Canada By Rail: Welcome

The Face of Grandeur
Discover how the West was won Canadian style as you retrace the historic western transcontinental route that, early this century, opened the West and created a bond of steel that redefined the nation. Take a full 3-day/night journey and experience Canada's diversity in comfort and art-deco style, as the enchanting lakes and forests of Ontario give way to the prairies of big-sky country throught to the majestic Rockies and down to the Pacific. Experience the romance of magnificent stainless steel rail cars cruising the famous transcontinental route between Toronto and Vancouver. You'll experience a portrait of the geographic diversity that is so uniquely Canadian. As you travel from town to town you can sense the mosaic of cultures that have shaped the country through the centuries and the character of a nation whose identity is as colourful as the land itself. VIA's flagship train the Canadian departs three times per week from Toronto and Vancouver, and is scheduled to ensure daylight viewing of the Rockies.

Click here to download the factsheet

Winnipeg-Churchill
A total change of scene! Head off aboard the Hudson Bay for a 1,700-kilometre journey (more than 1,000 miles!) in Northern Manitoba. Leaving Winnipeg, in the heart of the southern prairies, you travel to Churchill, a city in the vast subarctic region, on the shores of Hudson Bay.The Hudson Bay also allows outdoor enthusiasts to get off the train anywhere they want, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop!
The Hudson Bay is also the only overland transportation serving many communities en route. The train's exact route varies depending on its number (check the factsheet for the numbers and variations). The Hudson Bay leaves Winnipeg on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings. If you go as far as Churchill, you'll spend two nights aboard. On the way back, the train leaves Churchill for Winnipeg on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Montréal-Jonquière
At one end of the trip: Montréal, the premier city in Québec. At the other end: Jonquière, a mid-sized city 500 kilometres farther north. Between the two: forests, lakes, inns and hotels in beautiful natural surroundings, and all the attractions of northern Québec! The Saguenay also gives outdoor fans a chance to get off the train anywhere they want, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop! The Saguenay leaves Montréal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, arriving late afternoon in Jonquière, from where it leaves on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

