40 VIA Rail Canadian Tips – The Iconic Train Across Canada

Taking VIA Rail’s Canadian from coast to coast is a true travel adventure, and should be on everybody’s bucket list. Mind you, the thought of travelling across Canada over four nights of train travel could seem a little daunting. That is why we have put together our VIA Rail Canadian tips to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

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Tips for Planning

1.) Decide When to Travel on the Canadian

• As a rule, summer is the busiest time to take The Canadian. You’ll find longer trains, higher prices and views full of glistening lakes, yellow prairies and blazing sunshine. Stepping out for your fresh air breaks is a pleasure, with the suns rays toasting you nicely. It is also the best time for spotting wildlife as everything is awake.
• Autumn/fall offers the chance to see the beautiful changing of the leaves. The crowd dwindles and prices fall.
• Winter is the cheapest time to take the train. You’ll find longer will stay warm as you watch the snowy vistas roll by. Fresh air breaks are brisk!
• Spring is short in much of Canada but if you catch it just right, the cherry blossoms will wave you off in one city and hello in the other. Wildlife starts to wake up and emerge and the ice melt gives everything a lush green.

2.) Choose Which Direction to Travel on the Canadian

Train 1 – Toronto to Vancouver Wed & Sun

If you are coming from Europe or somewhere else that lies east of Canada, doing it this way round will lessen your jetlag woes by reducing the time zone difference on the the first couple of days..

Train 2 -Vancouver to Toronto Mon & Fri

For the best views of Mount Robson, opt to travel from Vancouver. Typically, the train will approach Jasper sometime on the first morning. Admittedly, because this is many peoples highlight, it does mean the views afterwards could be a letdown..

3.) Weigh Up Which Accommodation to Book on the Canadian

There are five options to choose from aboard The Canadian:

• Economy – Seated accommodation with no food included
• Berths – Seats in an open carriage that covert into bunk beds. Food and soft drinks included.
• Single Sleeper – Single bed private rooms with toilet and sink. Food and soft drinks included.
• Double Sleeper – Bunk bed private rooms with toilet and sink. Food and soft drinks included.
• Prestige – Double bed private rooms with private bathroom including shoer. All food and drink included. Lots of included extras.

When considering which to choose you need to consider your budget, desired level of comfort and privacy requirements.

4.) True Budget – A Few Economy Tips

Economy on the Canadian consists of two seats on ither side of the aisle. they do recline by 40 degrees, and there is very good legroom but you are not able to lie flat. You will find power at each seat for charging devices and a fold down table for meals, laptops etc etc

Economy Class doesn’t come with any food included but there is a full menu to order from and of course, you can bring food and drink with you. That only applies to soft drinks however, as you cannot drink your own alccohol on board.

All bathroom facilities are shared but they are kept in great condition. Economy also has its own Skyline Car with a lounge and domed glass roof sp you are not stuck in the same seat the whole time.

Most of the tips included in the rest of this article are for those in Sleeper Class plus as we have never travelled in economy and honestly, unless you are just doing a shorter day time trip, we don’t think four nights in economy is the best plan.

5.) The Cheapest Bed – A Few Berth Tips

The berths are the cheapest option in Sleeper Plus. By day, the seats are in sets of two, facing each other. They are nice and wide, sitting either side of the windows but it is worth remembering that they are in an open corridor. If you know your berth companion then you can spread out and relax but facing a stranger for five days might be a little awkward. Mind you, I suppose they wouldn’t stay a stranger for long! By night, the bottom bunk is converted into a bed, and a second bed pulls down from the ceiling. There are thick curtains that fasten with magnets to keep them private. if you are travelling solo and are concerned about safety then spend the extra for a Cabin for One for peace of mind.

When booking, remember that the top bunks are cheaper as you have to climb up there and there is no window. If you are looking for the very cheapest way book Sleeper Plus Class, book early for opposite ones and you’ll have seats across the aisle in the day. On the flip side, bear in mind that the lower berths are actually the second biggest beds after Prestige. If you need a lot of room, these will give you more room that the Cabin for one beds.

