We are thinking about taking the VIA train from Sudbury, Ontario to Vancouver in May.
I am familar with Amtrak but not the VIA.
Is this a good idea? I would like to hear your opinions/comments.
Thanks!

I have travelled across Canada on via from Halifax to Vancouver. (Not all in one trip). I did most of this travel as a student, so only ever had a seat (no bunk or room). Twice I travelled this way from Toronto to Edmonton, and I was awfully glad to get off in Edmonton so that I didn't have to endure another night in a seat! I would never spend a night on a train without at least a bunk now.

I really enjoy the train. You can't be an impatient traveller, it is a slow way to travel and often late, but the scenery is beautiful and there is plenty of room to move around. The observation car is great and the dining car is pleasant.

One option that you might want to consider is not to do the whole trip straight through, and stay in hotels and see some of the cities along the way. If you but the cheapest ticket (seat only you can get on and off as many times as you like. For example, but a ticket from Sudbury to Vancouver, but spend a night along the way in Winnipeg and Jasper. Unfortunately you can't do this with a sleeper ticket, but if you are staying a night somewhere you probably wouldn't need the sleeper.

The portion of the trip from Edmonton to Vancouver is great!

Thanks for info....I do have a sleeper...but am still deciding about the trip. I just learned that the west/mountain part of the trip will be at night....bummer!

It takes 24 hours to go from Vancouver to Edmonton, so a lot will still be seen during the day. For example, the Rockies are crossed during the day. But the Fraser River gorges are passed at night.

Made the trip last June from Toronto to Vancouver and posted a rather detailed trip report here:

http://www.epinions.com/user-lordbalfor

and trip photos (including interior shots of some of the cars and various sights along the way) here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/79242289QhYBGx

Overall, really liked the trip but it was very expensive (we had a 2-bunk bedroom). If you can afford it it's a great experience - though it's even better to spend even a bit more money/time and change to the Rocky Mountaineer train in the Rockies for the remainder of the trip to Vancouver. It travel only during the day so you get to see more of the most beautiful scenery. The Canadian makes this last leg of the trip partly at night.

Ken

Like AMTRAK, VIARail has to compete for trackage with the frieghts and that can often cause them to be late. Unlike AMTRAK, VIARail takes care of their customers in those circumstances.

On my last trip, originating in Edmonton and ending in Jasper, The Canadian was over eight hours late due to a freight derailment further east. VIARail set up coolers of soft drinks and pots of coffee and tea in the waiting room and, at lunch time, set up a grill and cooked hamburgers for all the waiting passengers.

The cross-country trains also have more character than the sterile rail cars AMTRAK uses. I don't know if they still do but a few years ago, VIARail was using restored stainless steel rail cars with vista domes and the dining cars had the etched glass partitions and paintings. It was reminiscent of a time when US trains were a preferred method of travel rather than an excercise in moving human freight from one place to another.

Dwooddon -

Yes, the still use the restored 1955 era rail cars on the intercontinental run of "the Canadian". Very nice indeed. Service on the train was terrific - as were the meals (and the views of course).

Also, it was a very pleasant experience sleeping on the train (we had a room with 2 very comfy bunks). The gentle rocking motion and rumble of the wheels put me out in not time at all.

Of course, for the next 3 days after we arrived in Vancouver, it felt like the ground was still moving.

Ken

Thanks for all the comments! LordBalfor,
"your article and info is excellent"...you have changed our minds on the decision to take a berth. We will be splurging a bit more and take the double. Your article is great info!

Cedar -

Glad I could be of help. Enjoy your trip.

Ken