Via Rail Canada Inc. operates Canada’s national passenger rail service. Despite the closing of several lines there are still 400 trains every week, which cover some 13,000 km (8,000 miles) on major routes between Vancouver and Toronto, traveling on to Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax. It is possible to cross the country by train – a trip that takes five days – by connecting up with these lines. The longest continuous route remains the Vancouver–Toronto trip on board the stylish and luxurious 1950s Canadian , with its observation and dining cars. Places with no road link, such as the town of Churchill in northern Manitoba, rely on the railroad. The line between Winnipeg and Churchill is mostly used by visitors in October, heading north to see the polar bears.

VIA Rail operates both long-haul trains in eastern and western Canada, as well as inter-city trains in the populous Ontario Corridor, from Quebec City to Windsor, passing through Kingston, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, and Toronto. This is a fast service that offers snacks and drinks on board most trains.

It is easy to travel onward to the United States, as VIA connects with the American rail network, Amtrak, at both Montreal and Vancouver. VIA Rail and Amtrak jointly run the Toronto–New York line through Niagara Falls, and Toronto–Chicago trains through Sarnia/Port Huron. The VIA station in Windsor is only a few kilometers from the Amtrak station in Detroit.

Visitors should also be aware that VIA is not the only passenger rail service in Canada. The larger cities all have useful local commuter lines. Vancouver has BC Rail  and the West Coast Express to Prince Rupert, while Toronto’s Go Transit covers the city’s outlying suburbs as far as Milton, Bradford, Richmond Hill, and Stouffville, and Montreal has AMT (see City transportation information).

There are several lines that offer visitors the chance to enjoy Canada’s best scenery in comfortable, often luxurious trains. Among the best trips is the Algoma Central Railway  in Ontario, which runs from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst and has an excursion train from Sault Ste. Marie to the Agawa Canyon through spectacular landscapes from early June to October. There is a Snow Train excursion on weekends from late December to early March, also from Sault Ste. Marie.

Ontario Northland Railway  operates both freight and passenger services on its main line from North Bay to Moosonee.The Polar Bear Express  is a summer excursion to Moosonee, which provides a close-up look at the northern wilderness. The passenger service continues south of North Bay to Toronto.

The most spectacular train ride in Canada is probably in British Columbia, where, from mid-May until early October, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours  runs two-day excursions from Vancouver to Calgary via Banff or Jasper. The Rocky Mountaineer  follows the original route of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. These trips operate entirely in daylight, and the package includes a night in Kamloops plus meals. There is also a dome car for viewing the stunning scenery that lies around every bend.

For a longer trip, visitors may want to take the six-day/five-night Golden/Crowsnest Tour, run by Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Rail Tours . The tour takes guests from Calgary, across the expansive prairie of Lethbridge, and on to Fort MacLeod, before entering the Rockies via the Crowsnest Pass. Guests can also learn about the history of the Canadian west from the area’s most experienced naturalists and historians.

On long-distance routes there are two main classes of travel available, Economy and a variety of Sleeper classes, known as VIA 1. Economy Class offers comfortable, reclining seats in cars with wide aisles and large windows, as well as blankets and pillows for overnight trips. Passengers in Economy class also generally have access to one of the onboard snack bars or restaurants. Sleeper classes offer a range of options from double- and single-berth bunks to double bedrooms, which convert to luxurious sitting rooms by day. VIA services in Western Canada such as the Canadian,  offer the choice of “Silver & Blue” first-class cars that have access to a private observation car, as well as plush dining cars.

Reservations for rail travel can be made through travel agents or direct through VIA Rail. There are a variety of discounts available on both economy and sleeper classes if you book round-trip tickets or in advance. Reductions on Ontario corridor lines are available if you book five days in advance (on most other routes you need to reserve tickets seven days in advance.) There are also discounts for bookings made for travel during the off-peak period between October and December, and from January until the end of May.

The CANRAILPASS gives you 12 days of unlimited travel in economy class during a 30-day period. Just show your CANRAILPASS each time you obtain a ticket. The card is valid on all VIA Rail routes, and you can make as many stops as you like during your trip. Up to three extra days’ travel can be added, which can be bought in advance or at any time during the 30-day validity period. It is a good idea to reserve seats in advance during the summer as there are a limited number for pass holders. Throughout the VIA system, travelers over 60 are entitled to an additional ten percent reduction on fares.