In a berth, you are going to be sharing a communal bathroom for both the shower facilities and the toilet. You are also going to sharing electrical outlets and these are not near the Berths. Instead, they are in the activity car so heavy device usage is not reommended if you are sitting in here.

6.) The Perfect Balance – A Few Sleeper Class Tips

We think that is definitely worth choosing Sleeper Class Plus if your budget allows. The extra splurge gives you a lovely level of privacy as well as:

• Access to a lounge before embarking in Toronto or Vancouver.
• Access to little snacks throughout the day in the activity car.
• Priority boarding after Prestige Class.
• Three delicious multicourse meals a day.

Cabin for One

The Cabin for one (Roomette) is a dinky room that is not much bigger than your single bed. In the day, you have a seat and then the Murphy bed is brought down from the wall. You get a nice big window so it is rather lovely to be in bed, lying alongside the view. You get your own sink and toilet but do bear in mind that the bed covers the toilet when it is lowered.

Cabin for Two

During the day, you have two folding chairs (which can be moved). Then, at night, one Murphy bed is brought down from the wall, and the top bunk bed comes down from the ceiling. These lie perpendicular to the window. You have a sink in the room and a small toilet behind a door. When booking a room, remember:

• Rooms B D F face forwards.
• Rooms A C E face backwards.
• Room F is a little bigger. These sell out first.

Call reservations and ask for a specific room if you have a strong preference.

7.) Splashing Out – Prestige Sleeper Tips

If budget is no problem, or you are celebrating something big, than get yourself a Prestige Class room. As with the rest of the cabins, you have a private room, food and soft drinks, priority boarding and snacks all day. However your room will be decked out in slightly fancier decor and it is 50% bigger than the Sleeper Cabin for Two. You also have a private bathroom but here, it includes a shower! By day you have a sectional couch/sofa which wraps in a L by the window. By night a large double bed descends from the ceiling, allowing you to snuggle with your travel buddy in comfort or starfish to your heart’s content. You also have a TV with plenty of pre-loaded films and a cooler cabinet that can be stocked with your preference of drinks in the room.

In Prestige Class, you are provided with some fun extras:

• All of your alcoholic beverages.
• Reserved seating in front rows of the Park Car.
• Exclusive access to the Park Car for the first part of the journey on busy journeys.
• Concierge service.
• Priority seating for dining, allowing you to choose your seating time first.

8.) To Stop or Not to Stop

A perfect journey on The Canadian takes five days, four nights or around 100 hour. You might want to do the whole adventure as one long trip, going from end to end and taking the entire time to relax. Alternatively, you are able to stop off and stay in one of the towns it visits, catching the next train, three or four days later. If seeing Canada is your aim, then a stop is worthwhile but if you are here just for the train, maybe not. The two most popular stops are Jasper and Winnipeg.

• Jasper – A picture-perfect mountain town, Jasper is surrounded by peaks and pretty lakes. it is great for hiking in summer or snowy activities in winter.
• Winnipeg – A big city that lies at the heart of Canada. With an up-and-coming culinary scene, some marvellous museums like the Human Rights Museum and nearby nature, it’s an underrated gem.

Once you have decided when you want to travel on the Canadian, which way you want to go and in which class, it is time to book.

Tips for Booking

9.) Book Early

Get thee to the VIA Rail website ASAP to start your booking journey. If you have specific dates, or want to travel in the busier summer months then a year to 11 months in advance is advisable. Get it booked and worry about securing your annual leave afterwards.

10.) Bag a Discount

To save a few pennies, look at booking off season. Prices plummet in winter so you can bag a real bargain. No matter when you are planning to travel, make sure you sign up for the VIA Rail newsletter. Every Tuesday, they offer discount,s and you don’t want to miss out.

If you are able to wait, VIA Rail has had some incredible Black Friday discounts in the past. Of course., we can never guarantee this will remain the case but if it isn’t too far off for you, then it might be worth the gamble.

11.) Keep an Eye on The Discount

Once you have booked, don’t leave it there. You always try to call and rebook if good discount pops up (Black Friday for example), we have heard of at least one couple doing this. Just be sure to physically rather doing it online to ensure you don’t lose your cabin or berths.

