“The Canadian” · Toronto to Winnipeg

Legs

Approximate scheduled times. Check the timetable with the operator before you travel.

Things to know

• Classes - Economy has reclining seats and a Skyline car with a dome. Sleeper Plus has berths, roomettes and bedrooms with meals in the dining car. Prestige adds larger cabins with shower and the Park car lounge.
• One night - westbound, the train leaves Toronto in the morning and reaches Winnipeg the next evening, crossing most of northern Ontario overnight and through the following day.
• Time zone - in summer, clocks go back one hour between Armstrong and Sioux Lookout, from Eastern to Central time (eastbound, forward one hour). In winter they don't change: northwestern Ontario now stays on daylight time all year, like Manitoba.
• No signal - there is little or no mobile coverage for long stretches north of Capreol. Download anything you need before you leave.
• Request stops - between Capreol and Winnipeg the train also serves small communities and wilderness camps, and can stop at a given milepost if you arrange it with VIA at least 48 hours ahead.
• Duration - the Canadian shares the line with freight trains and is often late. Don't book tight onward connections from Winnipeg.