How does a trip from Toronto to Vancouver by VIA Rail look like?

iamskyhigh wrote: ↑ Why not fly? Economy for 4 days is gonna be hell.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ It’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences …
But not cheap
You’ll pay at least $ 500 CDN for a one way economy (seat only) ticket between Toronto and Vancouver or vice versa
Whereas one might find that price for a RETURN TICKET for a flight on a seat sale
(I recently found an incredible deal for $ 200 CDN on a seat sale to and from Vancouver )

The train is an adventure

Although if my goal was to truly see / experience Canada
My choice would be to make this trek by driving a car …
Or an RV.
That way you actually get to SEE a lot more

Cuz on the train… it’s far more passive … just looking out the window
And the trip continues around the clock … day & night (in the dark / when you are sleeping)

Plus there are so few actual stops where you can get out & explore *
Or even stretch your legs
If memory serves … there are short stops @ Jasper, Edmonton, & Winnipeg
But not really long enough to do anything / see the area

Honestly … this just is not the year to do this trip
There are just so many issues due to Covid
Be it the rotating lockdowns … this train has been not running far too often
(Example : Manitoba Border is essentially CLOSED right now to those who don’t reside there … so that’s thrown a wrench into the works )
And cuz of Covid many of the things that make The Canadian great … are not accessible
Like the Panoramic Domed Park & Skyline Cars
Local Entertainment onboard & activities
And just the ability to meet other travellers from all over the world
Be it by sitting together in coach seats, in the bar, or at dinner
ALL GONE CURRENTLY
https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-d ... r-canadian

For more info on The Canadian … GOOGLE
Lots of folks have written blogs of their travels
There are also Reviews … so you can read what people liked & didn’t like
(Not Keeping to schedule is an often refrain… cuz in Canada Freight takes priority on the tracks over Pax Trains )

Also there are plenty of videos about The Canadian
Including a whole episode on Mighty Trains (2016) done by the Discovery Channel Canada

* NOTE - The Canadian runs every few days. So it is possible to book your ticket in segments. Where you get off at one of the major stops enroute (like Winnipeg … when MB isn’t in lockdown) … and then catch the next train when it comes thru a few days later

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑ Thank you for the information,

I don't think the Economy class was that expensive, as it was $354 including tax. Even If pay $200 for food, it'll become ~$550, which is a reasonable cost for a 4-day trip by train in my opinion.

BTW, do you know if cellphone data work on the train to access the Internet?

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Economy Class … comes in 3 levels
(Much like airfare Economy comes in multi levels)

Escape - Economy - Economy Plus (lowest to highest fares)
With Escape being Non Refundable, and with limited Exchangeable options (higher added costs)
Thru to Economy Plus … thats totally flexible and FULLY Refundable / Exchangeable
(See COMPARE OUR ADVANTAGES when looking at the Ticket Booking Tab and Fare Categories )

Here’s a link to more info from Via on The Canadian
https://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/ ... is_WEB.pdf

And another for Wifi service = https://www.viarail.ca/en/fares-and-packages/getaways

NOTE - Overall prices may be a bit lower on their website right now
As they like everyone else in the Travel Industry are just trying to hang on during Covid
(Also as noted on the website … you WILL NOT BE GETTING THE FULL CANADIAN EXPERIENCE at this time … like no Paroramic Domed Cars etc)
Also train fares are like airfare … as availability goes down … prices go up
Fares listed now are definitely lower than the norm

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑ I read on their website that the Canadian train does not have wi-fi, so I'm wondering whether my own cellphone's data will work or not.

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑ I read on their website that the Canadian train does not have wi-fi, so I'm wondering whether my own cellphone's data will work or not.

l69norm wrote: ↑ Likely not when you get into the mountains of AB / BC where it would be very spotty. It's already spotty from a car and likely is much worse in a train

I would rather fly into Calgary, rent a car and spend 4 days in the Banff / Lake Louise / Jasper corridor which is one of the crown jewels for sightseeing in Canada. It's much nicer to stop and enjoy those sights rather than have them fly past on the train

GateGuardian wrote: ↑ Are you moving? Why are you brining 3 suitcases with you?

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑
Thank you for the information,

I don't think the Economy class was that expensive, as it was $354 including tax. Even If pay $200 for food, it'll become ~$550, which is a reasonable cost for a 4-day trip by train in my opinion.

BTW, do you know if cellphone data work on the train to access the Internet?

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑
I read on their website that the Canadian train does not have wi-fi, so I'm wondering whether my own cellphone's data will work or not.

DuttyH75671 wrote: ↑
Thanks,

So I should download a lot of stuff on my laptop/cellphone so that I won't die of boredom while on board!

This is not really a vacation trip for me. I'm moving permanently from Toronto to BC, so I thought to myself I might not get a chance of traveling this journey by train ever again, that's why I've decided to go by train instead of flight. If it was for vacation purpose, I would have waited until they start running their full services on train again, or maybe plan it to go to Banff as you said.

I wanted to move last month, but due to Covid I delayed my trip for one month. Even with all the shortcomings and drop in their services due to Covid, I still think traveling by train would be more interesting than just getting a flight ticket and reach BC in half a day! So I just don't wanna miss the opportunity of a train travel!

Mulder and Scully wrote: ↑ You can buy meals in economy class but not all trains offer this.
Seats are assigned. This might be currently suspended due to the pandemic.
You have to leave your luggage at the designated space on the train. This may be a safety concern if bringing so much.
Cellular signal is dependent on where you are, not that you're on a train. You can look up coverage maps with the wireless providers.
Wi-fi isn't available on the route you're taking.

You're sitting in an economy seat for potentially 96 hours. That's going to be a very painful experience.
How are you going to sleep?
There are toilets on board but how are you going to shower?

This would be a fun trip if in business class or with a sleeper cabin.

hierophant wrote: ↑ OP already bought the ticket (he's not deciding) so why not give them actual advice they can use given the limitations of train travel instead of all the reasons why they shouldn't go by train? How's that helpful?

I generally always pack my own food (because I don't want to pay overpriced crap food) COVID or not. On a train this will be even easier. I would suggest for the first couple of days to bring sandwiches, salads or veggie sticks, fruits, instant oatmeal, hard boiled egg, canned tuna with a peel off lids etc. Buy the last few meals. I would suggest buying a small soft-shell collapsible cooler - pack it with frozen water bottles that way you having drinking water (preferably reusable water bottles).

Other things to consider: ear plugs, eye mask, pillow, charging cable, download movies/music ahead of time, bring a book, wipes (in lieu of a shower).

OP I would take all the negative posts with a grain of salt because whether you will have a good time or not is mostly dependent on your attitude. Focus on the positive aspects of travelling by train instead of temporary inconveniences. I've done some rough travelling and I don't regret any of it, had interesting experiences, met people, etc.