Train trip to Halifax
 

G,day
I am an Aussie looking at taking the train from Toronto to Halifax and was wondering if there are any tips or it is not worth it I have enjoyed the Train journey's here in Oz and would love to try one in Canada I know the Canadian goes across country like our Indian Pacific over 3-4 days but time restraints won't allow us to travel that sadly maybe another trip, the planned timing for this trip is mid to late September 2013 so am researching a lot of info to get a good run down of what i can an can't do,
Thanks in advance for any tips and advice
Cheers Stewart

I've never taken that train, but given the map, I love the path it seems to take... up the St. Lawrence toward Riviere-du-Loup, and then down along the east coast of New Brunswick.

Halifax is charming, and there is nothing I can think of to imply that your instinct for making such a trip is at all out-of-bounds.

If in Toronto, indeed somebody from far away can make more immediate use of his sightseeing time by going EAST to the Atlantic Ocean than by going west toward the Pacific.

Go for it!!

If you take the train from Toronto to Halifax, make sure you spend a day or two in Montreal, on your way or on your return.

Halifax is an interesting city for a few days, with thours to the towns and villages nearby, or you can rent a car and drive yourself.

The train trip passes through a lot of forest,but you'll also see some small towns.

The train is relaxing and "slows you down" mentally.

If time and budget allow, it is a good idea.

BAK

I've taken the Ocean train from Montreal-Halifax a few times. Here are a few thoughts:

1. The scenic highlights are the Baie des Chaleurs in northern New Brunswick and the lakes and view of Bedford Bay/ as you're closing in on Halifax. Perhaps the Matapedia Valley too in Quebec, but if things are on time, it'll be dark as you're passing through that. It's a nice ride overall although a long portion of New Brunswick you'll mostly see trees only.

2. If you can afford it, get a sleeper for the Montreal-Halifax leg. You'll be comfortable, have your own private space with card key and have access to the dining car for a pleasant meal experience. If you go by something called "Easterly" sleeper class, your meals (but not tips) come with the price of your ticket, we got a complimentary glass of champagne leaving AND you have access to the dome car/bar car for panoramic views of your surroundings and an animator to tell you about the history/geography of Quebec/Maritime provinces. I've taken Easterly class (more $$ than the comfort sleeper class) and found a certain "romance" about doing so.

3. Comfort class means you'll be in upright chairs for the entire 20 hours Montreal-Halifax. While it's fine for the Toronto-Montreal leg to do so, unless you can sleep in upright chairs, I wouldn't recommend this for the MTL-HFX journey.

4. By the way, if you have the $$$, VIA1 I've enjoyed from Toronto-Montreal, where they have better meals, alcohol on offer than what you'll get in Comfort Class. I've felt coddled at times on VIA1, which can be nice :).

Have a great trip whatever you decide! Daniel

I agree with the others that the train is a very civilized and pleasant way to travel. You might be lucky and see some spectacular fall (autumn, to you) colours in the forest at the time of year, and it does give you an idea of the scope and diversity of the country that you wouldn't get by flying.

We took the Toronto-Vancouver sleeper a few years back and chose berths over a compartment because of cost and also because clambering up into a top berth makes me feel like a kid. We liked that there were other travellers sitting across the aisle to chat to, and shared washroom facilities weren't a problem in any way. Meals were very good.

Thanks all for the information, the planned Journey as it stands is to fly into Toronto from the UK as part of our round the world leg then spend a few days in Town visiting hopefully Niagara this time at night.

We were here in Eastern Canada in 2008 and did a Capital cities tour so saw some of your magnificent cities, this time it is to experience a train trip canadian style so we are unsure of the tipping if we need to or it is all found, coming from a country where tipping is not the norm we have to get used to it again.

Thanks for the tip about the Autumn colours as we would like to see them one day coming from a green part of Oz where it is ever green it would be great to see the colours,and like you Eliztravels I too like the idea of climbing into the top bunk,as there is something child like as well as romantic re train travel. I will probably be posting a few more questions as I find out what where we will be doing so thank u in advance
Cheers Stewart

It might be customary to tip the porter on a sleeper car but otherwise I wouldn't think so.

thanks for that Tip about Tipping eliztravels i forget as we don't tip here

You should also tip the dining car attendants even if the meal comes with the price of your accommodation. I usually tip based on 15%-20% of what I thought the meal would have cost.

Halifax is really very nice place to enjoy. I would suggest you to hire care and enjoy loooonnnggg drive!!!!!!!!!!

Great idea for train trip! Let me add, as someone who lives in Nova Scotia, that you should think seriously about renting a car for your arrival in Halifax.

You wouldn't need it the minute your arrive: Halifax will afford you 2 full days of sight-seeing.

But when you have had your fill of The Citadel, The Seaport Market, Pier 21, the ferry trip to Dartmouth(and views back to the city at sunset from the bar in the ferry terminal), the Art Gallery of NS, Spring Garden Road (esp. Pete's Frootique) and many glorious food experiences (think FISH and SEAFOOD!)...then you will want to hit the short road to the South Shore (Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg-a World Heritage UNESCO site) or maybe the long road to Cape Breton!

Enjoy and if I can help with food recco's (my speciality!) please just ask! I love to boost my adopted home...