viarail.ca
VIA Rail: 60% Off Sleeper Plus and Economy Class Travel on The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver), Book By July 19
This deal has expired!
If you've ever wanted to travel aboard the Canadian, here's your chance to do so with some big savings. Book by July 19 and enjoy travel on VIA Rail's Toronto-Vancouver route in Sleeper Plus or Economy class at 60% off! This offer is valid on travel up until October 25.
The discount applies to peak adult regular fares in sleeper plus and economy, examples of available one-way fares include:
- Toronto-Vancouver, upper berth - $546
- Jasper-Vancouver, upper berth - $245
- Jasper-Prince Rupert, touring class - $191
Note: Touring class travel between Jasper and Prince Rupert is only available at the discounted rated until September 30, 2012 (when booked by July 19).
For more information on how to book these fares or to view schedules, visit VIARail.ca.
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Jasper was fantastic, scenic and relaxing (oct)
That being said we would not do it again with economy class maybe sleeper class.
Quick review:
As a sleeper class passenger (used to be called the much more romantic "Silver and Blue Class"), you get full accomodation and meals for your trip. And the meals are SUPERB. Wow. The chefs will gladly accomodate your dietary needs as they *actually make it there*. This is not like on the Via 1 business class where they reheat little trays -- the chefs have full kitchens where they bake, cook, etc.
There are various types of accommodations. A quick summary, from most costly to least costly:
1) "Romance by Rail" What this is is actually two back-to-back bedrooms with the wall opened up so that you can have a Queen sized mattress for your evening. You therefore have two bathrooms you can access, two doors, etc. Quite spacious and quite expensive. Only available for those people going "all the way" (snicker) from Vancouver to Toronto.
2) Triple Bedroom. As this implies, you have three beds. One set of bunks perpendicular to the direction of travel, and one bunk parallel to the direction of travel. Good for three people. During the day, you have a nice bench along with a chair to sit in
3) Double Bedroom. The most popular, yet in my mind not very desirable. Two bunks (upper and lower) running perpendicular to the direction of travel during the night. During the day you have two chairs, one close to the window the other between that chair and the door (ie. you can't have both chairs up against the window). Some double bedrooms are more cramped than others -- look at the car map and call in to see if you can be switched for a bigger one.
4) Single bedroom. This is an interesting thing. Depending on the car you may have two steps up, or it may be at corridor level. During the day, you have a bench that can fit two people (snugly), directly across from a mini-sink and, yes, a toilet that serves as a footstool or spare chair. During the night, the bed (parallel to the direction of travel) folds down on the toilet. You can either lift the bed to get at the toilet at night (if you're nimble) or, more sanely, just walk to the next car and use the common toilets.
5) Lower berth. My personal favourite. During the day, you have a large, comfy double bench. If you get berths one or two you can look out both sides of the train (all other ones above only let you see out one side!). At night, you have the largest bed on the train, physically longer and wider than any other bed, right up against a window (it's great to leave the blinds up sometimes and just look out on the night sky). A berth, of course, is just that -- you have heavy curtains between you and the hallway. You use the common bathroom. Tip: Ask if your car is beside the cafe car, dining car or the park car. If so, move just one over so that you're between two sleeper cars. That way you have less demand for your washroom.
6) Upper berth. The cheapest ride... you still have a comfy bench during the day, access to all the cars and the meals. Avoid this if you're taller than 5'10" though, as you'll find it too cramped. No window during the night, of course.
Everyone in a car uses the same shower. The showers are kept impeccably clean, offer water you can set the temperature of, and a large changing space out front. I like their showers.
Ask me anything you want about the Canadian or the Skeena (or the Hudson Bay for that matter)... they are, by far, my favourite way to travel.
BTW, for those folks who say "who would take the train? It takes longer and costs more"... you're right. The Canadian is not for people who want to get somewhere quickly and cheaply, it's for someone who wants to see the country like they could never see it by car, bus or plane.