posted
I played around on Via Rail and Amtrak this morning since a friend is moving to Nanaimo, which places her nearest to Victoria BC.
Using the Via Rail site, which includes NYC in its calculations, it says outright to go to Amtrak. They don't want to suggest a trip by Maple Leaf and the rest cross country through Canada.
Using Amtrak, they ONLY suggest the Lateshore Limited (I won't take that again) to the Empire Builder, then a bus to Victoria. No trains up on the west?
I see if I want to pursue this next year, I'm going to have to plan this all myself.
Is there an advantage to using a North America Pass and booking roomettes instead of plotting in this manner?
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Looks like they are suggesting routes that wouldn't involve spending the night off the train.
For instance, a routing using the Maple Leaf and then VIA's 'Canadian' would involve spending the night in Toronto. The all 'US' option would involve spending a night in Seattle in order to catch the only Vancouver bound Amtrak train at 7:30 the next morning. (I would HIGHLY recommend the Seattle-Vancouver Cascade train by-the-way!!!!)
The North America Railpass would be great if you're thinking of taking the train both directions. You could break the trip up en route and sample both the 'Canadian' and 'Empire Builder'. You would certainly have to reserve sleeping car space separately (and at additional cost)and I'm not sure that you would be able to get rooms for the segments where you most want them. It is certainly worth looking into and perhaps someone who has used the pass before will be able to tell you more.
If you are taking rail one way only, use the 'Canadian'. You will not regret it.
If you are going by rail roundtrip, you could go out via DC and the 'Capitol' (to avoid the 'Late Shure') and thence 'Empire Builder' and 'Cascade' to Vancouver. Return using the 'Canadian'. Once you have experienced this train, Amtrak's best effort pales.
Finally.........look into Pacific Coach Lines. This company operates buses from Vancouver to Victoria and Nanaimo via the BC Ferries. My wife and I used PCL Vancouver to Victoria in April 2004 and it was like a minature cruise.....well, the ferry part was. PCL buses arrive and depart from the same Vancouver station that Amtrak and VIA use.
Happy travels and let us know how it was when you return.
Thanks.
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
Why is the canadian rated so much better than any amtrak train, particularily the California Zephyr?
I always travel coach (cant afford the outrageous sleeper fares since i am a single passenger). The Canadian, i have noticed, is more expensive than any amtrak train. Is everything on the Canadian simply better? Ie, service, equipment, scenery, etc?
What are the coach cars on the Canadian like? Are they anything similar to the heritage cars Amtrak used to use?
The Dome definitely intrigues me. But since ive heard that the average 150 coach passengers on the canadian have to fight over the 24 seats in the coach dorm, its appeal declines.
I havent taken the zephyr either, but plan to in December. Ive been on every other major Amtrak train route except the Lake Shore Limited.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by MontanaJim: Why is the canadian rated so much better than any amtrak train, particularily the California Zephyr?
I always travel coach (cant afford the outrageous sleeper fares since i am a single passenger). The Canadian, i have noticed, is more expensive than any amtrak train. Is everything on the Canadian simply better? Ie, service, equipment, scenery, etc?
What are the coach cars on the Canadian like? Are they anything similar to the heritage cars Amtrak used to use?
The Dome definitely intrigues me. But since ive heard that the average 150 coach passengers on the canadian have to fight over the 24 seats in the coach dorm, its appeal declines.
I havent taken the zephyr either, but plan to in December. Ive been on every other major Amtrak train route except the Lake Shore Limited.
Good questions MJ - The heritage dome cars offer a superior view to anything Amtrak is operating, timekeeping is generally much better, but it's primarily a level of service that eludes Amtrak.....at least on a consistant basis.
To travel first class on the 'Canadian' is very much like being on a land-cruise. There are evening snacks and morning muffins plus complimentary beverages always available in the Park Car.....the rear observation car. The dining car servers are more numerous than on Amtrak trains and they usually manage to be pleasant and welcoming. Amtrak dining car staffs seem undermanned (personned?)and range from harried and indifferent to downright rude. Also impressive is that no two meals on the three night 'Canadian' trip offer the same menu. There is always a new surprise.....it's just.....nice.
And Jim, while it is still pricey VIA does offer 'upper' and 'lower' berth sleeping accomodations as well as the traditional roomette all aimed at the single traveller. The 'lower' berth might be something to look into. It's relatively economical yet you still have the window at night.
sojourner Member # 3134
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EDITED--Sorry--I am moving this to a new strand
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
thanks for the info, notelvis. I was wondering, if i take this train, should i make sure to take it in the summer to get as much daylight as possible? Or does the train go through the most scenic parts during daylight at all times of the year? should one go eastbound or westbound?
I might shorten the trip to vancouver-winnipeg to save costs (if i decide to do it).
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
Sorry to belabor the issue, but a couple more questions:
are there any station stops along the way that are interesting and allows one to explore the station, get a breath of fresh air, etc? is the dome car open 24hrs? I like travelling trains without taking a layover, but love the refueling stops Amtrak provides...
D. David Member # 4055
posted
Thanks for all the insight.
I thought round trip: out west by Amtrak - up, then east through VIA and back home on the Maple Leaf. I think that would be great.
I'll look into all this and see what I come up with. There are two train trips I want to do in 2006 and this is definitely one of them.
How are the roomettes and accommodations on the VIA's btw?
royaltrain Member # 622
posted
I live in Canada and take The Canadian at least once a year across the country. I also buy a North America Rail Pass which is quite good value especially since it is tax-exempt in Canada. If you want to save money riding The Canadian you should consider travelling outside the high summer season. At the present time (fall/winter) the fares are about 40% less than the summer. Although you don't care for the Lake Shore Ltd., I would take that train over the quite awful Maple Leaf. This train has no first-class facilities and no dining car for the 12 hours or more from NYP to Toronto. I would advise going west on the Empire Builder to Seattle, thence the Cascade train to Vancouver where on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday you can connect with The Canadian to Toronto. As others have mentioned, this train is far superior to anything Amtrak runs, and during the off season not all that expensive for a roomette or berth. Remember your meals are included and you will be paying in cheaper Canadian dollars. I would strongly advise against even thinking of travelling by coach--three days and night in coach class is too horrible to contemplate.
As for going to Nanaimo, I believe a ferry still runs from Vancouver to Nanaimo (although I'm not sure of this). As well the Via RDC from Victoria runs daily to Nanaimo (although notorious for breaking down and being substituted by a bus).
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
Posting from
Thanks for all the info guys. Youve pretty much sold me on taking the canadian sometime, but probably not this year. This year ill probably just do the empire builder and california zephyr on my christmas trip home to Montana.
I would think one more advantage of a dorm is you can sit straight and look out on both sides at almost the same time. In the sightseer lounge, unless you stand, you have to sit on one side and cant see as well out the windows on the other side of the car.
Scenery wise, is the canadian better than the zephyr?
I also read on wikipedia that todays canadian runs a different route than the original, and that the originals route was better (search the canadian on wikipedia to read it).
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Hi Montana Jim,
Winter travel, as has been mentioned, is so much more affordable on the 'Canadian' that it is worth looking into. I'm inclined to suggest an eastbound trip if going in the winter. The scenery is great but I would say the Amtrak's 'California Zephyr' is much better.
The big attraction with the 'Canadian', aside from superior service, are the true dome cars which are available 24 hours a day. Today's 'Canadian' is the only replication of the original 'California Zephyr' 50 years ago.
And yes....the original 'Canadian' operated on the Canadian Pacific through Calgary. Today's 'Canadian' is on the Canadian National route through Edmonton and Jasper.
posted