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.