12.) Join the Loyalty Program

The VIA Preference Program is free to join and so you might as well. You are going to get a crazy amount of points travelling all the way across the country and you never know when you’ll be back in Canada to use them. This is especially useful if you actually live in Canada.

Tips for Packing

13.) Know the Baggage Rules

There isn’t an awful lot of room to store bags in the cabins and even less in the berths and economy carriages. You will have to check any bigger bags at your point of origin and they won’t be returned to you until you disembark. Checked bags are free. Bring a hand luggage sized bag with all your essentials to have on board.

14.) What to Pack for the Canadian

• A multiplug and extension cord – There are only two plugs in the private rooms and they are by the sink. There are no plugs in the berths or economy, you will need to use the outlets in the Park Car or Skyline Car, having a multiplug that you can share with fellow passengers will make you many friends.
• A power bank – If you don’t have plugs in your sleeping area, this is a must-have. You might also want it when you are up in domes, draining batteries, filming all of the beautiful landscapes.
• Shoes for the bathroom – If you are using the communal bathrooms (toilets and showers) you might want waterproof shoes that are easy to rinse off, or even to wear into the shower itself. KI use jellies and Mr Fluskey uses flip-flops. It is also nice to use these to slip on quickly for dinner etc. Hefting winter boots on and off is a real pain.
• Air freshener – A little something to hang or prop in your private toilet keeps everything just a little fresher and more pleasant as they don’t have a window.

• Outdoor clothes – in winter, you will need warmer layers for the “fresh air stops”. Plus, the dome cars can be quite cold due to the glass over your head. It helps to have a hat and scarf.
• Sun gear – On the flipside, in summer, the sun blazes through the dome car roof so a sun hat and sunglasses will make it much more comfortable. Don’t forget the sun cream too.
• Hot water bottle – I took a mini version to have with me in the dome car and at night. You can fill it at the coffee stations.
• A refillable cup or flask – Free tea and coffee are available in sleeper class and it is always a good plan to use a refillable cup to prevent unnecessary waste. You will also be able yto keep coffee warm for use on the train and on chilly platforms.
• Binoculars – If you are travelling at the right time of year, you might want to try and do some wildife spotting.
• Headphones – Podcasts, music and audiobooks really help to pass the time with a little entertainment. You may also want to use headphones to block out the rail noise at night.
• Cash – Don’t forget to bring some actual money if you are planning to tip the staff onboard. You will also find that paying by card on the PDQ machines can be a little temperamental in remote areas. It would be a shame to have a drin poured for you that you can’t have!
• Bedding – This is only relevant if you are in Economy Class. In all of the Sleeper Class options will have bedding provided. If you want a cover, sleeping bag or pillow in economy, you need to bring it with you.

15.) What VIA Rail Will Provide

In Prestige and Sleeper Class, you will be provided with:

• Earplugs.
• Hand soap.
• A towel.
• A face cloth/flannel,
• Shampoo and soap.

This means that you don’t have to pack any of these but if you have really good ear plugs or you love a specific shampoo and conditioner combo, then squeeze them in.

Tips for Getting On Board

16.) Ace Your Departure Day

Try to arrive at least 90 minutes before your train. When you get to the station, you will be directed to three desks. The first is the luggage drop. You just need to show your tickets, and they will tag up your bags to your destination before whisking them away to the baggage car. Arrive with your bags ready to go to prevent the repacking on the station floor debacle. Second is the check-in desk, where they will scan your tickets and may also check your government-issued ID, so have both handy. The final desk is where you will choose dining time for the first day. Arriving earlier gives you a better choice of dining times.

You can then head into the lounge if you are in Prestige or Sleeper class. Bear in mind that there is not a full buffet or anything in the lounge. Instead, you will just find some biscuits, but tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water are provided. Toronto is all inside, but the majority of the seating at Union Pacific in Vancouver is outside, so a jacket and a hot chocolate are both nice to have.

17.) Boarding

After the iconic “All Aboard” has sounded, it is time to join the train. Friendly staff will point you to the correct car if you get confused. The platform is long but there is a buggy for those with reduced mobility. You will be directed to your spot on board and then the lovely attendants will come and introduce themselves, explaining the particular quirks of your sleeping area.

