Eastern Canada in the Fall

Journeys of Colour & Wilderness

Travel Tips

• Canada has roughly 318 billion trees, which cover almost 40% of the country, making it a great place to visit in the fall when the leaves start to turn.
• Tourist trains such as the Agawa Canyon and Train de Charlevoix both follow tree-lined rivers and offer spectacular scenery all year round – although the former requires flying or driving, as there is no rail connection.
• If you enjoy travelling off the beaten path, be sure to include the Abitibi train from Montreal to Senneterre, and the Polar Bear Express to Moosonee – these trains are lifelines to local communities.
• Niagara Falls makes for a great day trip by rail from Toronto – stunning in the summer sunshine, the fiery colours of autumn and frozen mist and icicles of winter. To maximise your time there, consider requesting a Niagara Parks Pass which covers the local WEGO bus service and many of the available attractions.
• Allow time to enjoy UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the historic Rideau Canal in Ottawa and Old Quebec.
• The province of Quebec is proud of its French heritage, with 95% of the population speaking French. Don’t worry though, English is also widely spoken, although a ‘bonjour’ or a ‘merci’ will always be appreciated!
• Consider flying out to Halifax, direct from London, and after a few days, taking the Ocean rail route down to Montreal. Cross the maritimes in a single day, with an overnight onboard – travel in SleeperPlus to enjoy a cozy private cabin and sample regional dishes (included).
• Freight traffic takes priority on Canadian rails, so sit back, relax, enjoy the views and don’t request onward travel on your scheduled arrival day!
• Great cities to visit include Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
• Why not end your trip with a journey out west onboard VIA rail’s The Canadian? See Canada: Coast to Coast for more details.