Has anybody used the Can Rail Pass? Is it good value?
I am looking at doing the trans-canadian trip toronto to jasper as well as a bunch of shorter trips throughout canada.
Does anybody have experience with this pass - are there any pitfalls? (i.e. in France there is only a limited number of seats in each fast train that can be booked for passholders).
Thanks for your help
I am looking at doing the trans-canadian trip toronto to jasper as well as a bunch of shorter trips throughout canada.
Does anybody have experience with this pass - are there any pitfalls? (i.e. in France there is only a limited number of seats in each fast train that can be booked for passholders).
Thanks for your help
I've never travelled on VIA Rail, but some people rave about it.
The most obvious drawbacks, I think, are the price (much higher than Greyhound) and the limited number of routes and trains. Compare the fact that the VIA Rail train sets out from Toronto for Jasper three times a week, whereas the Greyhound bus does so several times a day, and via more than one route. I have travelled on Greyhound, and found it quite okay.
But, if we're talking price, I suppose we need to compare oranges and oranges, not oranges and apples. If you travel on the train, it also can serve as a hotel. A Greyhound bus does not give you a bed and a shower. If you wanted those amenities, you'd have to disembark from the Greyhound bus and purchase them separately. But, on the other hand, the classes of train travel that include berths and showers are even more expensive than the classes that provide you only with a seat.
Overall, I think it's fair to say that many people who travel across Canada by train do it because they love train travel for its own sake. If you just want to get from Point A to Point B to Point C and want to do it as economically as possible, I'm guessing Greyhound would meet your needs more effectively.
Another way of travelling that seems to be popular with young people is Moose Travel Network. They operate hop-on/hop-off buses aimed primarily at backpackers (people who stay in hostels). (But you don't have to stay in hostels in order to travel with Moose.) I have not used Moose myself, but have read complimentary reviews on travel discussion forums.
The most obvious drawbacks, I think, are the price (much higher than Greyhound) and the limited number of routes and trains. Compare the fact that the VIA Rail train sets out from Toronto for Jasper three times a week, whereas the Greyhound bus does so several times a day, and via more than one route. I have travelled on Greyhound, and found it quite okay.
But, if we're talking price, I suppose we need to compare oranges and oranges, not oranges and apples. If you travel on the train, it also can serve as a hotel. A Greyhound bus does not give you a bed and a shower. If you wanted those amenities, you'd have to disembark from the Greyhound bus and purchase them separately. But, on the other hand, the classes of train travel that include berths and showers are even more expensive than the classes that provide you only with a seat.
Overall, I think it's fair to say that many people who travel across Canada by train do it because they love train travel for its own sake. If you just want to get from Point A to Point B to Point C and want to do it as economically as possible, I'm guessing Greyhound would meet your needs more effectively.
Another way of travelling that seems to be popular with young people is Moose Travel Network. They operate hop-on/hop-off buses aimed primarily at backpackers (people who stay in hostels). (But you don't have to stay in hostels in order to travel with Moose.) I have not used Moose myself, but have read complimentary reviews on travel discussion forums.
I've always wanted to buy that pass - you'll have to let us know how it worked out if you do it. What month are you thinking of travelling?
It's an awful long trip on a bus from Toronto to Jasper. Yes, the buses stop for comfort stops, meals, etc., but at odd times and, of course, you can choose to stay overnight but some of the places the buses reach at night you might not want to stay over or it might not be easy to find a place to stay on the spur of the moment.
There's food on the train; the seats are somewhat roomier so easier to sleep in.
On the train you can at least get up and stretch your legs when you want to, you can't do that on the buses.
The toilets are better, too.
It's an awful long trip on a bus from Toronto to Jasper. Yes, the buses stop for comfort stops, meals, etc., but at odd times and, of course, you can choose to stay overnight but some of the places the buses reach at night you might not want to stay over or it might not be easy to find a place to stay on the spur of the moment.
