I’m very tempted to take the Canadian one way this summer (in a roomette by myself). Is one way “better” than the other?
VIA Rail Canadian and the Canadians 2025
- Thread starter pennyk
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I'm pretty sure westbound is typically slated to be better. I hope so, because I'm booked on #1 for the first time in June!
Westbound costs a couple hundred dollars extra because of Ontario sales tax.
I remember hearing about that on a YouTube video about the Canadian.
Like most of the western Amtrak routes, there are arguments regarding scenery that can justify either. The tax issue explained above is hard to ignore and some consideration of departure and arrival times factors into personal preference. IIRC there are also some "compromises" in meal service eastbound if the train is on or ahead of schedule - e.g. a couple of brunches instead of separate breakfast and lunch. Then there's availability in a desired fare bracket in one direction vs. the other. A lot to think about.
xzperu42
Service Attendant
This is especially true in the Winter when the daylight hours are already short.I like going west, because you get three 25 hour days, versus three 23 hour days.
Also, you’re saving the best scenery for the end of your trip.
crescent-zephyr
Engineer
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With VIA scheduling and time-keeping it's really hard to say but in my personal experience Eastbound was 10 times better for the scenery.
You can also consider spending a day or two in Edmonton or Winnipeg and catching the westbound train back to Vancouver.
You can also consider spending a day or two in Edmonton or Winnipeg and catching the westbound train back to Vancouver.
Personally I like eastbound better. There are two main reasons. If the train is on time, westbound you miss the spectacular views of the Rockies for the hour east of Jasper. They're in pre-dawn darkness. The other is the morning arrival in Vancouver. If the train is remotely close to on time at Kamloops, it can arrive in Vancouver as early as 4:00/4:30 am (wyeing the train on arrival usually wakes me up). You can occupy the room until 8 am, and they do a full breakfast service, though. I find it weird to be eating in the diner sitting in the station. I prefer the early/mid afternoon arrival in Toronto.
Thanks for all the good advice. It seems like an even split between east and west, but I didn’t know about the Ontario tax. That would at least be a tie-breaker. I can’t over think this (as I am wont to do) because June is a busy month and I need to make a decision.
crescent-zephyr
Engineer
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I'm not sure if everyone replying knows the current schedule - there is a lot of padding built into the schedule so the train often arrives very early into Vancouver - which means you won't see any of the scenery west of Kamloops if you are traveling west bound - and that is some of the best and most spectacular scenery on the route through the Fraser River Valley.
Eastbound in the summer, even with some delays you are going to see plenty of scenery before sunset and then you wake up around Blue River and have great views south of Jasper National Park. Even if you leave Jasper a little late, you'll still have good daylight to see the spectacular Mountain views from the train - probably get to Edmonton around dusk.
Again, I've ridden both and would highly recommend eastbound.
Eastbound in the summer, even with some delays you are going to see plenty of scenery before sunset and then you wake up around Blue River and have great views south of Jasper National Park. Even if you leave Jasper a little late, you'll still have good daylight to see the spectacular Mountain views from the train - probably get to Edmonton around dusk.
Again, I've ridden both and would highly recommend eastbound.
xzperu42
Service Attendant
Another thought on $… if you have narrowed things down to a couple of choices in either or both directions… check hotel prices on your dates at both ends. Both Toronto and Vancouver can have wildly varying prices that could favor one of your alternatives.
Marbleski
Train Attendant
I took the trip eastbound each of the last three years. I was booked on the Jan 8 westbound train but had to cancel due to a medical emergency in the family. I was looking forward to a winter trip, change in direction and 25 hour days.
The only issue with the eastbound trip was the 23 hour days. It seemed like we were always eating lol. The long days in June are a bonus. My trips were May, late Oct and Nov 1. I must say the extra daylight in May was much better.
I highly recommend the trip. I don’t think you can go wrong either way. If you wish I can share my YouTube page. In one of my videos I put together 73 tips and suggestions that might be of some help to get the most out of your trip.
