The Canadian (VIA 1) is Canada's iconic transcontinental passenger train from Toronto Union to Vancouver Pacific Central, covering 4,466 km in approximately 86 hours (3.5 days) across the entire breadth of Canada. Operated by VIA Rail, it passes through the Canadian Shield, the Prairies, and the Rocky Mountains via Jasper. Sleeping facilities include Sleeper Plus class (upper/lower berths) and Prestige class with private cabins — one of the world's greatest rail journeys.
| # | Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto Union Station Toronto | Start | 22:00 |
| 2 | Winnipeg VIA Rail Station Winnipeg | 11:00 (+1d) | 12:00 (+1d) |
| 3 | Edmonton VIA Rail Station Edmonton | 06:30 (+2d) | 07:00 (+2d) |
| 4 | Jasper Railway Station Jasper | 13:15 (+2d) | 14:00 (+2d) |
| 5 | Kamloops North Station Kamloops | 05:12 (+3d) | 05:30 (+3d) |
| 6 | Vancouver Pacific Central Vancouver | 08:30 (+3d) | End |
Timetable data is sourced from official Canada railways records and may vary due to delays or seasonal changes. Always verify with the official operator before travelling.
The Canadian (VIA 1) is Canada's iconic transcontinental passenger train from Toronto Union to Vancouver Pacific Central, covering 4,466 km in approximately 86 hours (3.5 days) across the entire breadth of Canada. Operated by VIA Rail, it passes through the Canadian Shield, the Prairies, and the Rocky Mountains via Jasper. Sleeping facilities include Sleeper Plus class (upper/lower berths) and Prestige class with private cabins — one of the world's greatest rail journeys. As a special service, it is a premium service designed for higher-comfort travel on its corridor.
The Canadian runs on Tue, Fri, Sun, with the timetable above showing the scheduled departure time at each intermediate stop. The full route includes 6 stops with a total scheduled time of 58h 30m, averaging out to approximately 696 minutes between consecutive stations once dwell time is taken into account. Major intermediate stops along the route include Winnipeg VIA Rail Station, Edmonton VIA Rail Station, Jasper Railway Station, Kamloops North Station, providing passenger interchange points with regional and local services where available.
The Canadian offers 5 travel classes: Economy, Cabin for 2, Sleeper Plus, Prestige Cabin, Prestige. The lowest published fare is CAD 280 for Economy, while the highest-class fare is CAD 1,200 for Prestige. Higher-class fares typically include wider seating, better climate control, and on many long-distance services include meals or refreshments. Travel class fare differences also reflect coach configuration — for example sleeper berths convert to flat beds for overnight travel, while seated coach classes use forward-facing reclining seats arranged 2+2 or 2+1 across the aisle. Check the per-class fare table on this page for the current published price by class.
Tickets for The Canadian are sold by VIA Rail through the official booking portal at viarail.ca. Online booking typically opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on the operator and service type. Booking early gives access to the cheapest advance discount fares which can be 30–80% cheaper than walk-up tickets at the station. Tickets are also available at station booking offices and from authorised travel agents and ticket resellers. Most operators accept payment by credit card, debit card, and digital wallet.
On the day of travel, arrive at the originating station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives time to locate the correct platform (platform number is announced on station information displays 20–60 minutes before departure), find your reserved coach (coach numbers are marked along the platform edge at major stations), and board with your luggage. Sleeper class passengers should note that bedrolls (linen, pillow, blanket) are typically provided by the operator on overnight services — confirm at the time of booking. Carry a light jacket or shawl as air-conditioning can run cold during the early-morning hours of the journey. Keep valuables in a small bag stowed under the lower berth rather than in overhead racks. Always cross-check the platform number against your e-ticket or seat reservation before boarding — multiple trains can depart within a short window from adjacent platforms during peak periods.
This The Canadian page is part of the TrainsTracking Canada timetable collection covering passenger rail services across the VIA Rail network. Schedule data is verified daily against the official operator timetable, and fare information reflects the most recent published tariff. TrainsTracking is an information platform and does not process bookings or payments — all ticket purchases are completed directly through viarail.ca. For real-time delay information, platform changes, and same-day cancellations, always check station displays or the official operator app immediately before travel.
Standard seating, most affordable class
Reserved seating
Reserved seating
Reserved seating
Reserved seating
Book The Canadian tickets at viarail.ca, the official VIA Rail portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any VIA Rail booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact VIA Rail for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit VIA RailThe Canadian departs at 22:00 and arrives at the final destination at 08:30 on the following day. The total scheduled journey time is approximately 58h 30m. Times use the official Canada timetable and are local times at each stop. Always verify with VIA Rail on the day of travel as schedules can change due to engineering work or seasonal adjustments.
The Canadian fares start from approximately CAD 280 for Economy class and go up to CAD 1,200 for Prestige. Higher-class fares include wider seating, climate control, and on long-distance services may include meals. Book through viarail.ca for the latest published fares and to check current seat availability.
Tickets for The Canadian are sold through viarail.ca, the official VIA Rail booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
The Canadian makes 6 scheduled stops along its route. The journey starts at Toronto Union Station and ends at Vancouver Pacific Central. Major intermediate stops include Winnipeg VIA Rail Station, Edmonton VIA Rail Station, Jasper Railway Station, Kamloops North Station. The full stop sequence with arrival and departure times is shown in the table above.
The Canadian running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with VIA Rail before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, viarail.ca typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
The Canadian offers 5 travel classes: Economy, Cabin for 2, Sleeper Plus, Prestige Cabin, Prestige. Economy or standard classes have reserved numbered seats at the lowest fare. Premium classes (business, first class, sleeper) add wider seats, climate control, and on overnight services berths for lying flat. The fare table on this page lists current published prices for each class.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.
Opens VIA Rail official booking site