Rail Journeys and Slow Travel Across Canada

Slow Travel From Coast to Coast

In a world that moves at full speed, there’s something quietly radical about choosing to slow down. Whether it’s hiking coast-to-coast across a country or watching forests blur by from a train window in rural Quebec, slow travel lets us experience the world, not just pass through it. And there’s no better way to feel the vastness and beauty of Canada than crossing it by rail.

Over the years, we have made over 30 trips aboard Via Rail’s iconic Canadian and 4 round-trip journeys on the Ocean. These railways have become more than transport—they’re part of our life story.

Our most recent rail journey began at the tail end of a long series of adventures. After hiking the length of Portugal on the Rota Vicentina and the Camino Portuguese Coastal and Espiritual routes, then crossing England and Scotland on trails like Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, the Pennine Way, the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, and Hadrian’s Wall, we crossed the Atlantic by ship aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Back in North America, we have made our way to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where we are beginning our journey home on Via Rail’s Ocean from Halifax west to Montreal. After which we will take Via Rail’s Corridor line from Montreal through Ottawa to Toronto. Finally, we will again board the Canadian train and journey from Toronto to Vancouver.

Via Rail’s Ocean

The Ocean train journey stretches over 1,346 km (836 miles) between Halifax, Nova Scotia and Montreal, Quebec, passing through three provinces and two time zones. It’s a route rich in charm—meandering through Nova Scotia, skirting the Bay of Fundy, traversing across New Brunswick, then descending through the Matapedia Valley and the Lower Saint Lawrence region of Quebec.

This isn’t just a ride—it’s a cultural corridor connecting Canada’s Maritime provinces to the heart of Quebec. Along the way, it links small communities and, through bus connections, allows passengers to access hubs like Saint John, Fredericton, and even Prince Edward Island.

Slow Travel Choices

We first boarded the Ocean as university students in the 1990s, travelling with the inexpensive CanRail passes offered at the time and our backpacks. Back then, it was about discovery. Today, decades and dozens of train rides later, it’s about intention.

Taking the train is a conscious choice—a commitment to moving through space and time slowly. Trains don’t rush. They follow rivers, curve along coastlines, and climb plateaus. You see landscapes shift gradually, allowing time to process where you’ve been and where you’re going.

This slow rhythm mirrors other forms of mindful travel, pilgrimage routes, long-distance hiking trails, or sailing across oceans. They all center on being present, on choosing the journey over the destination.

Disconnecting and Reconnecting

Via Rail advertises Wi-Fi on the Ocean and Corridor trains, but in practice, it’s rarely reliable. At first, this may seem like an inconvenience. But over time, we’ve come to see it as a gift.

With no signal, your phone stays in your pocket, and your laptop stays zipped away. You read a good book or simply watch out the window. You chat with fellow travellers or simply sit in silence. The train invites you to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the world around you.

In addition, there’s something about time spent on a train that makes people more open, more curious. We’ve met countless people on these cross-country rides—students, retirees, solo travellers, young families, new immigrants, and seasoned rail fans. In each case, conversations unfold naturally. A nearby seat or a shared table in the dining car becomes a place to swap stories. A comment about the view turns into a talk about life goals or favourite travel memories. Train travel fosters connections that other means of transit never quite seem to.

Why Train Travel Across Canada Still Matters

Train travel in Canada is not always the easiest or cheapest option. But for those seeking meaning in their travels, for those who crave a more immersive, grounded experience, it’s hard to beat.  Taking the train isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about the people you meet, the places you visit, and the stories you collect. It’s about reclaiming your time, finding joy in movement, and watching a country unfold one kilometre at a time.

So if you’re considering a slow travel adventure, don’t underestimate the power of the rails. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Canada’s trains offer one of the most memorable and enriching ways to see the country—slowly, deeply, and beautifully.

Simply put, trains are slow travel journeys at their best.