PA Traveler
Service Attendant
I watched the video. Wow! That definitely moved it up on our bucket list. It actually reminded me of the Alaskan RR. 
That's what I meant, thanks for correcting me Bill!A minor terminology point on a great response. Upper and lower berths are or were called sections. Not sectionals. That is a house furniture term, not a railroad term.
Wow! Thanks to your write-up I've just booked the CS and Cascades from LA to Vancouver, the Canadian to Toronto, the Maple Leaf to NYC, Acela to Boston and--ugh--air back to LA, for late March through early April. Got a room in the Park Car, the telephone clerk at Via Rail was helpful beyond belief, not that Amtrak clerks can't be, but also incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of the train. Followed his recommendations for location, etc. etc.Yes, it is expensive if you pay "full price", however off season there are deals,
as well as up to 75% off if you are flexible with your dates. This is what I did.
It was also a total rail trip for me with Amtrak connections to and from VAC and TWO.
Definitely worth doing!
Search the Trip Reports area. One of our members took that trip, in winter, some time ago and gave us a very detailed report.this thread had me thoroughly investigating the via rail website and I was amazed with what I saw! another route that looks incredible is from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba, also known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World". It's a two night trip and looks as though it would be absolutely amazing.![]()
Thanks!LA_Resident,
Very cool! I am envious.
On your VIA leg did you book a cabin or section?
Also, if you didn't do so, I would recommend business class on the Maple Leaf.
It's very nice and not much more cost than coach.
Have a great trip.
I have to ask which day in March will you be departing on the Canadian, im traveling on the Canadian in late March as well.Wow! Thanks to your write-up I've just booked the CS and Cascades from LA to Vancouver, the Canadian to Toronto, the Maple Leaf to NYC, Acela to Boston and--ugh--air back to LA, for late March through early April. Got a room in the Park Car, the telephone clerk at Via Rail was helpful beyond belief, not that Amtrak clerks can't be, but also incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of the train. Followed his recommendations for location, etc. etc.Yes, it is expensive if you pay "full price", however off season there are deals,
as well as up to 75% off if you are flexible with your dates. This is what I did.
It was also a total rail trip for me with Amtrak connections to and from VAC and TWO.
Definitely worth doing!
I can't wait: the CS and Canadian in one trip, can hardly ask for more (unless I had the time to return to the West on the CZ.
No, the BC car is on the train for the entire trip. The issue is that VIA Rail just doesn't sell tickets for it. You have to book the Leaf through Amtrak in order to get BC.Maple Leaf from Toronto to Niagra Falls, Ont. doesn't offer BS. I'm told you can upgrade on-board once Amtrak personnel take over after immigration/customs. I plan to do so, since it's a pretty long haul all the way to NY Penn. I guess the car must be added at Niagra Falls NY?
Well, if I can upgrade at Niagra Falls, great. If not, so be it. By booking the ticket Vancouver-New York with a stopover in Toronto, you avoid paying almost $200 in Canadian GST on the ticket as a non-Canadian so I'm not going to fuss over it any.No, the BC car is on the train for the entire trip. The issue is that VIA Rail just doesn't sell tickets for it. You have to book the Leaf through Amtrak in order to get BC.Maple Leaf from Toronto to Niagra Falls, Ont. doesn't offer BS. I'm told you can upgrade on-board once Amtrak personnel take over after immigration/customs. I plan to do so, since it's a pretty long haul all the way to NY Penn. I guess the car must be added at Niagra Falls NY?
On my trip last summer I rode BC out of Toronto because I booked through Amtrak. I wanted my AGR points!
With only 18 BC seats they're not losing all that much in revenue in the first place when they only charge $1 from the border to Toronto. But then at least in my experience, BC usually sells out anyhow within the states.On a point of logic, though, how many Canadians taking the train are going to book it through Amtrak instead of Via Rail? It seems the train is losing some potential BC passengers with the booking restrictions?
Yes. They offer 1) Economy, with three rates depending on how early you book (much like Amtrak's Buckets); 2) Upper Berth; 3) Lower Berth, which are similar to a Superliner roomette but without a wall. You pay for upper or lower, and during the day, the upper is turned up and the lower is the seat for both you and the person sharing the other berth. 4,5,6,7) 0ne, two, three, four person cabins. Each has its own unique configuration not really comparable to anything on Amtrak. Each of the four cabin types have a private toilet. 8) Suite. Think of the former American Orient Express. Up to $6130, and sold for portions of the trip, not the whole length from Toronto to Vancouver. IE: You must book from Toronto to Jasper then Jasper to Vancouver. Just like Amtrak, even the "cheap" sleeper accomodations include added benefits, ie: included meals, access to dome car, shower kit, priority boarding and special parking.Great thread.
I have looked at the VIA website and found it a bit difficult to get answers to some basic questions. Maybe I gave up too easily, but does nay one know simple answers to the following:
Are there different price ranges for different sleeping accommodations, i.e. roomettes versus full bedrooms? How about some kind of "dorm car" with bunks but not private rooms - a place to at least sleep more comfortably than in coach?
Though I have never been, I presume it is the same quality of comfort as Amtrak's coach. Three days would be quite long. A quick look at the fares, and I see economy ranging from $530 - $625 for super saver rates, 5/1 & 9/1. Empire Builder from Niagara Falls to Seattle for the same dates $215 for 5/1, $245 for 9/1. Maybe a 20% savings off season?How comfortable is coach for a three day trip? Are coach fares also a lot higher than Amtrak?
The point was made that it less expensive off season.
