Sambro Island

Canada Eastern Rail Classic

4.9
17 reviews

Length

8 days / 7 nights

Time on train

2 days / 1 night

Train type

Where it goes

When to go

April – October

Price from

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

  • Decide your desired budget
  • Choose your own activities and experiences
  • Have all the details of your trip arranged for you
Start Planning

The best overnight Eastern Canada train tour

Explore Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax! Spend just over a week traveling between Quebec and the Maritimes on an overnight train, exploring each destination with an insider guide.

Top experiences and features

Waves around Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

See Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

Visit Peggy's Cove - a picture-perfect village which stands on granite rock, high above the crashing Atlantic surf.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Train journey onboard the daylight Corridor train
Choice of unique guided activities
Airport and train station transfers
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Our vacations are not typically ‘escorted.’ You are not tied into a specific group, or a rigid daily itinerary but rather have the freedom of ‘independent’ travel.

This allows you, with the help of our Canadian Insiders, to personalize your trip to suit your occasion, interests, timeframe and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

Your trip can be as rich as you’d like, and completely arranged around your interests and needs. The greatest benefit of working with us is our local knowledge. You can customize your trip and decide what you’d like to see and do.

If your trip is a special occasion, we’ll make sure it is unforgettable. Or if you’re traveling with a group, we’ll take care of the logistics so you can share time together stress-free.

Absolutely! We personalize all our clients’ trips to fit their exact tastes and needs. You can add days at locations that you’d like to explore and spend more time at. Or leave out certain areas that don’t interest you as much. Discuss your travel goals with our Vacation Advisors who make sure that your trip fits your needs and budget.

We partner with many hotels across the country that offer a variety of service levels and unique experiences. Choosing a hotel is based on local availability and personal preference, and our Insiders will help you find the perfect place to rest your head so that you can have the best experience possible.

Hotel amenities can vary by property, so your Vacation Advisor will discuss what’s most important to you, such as air conditioning, parking, laundry, swimming pool, spa, onsite restaurants, or 24-hour room service.

All our trips are personalized to fit our clients’ schedule and budget. The price of your trip generally depends on the travel season, train service, accommodations, and the sightseeing tours you take. When you request a quote you’ll be provided with the detailed information you need

Most of our trips include stops to get off the train to explore Canada’s beautiful locations, national parks and unique cities. However, if you’re keen to maximize your time onboard, we’ll pair you up with the perfect train experience.

All of our overnight train journeys feature a private cabin on board the train. In addition, you'll typically enjoy the train's viewing areas, common lounges, and dining cars where you can socialize with fellow travelers.

We define a boutique hotel as being a smaller, more intimate property with an extra emphasis on service. They usually have some of the best restaurants and lounges in town.

The weather depends on the season. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging -5°C (23°F). Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures averaging 25°C (77°F).

Business Class includes meals on the train (breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on the time of day). These meals and complimentary beverages are served at your seat. Business Class seats are wide and comfortable with plenty of legroom. Another feature of Business Class is that you receive access to the in-station business class lounge before you board the train.

Our Eastern Rail Classic itinerary includes The Ocean train between Halifax and Quebec City. This is an overnight train journey, where you stay in a private cabin in Sleeper Plus Class. These cabins feature comfortable daytime seating next to a large window. This seating converts into upper and lower bunks at night. In addition to your private cabin, you enjoy hot meals served in the dining car.

Sample Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip. Some of our trips can be done in the reverse direction.
Indicates featured inclusions
Arrive in Halifax
Day 01

Arrive in Halifax

Welcome to Halifax — the Canadian Maritimes' largest city.

  • Private Transfer from Halifax Airport
Discover the charm of the Maritimes
Day 02

Discover the charm of the Maritimes

Discover the charm of Nova Scotia today. Rich in Celtic heritage and historical significance, this seafaring region offers some of Canada's most picturesque coastlines, with fishing villages perched high above the Atlantic Ocean.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Private Peggy's Cove and Halifax Sightseeing

    With a private driver, enjoy the scenery as you travel along Nova Scotia’s unique coastline to Peggy's Cove. Later, explore historic Halifax. 

