Canadian Tours
Rail ToursDEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
February 23, 2026 – 4 Days
Vancouver Island
February 22, 2026 – 5 Days
BC Interior
February 22, 2026 – 5 Days
Activity Level 2
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Vancouver to Edmonton by train
Enjoy a different experience on VIA Rail travelling from Vancouver to Edmonton. The winter train is much shorter than summer and you won’t find hundreds of other passengers on board. All along the route, we are treated to a winter wonderland of snowy landscapes, soaring peaks, icy streams, and frozen waterfalls. Darkness comes about 6 pm and first light about 6:30 am, so there is plenty of daylight to watch the everchanging panorama beside the train. On arrival in Edmonton, we stay 2 nights at the historic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Attractions are the 800 stores and services of West Edmonton Mall, the well-crafted exhibits of the Royal Alberta Museum, and a show at Jubilations Dinner Theatre. We fly home from Edmonton. This winter tour by rail was last offered nearly 20 years ago, so come and enjoy this unique experience with Wells Gray Tours.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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6 meals
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5 meals
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Transportation
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Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director
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Accommodation
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Gratuities
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Cabin for One | Cabin for Two | Prestige Cabin |
|---|---|---|---|
$3,775 |
$3,425$4,480 |
$4,540$7,045 |
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$3,875 |
$3,525$4,580 |
$4,640$7,145 |
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$3,605 |
$3,345$4,310 |
$4,460$6,875 |
- Please add 5% GST.
- There is an additional cost to join this tour from Nanaimo or Comox.
- Earn 81 Experience Points.
Early Booking Bonus!
$150 discount on first 12 seats; $75 on next 8.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
Moderate Activity: As a traveller you like a variety of activities and walking up to 2 km with breaks such as a guided walking tour is very doable for you without assistance. Be prepared for winter weather. You may have to walk through several cars on a moving train to access the dining car. If booking a single bedroom, be aware that at night the toilet is under your murphy bed or, if you choose, you can go down the hall. Double bedrooms have upper and lower berths, so one person must be able to get into the upper berth using a ladder. Steps on and off the train may be awkward for those with mobility challenges. Due to narrow train corridors, most walkers with four wheels cannot be used on board, but they can be transported in baggage cars. The coaches cannot carry a scooter or motorized wheelchair. You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. Please let us know when you book if you will be bringing a walker on this tour. There can be longer walks in airports while flying home and you must handle your own luggage to the check-in area. The tour director and coach drivers have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour.
Tour Size
This tour can accommodate up to 40 participants.
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Vancouver to Edmonton: You are reserved in Sleeper Plus Class on The Canadian. Sleeping accommodation is in private bedrooms, either double with upper and lower berths or single with lower berth only. Amenities include seats by day and beds at night, electrical outlet, toilet, sink, and mirror. Shower facilities are located nearby. There is access to the Park Car with its excellent views and the Bullet Lounge. All meals are included in the elegant dining car which offers exclusive service for first-class travellers. Wander over to the Skyline Dome Car which has books, games, lectures on local topics, and refreshments.
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Upgrade to Prestige Class: Three cabins are available from Vancouver to Edmonton. Experience an unparalleled level of elegance, comfort, and privileged service. Features include a personal concierge, private washroom with shower, flat screen TV with movie selection, gourmet meals, and complimentary beverages.
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Special Note about the Train Schedule: When you travel by train in Canada, it is essential that you are flexible and patient about the schedule, especially arrival and departure times. Expect delays, sometimes many hours! The times mentioned in the itinerary are from VIA Rail’s published timetable. Wells Gray Tours cannot be held responsible for additional costs due to a late train. There is no refund for missed hotel nights or attractions as these are prepaid. Freight trains have priority over passenger trains, so sometimes the train is hours late into Edmonton, but other times it arrives early! If the train is very late arriving in Edmonton, dinner is served to first-class passengers.
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Please book early: Travelling by train in Canada is very popular and the first-class service that we use is in high demand, even in winter when the train is shorter. VIA Rail has strict policies about our commitment to the number of train cabins needed and will cancel cabins from our original reservation if they can sell to other visitors. If this happens, we have to consider the tour full, even though seats are available on the motorcoach. Therefore, waiting too long to book generally means “Sorry, wait until next year.”
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Show cancellation: It rarely happens, but actors occasionally get sick, or some mishap causes the cancellation of the dinner show. This can occur even shortly before the performance begins. We know that this would be disappointing for our customers, but the only refund we would be able to obtain for you would be the actual ticket price of the show. The train, hotels, motorcoaches, and other tour services are all prepaid and are non-refundable at short notice.
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Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction of $310 and book your own flight which allows seat selection.
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Flight delays or cancellations: In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather or other reasons, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for weather delays.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. The train may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Payments: deposit of $300 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due December 18, 2025. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (1.5% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard ($5,000 limit per person on credit cards).
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Early Booking Bonus: Receive a $150 discount on the first 12 seats and $75 on the next 8 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after December 18, 2025.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to November 18, 2025, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From November 19 to December 18, the cancellation charge is $200 per person. From December 19, 2025 to January 6, 2026, the cancellation charge is 40% of the tour fare. From January 7 to January 20, the cancellation charge is 80% of the tour fare. After January 20, there is no refund.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure. Please read the information on page 6 “Special Note about the Train Schedule.”
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Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. This tour stays in Canada, but medical costs can vary wildly from one province to another. While your BC Services Card may partly cover you for a medical issue that arises during the tour, you will probably benefit from trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage in case of illness or a mishap before or during the tour. Many other benefits such as luggage insurance are included. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for medical, cancellation, interruption, and luggage.
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Photo Credits: Wikimedia (Royal Alberta Museum) and VIA Rail (all others).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 81 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until December 18, 2025.
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Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842