Kids Ride Free On VIA Rail From Coast To Coast This Winter. Here’s How It Works

Your holiday travels are about to get a lot cheaper: VIA Rail has announced the return of its popular Canada Strong travel pass—making rides from coast to coast free for youth under 17, and discounted by 25 percent for young adults aged 18 to 24.

The pass is valid for bookings in Economy class on all VIA routes during the winter holiday season, between December 12, 2025 and January 15, 2026. (And in case you jumped the gun and already booked your travel during that period, you’re eligible for a refund.)

VIA debuted the pass this summer in collaboration with the federal government in an effort to promote cross-country family travel, and saw more than 50,000 bookings. It was a banner summer for Canadian tourism: an all-time high of $59 billion in revenue for tourism operators, spurred predominantly by domestic travellers opting for Canadian vacations in lieu of trips to the U.S. and abroad. (The government has also pledged to reintroduce the Canada Strong pass for Summer 2026.)

Ready to ride? The promotion is already underway at VIA Rail, using codes CANADAFAM and CANADA1824. And don’t forget to pair it with discounts for museums and galleries at landmark Canadian destinations, and free admission to all Parks Canada locations, available during the holiday travel period.