Toronto to Vancouver - "The Canadian"
- Thread starter krealtarron
- Start date
Considering the cost of a round trip First Class airline ticket to Europe this is a bargain for 5 days.
I will definitely consider it in the future. This unpredictable economy puts the brakes on it.
I will definitely consider it in the future. This unpredictable economy puts the brakes on it.
Exactly, I will start a separate savings account to save for this.
Going the other way - Vancouver to Toronto in November. At that time the price for 1 passenger in a roomette is just over $2000.00. Prestige class looks great but is out of my price range.
I've done The Ocean or Toronto to Halifax via Montreal in a Sleeper Plus cabin that has bunks beds, toilet, sink and shower. There are cabins that don't have showers in them so you'll have to use the communal one. There are also births that are seats during the day and change into beds at night. They only have curtains separating you from the hallway yet have a toilet and sink in them. Prestige class is one level higher and it is very expensive. All Via Trains are 40+ years of age so keep your expectations in check. They're still very clean for what they are.
The size of the Sleeper Plus cabin is reasonable for a train, but it is compact and rather rocky when you're trying to sleep. Sleeper Plus also gets you access to the dining car where they serve all the meals. Alcohol is naturally extra. The food is very good even though it's not cooked on the train. The train makes many stops so you can get some air and stretch your legs. Naturally, you can also walk up and down the train if you want. The scenery is quite lovely, but my train didn't have the done car (one with the glass roof) on it. There's nothing else to do on the train so bring books / Kindle or download a lot of movies to your device. There is wifi availalbe, but it's quite slow and only works if you're close to civiization.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot be on a set schedule. Freight always take priority over passenger trains so you will almost always be delayed and it could take hours to clear. Sadly, rail travel in North America sucks vs the rest of the world.
I think the Toronto to Vancouver train usually has an observation car and a lounge car at the end of the train where they sometimes have music, but I don't think they've done since the pandemic. Keep in mind that the middle part of the country is quite flat and doesn't have much to see.
You can also consider the Rocky Mountaineer train between places like Jasper or Banff and Vanouver. It is very expensive too, but you spend the night in a hotel instead of on the train. The meals are served on the train.
Another option is take fly to Jasper and then take Via to Vancouver.
The size of the Sleeper Plus cabin is reasonable for a train, but it is compact and rather rocky when you're trying to sleep. Sleeper Plus also gets you access to the dining car where they serve all the meals. Alcohol is naturally extra. The food is very good even though it's not cooked on the train. The train makes many stops so you can get some air and stretch your legs. Naturally, you can also walk up and down the train if you want. The scenery is quite lovely, but my train didn't have the done car (one with the glass roof) on it. There's nothing else to do on the train so bring books / Kindle or download a lot of movies to your device. There is wifi availalbe, but it's quite slow and only works if you're close to civiization.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot be on a set schedule. Freight always take priority over passenger trains so you will almost always be delayed and it could take hours to clear. Sadly, rail travel in North America sucks vs the rest of the world.
I think the Toronto to Vancouver train usually has an observation car and a lounge car at the end of the train where they sometimes have music, but I don't think they've done since the pandemic. Keep in mind that the middle part of the country is quite flat and doesn't have much to see.
You can also consider the Rocky Mountaineer train between places like Jasper or Banff and Vanouver. It is very expensive too, but you spend the night in a hotel instead of on the train. The meals are served on the train.
Another option is take fly to Jasper and then take Via to Vancouver.
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At least the air isn't recycled continuously like on a plane and the train stops once in a while. Walking up and down a train is easily done. Weather affect trains more though so don't take one in the winter or you could be stuck in the middle of nowhere without food
Montreal-Toronto Via Rail passengers stuck on trains ‘for hours’ due to storm
Via Rail told the Star that fallen power lines and debris from Wednesday’s storm delayed trains and affected passengers will receive a credit and full refund.
That is why if I did this trip I would pack some snacks and food, and will book the Prestige class where I can just sleep in my cabin lol.At least the air isn't recycled continuously like on a plane and the train stops once in a while. Walking up and down a train is easily done. Weather affect trains more though so don't take one in the winter or you could be stuck in the middle of nowhere without food
Montreal-Toronto Via Rail passengers stuck on trains ‘for hours’ due to storm
Via Rail told the Star that fallen power lines and debris from Wednesday’s storm delayed trains and affected passengers will receive a credit and full refund.www.thestar.com
You'll be fine in the spring / summer though. The price gap between Sleeper Plus and Prestige is more than double: https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-o...nto-vancouver-canadian/compare-fares-by-class
The only difference I can see is that Prestige gets you a slighty nicer room with a TV and alcohol included. There's no way you can consume enough booze to make up for the upcharge. You can also load up your own device with as many movies and books you want.
The ride quality (or lack thereof) is the same no matter what class you pick. The food's also the same in Presitge vs Sleeper Plus.
Oh the Sleeper plus cabin is the one where the toilet doubles as a footrest, but you have to use the common shower. Yeah may be that is a better use of money.
I have done it before.
The Good:
The food they serve for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is good (my recommendation is to SKIP the shrimp and scallop skewers) and the booze and free canapes are nice in the back cart.
You have the right idea to get Prestige. Spacious and more importantly your own private washroom with decent size bed. Important: Do bring Gravol and your girlfriend/sugar baby or SO. Have fun in prestige with her.
The some beautiful scenery and views to appreciate.
You will meet new friends when eating and say good bye to them.
The Bad:
You can only appreciate the beautiful scenery for so long and it gets boringgggggggggg. There are long stretches of blah.
You will realize that Canada is large country with a lot places with no celluar service - bring a book and/or download good movies before going.
Recommendation:
Try to break your trip up into two segment and stop in Jasper for a few days and go hiking. You normally cannot do that due to availability but with Prestige you likely can due to the expense.
Consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer for a leg if there isn’t room.
Some may say it isn’t worth it and take a cruise but you should do it for once in a life time activity (but really go with someone you can appreciate, and have fun with).
Again bring Gravol, you get motion sick it will be bad.
Anyways wish you happy travels
Oh really? The youtube video I saw seems to say it has lockable doors. When did you last do this trip?
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The Sleeper Plus cabin for 1 has the foot rest that doubles as a toilet. The Sleeper Plus cabin for 2 (the one I took to Halifax) has a separate washroom with toilet, shower and sink. I don't think they restrict you to a cabin for 1 if you're travellling by yourself. I don't know the cost difference between a cabin for 1 or cabin for 2. It can't be as drastic as going from a cabin for 2 to the Prestige class.
Here's how the cabin for 2 looks like and I think this is exclusive to Toronto to Vancouver train:
Here's the cabin I had on the Toronto to Halifax train and I think it's exclusive to that route.:
You have to book a sleeper plus cabin to get a locking door. If you book a birth then it's not a private room. You only get a drape.
Seems that the cabin with shower is exclusive on the Montreal to Halifax train. It looks like the cabin for 2 on the Canadian train has a separate toilet (no toilet under the foot stool), but you have to use a common shower. It really depends if having a shower in your cabin and alcohol is worth spending more than double over the Sleeper Plus cabin for 2.
www.viarail.ca
Cabins and berths on board the train | VIA Rail
Our cabins and berths are available on board our long-distance trains. Enjoy more privacy so you can sleep comfortably while on board. Your bed awaits!
I think they call it Cabin discounted and Cabin for 1 on the booking site. I think the discounted one is just a drape.
