Adirondack From Montreal

[Oreius]

OK, Now that I have figured out how to get TO Montreal, I need to figure out the procedure for coming home. I will be leaving on June 18 from Gare Centrale. Does Amtrak have it's own gate and customer service there? Or do we have to ask VIA for assistance?

 

[A.J.]

I have done it and it's super easy. The station has very clear signage. I can't remember exact details, but I've done it a few times without any problems in finding the gate, etc.

 

[Tracktwentynine]

I just did this three weeks ago.

I did not need any special assistance. I just went into Gare Centrale and looked at the ginormous departures board, and then stood at that gate. About 25 minutes before departure, some Via Rail Canada personnel came over and encouraged us to arrange ourselves in a linear formation and handed out customs forms.

Step 1: Look at the board and find your train:



Step 2: Find the appropriate "gate"



Step 3: Be ready for the border



Step 4: Enjoy the scenery

 

[jb64]

I just did this three weeks ago.

I did not need any special assistance. I just went into Gare Centrale and looked at the ginormous departures board,

I always wondered how you spell ginormous! :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

I always wondered how you spell ginormous! :lol:

How do you spell it?

And is that the French or English spelling?

 

[AlanB]

As I recall, Amtrak had a couple of ticket windows in Montreal. I think that they were actually wearing Amtrak uniforms, but they might have been in VIA Rail uniforms. Not totally certain on that point.

You will however have to use a VIA Rail redcap if you want help with the luggage and help for the person with mobility issues getting to the train.

I will note, although I do admit that I've not had extensive experience with VIA's Redcaps, that the two that I have dealt with were quite happy to tell me that I wasn't tipping them enough for their services. I've never had an Amtrak Redcap do that, even though I'm sure that there have probably been times where I should have tipped them more for what they did. But on my one experience with the Adirondack, I handed over 2 bags and pulled out $5 and he looked at me and told me that wasn't adequate.

Finally, be warned that the line for this train starts growing easily 1 hour before departure and it can get quite long. Also of note, they generally park this train on a track that does not have an escalator going down to the platform, so one must go down a bunch of stairs.

 

[pennyk]

But on my one experience with the Adirondack, I handed over 2 bags and pulled out $5 and he looked at me and told me that wasn't adequate.

That seems more than adequate to me. Maybe it is you. I hear that Canadians have "issues" with you personally. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[AlanB]

I hear that Canadians have "issues" with you personally. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Only those who work at CBSA, which is to say the border patrol agents.

Otherwise I have many good friends in Canada, as well as a father-in-law.

 

[Jean]

Further to Alan's post re there usually being no escalator only stairs for this train, I found that to be the case when we took it a couple of years ago. However, we had a large group of folks on some sort of group travel and they had priority boarding and were taken down a set of escalators. When it came time for the rest of us to board, only the stairs were available. Despite previously forming into a civilised line to wait, there was nothing civilised about the stampede that ensued, it was the survival of the fittest! Unless you are extremely fit, strong, speedy and have minimal luggage I suggest a Redcap. Not realising what was to come, I had not taken up this idea myself, but I had to laugh when Alan said $5 was not enough. $5 was all the $CAN I had left and it is still in my wallet today, as a momento. Would he have taken our two bags back up the stairs or taken $US I wonder. One little extra, if you do not already have a ticket, the Amtrak counter is clearly marked, you will need to go there as there is no Quik-Trak machine. I also suggest buying food/drink in the station before departure to take with you.

 

[OBS]

As I recall, Amtrak had a couple of ticket windows in Montreal. I think that they were actually wearing Amtrak uniforms, but they might have been in VIA Rail uniforms. Not totally certain on that point.

You will however have to use a VIA Rail redcap if you want help with the luggage and help for the person with mobility issues getting to the train.

I will note, although I do admit that I've not had extensive experience with VIA's Redcaps, that the two that I have dealt with were quite happy to tell me that I wasn't tipping them enough for their services. I've never had an Amtrak Redcap do that, even though I'm sure that there have probably been times where I should have tipped them more for what they did. But on my one experience with the Adirondack, I handed over 2 bags and pulled out $5 and he looked at me and told me that wasn't adequate.

Finally, be warned that the line for this train starts growing easily 1 hour before departure and it can get quite long. Also of note, they generally park this train on a track that does not have an escalator going down to the platform, so one must go down a bunch of stairs.

Very Interesting, 3-4 years ago in Montreal, I asked redcap to just drop off my bags into sleeper room ahead of time for me and he "told me the price" right upfront also...LOL