This is Why You Should Travel Canada by Train – A Review of The Canadian

You may have already heard of the Rocky Mountaineer, but did you know there's a more affordable way to travel across Canada by train? That's right, you can take the train all the way from Vancouver to Toronto (or vice-versa). Slow travel is back!

Relax and watch the world go by as you enjoy the romanticism of train travel. See the mighty Rocky Mountains up close and the endless plains of the prairies before rolling into the metropolises of Toronto or Vancouver. This is Canada like you’ve never seen before! 

The Departure Desk recently trialed and tested Via Rail's iconic train The Canadian, a 4,400km cross-continental journey that travels Vancouver-Toronto, and we're here to tell you why you should travel Canada by train!

Boarding Via Rail's 'The Canadian' in Jasper.

Travel Canada By Train

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You don't need to break the bank to embark on an epic cross-continental train journey!

Most of us may have heard of the Rocky Mountaineer – a great way to see Canada. But, for those of us who don’t have a Rocky Mountaineer budget, there is another way with Via Rail, the national passenger rail service in Canada.

Via Rail offers various packages onboard The Canadian, from full service private cabins to single berths and even regular seats. Via Rail takes the same route as the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper so passengers get the same views and similar service for a fraction of the cost!

I stayed in a berth for approximately C$1,000 for the journey from Jasper to Toronto. The berths are convertible seats to lie flat beds, include all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner!) on the journey and are located in the same car as the private cabins! The price varies depending on the distance, so there are options to suit all travellers.

The Berth in bed mode onboard The Canadian.

Slow Travel is In, Being in a Rush is Out

Canada is one of those places where you should dedicate as much time as possible. It’s a huge country with so much to truly see. 

From the Rockies in the west to the quaint countryside of Ontario and Quebec in the East and then Atlantic Canada, one needs plenty of time to experience it all! That’s why taking a train trip is a great way to maximise your time. The train journey will not only get you from point A to point B, but you’ll be able to see so much on your way. 

To make the most of your cross-continental journey, consider taking the train from Toronto to Vancouver, that way you'll be building your way up to the epic Rocky Mountains, a truly spectacular sight!

Get World-Class Service Included in Your Fare

Via Rail offers some exceptional service onboard the train. With all sleeper-class tickets (tickets with a bed), full meal service is included. That means, breakfast, lunch and dinner is on the train!

Enjoy a gourmet chef-prepared menu for each meal that showcases local ingredients from Canada. Outside of meal times, the train service offers informational sessions, games and even stretching classes to keep passengers occupied when they’re not staring out the window. Plus, the servers are always up for a chat to make the experience even more memorable.

Prime Rib served onboard The Canadian.

Meet Other Passengers From All Around The Globe

One of the great things about train travel is how social it is!

At meal times, guests are seated together and you can’t help but get chatting over some delicious beef tenderloin or decadent chocolate cake.

There is also a bar and common area where passengers can get chatting and before you know it, when you disembark you’ve made new best friends or even found the love of your life as one couple on the train had met over 40 years ago.  

Embarked as strangers and leaving as friends. Arrival at Toronto Union Station.

How To Get The Canadian

‘The Canadian’ embarks and disembarks in both Toronto and Vancouver, and these locations are typically where passengers start and end their journey. However, passengers can also join from other major cities like Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

Both Toronto and Vancouver have well-connected international airports so getting to these locations is generally easy. 

Getting the Train in Toronto

The Toronto Via Rail Station is approximately 30km from Toronto Pearson International Airport to the VIA Rail Station. Allow at least an hour travel time due to traffic! Taxi and public transport are available.

There is plenty of accommodation available in downtown Toronto by the train station. The Fairmont Royal York is across the road from the station for the ultimate convienence, and other world-renowned hotel chains like the Intercontinental and Shangri La are only a stone's throw away as well.

Getting the Train in Vancouver

The Vancouver Via Rail station is approximately 13km from Vancouver International Airport and takes around 30-40 minutes travel time. Both public transport and taxi options are available.

Our recommendation, stay either on the harbour-side area of downtown Vancouver, or on the south-side near Granville Island. Similarly to Toronto, there are plenty of well-known hotels to choose from.

Travelling across Canada by train is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience. Let The Departure Desk help you plan your epic Canada adventure with travel guides, itineraries and more.

Visit thedeparturedesk.com for more travel planning and follow us on social media for the latest travel news and trends.