Canada is one of the leaders when it comes to the development or use of clean technology and green initiatives. Its cleantech industry boasts accomplishments such as being the world’s third-largest producer of hydroelectricity as well as sharing 20% of the world’s large-scale carbon-related green projects. These include Canada’s railway industry, as locomotives account for 70% of the country’s intercity freight while producing only 1.1% of greenhouse emissions.
These eco trains cut carbon production for travel and tourism compared to driving petroleum road vehicles. Moreover, the scenic slow travel routes here let you enjoy not only the destination but also the journey. For example, the Winnipeg to Churchill route is a two-day trip taking you along Clearwater Lake through the forests of Manitoba, ending at Hudson Bay, where you can see polar bears and the aurora borealis. For more ideas, check out these best eco train trips in Canada.
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1. Ontario Northland Polar Bear Express; Cochrane to Moosonee
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Summer schedule is now in effect for the Polar Bear Express passenger train. Passengers from Moosonee and Moose Factory...
Posted by Ontario Northland on Monday, June 27, 2022
Ontario Northland’s Polar Bear Express is a mixed train carrying freight and passengers. This helps save on energy as fewer trips and locomotives are needed for transporting goods and people. These trips also have fixed schedules, so make sure to incorporate that into your travel plans.
Travelers can enjoy scenic views the whole way as the tracks run through the wilderness of Ontario, then eventually along the Abitibi River and later along the Moose River. The refurbished car trains also have updated coaches with features in line with modern standards.
Ontario Northland Polar Bear Express
Address: ONTC Station 200 Railway St. - P.O. Box 1926 Cochrane ON P0L 1C0 Canada; Moosonee Station - Gardiner Rd, Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0, Canada
Website: Ontario Northland Polar Bear Express
Opening hours: Cochrane to Moosonee - 9am; Moosonee to Cochrane - 5pm; travels every Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri; also every Sun from Jun 25 to Oct 20 (closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Price: From 49.65 CAD (37.22 USD) one-way
2. Agawa Canyon Tour Train; Ontario
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Breathtaking autumn colors were the star of the show for visitors who traveled with us in October. Make plans now to...
Posted by Agawa Canyon Tour Train on Monday, November 21, 2022
The beauty of Agawa Canyon became famous when Canadian landscape artists known as the Group of Seven captured the majestic wilderness on canvas. Today, the canyon is much more accessible and is a four-hour train ride away.
Since Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park is only accessible by train or foot, much of the area’s nature has remained protected from road development and pollution. The train has also been upgraded over the years and now comes equipped with newer coach designs, improved locomotives, and a GPS-triggered narrated guided tour system. Moreover, this eco train uses LED lighting and cleaner burning engine locomotives. Its layover heaters even reduce fuel use and other emissions.
Agawa Canyon Tour Train
Address: 87 Huron St in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada P6A 5P4
Website: Agawa Canyon Tour Train
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (refer to the booking calendar for schedule)
Price: From 140 CAD (105 USD) for adults; 70 CAD (52 USD) for children ages 3 to 12; 104 CAD (77 USD) for seniors
3. Royal Canadian Rockies Experience; Calgary to Banff, Alberta
Priding itself as the world’s finest luxury train, Royal Canadian Pacific will take you on an incredible four-day and five-night journey. The adventure begins in the bustling city of Calgary, taking you through Alberta’s valleys and rivers and disembarking at the scenic mountain resorts of Banff. Embrace the Canadian outdoors and explore Banff National Park. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site and promises breathtaking views of ancient glacial valleys and lakes.
Royal Canadian Pacific has sustainability practices and initiatives put into action. They have modernized their locomotives and begun electrification of their trains. They even switched to alternative fuels with less carbon footprint. Moreover, these trains use Trip Optimizer technology to conserve energy.
Banff, your destination, has also done its part for sustainability, including constructing wildlife overpasses and underpasses to reduce animal-related accidents. Local hotels have even stopped using single-use plastics as well as individual toiletries and cups.
Royal Canadian Rockies Experience
Address: 7550 Ogden Dale Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2C 4X9, Canada
Website: Royal Canadian Rockies Experience
Price: 14,000 CAD (10,495 USD) per person
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4. VIA Rail’s The Canadian; Toronto to Vancouver
One could call VIA Rail’s aptly named The Canadian the definitive train ride, which will take you through nearly all of Canada’s provinces. The four-day ride will take you from Toronto through several iconic cities, including Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton before arriving in Vancouver. You will be awed by the Northern Ontario Lakelands and the Canadian Rockies. Admire the view through the top-to-floor windows of the specially designed coaches.
Meals are available à la carte though higher ticket classes include access to the dining car. Food options, such as allergy-friendly, vegetarian and vegan, or religious meal preferences, are also available to accommodate special dietary needs.
VIA Rail is even a proud supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has put into action many initiatives. It has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by improving fuel efficiency and enforcing a zero-waste policy in its travel trains. Additionally, it reduced its packaging, switched to bamboo cocktail stir sticks, and improved its recycling system.
VIA Rail’s The Canadian
Address: Departs from Toronto Union Train Station, 55 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E6, Canada
Website: VIA Rail’s The Canadian
Opening hours: Departs at 9:55am (Eastern time)
Price: From 535 CAD (401 USD) (Economy class)
5. Journey Through the Clouds; British Columbia and Alberta
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Treat yourself to a wilderness getaway with Rocky Mountaineer’s Journey Through the Clouds railway adventure. Each day you’ll discover something new as you rumble along the Frasier River, see the cascading waters of Pyramid Falls, and be impressed by the immensity of Mount Robson. Depending on your booking, you can enjoy a 2-day getaway or free yourself from worries for up to 12 days or more.
