sense of elation that airline passengers will never know.. we've done it, we've crossed Canada!

goodfreephotos.com

HALIFAX

See

Peggy's Cove
Halifax Citadel
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Eat

The Bicycle Thief
The Stubborn Goat
Chives Canadian Bistro

Epilogue

So that's the end of an epic 3,946-mile trip — considered by many as one of the world's greatest train journeys. I've crossed eight Canadian provinces and passed through some of North America's most vibrant cities. In just 5 days, I’ve seen both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean without taking a flight.

Traveling by train is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to see the most stunning sights in Canada. The journey involves zero stops at the gas pump and you don’t need to go through airport security. No other mode of transportation allows you to experience the country so intimately.

The Trans-Canada railway has been a once-in-a-lifetime smorgasbord of scenery. From the moment the train leaves the city center behind, to the many hours gliding through gentle prairie fields, rugged lake country, and picturesque towns.. There's no other journey like it.

How much did it cost me?

I paid $699 for a rail pass, but you can do it for much less.

The cheapest ticket I found from Vancouver to Halifax was $558 during the same summer. The trip costs more with stops, so I just upgraded to a rail pass. That said, the prices for the rail pass has also gone up in 2018.

While the prices may not sound incredibly cheap, consider this: On this trip, I visited Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Kingston, Montréal, Québec City, Moncton, and Halifax.

That's 8 cities for under $700. The same itinerary would cost easily over $1,500 if done by plane or even car!

ruk.ca

Why are the trains so cheap?

Most passenger rail in Canada is heavily subsidized by the government. In 2014, each passenger on The Canadian received an average subsidy of $591.

If you do the math, the Canadian government is paying for over 60% your travel costs!

Running time90 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishFestival Express is a 2003 documentary film about the 1970 train tour of the same name across Canada taken by some of North America's most popular rock bands, including, 's,. The film combines live footage shot during the 1970 concerts, as well as footage aboard the train itself, interspersed with present-day interviews with tour participants sharing their often humorous recollections of the events.The film, released by, was produced by Gavin Poolman (son of the original 1970 film shoot's producer, Willem Poolman) together with John Trapman, and directed by double -winner Bob Smeaton ( ), with music produced by (, ), and features original footage shot in 1970 by -winning cinematographer (, ). The original 1970 footage was filmed by director.

A release followed the film's 2003 theatrical run. Contents.The Festival Festival Express was staged in three Canadian cities:, and, during the summer of 1970. Rather than flying into each city, the musicians traveled by chartered, in a total of 14 cars (two engines, one diner, five sleepers, two lounge cars, two flat cars, one baggage car, and one staff car).

The train journey between cities ultimately became a combination of non-stop and partying fueled by alcohol.