There's food on the train; the seats are somewhat roomier so easier to sleep in.
On the train you can at least get up and stretch your legs when you want to, you can't do that on the buses.
The toilets are better, too.
I will be taking the train whatever the cost as I love trains (hate flying) and my husband gets bus sick. As we see it the journey is part of the adventure.
I am looking at leaving London in late August or September. Flying into NY. Get up to Niagara - Toronto to see relative. Then train to Jasper and then a few weeks to get to Vancouver area then I have to get to San Francisco or LA to get homw to NZ before Christmas.
I am still in the early stages of planning and some of the above will change once I look at distances etc.
Thanks for all the advice Judy - I am sure to have some more questions for you over the coming months (I do wish to go to Calgary and confess to knowing nothing except the origin of the town's name & that the Winter Olympics were there!!)
Is there anybody out there that has actually used the rail pass?
I have found in some countries that it isn't actually cheaper to have a pass once you pay for reservations and supplements.
I am looking at leaving London in late August or September. Flying into NY. Get up to Niagara - Toronto to see relative. Then train to Jasper and then a few weeks to get to Vancouver area then I have to get to San Francisco or LA to get homw to NZ before Christmas.
I am still in the early stages of planning and some of the above will change once I look at distances etc.
Thanks for all the advice Judy - I am sure to have some more questions for you over the coming months (I do wish to go to Calgary and confess to knowing nothing except the origin of the town's name & that the Winter Olympics were there!!)
Is there anybody out there that has actually used the rail pass?
I have found in some countries that it isn't actually cheaper to have a pass once you pay for reservations and supplements.
Hello wilees,
Check out my website about Alberta and British Columbia:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips
That should help you with the Western Canada portion of your trip.
Also read the following "Inside Pages" at TripAdvisor:
Inside Banff National Park (serves effectively as an "Inside Canadian Rockies" section):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-s1/
I especially draw your attention to the following essays at TripAdvisor:
Inside Vancouver : Getting to the Canadian Rockies (the information is equally valid if you are travelling in the opposite direction):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154943-c13545/
Inside Banff : First-time Visitors
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154911-s409/
The purpose of urging you to read the above-mentioned two pages is to try to impress on you the benefits of taking a road excursion in the Rockies beyond the train route.
If you disembark from the VIA Rail train in Jasper and have a layover of two or three days, here are a couple of sample itineraries that show you how you might use that time:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154917-c16200/
Obviously you'll need to pack a rage of clothing, since your trip will straddle summer and autumn (if not winter as well). As far as the Canadian Rockies are concerned, I suggest you read the TripAdvisor's Inside Banff National Park : Clothing page:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c13644/
Also read TA's Inside Banff National Park : Weather & When to go page:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c14017/
September is a particularly lovely month in which to visit the Canadian Rockies. Although the majority of the alpine forests are comprised of coniferous evergreens, there are some deciduous species that turn golden and yellow. If you get a crisp autumn day with blue skies (which is not uncommon at that time of year), the foliage looks lovely against that backdrop.
Some side roads, e.g., the ones to Moraine Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Mount Edith Cavell start shutting down any time from the beginning of October onwards. You can get a better idea of what will and will not be open if you read the TA page entitled Inside Banff National Park : Winter Closures:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c15002/
Certainly after Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) several cruises, gondola rides and side roads are closed. If there is any way you can arrange your timing so that you get to the Canadian Rockies before Canadian Thanksgiving (and, better still, in September), I believe it would enhance your experience.
If you are on a round-the-world ticket, I don't know if you'll be allowed to double back on yourself, so to speak. But reeally I think it would be more ideal for you to fly from London to Vancouver, and travel eastwards through the Rockies (which would allow you to see the Rockies in September).
The reds and oranges in Ontario, Quebec and the USA's New England states are at their best in October, and hopefully you would be able to time your visit to the eastern half of the continent so that you could do some "Leaf Peeping."
