What are the different rail companies I have to choose from?
VIA Rail Canada, Rocky Mountaineer®, and Royal Canadian Pacific.
What is the best time of year to travel by train?
Train travel is available in all seasons in Canada however certain carriers only run in specific months of the year. The winter offers opportunities to see Canada's winter wonderlands, Spring has rushing rivers, colourful wildflowers and beautiful fruit blossoms, summer offers warm weather and more opportunities to do outdoor activities, and lastly autumn displays a spectacular array of changing fall colours. Summer is the most popular month for train travel in Canada.
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What is it like sleeping on the train?
VIA Rail offers private bedrooms with upper and lower bunks. Rocky Mountaineer® passengers stop overnight at a small town and stay in hotels, Royal Canadian Pacific accommodations are the most in luxurious.
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Is it more expensive to fly or take the train?
In most cases it is less expensive to fly. When cities are relatively close together such as the southern region of Ontario and Quebec it can be less expensive to take the train. Most longer train journeys in Canada are geared towards people who are eager to see Canadian landscapes up close and personal.
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Will I see better scenery if I drive or take the train?
In most cases the views are better from train routes.
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What is the food like on the trains?
It is often of gourmet quality with restaurant quality service. Dining on trains is an incredibly pleasurable experience.
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What do all the different names for the VIA Rail trains mean?
VIA Rail has 10 routes, each one having a different name. For example the route from Vancouver to Jasper to Toronto is called The Canadian. Each route has a premier service class with a name specific to the route. For example the premier service class offered on The Canadian is Silver & Blue Class.
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What is the difference between Silver & Blue Class on VIA Rail?
Nothing. Silver & Blue Class is a name given to one class, it is not a way to describe two different classes.
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What is the most luxurious train?
The Royal Canadian Pacific. Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service® is also very high-end. The only rail service that does not qualify as luxury travel is choosing to travel in Comfort Class on VIA Rail trains.
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What are the bathroom facilities like on the trains?
VIA Rail has small washrooms in the private bedrooms that become inaccessible at night, but showers and additional bathrooms with change rooms are located just down the hall. Rocky Mountaineer® has ordinary public bathrooms onboard and hotels with full bathrooms available to all travellers at night.
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How do I find out the train schedules and plan my vacation around them?
Contact us and we will do all the work for you. We have detailed schedules and have plenty of experience planning vacations around complex train trips.
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What can I see from the trains?
All trains in Canada travel through scenic areas with vast lands and great natural beauty. Canada also has many picturesque countryside towns dotting the landscape. The trains are built for optimal viewing. Many trains have dome cars and all have large picture windows to look out of from every seat.
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What do I need to bring on the train with me?
For day trips wear comfortable casual clothes. (Royal Canadian Pacific asks for business casual attire and semi-formal attire at night) Also bring reading materials, a camera, medicines, and perhaps a journal. On overnight journeys with VIA Rail and when traveling onboard Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service®, bring sleeping clothes, overnight clothes and a change of clothes for the next day. Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service® will give you access to your luggage overnight, so no need to worry about packing a separate carry on for overnight.
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Will I meet other people on the train?
Yes. The trains are very conducive to conversation and mingling with other passengers. Of course if you wish for privacy there are private areas you can retreat to.
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What kind of wildlife might I see from the trains?
Grizzly Bears, Black and Brown Bears, Moose, Deer, Elk, Geese, Eagles, Beavers, Racoons, Whales, Buffulo and Wolves are just a few examples. Top