Once you’re settled in, head for a dome carriage for the “Roll Away Party” where champagne/sparkling wine and nibbles/hors d’oeuvres are served. If it is a summer or busy then, stick to the Skyline car, but if you are travelling in off-season, go all the way to the back for the Park Car. You will get a lovely view as you view and share the experience with the fancy Prestige guests who get a nice talk along the way. We found that asking for a second drink garnered one, so don’t be afraid to enquire. We also had a wine reception leaving Jasper that they allowed us a sip at as well so it isn’t just for the terminus stations.

Tips for Onboard Life on the VIA Rail Canadian

18.) Find Your Train Legs

The bumping, swerving and rolling of the train carriages can make walking a little tricky. It can take some getting used to so don’t rush. Take your time when walking through the carriages and keep one hand running along the wall in case of a sudden jolt. Remember, even the professionals struggle sometimes.

19.) Make Use of the Different Carriages

Take time to explore the train (it’s the only walking you’re going to do onboard).

• Sleeping Accommodations – In most carriages, you will find a few sleeper cabins for one, followed by sleeper cabins for two and finally three sets of berths.
• Park Car – If you are in Prestige, this is yours all day, every day. If you are in Sleeper Class, travelling in peak season, you are going to have access to it after 4pm. During off-season, it’ll be most of the time but do check the signage and follow the instructions. You will find the bar here and at the very back, a gorgeous V-shaped lounge. Upstairs is a dome section with plusher seats than the Skyline car.

• Skyline Cars – This is where you will find the domes. Upstairs, sit at the back for views both ways or sit at the front for panoramic views. Downstairs is a small lounge with tables and plugs. There are separate Skyline cars for economy passengers. Then, further along the carriage is the activities area with the snacks for Sleeper Class passengers.

• Dining Car – A carriage lined with tables that turns into a hive of activity at every meal time.

20.) Enjoy Disconnecting

As the train trundles through five large Canadian provinces, you will find that your phone signal will dwindle and disappear. This is one of the reasons they don’t have any wifi onboard. In theory, the business lounge has wifi, but it didn’t work when we visited. Don’t stress about it and enjoy the chance to actually disconnect from the digital world. Read a book, appreciate the scenery and relish using your phone for photography purposes only.

21.) Join In With the Activities

You might not have the internet, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. During the trip, remember to check the whiteboard for activities as they do put on a few. We saw:

• Wine tasting – Extra booze? You know we joined in. We tried two different kinds of tasting and that covered six different types of wine.
• Beer tasting – Even the fact that the beer was free didn’t tempt us into the tasting.
• Board games – Jigsaws and board games aplenty are on offer all day. It is cool to pass through every so often and check on other people’s progress as well as grabbing something to play with yourself.

• Talks – Train staff give some lovely little talks with some fun facts about each new province that you cross into.
• Trivia – We missed this entirely but heard it was a good laugh.
• Film night – The people onboard got to vote for which film to screen and Shrek won (despite my attempt to swing it the other way).
• Bingo – We played with a reusable board and cards, which was an unusual set-up but really fun

22.) Take in the Views

Obviously, you get great views from the dome cars, but don’t forget, you can also get a lovely view from your room. During the day, keep the door open, it’ll let in lots of light and double the views as you’ll be able to see the window across the corridor too.

23.) Protect your Valuables

The private rooms have locks, BUT you are unable to lock door behind you when you leave. They only lock from the inside. If you are worried about your belongings, then you have two options. You could bring a day bag for moving around the train in which you can keep your valuables. Alternatively, you can padlock a locked bag to something in the room. There is no door on the berths so you can’t lock anything up at any point.

24.) Reduce Your Room Noise

Trust me on this. Close your sink cover and put the plug down in the sink to make it quieter. Even better, pop a towel over the top as well. You’d be amazed at how much noise comes up from the rails through that pipe.

25.) Tipping the Crew

Tipping is entirely optional when you travel on the VIA Rail Canadian but it seems that most people do leave a tip in some form for the dining room staff and the room attendants.