This, however, probably would mean that you would have to fly from NYC to San Francisco or LA. As I said, I don't know if that will be feasible.
I've made a lot of references to TripAdvisor, which is a competing travel website. However, to give credit where it's due, I must say that the Destinations section of the Fodor's website also has excellent information. You can find the link to the Destinations section near the top left hand corner of this screen.
Sorry, I can't help you with your Can Rail Pass questions.
Check out my website about Alberta and British Columbia:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips
That should help you with the Western Canada portion of your trip.
Also read the following "Inside Pages" at TripAdvisor:
Inside Banff National Park (serves effectively as an "Inside Canadian Rockies" section):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-s1/
I especially draw your attention to the following essays at TripAdvisor:
Inside Vancouver : Getting to the Canadian Rockies (the information is equally valid if you are travelling in the opposite direction):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154943-c13545/
Inside Banff : First-time Visitors
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154911-s409/
The purpose of urging you to read the above-mentioned two pages is to try to impress on you the benefits of taking a road excursion in the Rockies beyond the train route.
If you disembark from the VIA Rail train in Jasper and have a layover of two or three days, here are a couple of sample itineraries that show you how you might use that time:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154917-c16200/
Obviously you'll need to pack a rage of clothing, since your trip will straddle summer and autumn (if not winter as well). As far as the Canadian Rockies are concerned, I suggest you read the TripAdvisor's Inside Banff National Park : Clothing page:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c13644/
Also read TA's Inside Banff National Park : Weather & When to go page:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c14017/
September is a particularly lovely month in which to visit the Canadian Rockies. Although the majority of the alpine forests are comprised of coniferous evergreens, there are some deciduous species that turn golden and yellow. If you get a crisp autumn day with blue skies (which is not uncommon at that time of year), the foliage looks lovely against that backdrop.
Some side roads, e.g., the ones to Moraine Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Mount Edith Cavell start shutting down any time from the beginning of October onwards. You can get a better idea of what will and will not be open if you read the TA page entitled Inside Banff National Park : Winter Closures:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154910-c15002/
Certainly after Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) several cruises, gondola rides and side roads are closed. If there is any way you can arrange your timing so that you get to the Canadian Rockies before Canadian Thanksgiving (and, better still, in September), I believe it would enhance your experience.
If you are on a round-the-world ticket, I don't know if you'll be allowed to double back on yourself, so to speak. But reeally I think it would be more ideal for you to fly from London to Vancouver, and travel eastwards through the Rockies (which would allow you to see the Rockies in September).
The reds and oranges in Ontario, Quebec and the USA's New England states are at their best in October, and hopefully you would be able to time your visit to the eastern half of the continent so that you could do some "Leaf Peeping."
This, however, probably would mean that you would have to fly from NYC to San Francisco or LA. As I said, I don't know if that will be feasible.
I've made a lot of references to TripAdvisor, which is a competing travel website. However, to give credit where it's due, I must say that the Destinations section of the Fodor's website also has excellent information. You can find the link to the Destinations section near the top left hand corner of this screen.
Sorry, I can't help you with your Can Rail Pass questions.
I haven't used the CanRail pass but I have used the North American Rail Pass for travel in both the USA and Canada. It provides for unlimited travel on AMTRAK and ViaRail, with a requirement that there must be some rail travel in both countries, for a 30 day period. It is coach only and I have not checked into the prices for upgrading to a sleeper.
You can get information on it at either www.AMTRAK.com or www.ViaRail.com.
I agree with Judy's suggestion to do some ground touring in the Jasper area. It is magnificent. There is a great deal of information on this board you can get by searching for "Jasper".
You can get information on it at either www.AMTRAK.com or www.ViaRail.com.
I agree with Judy's suggestion to do some ground touring in the Jasper area. It is magnificent. There is a great deal of information on this board you can get by searching for "Jasper".
