VIA RAIL TO WESTERN CANADA & PRAIRIES

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the three Canadian prairie provinces. Here you will find the wide open spaces, cowboys and frontier history typified by the Stampede and rodeo. However, Canada’s West also includes smaller urban centers like Calgary and Edmonton (in Alberta), Regina and Saskatoon (in Saskatchewan) and Winnipeg (in Manitoba). These are cities that are surprising rich in culture with world renowned arts festivals and events in music, dance and theatre. The distances between these western destinations are best enjoyed from inside a VIA train. The domed observation car is a favourite place to sit and take in the vast prairie skies.

To book vacation packages to the Western Canada, or for questions and custom itineraries, please speak with one of our train travel specialists at toll free 1-888-730-9500.

For travelers outside of North America, click here for our International toll free numbers.

The Culture of the Canadian Prairies

Travel on a VIA train to the surprising cultural Mecca that is the Western Canada. Cowboy culture is still alive here. The Calgary Stampede is an incredible annual event that brings together cowfolk from all over North America to compete. It is an exciting time in the city of Calgary, which also offers easy access to nearby Banff and the Rocky Mountains.

The prairies have also always valued and nurtured culture of another sort. Events include the Fringe Theatre Festivals in Edmonton, Saskatoon or Winnipeg, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet company that tours the world, the Edmonton international and other jazz festivals, or many other smaller events found throughout this region. Summer is festival season in Western Canada and a holiday here allows you to partake in some of the best talent the planet has to offer.

”Go North Young Man”

VIA Rail also heads into the Canadian north from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the prairies. The Churchill route takes travelers into polar bear and beluga whale territory, a wildlife viewing adventure that is unique in the world.

Browse our full selection of VIA Rail Vacations to the Canadian Prairies here.

VIA Rail Routes in the West

The following VIA routes are found in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and are featured in some of our VIA Rail vacation packages for this area:
The Canadian: Connecting Vancouver to Toronto
The Hudson Bay : From Winnipeg to Churchill Manitoba
The Skeena: From Jasper to Prince Rupert, BC