  • Private Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Aspotogan Peninsula Tour
  • Halifax Waterfront Food Walking Tour
  • 3 Course Dinner in Halifax
VIA Rail - Depart Halifax
Day 03

VIA Rail - Depart Halifax

Board The Ocean train in Halifax and begin your westward journey to Quebec City. Wind your way through the rural landscapes of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

  • Transfer to Train Station
  • The Ocean Train, Sleeper Plus Class

    Your private cabin features comfortable seating next to a large picture window. Hot meals are served in the dining car. 

VIA Rail - Arrive in Quebec City
Day 04

VIA Rail - Arrive in Quebec City

Arrive in Quebec City early this morning. This afternoon, discover what lies outside of Quebec City or simply take the day to explore the Old City.    

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Quebec Countryside Tour
  • Guided Visit of the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac
  • Quebec City Sightseeing Cruise
  • Transfer from Sainte-Foy Train Station
Explore Quebec City
Day 05

Explore Quebec City

Journey back in time as you explore Old Quebec's 17th-century fortifications and winding cobblestone streets.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Gourmet Food and Historical Walking Tour
  • Quebec City Sightseeing Bus Tour

    Discover Quebec City's history on a guided sightseeing bus tour. See the Plains of Abraham, the Château Frontenac, the Notre-Dame Basilica, and more.

  • Private Walking Tour of Old Quebec

    Explore the cobblestone streets of fortified Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

VIA Rail - Quebec City to Montreal
Day 06

VIA Rail - Quebec City to Montreal

Travel a short distance by train through Quebec's picturesque countryside. Arrive in Montreal, the largest French-speaking city in North America.

  • Transfer to Train Station
  • The Corridor Train, Business Class

    Relax in your spacious business class seat as you follow the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City to Montreal. Meals and full-bar service are included onboard the train.  

  • Transfer from Train Station
  • Dinner in Montreal

    Try traditional French cuisine at one of our favourite Montreal restaurants.

  • Suggested Evening Activity – Aura Lightshow at Notre-Dame Basilica

    If you have time this evening, discover the artwork of the Notre-Dame Basilica through multimedia installations. A combination of light, orchestral music, and stunning architecture provides an unforgettable experience. 

Discover Montreal
Day 07

Discover Montreal

Explore diverse Montreal with your choice of activity. Discover museums, galleries, eateries and historic sites.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Small Group Sightseeing Tour of Montreal

    Explore Montreal's must-see areas and attractions on this fully guided tour. Visit Mount Royal, Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory and more.

  • Private Walking Tour of Old Montreal
  • Private Food Tour in Old Montreal
Depart Montreal
Day 08

Depart Montreal

Your trip ends with departure from Montreal.

  • Private Transfer to Montreal Airport

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, train-service level and hotel class. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes.
Comfort Level
Hotel Accommodation
VIA Rail Service
Loading... pp

View full itinerary

Like this trip? Get more details with a sample itinerary:

  • Day-tour options and descriptions;
  • Departure dates;
  • Suggestions for personalizing your trip.
Schedule a call

Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.
Exterior of Hotel Bonaparte in Old Montreal

Hotel Bonaparte

Example of a Comfort hotel in Montreal

Built in 1886, Hotel Bonaparte is a historic gem in the centre of Old Montreal. The city’s bustling shops, restaurants, and museums are close by. Gaze out over cobblestone streets, church spires, and pretty gardens from one of the beautifully appointed guestrooms.

Personalize This Itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Explore Charlevoix region

Explore Charlevoix region

Just a short drive from Quebec City is the Charlevoix region — a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The region boasts an array of exciting experiences: farm-to-table cuisine, art galleries, whale watching, hiking, biking, and more. We can arrange a day tour or a multi-day excursion depending on your timeframe.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 17 reviews

I liked the reliability and efficiency of it all

In a single word: Wonderful! I liked the reliability and efficiency of it all and the professionalism of everybody that we came in contact with. Loved the hotels and their location... 

Jim and Pam review of their [object Object] trip

Jim and Pam

AZ, USA

Discuss your Canadian train vacation with a local travel expert

Cartoon polar bear speaking on the phone

Or call us toll free

Cartoon polar bear speaking on the phone