	Maps - VIA Rail Canada	français

	Newfoundland and Labrador - Prince Edward Island - Nova Scotia - New Brunswick Québec - Ontario - Manitoba - Saskatchewan - Alberta - British Columbia Yukon - Nunavut - North West Territories - VIA Rail
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	VIA Rail Canada As Canada's only transcontinent passenger rail service VIA Rail Canada runs more than 460 trains per week over a 14,000-kilometre network linking more than 450 localities in Canada. Four million passengers per year travel on VIA trains!. VIA Rail's trains offer a variety of classes, from the most economical to the most luxurious designed to appeal to every traveller. The coloured lines on the map above each represent one of VIA's trains, each of these trains are described below and where available factsheets can be downloaded for additional information. Information and reservations: 1 888 VIA RAIL (1 888 842-7245) VIA Preference: 1 888 VIA PREFER (1 888 842-7733) Visit www.viarail.ca for more information on a VIA Rail station near you.
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	The Face of Grandeur Discover how the West was won Canadian style as you retrace the historic western transcontinental route that, early this century, opened the West and created a bond of steel that redefined the nation. Take a full 3-day/night journey and experience Canada's diversity in comfort and art-deco style, as the enchanting lakes and forests of Ontario give way to the prairies of big-sky country throught to the majestic Rockies and down to the Pacific. Experience the romance of magnificent stainless steel rail cars cruising the famous transcontinental route between Toronto and Vancouver. You'll experience a portrait of the geographic diversity that is so uniquely Canadian. As you travel from town to town you can sense the mosaic of cultures that have shaped the country through the centuries and the character of a nation whose identity is as colourful as the land itself. VIA's flagship train the Canadian departs three times per week from Toronto and Vancouver, and is scheduled to ensure daylight viewing of the Rockies. Click here to download the factsheet
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	Victoria-Courtenay On the Malahat you'll see some of the most beautiful countryside in Vancouver Island between Victoria, at the southern end of the journey, and Courtenay, at the northern end. There isn't a more pleasant way to discover the Pacific coast! Get off at Chemainus, Nanaimo, Parksville or Qualicum Beach: as everywhere else in the network, Economy class allows you to get on and off as many times as you like for the price of one ticket to your final destination. The Malahat offers one departure per day in each direction. The journey time to Courtenay is approximately 4½ hours.
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	A Rocky Mountain Adventure Natural splendor and breathtaking vistas you simply cannot see any other way. Experience an unforgettable two day daylight journey aboard the Skeena, gateway to the Pacific to the Pacific northwest and fjord country. Departing from Jasper, where it connects with the Canadian, it shares the same track westward over the Yellowhead Pass. Its 1,160-kilometre route then takes you past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, down the western slope of the range with its giant cedars and hemlocks, and across British Columbia's interior plateau en route to the Skeena river valley, which it follows all the way to Prince Rupert on the Pacific coast. The Skeena departs three times weekly from the Rocky Mountain resort town of Japers, Alberta, heading for Prince George, where you stop for the nights, and then, the following day, continue to Prince Rupert on the Pacific coast. Economy class is offered year round and Totem class is offered from mid-may to mid-October. Click here to download the factsheet
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	Winnipeg-Churchill A total change of scene! Head off aboard the Hudson Bay for a 1,700-kilometre journey (more than 1,000 miles!) in Northern Manitoba. Leaving Winnipeg, in the heart of the southern prairies, you travel to Churchill, a city in the vast subarctic region, on the shores of Hudson Bay.The Hudson Bay also allows outdoor enthusiasts to get off the train anywhere they want, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop! The Hudson Bay is also the only overland transportation serving many communities en route. The train's exact route varies depending on its number (check the factsheet for the numbers and variations). The Hudson Bay leaves Winnipeg on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings. If you go as far as Churchill, you'll spend two nights aboard. On the way back, the train leaves Churchill for Winnipeg on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	Sudbury-White River Travelling to the heart of isolated regions, such as that around Lake Superior, can be hazardous. Unless, of course, you travel on the Lake Superior, which travels the Sudbury-White River route. Even in the midst of a blizzard, you'll cross rivers and forests in complete comfort and safety!Making three round trips per week between Sudbury and White River, the Lake Superior stops at Cartier, Franz and a few other places. It also allows outdoor enthusiasts to get off anywhere they want, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop! All in all, the Lake Superior is a very handy way to travel in northern Ontario. Sudbury station is about ten kilometres away from Sudbury Junction station, which lies on the route of the Toronto-Vancouver train. The Lake Superior departs Sudbury on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 09:40 and arrives in White River at 18:00; it leaves White River on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (departure from White River at 09:30, arrival in Sudbury at 19:00).
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	Montréal-Senneterre The Abitibi is the best mode of transport for exploring northern Québec. Crossing lakes and forests, it carries you in comfort to such destinations as La Tuque, Sanmaur, Parent, Clova and Senneterre. You can board the train in busy downtown Montréal and get off in the middle of the forest - on the banks of that river you've been dreaming of! In fact, you can get off anywhere, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop, a service tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts.The Abitibi leaves Montréal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, arriving in Senneterre in the early evening. It leaves Senneterre on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	The Face of Down-East Hospitality Hospitality at its Maritime best! What a great easy-going family destination! From Montréal, journey overnight through the rural communities of Québec's south Shore to New Brunswick and onwards to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 1,346 km Easterly class journey will delightfully charm you with its friendly ambiance, unique dining experience, cozy sleeping accomodations and the warmth and friendliness of our personnel. The Ocean departs 6 times a week, and offers conveninet ferry and bus connections, from Moncton to Saint John and PEI, and from Truro to Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland, and Charny to Québec. Click here to download the factsheet
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	The Face of Civilized Travel VIA gives stress-free travel a whole new meaning. Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, the train means you avoid the rush and crush of trying to catch a flight or the long hours of driving on congested roads. With downtown-to-downtown services, convenient departures and competitive travel times you can count on VIS to get you to your destination rested and relaxed. The best part of train travel is the train! All the roominess, comfort and "walk-about" freedom lets you decide how to spend your travel time. Work or unwind. Watch the sights through the expansive picture windows. Simply sit back and enjoy the ride! Click here to download the factsheet
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	The Face of Fond Memories The Gaspé Penninsula up close and personable! The Chaleur, so named to celebrate the scenery along the Baie-des-Chaleurs is a 1,041 km overnight journey between Montréal and Gaspé. This is a travel adventure with all the charm and flavour of Québec's Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé region, featuring quiet sunny beaches, an unspoiled coastline, and picturesque Percé Rock. The Chaleur departures 3 times per week all year round, and a convenient stop in Charny for travellers to the Québec City area. Click here to download the factsheet
	Photo Credit: VIA Rail Canada Inc.	Montréal-Jonquière At one end of the trip: Montréal, the premier city in Québec. At the other end: Jonquière, a mid-sized city 500 kilometres farther north. Between the two: forests, lakes, inns and hotels in beautiful natural surroundings, and all the attractions of northern Québec! The Saguenay also gives outdoor fans a chance to get off the train anywhere they want, even where there is no scheduled stop! How? Simply by requesting a special stop! The Saguenay leaves Montréal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, arriving late afternoon in Jonquière, from where it leaves on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.