The Canadian

The Canadian is the name of the premier passenger service operated by Canada's national rail company VIA Rail. Travelling three times a week in each direction, it links Toronto with Vancouver in a three-night journey.

Travelling west, you skirt Lake Superior, then continue across the Canadian Shield, a vast area of glacier-carved bedrock full of lakes and forests. The forests give way to the plains and wheat fields of Manitoba and Saskatchewan before the Rocky Mountains appear on the horizon.

Travelling through the Rockies brings your journey to a spectacular conclusion as you descend into the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver.

The Canadian is composed of classic stainless steel coaches, built in 1955 and recently restored to their golden age elegance - you have a choice of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from simple reclining seats to a private en-suite cabin. Food and drink are available on board (and included for sleeper cabin passengers), and the restaurant car has an enviable reputation for serving the best in locally produced ingredients and wines.