Here are my eight tips for planning and making the most of a journey on The Canadian:
1. It’s not all about the Rockies: Though winding through Jasper National Park in the shadow of Mt. Robson (Canada’s highest peak) and viewing the Cariboo range are some of the scenic highlights of the trip, the desert-like canyon of the Fraser River in British Columbia, the undulating prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the rugged, lake-filled Canadian Shield of northern Ontario are all uniquely beautiful. It is worth it to experience the entirety of what the continent has to offer.
2. Wait for a 50-percent sale: VIA Rail Canada often has flash sales, usually announced a few days in advance, wherein reservations purchased within a one or two-week window for travel within the next several months can be made at half the normal price, including for sleepers. To be alerted when a sale will occur, sign up for emails from VIA or join the railroad’s frequent rider loyalty program, VIA Preference (which also allows you to earn points for VIA travel and partner purchases redeemable for free trips on VIA as well as on SNCF in France).
3. Consider traveling in fall, winter or early spring: The summer months of June, July and August are the prime tourist season on the Canadian, during which the extra-long train is usually booked solid, mainly with tourists from overseas. In other months, fares are more likely to be lower and the train will be less crowded, more laid-back, and more likely to have a greater proportion of Canadians and Americans on board. You’re also more likely to get a 50 percent sale fare for non-summer travel.
4. For the best chance of the most daylight scenery, ride eastbound: Both because of the schedule, and in part because the westbound train is likely to be significantly delayed by the time it reaches the Rockies, you are more likely to see more Rocky Mountain scenery by daylight by traveling eastward.
5. Don’t fret too much about your sleeping accommodation, because you’ll want to spend the majority of your trip enjoying the scenery in one of the dome cars, the round end of the Park car, or the dining car. You’ll probably only be in your room to sleep (unless you bring your own supply of alcohol on board, which can only be legally consumed within your accommodation). The bed itself is equally comfortable in each type of room, with Prestige Class rooms offering only slightly greater comfort.
6. Bring your camera. This should go without saying.
7. Be ready to make new friends: As with all long-distance train trips, you are almost certain to strike up conversations with strangers, who may become friends by the end of the trip. This is one of the joys of train travel. The only other mode that offers this kind of camaraderie is a cruise ship.
8. Consider extending your trip all the way to or from Halifax: The Canadian connects at Toronto with VIA Corridor trains to Montreal, from whence VIA’s The Ocean departs three days a week for Halifax, via northern Quebec and New Brunswick (north of Maine). You can go coast-to-coast in five nights, or break up the trip by spending at least one night in Montreal or Toronto. Depending on the class of service, adding Halifax is only about $250 CAD more expensive than going Vancouver-Toronto.
For more information visit ViaRail.
All photos © Malcolm Kenton
I am a writer, researcher, multimedia communications professional, and photo/videographer.
I am focused on achieving sustainable economic development and human-scaled communities through a robust multi-modal transportation system centered around a network of high-performance local, regional, and inter-regional passenger trains and frequent and reliable rail transit (streetcars, light rail, commuter rail and subways/metros).