Rocky Mountaineer is proud to be the recipient of many travel-related awards, including Tourism British Columbia’s 2007 Foresight Sustainability Award and Lonely Planet’s 2021 Best Sustainable Train. The company remains committed to sustainability initiatives by continuously updating its vehicles with energy-efficient technology, tree planting, and using reusable dinnerware. It has also partnered with over 130 organizations for fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Journey Through the Clouds
Address: Departs from Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver Station, 1755 Cottrell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2L8, Canada
Website: Journey Through the Clouds
Opening hours: Departs at 8am (Pacific time)
Price: From 1,864 CAD (1,378 USD)
6. Kaoham Shuttle; British Columbia
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Tsalalh Seton Train on Friday, September 9, 2022
Kaoham Shuttle was proclaimed as “Canada’s greatest hidden rail trip” in a BBC feature. It even features historic rail tracks that run from Lillooet to Seton Portage. The shuttle is also valuable transportation for the locals of the Seton Lake First Nation, who are part of the Lillooet Tribal Council. During your trip, you’ll most likely encounter travelers from the community. Plus, the train ride will give you stunning views of the cliffs and the serene lake.
Back in 2022, the shuttle train cars were retired and replaced by a hi-rail bus, which can traverse both paved roads and railroads. Be sure to call their number should you have inquiries.
Kaoham Shuttle
Address: S Shalalth Rd, Shalalth, British Columbia V0N 3C0, Canada
Opening hours: Guests can call to book and confirm the schedule
Price: from 25 CAD (19 USD) (return trip for tourists)
7. VIA Rail's Jasper; Alberta to Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Travelers will have a remarkable and hassle-free trip on VIA Rail’s exquisitely designed hi-tech train cars. The trip will take you along the breathtaking sights of Mount Robson, passing through national treasures such as Kathlyn Glacier and the Seven Sisters Mountain Range in British Columbia Halfway through, you’ll be stopping overnight at Prince George, so make sure to book some lodgings or partake in the nightlife until morning. If you’d like to enjoy the view, make sure to book a ticket for their panoramic dome cars.
VIA Rail is currently well on track to fulfilling the goals of their 2021-2025 Sustainability Plan. Its upgraded vehicles have helped them achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases. It is also developing special AI-assisted software that helps reduce fuel consumption.
VIA Rail's Jasper
Address: Departs from Jasper Station at 607 Connaught Dr, Jasper, AB, T0E 1E0, Canada
Website: VIA Rail’s Jasper
Opening hours: Departs at 12:45pm
Price: From 177.45 CAD (131.15 USD) per adult (tax inclusive)
8. VIA Rail's The Ocean; Montreal to Halifax, Quebec
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
While Quebec isn’t part of VIA’s The Canadian rail route, the province has its own special standout tour—The Ocean. This route will take you through cities such as Sainte-Foy, Rimouski, Miramichi, and many more close to the Atlantic Ocean. During the ride, travelers can enjoy service cars with lounges, take-out counters, and accessible bathrooms. If you booked Sleeper Class tickets, your accommodations are cabins in the sleeping car, some of which come with the option of a shower bath.
Travelers can choose from the à la carte menus with healthy items and comfort food choices. This refurbished train can also adapt meals to those with certain diets brought on by religious beliefs, allergies, and other choices such as vegan or vegetarian.
VIA Rail's The Ocean
Address: Departs from Montréal Central Station, 895 de la Gauchetiere West, Montréal, QC, H3B 4G1, Canada
Website: VIA Rail’s The Ocean, Montreal to Halifax
Opening hours: Departs at 7pm (Eastern time)
Price: from 174 CAD (130 USD) (Economy class - Escape fare)
9. Canada Coast to Coast by Train
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Have you ever wondered if you could combine those various train trips into one big getaway? Wonder no more as the Canada Coast to Coast by Train package will take you on a three-week holiday all across Canada. You’ll start in Vancouver, spending a day or two at each major stopover city, such as Banff, Toronto, and Montreal, to experience its sights and culture. Eventually, you’ll reach Halifax, having explored Canada from the Pacific all the way to the Atlantic.
You’ll be glad to know that the partners for this trip are proactive with sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer use fuel-efficient locomotives and have incorporated zero-waste policies. The same could be said of their partner hotels; Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, for example, grows its own ingredients and has banned single-use plastics.
Canada Coast to Coast by Train
Website: Canada Coast to Coast by Train
Price: from 10,080 USD
10. VIA Rail's Winnipeg to Churchill
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Should the mood to see the cold north ever strike you, take heart that VIA Rail offers a cozy and scenic way to travel there. Make your way to Winnipeg and catch a two-day train ride that will take you through the taigas and lakes of Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan. Let the sacred dancing lights of the aurora borealis wash over you before drifting off to sleep. The brisk pace is for safety reasons because of temperatures and terrain warping the railway tracks.
Despite the distance and temperatures, you’ll find plenty to see and do at Churchill. Go on an Arctic safari as Churchill is known as the polar bear capital of the world. If you’re not afraid of getting wet, you can go kayaking in Hudson Bay and maybe even meet some beluga whales.
VIA Rail's Winnipeg to Churchill
Address: Departs from Winnipeg Station, 123 Main Street, #146, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 1A3, Canada
Website: Via Rail Winnipeg to Churchill
Opening hours: Departs at 9am
Price: from 255 CAD (191.15 USD) (Economy class - Escape fare)
A train trip to Canada will let you appreciate the pristine natural beauty
Though slower, a train ride provides a more affordable and memorable travel experience compared to a zooming airplane. You’ll have the chance to admire the scenery and cultures encountered along the way, especially if you’ll be making stops. So, don’t forget to check out this list of the best eco train trips in Canada.
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