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I am finally going to do what ive always wanted to do--take VIA's Canadian. I am booked in coach class from Toronto to Vancouver, leaving Toronto on May 24th.
I am lucky to scrap up the funds to get a coach seat. I can handle it, ive done 3 days in coach on Amtrak. Besides, i plan on spending most of my time in the dome car!
Can anyone tell me what i can expect? when i booked my ticket the website asked if i wanted a window or aisle seat. i checked window. Is it guaranteed ill get a window seat? is there assisgned seating the whole trip?
from what i understand, i will not have access to the dining cars, only the skyline cafe car. Looks to me like the skyline cafe has set meals, so maybe its the equivalent of an amtrak diner?
also, will i be confined to the coach section of the train or will i be able to walk from car to car?
Im looking forward to the trip. ill post a trip report when i return.
notelvis Member # 3071
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My one 'Canadian' experience suggests that you will be restricted to the first three cars of the train.....two coaches and the Skyline Dome Car where lighter meals are offered.
That's not for certain though. My wife and I were in the next to last (penultimate) sleeper with only the Park Car dome behind us. It was an April trip and there were about 8 other sleepers, a diner, two skyline domes, and the two coaches on our train. I didn't encounter any coach passengers at all on our trip from Vancouver to Winnipeg but then on the train I never went further forward than the middle dome car which was being used for additional first class lounge space.
Oh....and while awake I spent most of my time in the dome. That's the whole point of riding the 'Canadian'.....having an experience that Amtrak no longer offers.
royaltrain Member # 622
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I believe that Via reserves a particular coach seat on the Canadian, which is the exception to the usual rule where assigned seats only exist in Via 1 class.
As for having access to the entire train, coach passengers are not allowed in the Silver and Blue (first class) section of the train. Depending on the passenger load, it may be possible to take dinner in the diner, but usually coach passengers will have to eat in the skyline car. Ask your train attendant if the diner is open to coach, as well you may want to try to upgrade to a sleeper, even one night in a sleeper would be worth the extra money (meals are included in your sleeper fare).
You may want to go to Viarail.ca and check the menu link for meals on The Canadian. It will show both coach (or "Comfort" in Via speak) and Silver and Blue meals.
MontanaJim Member # 2323
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Thanks for the info guys. I will spend most of my time in the dome so it will be fun. Its one of the main reasons im taking this train. Ill write a short trip report when i get back.
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