A true shame we lost the North American Rail Pass. Of course, I can see how lopsided it was... Now they have a VIA-only Supersaver Rail Pass. Between June and October, it's $969. October 16 through May, it's $606. Valid for 7 one way trips within 21 days. Upgrades to other classes of service are not permitted.Is there a rail pass available?
Difficult is relative. There are different prices for the same seat depending on when you book it and what the demand for that trip is. Just like Amtrak. Just like Southwest Airlines. Just like just about all forms of transit except a city bus or metro (heck, even the DC metro has a "bucket" system. It's just called peak and off peak fares).Is there a difficult "bucket pricing" system as on Amtrak?
There are Senior discounts only with the Canrailpass. It's about 5% during peak and 10% during off peak. Also, you can have one complimentary layover per trip. Other restrictions and rules apply.Can you book a LD trip and make some one or two day layover stops without booking separate tickets? Is there a senior discount?
Answers to these and any other implied questions greatly appreciated.
All this is available on the Viarail.ca website. From what I gathered, the Canrailpass is a great deal if you have the stamina to remain in coach for up to 21 days. You'll pay for food and lodging (for your showers!!) so keep that in mind. Berths about double your fare. A room for 2 bring it up an additional 50%. IE: For April 9th, economy discounted fare is around $1100 for 2, upper and lower berths are about $2150, and a cabin for 2 is nearly $3000. Compare that to FULL economy fare on July 2 for two: $1780, upper & lower berth: $3354 and a cabin for two at $4648.
Again, these rates are just for comparison, and they are subject to volatile market conditions like anything else. Look for the "SUPERsaver discounts" generally available in economy only for the best price.
How is baggage stowage in the berths, I will have backpack and camera pack with me. The last time I took the Canadian I had a travel partner and we had a double bedroom and I never took much notice of the berths.We have travelled on the Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper in the berths. Great for one night if travelling with friend/partner, but no doubt would be OK even if on your own and a stranger shared, and oviously better than coach for 3 nights. The "curtains" are heavy duty pleated vinyl. The beds were super spacious and comfortable. I would suggest to just wear comfy casual daywear for sleeping. Benefits were the large pair of two seater seats opposite each other that the berths turned into during the day, making a semi-private space, but allowing you to see out of both sides of the train. There were also two large bathrooms close by (for 6 people - 3 pairs of berths). Post #16 mentioned possibly no shower, however there is one, well set up, to be shared between the whole car, but I didn't see anyone else use it. It was near the berths. Have also travelled from Quebec City to Halifax and back to Montreal, another great trip. Unfortunately, although it travels along the St Laurence Seaway, this is at night, unless there are delays. We did have to ask the staff person to set up the sleeper in day mode as the beds were still down when we got back from breakfast. Several staff were chatting between themselves in an unused sleeper when we left for breakfast and were still there, leaving unmade beds when we got back, so they are not perfect! I have received recently several emails from Via offering fantastic deals during winter, as detailed by the post above. Thanks for your photos/videos, NS Via Fan, I would love to go to Gaspe.
Jean
I'm curious about your $581 Canadian dollar cabin for 1.Hi Folks,
I have taken the plunge today and booked my trip on Via train 1, The Canadian. I decided on a single cabin, which I guess is equiv to a roomette. Depart Toronto on 19 March, and arrive Vancouver 23 March. Intending to have a few days in Vancouver, then down to Seattle and the rest of the Amtrak network. Snagged the whole trip, meals included for $581 Canadian, $588 US.
Looking forward to the champaign already!!!!
Cheers,
Eddie![]()
Im booked on the March 20th Canadian (Vancouver - Toronto) I payed 962 for an upper berth.I'm curious about your $581 Canadian dollar cabin for 1.Hi Folks,
I have taken the plunge today and booked my trip on Via train 1, The Canadian. I decided on a single cabin, which I guess is equiv to a roomette. Depart Toronto on 19 March, and arrive Vancouver 23 March. Intending to have a few days in Vancouver, then down to Seattle and the rest of the Amtrak network. Snagged the whole trip, meals included for $581 Canadian, $588 US.
Looking forward to the champaign already!!!!
Cheers,
Eddie![]()
On the VIA RAIL website, the coach ticket Toronto-Vancouver for March 19 is $535, an upper berth 970, lower berth 1142 and cabin for 1 (roomette) 1464, all in Canadian dollars. All these fares are listed on the website as the supersaver fares.
Are you sure you booked a cabin for 1?
Hi Folks,
I have taken the plunge today and booked my trip on Via train 1, The Canadian. I decided on a single cabin, which I guess is equiv to a roomette. Depart Toronto on 19 March, and arrive Vancouver 23 March. Intending to have a few days in Vancouver, then down to Seattle and the rest of the Amtrak network. Snagged the whole trip, meals included for $581 Canadian, $588 US.
Looking forward to the champaign already!!!!
Cheers,
Eddie![]()
Thanks, I guess stowing anything under the bed at night depends on who if anyone buys the berth below me.North Coast Hiawatha, the staff string up a kind of mesh hammock alongside your mattress, nearly as long as the bed IIRC, I think would hold the contents of a small backpack and a camera. That keeps valuables with you overnight. We took a small roll-on cabin bag with us and we just took necessary contents into our berths (toiletries, clothes for the next day, towel, which was supplied in a drawstring bag) stowed them in the hammocks and left the roll-on, under the lower berth, where there was a space the length of the bed and with a height of maybe 12 - 18 inches. Can't remember what we did with the roll-on during the day, but it wasn't a problem, as the seating is quite spacious. Have a great trip.
Jean