VIA Winter service in Western Canada

[user 6862]

With luck we'll be in Vancouver around mid February next year, does the weather allow for trains to run regularly at that time?

Looking to spend a couple of days going somewhere and back by train from the city, any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[danasgoodstuff]

Any weather problems would not likely be in Vancouver but somewhere else in the vast expanse of Canada covered by the transcontinental Canadian. It can easily be 40 below on the prairies that time of year and nothing runs right at that temperature. If you're talking about coming to Vancouver from the south on the cascades, weather issues are unlikely but not impossible, the last bit in the States around Bellingham can get snowy and flooding is a potential issue in various places on the route in the winter. But I took the train in and out of Vancouver many times in November, December, and January over the years and you should probably be fine as long as you're not expecting it to necessarily be right on time which is honestly an issue year-round in both countries.

 

[fdaley]

Jasper is a great town in the Rockies, one night each way from Vancouver. But the Canadian only runs twice a week each way, so the timing is tricky.

If you left Vancouver on a Monday afternoon, you could arrive in Jasper about noontime on Tuesday, then return leaving Jasper either Wednesday morning or Saturday morning. If you left Vancouver on the Friday afternoon departure, you'd arrive in Jasper about noontime on Saturday, but you'd already have missed the Saturday westbound, so you'd have to stay until Wednesday.

In terms of weather-related delays at that season, the westbound is far more likely than the eastbound to be seriously late. On our last westbound trip, in February 2019, the train arrived in Vancouver 23 hours late, and it had been as much as 30 hours late around Edmonton. However, VIA has added a lot of padding to the schedule since then, and they seem to be having fewer cases of extreme tardiness.

 

[Trogdor]

If you take the Canadian on a short trip, just be prepared for the OTP to be absolutely horrid. When I took the Canadian a couple years ago, we met the westbound in Jasper which was running 19 hours late. This means being prepared not only for a few extra hours, but possibly an extra overnight at your turnaround point. But you won’t know in advance whether you’ll need it or not.

 

[pennyk]

MODERATOR NOTE: several posts were removed as off topic inasmuch as the posts did not discuss travelling on VIA in February to/from Vancouver.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and participation.

 

[Brian Battuello]

VIA is fine in February for a long distance trip, but as mentioned I wouldn't plan it as part of any short term sightseeing. There is so much to do in the Vancouver area, I'd just stick around there. Do a full Canadian run sometime when you have a huge amount of flexibility.

 

[user 6862]

VIA is fine in February for a long distance trip, but as mentioned I wouldn't plan it as part of any short term sightseeing. There is so much to do in the Vancouver area, I'd just stick around there. Do a full Canadian run sometime when you have a huge amount of flexibility.

Thank you Brian. Your ideas look like the way to approach visiting Vancouver especially as VIA run infrequently (in winter?).

 

[jis]

Thank you Brian. Your ideas look like the way to approach visiting Vancouver especially as VIA run infrequently (in winter?).

VIA runs infrequent service to Vancouver BC year round, not just in the winter, only slightly more frequent in the summer than in the winter, but that means just one more day per week of operation in each direction. It is Amtrak that runs regular daily service to Vancouver Pacific Central Station. Not VIA.

 

[user 6862]

VIA runs infrequent service to Vancouver BC year round, not just in the winter, only slightly more frequent in the summer than in the winter, but that means just one more day per week of operation in each direction. It is Amtrak that runs regular daily service to Vancouver Pacific Central Station. Not VIA.

Right, got that now. Thanks jis

 

[zephyr17]

Thank you Brian. Your ideas look like the way to approach visiting Vancouver especially as VIA run infrequently (in winter?).

It's twice weekly year round now. They cut back the summer third frequency to Vancouver-Edmonton, not the full run, in 2019. They didn't resume it at all post-COVID.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Okay, my turn to ask a VIA rail in February question. In 2008 and again in 2010 I took two very successful trips on the Canadian the entire length from Toronto to Vancouver. At that time (admittedly in a recession) they had really good fares, usually around 1/2 price, on a special Sleeper Plus fare board. Not on all days or all types, but enough to get a decent room. Now my spouse wants to do the trip in February, and the latest version of the sale page doesn't list any arrivals or departures out of Vancouver. Does anyone have any recent experience with midwinter pricing over the entire route? Would be much appreciated. Also just for laughs, do they ever discount the Prestige class? 10 years ago the Prestige car was completely unoccupied in February, so there were no restrictions of any kind. Guess that's not going to be true today.