The only issue with the eastbound trip was the 23 hour days. It seemed like we were always eating lol. The long days in June are a bonus. My trips were May, late Oct and Nov 1. I must say the extra daylight in May was much better.
I highly recommend the trip. I don’t think you can go wrong either way. If you wish I can share my YouTube page. In one of my videos I put together 73 tips and suggestions that might be of some help to get the most out of your trip.
I’d love it! Thanks!!
Marbleski
Train Attendant
I am not sure how to share my channel link but do a search in YouTube for …
adventureswithtodd
Once you open my channel go to the tab “playlist” and scroll down and you will see “Via Rail Train Trips”. There are a number of long and short videos in there.
Hope you can find it.
Marbleski
Train Attendant
Thanks Railiner much appreciated. I posted a video link previously on this site but not a channel link. I just looked at my YouTube Studio Account and all I see is my Handle Name @adventureswithtodd but is does not copy as a link.
Here is the link I get when I go to my video and hit copy link and paste link here. This is my tips video link. Right now as I type this it shows the https: link but not the video thumbnail. Maybe once I hit post reply the link will turn into a thumbnail picture link….
Edit - once I posted reply my HTTPS link did turn into the thumbnail photo link.
Here is the link I get when I go to my video and hit copy link and paste link here. This is my tips video link. Right now as I type this it shows the https: link but not the video thumbnail. Maybe once I hit post reply the link will turn into a thumbnail picture link….
Edit - once I posted reply my HTTPS link did turn into the thumbnail photo link.
Excellent primer for my upcoming trip. Thank you.
I had no trouble finding your site. Thanks again.
(Incidentally, I can’t book the trip until I get the limit on my credit card raised, which has been approved but don’t have the card yet.
Soon, I hope while there is availability.)
(Incidentally, I can’t book the trip until I get the limit on my credit card raised, which has been approved but don’t have the card yet.
Soon, I hope while there is availability.)- Joined
- Jan 17, 2019
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There has been a recent policy change on the Canadian regarding Park car access.
During the peak season, access to the Park car dome will be exclusively for Prestige class passengers at ALL times. Sleeper Plus passengers will have access to the lower level of the Park car between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. but at no time will they be allowed in the Park car dome.
During the peak season, access to the Park car dome will be exclusively for Prestige class passengers at ALL times. Sleeper Plus passengers will have access to the lower level of the Park car between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. but at no time will they be allowed in the Park car dome.
Marbleski
Train Attendant
Not good. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know how many prestige passengers there are but it sounds like there could be a lot of empty seats. A waste of an asset.
Maybe they're having trouble selling Pestige class rooms, and they think that having exclusive dome access might help. Of course, maybe they could also lower the prices for Pestige Class. They're ridiculously high for what you get, even with with the exclusive daytime access to the Park car.
Booked out, there are a max of 26 Prestige passengers (2 Prestige Chateaus with 6 2 person Cabins, plus 1 Prestige cabin the Park).
There are 24 dome seats total.
In my experience, Prestige is very popular and is usually booked out, at least in the off season (max of 14 Prestige passengers).
Per several posts on the VIA Canadian Facebook group, it seems like Prestige is already sold out this summer on many dates.
Whatever issues Prestige may have, selling its inventory does not appear to be one of them.
IMHO, the move barring Sleeper Plus from the 24 seat Park dome when they have up to 26 Prestige passengers is a move to improve the experience on what is obviously a luxury product. It pretty much guarantees a Prestige passenger can get a seat in the Park dome whenever they want one.
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One has to wonder how long it will be before the rear diner is "exclusive" for Prestige passengers. This harks back to the 1980's when Toronto-originating passengers were relegated to the ex-CN blue diner while those from Montreal used the deluxe CP diner still in use today. Only once on a Canadian trip in the early 80's were we permitted in the CP diner and that was due to something not working in ours. It was like two different worlds, although the food was the same.
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