Train from DC to Seattle or Vancouver -- ideas?
Oct 31st, 2005, 01:44 PM
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Train from DC to Seattle or Vancouver -- ideas?
OK, so we're going to end up in Alaska, but we want to travel across the country by train. Are there scenic route anymore? Through Canada? We'dstart in D.C. and probably head to Chicago rather than New York. Aimin at 2007. Thanks for advice!
Oct 31st, 2005, 02:56 PM
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Fly - please fly!
Amtrak is a joke, always late, dirty, bad food and most of what you see is the wrong end of town. And there are a lot of towns and cities they don;t go to at all.
Canadian trains are apparently somewhat better - if you pay for the deluxe room trip through the rockies - but it's also quite expensive.
If yuou really want scenery you need to drive.
Amtrak is a joke, always late, dirty, bad food and most of what you see is the wrong end of town. And there are a lot of towns and cities they don;t go to at all.
Canadian trains are apparently somewhat better - if you pay for the deluxe room trip through the rockies - but it's also quite expensive.
If yuou really want scenery you need to drive.
Oct 31st, 2005, 04:37 PM
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I've done the Toronto-Vancouver train; posted a trip report on it not too long ago. The three-day journey is not a cheap ride by any stretech of the imagination, especially if you do it during the busy summer season and want some sort of sleeping accommodation.
That said, the trip is something I will treasure I believe for the rest of my life. Passing through the Canadian Shield, the Big Sky and undulating valleys of the Prairies and then the majesty of the Rockies...I was surprised how much of it I found beautiful, the Prairies and northern Ontario included! In Silver & Blue Class, VIA Rail really treats its passengers right, showcasing Canadian wines, produce in often exquisitely-presented meals. The ride does Canada proud!
Riding the train is not for everyone though; you definitely have to have the right type of personality for it. If you think you want to cross from DC-Vancouver entirely by train, you could potentially go from DC- New York- Toronto although you'd probably have to overnight in both the Big Apple and Toronto.
I started in Montreal, spending a night with friends in Toronto myself before boogeying out by train to the jewel that is Vancouver.
DAN
That said, the trip is something I will treasure I believe for the rest of my life. Passing through the Canadian Shield, the Big Sky and undulating valleys of the Prairies and then the majesty of the Rockies...I was surprised how much of it I found beautiful, the Prairies and northern Ontario included! In Silver & Blue Class, VIA Rail really treats its passengers right, showcasing Canadian wines, produce in often exquisitely-presented meals. The ride does Canada proud!
Riding the train is not for everyone though; you definitely have to have the right type of personality for it. If you think you want to cross from DC-Vancouver entirely by train, you could potentially go from DC- New York- Toronto although you'd probably have to overnight in both the Big Apple and Toronto.
I started in Montreal, spending a night with friends in Toronto myself before boogeying out by train to the jewel that is Vancouver.
DAN
Oct 31st, 2005, 04:57 PM
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Amtrak to Seattle is a lot faster.
You leave 3:55pm on the Capitol Limited for Chicago; have a 5:45 layover in Chicago, and then arrive Seattle at 10:20am on the 4th day on the Empire Builder.
A seat cost $184 for the whole trip.
For Washington-Chicago, add $121 per person for 2-person roomette, or $259 per person for 2-person bedroom.
For Chicago-Seattle, add $95 per person for roomette (Good Deal!), or $315.5 for bedroom.
Or something like that.
Anyways, the bottom line is for two people, sitting the whole way costs $368, roomette $726, bedroom $1,433. Each way.
If you go through Canada, just the Washington-Toronto leg will cost $109 for regular seat, $174 for business class. BUT a big problem is that the Amtrak Maple Leaf leaves NYC at 7:15am, which means you either have to stay overnight in New York or take the 3:00am regional out of DC.
Problem #2, you need to overnight in Toronto. And it still takes over 3 days to get to Vancouver. So overall, you arrive in Vancouver the 5th morning after you leave DC.
#3. For Toronto-Vancouver, cheapest seat is about C$425 or about $360. 2-person bedroom will cost C$1,226 or $1,038 per person.
You leave 3:55pm on the Capitol Limited for Chicago; have a 5:45 layover in Chicago, and then arrive Seattle at 10:20am on the 4th day on the Empire Builder.
A seat cost $184 for the whole trip.
For Washington-Chicago, add $121 per person for 2-person roomette, or $259 per person for 2-person bedroom.
For Chicago-Seattle, add $95 per person for roomette (Good Deal!), or $315.5 for bedroom.
Or something like that.
Anyways, the bottom line is for two people, sitting the whole way costs $368, roomette $726, bedroom $1,433. Each way.
If you go through Canada, just the Washington-Toronto leg will cost $109 for regular seat, $174 for business class. BUT a big problem is that the Amtrak Maple Leaf leaves NYC at 7:15am, which means you either have to stay overnight in New York or take the 3:00am regional out of DC.
Problem #2, you need to overnight in Toronto. And it still takes over 3 days to get to Vancouver. So overall, you arrive in Vancouver the 5th morning after you leave DC.
#3. For Toronto-Vancouver, cheapest seat is about C$425 or about $360. 2-person bedroom will cost C$1,226 or $1,038 per person.
Nov 1st, 2005, 09:49 AM
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The VIA Canadian takes the Yellowhead Pass, west of Edmonton, to cross the Rockies. It's pretty, but not as dramatic as other Rocky crossings.
The best scenery on the Canadian route is through the Frasier Canyons, between Kamloops and Vancouver. Unfortuantely, the west bound train passes this in the middle of the night.
The best scenery on the Canadian route is through the Frasier Canyons, between Kamloops and Vancouver. Unfortuantely, the west bound train passes this in the middle of the night.
Nov 6th, 2005, 06:17 AM
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Hi
I certainly have limited experience with viewing of the Rockies, but I thought what I observed on the Canadian train was pretty dramatic! The approach into Jasper Provincial Park, I with my virgin easterner eyes, I even found that dramatic. Passing near Mount Robson and right next to a waterfall (must find the name!) with a rainbow overhead was spectacular. If you go around the summer solstice (mid-June), it'll be light until around 10:30pm; barring no delays you'd be well in BC on VIA Rail's Canadian. I went mid-July and had around 10 hours of Rockies viewing, pretty nice. After that I was "Rockied" out
, and ready to sleep until rise-and-shine in Vancouver.
I think rkkwan has a good point though about DC-Seattle being quicker via Chicago. Would love to do that train one day, I'm sure it's gorgeous too! Mind you, there are worse things that overnighting in NYC and Toronto if you're curious about the Canadian trip and don't mind a more extended journey, especially if you have friends in both fascinating cities!
Cheers, DAN
I certainly have limited experience with viewing of the Rockies, but I thought what I observed on the Canadian train was pretty dramatic! The approach into Jasper Provincial Park, I with my virgin easterner eyes, I even found that dramatic. Passing near Mount Robson and right next to a waterfall (must find the name!) with a rainbow overhead was spectacular. If you go around the summer solstice (mid-June), it'll be light until around 10:30pm; barring no delays you'd be well in BC on VIA Rail's Canadian. I went mid-July and had around 10 hours of Rockies viewing, pretty nice. After that I was "Rockied" out
, and ready to sleep until rise-and-shine in Vancouver.I think rkkwan has a good point though about DC-Seattle being quicker via Chicago. Would love to do that train one day, I'm sure it's gorgeous too! Mind you, there are worse things that overnighting in NYC and Toronto if you're curious about the Canadian trip and don't mind a more extended journey, especially if you have friends in both fascinating cities!
Cheers, DAN