 

[Rasputin]

My understanding is that Prestige Class is never, ever discounted.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Yup. Over $11,000 CAD for two one way. I can buy a heck of a lot of liquor and take it in my room at that rate. FWIW, Bedrooms for two are around $4K and Berths for 2 are around $2.5K.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Okay, my turn to ask a VIA rail in February question. In 2008 and again in 2010 I took two very successful trips on the Canadian the entire length from Toronto to Vancouver. At that time (admittedly in a recession) they had really good fares, usually around 1/2 price, on a special Sleeper Plus fare board. Not on all days or all types, but enough to get a decent room. Now my spouse wants to do the trip in February, and the latest version of the sale page doesn't list any arrivals or departures out of Vancouver. Does anyone have any recent experience with midwinter pricing over the entire route? Would be much appreciated. Also just for laughs, do they ever discount the Prestige class? 10 years ago the Prestige car was completely unoccupied in February, so there were no restrictions of any kind. Guess that's not going to be true today. 80s

Remember, Ontario charges the Provincial Goods and Services Tax that BC doesn't, so Fares are Higher going West.

The Discount Fares aren't refundable, so if you book one of the "Deals" that shows up on some Trains, be sure that you can actually make the trip.( I'm not current on VIAs Policy regarding Change Fees etc since I haven't ridden the Canadian since Feb of 2019)

Lots of times "Flash Sales" show up on Discounted Fares, but usually with Short notice.

 

[zephyr17]

Okay, my turn to ask a VIA rail in February question. In 2008 and again in 2010 I took two very successful trips on the Canadian the entire length from Toronto to Vancouver. At that time (admittedly in a recession) they had really good fares, usually around 1/2 price, on a special Sleeper Plus fare board. Not on all days or all types, but enough to get a decent room. Now my spouse wants to do the trip in February, and the latest version of the sale page doesn't list any arrivals or departures out of Vancouver. Does anyone have any recent experience with midwinter pricing over the entire route? Would be much appreciated. Also just for laughs, do they ever discount the Prestige class? 10 years ago the Prestige car was completely unoccupied in February, so there were no restrictions of any kind. Guess that's not going to be true today.

1. Prestige is never discounted. They can and will run empty rather than sell space at a discount.
2. The Sleeper Plus sale page is a "distressed inventory" sale. It is only offered between specific points in specific accommodations that haven't sold as expected in the normal "discount" fare class. You cannot make plans based on the assumption that something will turn up on the Sleeper Plus sale page. It rewards (relatively) last minute flexibility to take advantage if a desired trip shows up on it.
3. VIA's off season (winter) fares are about 30% less than high season in both the normal discount and full fare classes.

Note that VIA does not really do yield management, other than offering distressed inventory on the Sleeper Plus sale page and limiting the number of each accommodation offered in the discount fare class. Fares do not vary.

Look at your dates, see what the "discount" fare is, if offered for your desired accommodation. If not offered, look at other dates or consider full fare. VIA pricing is simple and straightforward, you don't have to play the games to get a good fare that you have to with Amtrak.

 

[fdaley]

In recent years VIA has had an annual "Black Friday sale" for several days on either side of U.S. Thanksgiving Day. This year, they offered 25 percent off Sleeper Plus class on the Canadian for departures through mid-April. But you had to buy by Nov. 29. We were looking into a February trip but ultimately decided against it. If I am remembering correctly, two in a bedroom Vancouver-Toronto worked out to less than $3K US at the sale price, and I think two lower berths and an upper worked out to about $2K.

Last I knew, VIA allowed stopovers, so in past years we were able to pay the through fare from Vancouver to Toronto or vice versa and stop in the Rockies at Jasper for a few days. Of course, there are only two departures per week, so one has to lay over at least three days. And if you're traveling at the sale price and stopping over somewhere, the discounted space has to available on both trains. Still, it's a nice contrast to Amtrak, where breaking a cross-country sleeper trip at Glenwood Springs, for example, adds significantly to the overall cost.

 

[Seaboard92]

I mean I think a ride on VIA is definitely worth doing. Last June I flew to Vancouver and then flew up to Prince Rupert to take that train to Jasper, before taking a bus tour to Calgary. To keep this on topic might I suggest taking the Canadian to Jasper and taking the bus I took to Banff and Calgary. Then you could always fly back to Vancouver, or elsewhere. When are you going I can make myself available for a day or two.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Thanks again for the VIA feedback. I just rechecked and they are opening up Cabin for Two's in January on the super-discount page at $1100 CAD per person, which is a nice savings from the Cabin for Two-Discount fare of $2000 on the main webpage.

That's about double what I paid in 2008, but that was then 14 years ago and in a recession. Now I just have to get my spouse to commit. I wonder if the train will be so empty that they will take away the "Prestige Only" sign on the railfan dome seats...

 

[zephyr17]

. I wonder if the train will be so empty that they will take away the "Prestige Only" sign on the railfan dome seats...

If there are any Prestige passengers at all, at the very least the first row will be reserved for Prestige.

On my recent trip in early November, the Prestige passengers were not making that much use of the Park's dome. The staff knocked down the Prestige rows from 3 to 2 once that became apparent.

