Viarail Sleeper Berth for a couple?
May 26th, 2011, 10:09 AM
#1
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Viarail Sleeper Berth for a couple?
Looking to buy tickets for Viarail Sleeper Berth for Vancouver to Jasper. Is it worth the money? I heard mixed stories about the cabins. Does the bathroom smell? how are the berths? Are they really clean for sleeping?
Also the other aspect. Should we sleep all thru the night or should we see the scenic beauty of the Rockies. Can anyone share their experience?
I heard that the food is very good!!! Please share your thoughts.
Also the other aspect. Should we sleep all thru the night or should we see the scenic beauty of the Rockies. Can anyone share their experience?
I heard that the food is very good!!! Please share your thoughts.
May 26th, 2011, 10:54 AM
#2
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My husband and I took VIA from Jasper to Vancouver last September. We booked a cabin for two which was clean but compact. No, the bathroom did not smell. There was an upper and lower berth and my husband took the upper berth. He had some difficulty climbing the ladder up and down as it was narrow so I had to help him.
I'm not sure if you will see much in the dark, but on the other hand we didn't sleep that well. I kept waking up each time the train stopped or turned a corner. Over all we were happy with the service, friendliness and helpfulness of the youthful crew. The meals were very good and the people we met in the dining room made the trip even more pleasant.
I seem to recall reading that VIA was purchasing new cars to be put into service late 2011 or 2012. These new cars will have flat screen TVs and other up-to-date amenities.
We would do the trip again...maybe in the opposite direction...as it was worth the money.
I'm not sure if you will see much in the dark, but on the other hand we didn't sleep that well. I kept waking up each time the train stopped or turned a corner. Over all we were happy with the service, friendliness and helpfulness of the youthful crew. The meals were very good and the people we met in the dining room made the trip even more pleasant.
I seem to recall reading that VIA was purchasing new cars to be put into service late 2011 or 2012. These new cars will have flat screen TVs and other up-to-date amenities.
We would do the trip again...maybe in the opposite direction...as it was worth the money.
May 26th, 2011, 11:58 AM
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Thanks much Scotia. I just learned that the Viarail Sleeper Berth for 2 is not a cabin. its just two berths separated by a curtain. I am thinking to go with the economy seats(these seats have recliner). I dont think I will be able to sleep either on a train. So why dont I save the money?
May 26th, 2011, 01:10 PM
#4
I have ridden the Canadian all the way from Toronto to Vancouver. I have never paid the extra for a sleeper. Make sure you are well rested when you get on at 8:30 PM in Vancouver.
Jasper is a great place to get off. Breakfast is my favorite meal in the dining car on the Canadian. Above the dining car/kitchen is the popular dome for viewing. Be there at sunrise for an awesome view. My other favorite stop is Winnipeg.
Jasper is a great place to get off. Breakfast is my favorite meal in the dining car on the Canadian. Above the dining car/kitchen is the popular dome for viewing. Be there at sunrise for an awesome view. My other favorite stop is Winnipeg.
May 27th, 2011, 04:06 AM
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www.seat61.com/Canada.htm
Good info did it years ago not recently
Sleepers were "spartan" to say the least
Still worth it to sleep flat for me on an overnite.
Personally enjoy day training too much "train lag"
for me on overniters these days try to avoid if possible.
Might try to break up my journey in the Jasper/Lake Lousie
Banff area there it is awesome.
Happy Travels!
Good info did it years ago not recently
Sleepers were "spartan" to say the least
Still worth it to sleep flat for me on an overnite.
Personally enjoy day training too much "train lag"
for me on overniters these days try to avoid if possible.
Might try to break up my journey in the Jasper/Lake Lousie
Banff area there it is awesome.
Happy Travels!
May 27th, 2011, 05:40 AM
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Hi sumplanner,
When I've taken the Canadian, I've gone with the berths. During the day, they are seats opposite one another that push together to become the lower berth at night. (You may push them together during the day if one of you, say, wishes to take a nap.) The upper berth pulls out from a compartment and is then accessible via a ladder. The berths are in the hallway, but separated from others via a snap-closed curtain.
I like the berths as I sleep quite well on the train horizontal (for some reason, I can't sleep so well being reclined only) and it's not as expensive as a room. Nice thing with a berth is you get the perks of the other sleeper passengers, namely: access to the famed dome car, meals in the dining car are included, send-off with bubbly when you leave Vancouver... and you may wait with 1st class passengers in Vancouver where there is entertainment & refreshments.
A trip of a lifetime...I'm trying to come up with an excuse to do it again
! Enjoy! Daniel
When I've taken the Canadian, I've gone with the berths. During the day, they are seats opposite one another that push together to become the lower berth at night. (You may push them together during the day if one of you, say, wishes to take a nap.) The upper berth pulls out from a compartment and is then accessible via a ladder. The berths are in the hallway, but separated from others via a snap-closed curtain.
I like the berths as I sleep quite well on the train horizontal (for some reason, I can't sleep so well being reclined only) and it's not as expensive as a room. Nice thing with a berth is you get the perks of the other sleeper passengers, namely: access to the famed dome car, meals in the dining car are included, send-off with bubbly when you leave Vancouver... and you may wait with 1st class passengers in Vancouver where there is entertainment & refreshments.
A trip of a lifetime...I'm trying to come up with an excuse to do it again
! Enjoy! Daniel
May 28th, 2011, 05:55 AM
#7
A roomette on the Empire Builder from Seattle to Whitefish for 2 people is hundred of dollars cheaper than 2 berths on the Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper.
Think about riding the Empire Builder and rent a car to drive through Banff to Jasper. If you have to rent a car anyway, you can rent and return easily in Whitefish/Kalispell. You get to see Glacier NP and Waterton as well.
A trip to Vancouver from Seattle is easy on Amtrak as well.
Think about riding the Empire Builder and rent a car to drive through Banff to Jasper. If you have to rent a car anyway, you can rent and return easily in Whitefish/Kalispell. You get to see Glacier NP and Waterton as well.
A trip to Vancouver from Seattle is easy on Amtrak as well.
May 30th, 2011, 12:13 PM
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Even if you are travelling in coach on VIA, you will have access to a dome car. There will be at least one for the coach passengers.
I have done lots of single-night overnight trips on VIA in coach (but would never do more than one night). I sleep well enough in the reclining seat to function the next day and can recoup the following night.
I have done lots of single-night overnight trips on VIA in coach (but would never do more than one night). I sleep well enough in the reclining seat to function the next day and can recoup the following night.
