Very preliminary investigating VIA trains for a trip next summer/fall. Plan to go coast to coast in Canada. Looked at the VIA train schedules but unsure of which one is most spectacular or enjoyable. Pretty sure up through Rockies is a given one direction or other. Plan on sleeper room (no coach seats sleeping!). Any trains with observation cars?
Suggestion?
Or any good package tours that would give same bang for buck while saving a few $$?
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It has been a long time since I have traveled by train in Canada. The best route to travel was from Calgery to Vancouver on the CP. This is no longer a VIA route, but I think there may be a private excursion operator that runs trains on this route. I have been from Jasper to Prince Rupert on the CN. The last one hundred miles west bound were the most interesting part of the train ride. I did enjoy the overnight ferry ride from Prince Rupert to Vancouver. The most exciting ride was the Budd car from Calgery to Edmonton. Fast ride on fair track. And the most adventuress ride was north from Edmonton to the Great Slave Lakes on the NAR.
I would be be torn between taking the train, then overnight ferry via Prince Rupert or the CN from Edmonton to Vancouver via the Frazier River Canyon. Then return on the Empire Builder on the old GN. This train is subject to a lot of delays. Delays are not bad if you are prepared for them, ie books to read, cards, etc. and no tight connections in Chicago. Be prepared for the long days in the summer and short days in the winter that far north.
Good morning rrman
You want the VIA Rail Canadian, Vancouver to Toronto. Great food!! From Toronto you can continue east if you so desire I always went to Montreal, than down on the Amtrak to Albany. You have to book and purchase tickets online to get a discount. By phone or at station it will be big bucks. The summer travel season probably no discount and a very full train. That means time in the vista dome cars is limited. Also better to go, west to east, a lot of cruise tours from Europe start in the east.
Go online and join the VIA rail membership, they will send you the big discount dates. 50% off. I called their phone number and the very helpful staff helped me buy tickets and sign up. I am going again as soon as they send another special offer for this winter travel season. It's the rail trip of a lifetime everyone should go at least once. All vintage stainless steel single level passenger equipment in perfect condition, can even get a single birth sleeping if you like (best deal), round tail observation, several small domes, at least one diner maybe two, snack car, lounge car, train might be 20 cars long in summer. The food is the best!!! never have the same meal twice, prepared on board by excellent staff. The tail end lounge car is always stocked with fresh fruit, coffee ,baked goods and other snacks more than likely you will put on a couple of pounds. Like Amtrak if you are in sleeper all meals included. Fantastic food!! Fantastic crew!! email me if I can help more. I think of this cross Canada train as one of their national parks not just transportation.
Clem
There is an active Yahoo Group called Canadian Passenger Rail which often discusses trips of this type of trip.
It has been a long time since I have traveled by train in Canada. The best route to travel was from Calgary to Vancouver on the CP. This is no longer a VIA route, but I think there may be a private excursion operator that runs trains on this route.
That's the Rocky Mountaineer Well worth riding.
Also consider taking the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island and staying there a night or two.
It has been a long time since I have traveled by train in Canada. The best route to travel was from Calgary to Vancouver on the CP. This is no longer a VIA route, but I think there may be a private excursion operator that runs trains on this route.
That's the Rocky Mountaineer Well worth riding.
Also consider taking the ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island and staying there a night or two.
Yep, rode the Mountaineer. Absolutely worth the money especially riding the dome car.
We traveled from Toronto. To Vancouver on VIA train#1. Great trip, look for discounts, paid 50% off with their promotion in June. Get a room, the poor people sleeping in their seats and little sleeper couches with a curtain between them and the aisle did not look like fun. After four days some forward coaches looked like refugee camps.
A martini before dinner in the Park car was a treat, you could get used to living on this train! We traveled in the Park car,which is a dome, sleeper, observation and had an attendant for the three or four rooms.
Fred
The Canadian is a great trip. I go once a year. Dome cars all year. Train is longer in the summer, shorter in the winter.
Winter offers the best price and the best view, as the leaves are off the trees and you can see far. the days are shorter, but the view is great.
trip from Vancouver/Toronto or Toronto/Vancouver takes about 4 days. Check VIA for the scheduled times. From Toronto you can take an Amtrak day trip to New York City, where you can connect for a return trip with many routes.
there is also dome cars on the Skeena (Jasper to Prince Rupert on the coast), and Montreal to East Coast in the summer (no dome in the winter).
Good advice to sign up for special fare notices, as the prices can very and it is hard to randomly check the VIA web site and get the best rates.
You will love the trip, as these are the original Budd cars, which have been refurbished on the inside a number of times. the outsides are original and may never wear out.
this is a 5 star hotel on wheels. great service, but not cheap.
Enjoy your trip: Joe K
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