 

[user 5784]

sleeper passengers can use the economy dome in front of train as well, correct? im thinking of booking a ride in a few weeks, traveling sleeper class, but not prestige, and like sitting in front row of dome so can look out above the top of the train. hoping i can at least use any seats avail in first row in the economy dome. if anyone knows if ill be able to do that id appreciate you letting me know. thanks.

PS also if nobody in the dome, say like 3 am or something, will staff mind if non prestige passengers sit in the front row of the sleeper domes?

 

[joelkfla]

sleeper passengers can use the economy dome in front of train as well, correct? im thinking of booking a ride in a few weeks, traveling sleeper class, but not prestige, and like sitting in front row of dome so can look out above the top of the train. hoping i can at least use any seats avail in first row in the economy dome. if anyone knows if ill be able to do that id appreciate you letting me know. thanks.

It was that way when I rode a few years ago; in fact, our Artist On Board did some shows in the Park Car just for sleeper passengers, and some in the Economy dome that were open to everyone.

But just this week I watched a YouTube of a trip on the Canadian. When the protagonist tried to get to the cafe car, he came upon a sign on the door of the last coach car:
There used to be a sign saying "Sleeper Plus passengers only" when heading the other way, but not heading into Economy. I don't think he actually tried the door to see if it was locked.

 

[user 5784]

wow, thanks for posting that video, so apparently sleeper passengers cant access the economy dome or anywhere past that sign .

 

[zephyr17]

sleeper passengers can use the economy dome in front of train as well, correct? im thinking of booking a ride in a few weeks, traveling sleeper class, but not prestige, and like sitting in front row of dome so can look out above the top of the train. hoping i can at least use any seats avail in first row in the economy dome. if anyone knows if ill be able to do that id appreciate you letting me know. thanks.

PS also if nobody in the dome, say like 3 am or something, will staff mind if non prestige passengers sit in the front row of the sleeper domes?

I do not think you'd be welcome in the economy dome, sign or no sign. I know when the SM escorted me up to baggage car once, I definitely got thr stink eye passing through economy. BTW, they tend to leave the overhead lights on in the economy dome 24/7.

Sleeper Plus had its own Skyline dome between the last sleeper and the diner anyway. You can sit in front of that one all you like. Note the front row are tables in Skylines. During the off season, it likely won't be staffed. The only bar service is in the Park during most of the off season.

During the off season, I've never had anyone bother me or anyone else in the Prestige rows of the Park dome at night. Few people use it at night, although it is my favorite time for dome rides and frequently I've been the sole occupant of the dome. I've even had the attendant bring up drinks I ordered sitting in a Prestige row and he didn't say a word (and he knew I was Sleeper Plus). I do absolutely respect the Prestige row restrictions during the day, though.

At 3 am, pretty much no one will be on duty in the middle of the night except the Assistant Service Manager. The attendant will go off duty between 10:30 and 11:00. You are still permitted to roam the train 24 hours a day. Most of my night Park dome rides have been like 8:00-11:00.

 

[user 5784]

thank you for the thorough info/reply. When i last rode the Canadian about 10 years ago, i rode economy and i recall sleeper passengers coming into the economy dome to sit as they said it had a better view (behind the engines). Since then id heard maybe sleeper passengers not allowed in the economy dome but than others ive talked to said they havent heard of such a thing. Your comment plus "camping with steve"'s video confirms though that at least sometimes sleeper passengers arent allowed in economy. Im guess they want to make sure theres enough seats in the economy dome for economy passengers? I know on Amtrak sleeper passengers can walk through the whole train.

Its not a huge deal as long as it sounds like there should be two domes i can access (a skyline dome for sleeper passengers plus the park car) and sounds like the skyline dome for sleeper passengers is first come first served. Im thinking of riding in February, maybe the train will be slow then anyway?

On another topic, when eating in the diner, do they seat you with others at the same table like Amtrak does or does each group (im solo) have their own table?

 

[zephyr17]

thank you for the thorough info/reply. When i last rode the Canadian about 10 years ago, i rode economy and i recall sleeper passengers coming into the economy dome to sit as they said it had a better view (behind the engines). Since then id heard maybe sleeper passengers not allowed in the economy dome but than others ive talked to said they havent heard of such a thing. Your comment plus "camping with steve"'s video confirms though that at least sometimes sleeper passengers arent allowed in economy. Im guess they want to make sure theres enough seats in the economy dome for economy passengers? I know on Amtrak sleeper passengers can walk through the whole train.

Its not a huge deal as long as it sounds like there should be two domes i can access (a skyline dome for sleeper passengers plus the park car) and sounds like the skyline dome for sleeper passengers is first come first served. Im thinking of riding in February, maybe the train will be slow then anyway?

On another topic, when eating in the diner, do they seat you with others at the same table like Amtrak does or does each group (im solo) have their own table?

VIA practices community seating in the diner and dome seats are first come, first serve, except the Prestige rows in the Park. I have never had an issue getting a dome seat and they've seldom been full on my November trips.