posted
I'm thinking about taking the train around Canada in December of this year, and was wondering about the VIA rail system. I would really appriciate any info on the trains. One thing I really would like to know is, can you upgrade to a sleeping car on the train. Thanks very much. Benaylynn
Posts: 1 | From: fremont | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I last rode the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver in May of '99. It was a spectacular trip & like yourself I am planning soon to travel again, possibly next winter. Winter is my favorite season to travel by train & the Canadian Rockies are spectacular that time of the year. The train is also less crowded & the fares are much cheaper. I would suggest booking a lower berth for 1 or if 2 are traveling book an upper & a lower. The price to upgrade to a sleeper is very economical & many benefits including meals are provided. Many times the uppers are not sold out & you may have a whole section to yourself. I would not recommend a roomette as they are very cramped & at about 40% less the berths are a great deal. Yours Reggie
posted
Might I suggest the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway on Vancouver Island. They have a passegner run, operated in partnership with VIA Rail(VIA Rail provides the equipment, scheduling, and ticket sales. The E&N provides crews and Point Hope Shipyards provides maintenance). But the views are spectacular, the E&N crews are very friendly, the RDC's are comfortable, and food is provided by catering trucks in Nanaimo and Courtenay.
Posts: 26 | From: Sooke, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Whatever you do if you do mange to make it out west on the Canadian and you can afford it, even just for the portion between Edmonton and Vancouver, upgrade to the sleepers or single bedroom "roomette in the old days" so you experience the "Park" cars on the tail-end with their own vista-dome and lounge. That's always the hilite for me. Winter is the best time because this train can be jam packed and accommodations booked a year in advance, leaving coach seats all thats available if any. This is train travel at its best, still affordable and reminiscent of the streamliners glory days.
Posts: 13 | From: calgary | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was recently told by a Service Manager that Via has abolished the on-board sleeping car upgrade fare. Apparently there were too many people booking coach with the hope of getting a deal once underway. Although there was rarely any space available on the Canadian, the other trains sometimes had good deals. On a recent trip between Toronto and Montreal I met a chap who had to pay $200 to upgrade on board from a roomette to a double bedroom. Obviously the good deals are history.
Posts: 216 | From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
