Canada in Feb 2016
Oct 26th, 2015, 03:15 PM
#21
The very best Northern Lights I ever saw were at about 4AM while I was on a taxi ride from downtown Jasper out to the HI Hostel (early Nov). I had come in on the westbound ViaRail Canadian about 16 hours late.
The week before I was on my way to and from Churchill on a train but did not see them.
Instead of flying try the Canadian eastbound to Jasper.
The train arrives in the afternoon and there are car rental places within walking distance of the Jasper station.
In the east part of the train station is a desk for Brewster bus tours.
The Canadian only runs 3 days per week so catch the next train east as far as Edmonton and then fly to Toronto.
For a solo traveler, the HI Hostel about 4 miles SW of Jasper is a great place to stay.
The week before I was on my way to and from Churchill on a train but did not see them.
Instead of flying try the Canadian eastbound to Jasper.
The train arrives in the afternoon and there are car rental places within walking distance of the Jasper station.
In the east part of the train station is a desk for Brewster bus tours.
The Canadian only runs 3 days per week so catch the next train east as far as Edmonton and then fly to Toronto.
For a solo traveler, the HI Hostel about 4 miles SW of Jasper is a great place to stay.
Oct 27th, 2015, 03:57 AM
#22
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Yeah, seems like the best route is what tomfuller and kgsneds recommended.
Option 1:
Viarail Train from Vancouver to Jasper, then train again to Edmonton to fly to Toronto.
Option 2:
Fly to Calgary, bus to Banff, go back to Calgary and fly to Toronto.
@Stairgod, I just checked out Whitehorse and flights are very limited and will take up too much time from my trip but thanks for the tip!
Option 1:
Viarail Train from Vancouver to Jasper, then train again to Edmonton to fly to Toronto.
Option 2:
Fly to Calgary, bus to Banff, go back to Calgary and fly to Toronto.
@Stairgod, I just checked out Whitehorse and flights are very limited and will take up too much time from my trip but thanks for the tip!
Oct 27th, 2015, 06:36 AM
#23
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Option 1 is going to be a bit tricky because the train station in Edmonton is to the north of downtown and the airport is to the south of the city. You'd be looking at a good $65+ taxi ride of some combination of bus/taxi/shuttle to get to the airport.
Also, I have to disagree about the Hi-Jasper (Hi Whistlers). Not only does it require having a car, I don't find a great place to stay. It's an aging building that has needed replacement for years - Hi has property and plans for a new facility, but funds have yet to materialize. There are a few private rooms, but the other bunks are all in huge (24+ bed) dorms that can be noisy due to thin walls. The bathrooms are also not in great condition, and meager for the number of people in the hostel. Nice common area, but the kitchen is also showing signs of age.
There's a new private hostel about to open right in town, and a tiny, excellent private hostel in town called the World Traveller's Fraternity. Or you can often get good winter deals at private home accommodations (www.stayinhostel.com).
I think Option 2 makes a lot more sense if you aren't going to be driving and have limited time.
Also, I have to disagree about the Hi-Jasper (Hi Whistlers). Not only does it require having a car, I don't find a great place to stay. It's an aging building that has needed replacement for years - Hi has property and plans for a new facility, but funds have yet to materialize. There are a few private rooms, but the other bunks are all in huge (24+ bed) dorms that can be noisy due to thin walls. The bathrooms are also not in great condition, and meager for the number of people in the hostel. Nice common area, but the kitchen is also showing signs of age.
There's a new private hostel about to open right in town, and a tiny, excellent private hostel in town called the World Traveller's Fraternity. Or you can often get good winter deals at private home accommodations (www.stayinhostel.com).
I think Option 2 makes a lot more sense if you aren't going to be driving and have limited time.
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