Summer 2025 is the perfect time to explore Canada's incredible national parks, and the Canada Strong Pass is making it more affordable than ever. Running from June 20 to September 2, 2025, this federal initiative offers free admission to all Parks Canada sites, plus significant discounts on VIA Rail travel and camping. But here's the key: while VIA Rail gets you across the country affordably, Parkbus bridges the final gap from VIA Rail stations directly to Canada's most spectacular national parks.

What Is the Canada Strong Pass?

The Canada Strong Pass isn't a physical card you need to carry—it's an automatic discount program that makes Canadian travel accessible to everyone. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the pass in April as a way to boost domestic tourism while Americans face economic uncertainties.

Canada Strong Pass Benefits Include:

Parks Canada Access:

• Free admission to all 171 national historic sites, 48 national parks, and 5 national marine conservation areas
• 25% off camping and overnight stays including tent sites, RV camping, oTENTiks, cabins, yurts, and historic accommodations

Museum Discounts:

• Free museum admission for children under 17
• 50% off museum admission for ages 18–24 at all 10 national museums

VIA Rail Travel Savings:

• Children under 17 travel FREE on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult (code: CANADAFAM)
• 25% off VIA Rail for adults aged 18-24 (code: CANADA1824)

The VIA Rail + Parkbus Connection: Your Complete Journey Solution

Here's what many travelers don't realize: VIA Rail offers incredible discounts to get you across Canada, but it only gets you partway to the national parks. VIA Rail services more than 600 train stations across Canada, but most national parks are located hours away from these stations.

That's where Parkbus comes in. Parkbus operates affordable, car-free shuttle services that pick up passengers directly from VIA Rail stations and transport them to national park entrances. This creates a seamless, sustainable travel experience from city to wilderness.

How the VIA Rail + Parkbus System Works:

1. Book discounted VIA Rail travel using Canada Strong Pass codes
2. Arrive at your destination VIA Rail station
3. Connect to Parkbus shuttles for direct transport to national parks
4. Enjoy free park admission with the Canada Strong Pass
5. Save 25% on camping if staying overnight
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VIA Rail Stations with Parkbus Connections to National Parks

Based on current Parkbus routes and VIA Rail's extensive network, here are the key station connections that get you from train to trail:

Ontario National Parks via VIA Rail + Parkbus

Toronto Union Station (VIA Rail) → Parkbus Routes:

• Bruce Peninsula National Park: Direct Parkbus service from Toronto to the iconic Grotto and turquoise waters
• Rouge National Urban Park: FREE shuttle service (sponsored by TD) from Toronto—perfect for families

London Station (VIA Rail) → Parkbus Routes:

• Point Pelee National Park: Parkbus operates from London to Canada's southernmost point, renowned for birding

Chatham Station (VIA Rail) → Parkbus Routes:

• Point Pelee National Park: Additional pickup point for this premier birding destination

Western Canada National Parks via VIA Rail + Parkbus

Vancouver → Parkbus Routes:

• Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park (Othello Tunnels): Journey through dramatic rock tunnels from B.C.'s railway history

Edmonton Station (VIA Rail) → Parkbus Routes:

• Elk Island National Park: Short ride to encounter bison and experience Alberta's boreal heartland under dark skies

Atlantic Canada National Parks via VIA Rail + Parkbus

Halifax Station (VIA Rail) → Parkbus Routes:

• Kejimkujik National Park: Travel into Mi'kmaw territory to paddle ancient waterways navigated by Indigenous peoples for centuries

Featured Destination: The Canadian Canoe Museum Experience

One of the most unique Canada Strong Pass experiences combines VIA Rail travel to Peterborough with Parkbus transport to the brand-new Canadian Canoe Museum. This trip offers:

• World's largest collection of paddled watercraft
• Hands-on paddling in a traditional 36-foot Voyageur canoe
• Guided tour of Lift Lock 21, an engineering marvel and National Historic Site
• Indigenous paddling traditions and Canadian exploration history

Maximizing Your Canada Strong Pass Savings

For Families:

• Children under 17 get FREE VIA Rail travel and FREE national park admission
• FREE museum admission for kids under 17
• 25% off camping makes overnight adventures affordable

For Young Adults (18-24):

• 25% off VIA Rail with code CANADA1824
• 50% off national museum admission
• FREE national park admission
• 25% off camping and accommodations

Sample Cost Savings:

• Family of four traveling Toronto to Bruce Peninsula:
  • VIA Rail: Children free, adults pay regular fare
  • Park admission: $0 (normally $15.70 per adult)
  • Camping: 25% off (save ~$10-15 per night)
  • Total savings: $75-100+ per trip

Planning Your Canada Strong Pass Adventure

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

Browse Parkbus destinations at parkbus.ca/canada-strong-pass and filter by:

• Departure city (Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Edmonton, London, Chatham)
• National park destination
• VIA Rail connection points

Step 2: Book VIA Rail Travel

• Use discount codes CANADAFAM (kids free) or CANADA1824 (youth 25% off)
• VIA Rail operates 497 trains per week over nineteen routes, with major routes including The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) and corridor services

Step 3: Connect with Parkbus

• Book Parkbus shuttles that coordinate with VIA Rail arrival times
• No advance park passes needed—admission is automatically free
• Pack light for easy transfers between train and bus

Step 4: Enjoy Free Park Access

• Simply arrive at Parks Canada gates—no pass required
• Parks Canada staff will continue to welcome visitors at gates and visitor centres
• Take advantage of 25% camping discounts for extended stays

Why Choose VIA Rail + Parkbus Over Driving?

Traveling by train and bus isn't just about getting from point A to point B—it's about transforming your entire Canadian adventure. When you choose VIA Rail + Parkbus, you're dramatically reducing your environmental impact while supporting Canada's sustainable tourism initiatives. Train travel produces significantly less carbon emissions per passenger than driving, and you'll never have to worry about finding or paying for parking at busy national parks.

The financial benefits extend far beyond the Canada Strong Pass discounts. While you're saving on park admission and VIA Rail fares, you're also eliminating the hidden costs of road trips: gas, vehicle wear and tear, insurance deductibles, and those expensive parking fees that can add $15-25 per day at popular destinations. When you factor in the stress and time saved from navigating unfamiliar mountain roads or dealing with traffic, the value proposition becomes even clearer.

Perhaps most importantly, this combination opens up Canada's natural wonders to everyone. Urban Canadians without vehicles can finally access remote national parks, families can travel together affordably with children riding free on VIA Rail, and the direct station-to-park connections mean you can sit back, relax, and watch the Canadian landscape unfold outside your window instead of gripping the steering wheel through winding mountain passes.

Book Your Canada Strong Pass Adventure Today

The Canada Strong Pass program runs only until September 2, 2025, making this summer a unique opportunity to explore Canada affordably. With VIA Rail getting you across the country at discounted rates and Parkbus connecting you directly to national parks, there's never been a better time to discover Canada's natural treasures.

Ready to start planning?

• Visit parkbus.ca/canada-strong-pass to book your complete journey
• Use VIA Rail codes CANADAFAM or CANADA1824 for additional savings
• No advance park passes needed—just show up and explore

This summer, skip the border lines and rediscover your own backyard. The Canada Strong Pass combined with VIA Rail and Parkbus makes exploring Canada's national parks easier, more affordable, and more sustainable than ever before.

The Canada Strong Pass initiative runs from June 20 to September 2, 2025. VIA Rail discount codes and Parkbus routes subject to availability. Book early as summer travel fills quickly.

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