You're right - the senior companion fare isn't always available, but the senior discount is. It's just that the rate they quote, after establishing that one traveller is entitled to the senior discount but the other isn't, is for "one adult" and there's no way I can find out how much it would cost for two, given that the fares are probably different.

Can't you click on one adult and one senior? Anyway, maybe it's easier just to phone them. I think that is what I will do when the time comes to make sure I'm not missing anything.

my wife and I had a double bedroom seniors rate left Toronto may 29 we booked in aug 2007 and as far as I can tell they only have so many spots at the senior rate. A couple weeks after I booked the double bedroom seniors rate was not available any longer. You could speak to a via rail rep.

Absolutely right, John65 - that's what made the difference. Thanks! I had been checking rates for October of this year; when I went to April of next year, I had more options to choose from and was able to find out how much this would cost. It's actually do-able for us. This is something we've wanted to do for ages.

The sennior rate applies to all the bedrooms...I've done the trip twice and am sitting here waiting for June 29th so I can book a triple for May of 2009.

Rates rise at the end of May...I agree there is NO comparison with ANYTHING Amtrak offers...the food, the service, the condition of the equipment are all superior to what we have here in the US IMO.

We are not rich folk by any stretch of the imagination but the trip with a double bedroom is worth it we do not begrudge one cent we paid.
NO words can do justice to this trip from scenery to the way via rail treat you. From moment you step on the train until you leave you will be treated as if your the only person on the train

You are selling me on this trip! It sounds wonderful.

April I hope you do make the trip. I dont think even Via Rail TV and radio ads do this trip justice. If you make trip east to west you have the Rockies to look forward to all the way across canada.

We'd be going both ways - starting west to east, but that's okay.

I envy you, would love to do the trip again but it wont be this year lol. If you want anymore info feel free to email me.

Okay, we have booked this trip for next year. The agents on the phone are very friendly and helpful. We decided to extend the trip to Quebec City, then use Toronto as a stop-over on the return trip. Now the question is, should we include Montreal on the way to Quebec City? I don't want to complicate things, or take away too much time from our Ontario visit. We have two days in Quebec City but now I'm thinking maybe we should add another day.

I have never been to Quebec City or anywhere in the province of Quebec. My husband has only been to Montreal once.

Thanks so much for the tip on room F. We got it, both ways!

April,

I live in Victoria and have done the trip Vancouver-Toronto both ways
on a few occasions. I concurr with previous posters regarding the value of splurging on the bedroom accommodations as it is wELL worth the extra expense.....to have your own bathroom, and to have somewhere quiet to sit if you don't want to mingle with others. The food is very good, but a word of advice, if the train is busy/full, don't wait for the last sitting for dinner as they sometimes run out of things on the menu!!!
As for going to Quebec, last year a friend and I went from Toronto to Halifax on the train. If you cannot get a bedroom I HIGHLY recomend paying the extra for VIA 1 service as like the "bedroom deal", it is well worth the extra $. You have assigned seats, luggage is taken care of,meals are included (also very good), and in Toronto and Montreal stations there are comfortable lounges for you to wait with complimentary refreshments, newspapers etc.
I would consider it if I were you.
Wish I were going with you!!!!!

Thanks for the tip about dinner.

Yes, we have the bedroom with bathroom for the Vancouver-Toronto-Vancouver portion.

From Toronto to Quebec City is different. I think we go the cheap rate between Toronto and Montreal, then upgrade to get the dinner for the rest of the trip. Or something like that. Now you have me wondering if we should get the VIA 1 service for the entire Toronto-Quebec City section. I will ask about that.

April go for the via 1 service you wont be sorry.

its to bad we cant post pictures here have some good ones from our May trip.

If you manage to get them on the net, let us know.

Just wondering if anyone else has made this trip it would be interesteing to compare notes