ViaRail sale
#1
Original Poster
ViaRail sale
Just went to the ViaRail website to book tickets for a cross-Canada train trip and found that they're running a sale for travel through the end of May:
"Canada is on sale! Go anywhere on the VIA Rail network between January 23, 2012 and May 31, 2012 inclusive, and get 50% off the adult regular fare in all service classes. But hurry – this offer ends January 26, 2012.
All our Canadian destinations are on sale!"
"Canada is on sale! Go anywhere on the VIA Rail network between January 23, 2012 and May 31, 2012 inclusive, and get 50% off the adult regular fare in all service classes. But hurry – this offer ends January 26, 2012.
All our Canadian destinations are on sale!"
#3
Original Poster
I'm going New York to Chicago to San Francisco to Portland to Seattle, then ferry to Victoria and Vancouver to Jasper to Ottawa to Montreal to New York. Really looking forward to it!
If you haven't spent any time at seat61.com, take a look.
If you haven't spent any time at seat61.com, take a look.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I'm excited for you... this is how I like to travel. I've taken Amtrak DC-Chicago-SF and DC-Chicago-Seattle and the VIA Rail Toronto-Vancouver cross country train rides. Trips I treasure to this day in remembrance, that have shaped my appreciation of this continent.
Chicago-SF is a beautiful ride (from Denver west especially), Vancouver-Toronto is incredible too (particularly Jasper west). Montreal-NYC: border is long, but it's a lovely ride by Lake Champlain, the Hudson River if you're not in a rush. The ferries Seattle-Victoria-Vancouver are stellar in terms of natural beauty too.
Enjoy! I'm jealous! Daniel
Chicago-SF is a beautiful ride (from Denver west especially), Vancouver-Toronto is incredible too (particularly Jasper west). Montreal-NYC: border is long, but it's a lovely ride by Lake Champlain, the Hudson River if you're not in a rush. The ferries Seattle-Victoria-Vancouver are stellar in terms of natural beauty too.
Enjoy! I'm jealous! Daniel
#6
Original Poster
Hi Daniel - nice to "meet" another rail fan. I've ridden a number of night trains in Europe and Asia (see http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/ for some) but this will be the first time I've spent the night on a train in North America. Of course, it will be much more expensive, thanks to the lack of couchettes and shared cabins.
I did consider the berths on the Canadian for Vancouver to Jasper, but the sale helped me decide on a "Cabin for 1" for all four nights. At the other extreme I also considered the Rocky Mountaineer, but I would need at least Silver Class to get in the dome car, which means going by bus from Banff to Jasper and is SO expensive. Plus it seemed that the strike was still unresolved.
I did consider the berths on the Canadian for Vancouver to Jasper, but the sale helped me decide on a "Cabin for 1" for all four nights. At the other extreme I also considered the Rocky Mountaineer, but I would need at least Silver Class to get in the dome car, which means going by bus from Banff to Jasper and is SO expensive. Plus it seemed that the strike was still unresolved.
#7
I have ridden the Canadian several times since 2001. It is true that the "Silver & Blue" class get their meals included in the fare and they have their own dome car. The dome car available to the coach passengers is on top of the kitchen/dining room.
I remember sleeping up there 1 night. No one bothered me.
My DW and I will be riding the Empire Builder in May from Spokane to Chicago.
The other long distance train I rode in Canada was from Winnipeg to Churchill and back.
I remember sleeping up there 1 night. No one bothered me.
My DW and I will be riding the Empire Builder in May from Spokane to Chicago.
The other long distance train I rode in Canada was from Winnipeg to Churchill and back.
#9
The Churchill trips were years before I discovered Fodors.
The first was a solo trip on a North America Rail Pass starting in Washington DC with my first Amtrak trip in October 2001.
The second trip was with my wife from Oregon in Oct/Nov 2005 for our 30th anniversary.
Our next trip will be in May/June back to Maryland.
We are only going by train as far as Cleveland and renting a car there.
Someday I hope to come back to Canada and ride ViaRail again.
The first was a solo trip on a North America Rail Pass starting in Washington DC with my first Amtrak trip in October 2001.
The second trip was with my wife from Oregon in Oct/Nov 2005 for our 30th anniversary.
Our next trip will be in May/June back to Maryland.
We are only going by train as far as Cleveland and renting a car there.
Someday I hope to come back to Canada and ride ViaRail again.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
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We're taking the Canadian (Toronto/Vancouver) R/T in May. We're driving up from PA, and I'd like to find somewhere I can leave the car for a couple of weeks. It doesn't have to be in a garage, but a lot somewhat convenient to the train station would be nice.
Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?
Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?
#11
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PI always found it very hard to find parking around the Union station. I think a better bet would be to find somewhere a distance away and take the transit into town. A lot of hotels around the airport provide free or cheap parking for a week or two if you stay for a night.
You have a great trip ahead of you. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
You have a great trip ahead of you. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
#12
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Thanks for the tip. That sounds like a plan. We're looking forward to it. We were in FL when the email 1/2-price offer came through, so I booked first and am asking questions later. Found some neat info about the train on youtube, as well.
#13
How about parking the car somewhere in Rochester NY and take the Maple Leaf (Amtrak) into Toronto? There is a big parking lot in front of the Rochester Amtrak station that looked mostly empty the 2 times I was there.
#14
If you didn't already have the return from Vancouver paid for, I would price the return using Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle and the Empire Builder to Chicago. If you parked in Rochester you could ride the Lake Shore limited from CHI to ROC.
Which stops are you going to get off for 2 or 3 days?
My favorite stops are Winnipeg and Jasper.
On the Empire Builder, I stop at Whitefish. On our return trip in early June, we will get off in Cutbank MT and rent a car for 24 hours to see the eastern side of Glacier NP and as much of the GTTS road as is open.
Which stops are you going to get off for 2 or 3 days?
My favorite stops are Winnipeg and Jasper.
On the Empire Builder, I stop at Whitefish. On our return trip in early June, we will get off in Cutbank MT and rent a car for 24 hours to see the eastern side of Glacier NP and as much of the GTTS road as is open.
#15
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We're committed to the Canadian for both legs, with a 3-day layover in Vancouver. Gonna do an overnight in Niagara going up, and possibly coming back. I believe Priceline will be our friend on that....
#16
Original Poster
Hi bookhall - when will you be in Vancouver/on the eastbound Canadian? I'm spending a couple of nights in Vancouver in May before taking the train back east to Jasper and then to Ottawa.