In the dining carriage, some people leave a smaller tip at the end of each meal, whereas some people tip twice along the way. The crew changes in Winnipeg so it’s once before Winnipeg and once at the end of the journey (assuming you are going all the way through).

In terms of room attendants, we did see a recommendation that $5 per day is ok, but we went with $10 a day as they went above and beyond for us.

26.) Keep an Eye on the Sky

The great expanse of the prairies can produce some incredible sunsets. Sadly, our days were a bit grey but you just never know, so don’t forget to keep track of when sunset is due.

After dark, head to the Skyline Dome and if nobody else is around, you can ask for the lights to be turned down for a bit of stargazing. Mind you, we did some lovely stargazing just lying in bed so anywhere with a window will do.

27.) Expect Delays

VIA Rail owns the train that you are travelling on, but they do not own the rails in runs upon. As such, they need to give way to the mighty freight trains that haul goods across the country. The train will stop often to let an astronomically long freighter pass, stacked two shipping containers high. There is no point fretting about this. Sometimes they make the time up, sometimes they don’t, but either way, you’ll get there eventually.

28.) Check the Time

As you traverse the width of Canada, you are going to pass through four different time zones. The train manager will announce the new time over the tannoy so make sure you listen out for the announcements. Oddly, Saskatchewan doesn’t use daylight saving time so don’t let that one catch you out in the summer months.

29.) Get the Best Views of Mount Robson

There are plenty of beautiful views along the way as you travel onboard the VIA Rail Canadian but most people agree that spotting the mighty Mount Robson is a highlight. This is the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 m above sea level. For the best views up in the dome car grab a seat early, and in the right spot.

• Train 1 (Heading West) – Sit on the right after Jasper
• Train 2 (Heading East) – Sit on the left before Jasper

Tips for Dining and Drinking

30.) Make Friends

Dinner and lunch are both served in two or three sittings and as the tables are for four people, it is most likely you will be sharing with strangers. The staff seat couples sitting beside each other and facing the newbies. Take this chance to have a chat and turn those strangers into friends. It will be an awfully awkward meal otherwise..Have you ever tried to ignore someone sitting right in front of you?

31.) Dinner Seating

As mentioned, seating is done so that couples sit next to each other. This ensures that one person in each couple has a window seat.

If you get travel sick, arrive a minute or two early and ask to sit facing forwards in the dining car.

When the train is at its busiest, there will be two dining cars attached. Rumour has it, dining car B might be better as the Prestige passengers use it but we cannot confirm or deny this as we only had one.

32.) The Menu

The whole menu for lunch and dinner changes every day so if you want to try something, grab it when you see it. It might not be back! Breakfast has some of the same dishes, like the delicious Transcontinental breakfast but other options do change day to day.

33.) Dinner Times

Some people like to dine in the daylight whilst others to stay in the dome cars until it gets dark and then enjoy dinner. Consider your preferred dining time but do remember that Prestige passengers get priority so you might not get your first choice.

Lunch and dinner are both multicourse meals, so you could consider dining later to ensure you have room for dessert.

34.) Make Use of Your Included Drinks

During dinner, your soft drinks (fizzy pop, soda) are included, but during the rest of the time it’s only tea, coffee and hot chocolate. If you have a Diet Coke addiction, make sure you get enough during those meals! You are welcome to bring your own cups to use with the hot drinks provided, so filling a thermos full of coffee to take up to the dome car is perfectly acceptable.

35.) Don’t Skip Breakfast

There are set times for lunch and dinner but not breakfast. You can pop in at any time during the breakfast hours and the staff will do a last call if you are having a lie-in. If jet lag has ruined you and you wake up way ahead of that time, there is a self-serve continental brekkie up for grabs (mostly muffins and fruit) put out for real early birds.

36.) Enjoy Some Snacks

There are lots of little snacks that are included in the sleeper and prestige classes. They can be found in the Skyline and Park cars so there isn’t any need to pack any snacks yourself. The Prestige rooms have a “cooling cupboard” but it’s not actually a fridge. Nobody else has a way to keep anything cool, so bear that in mind before you bring your favourite chilled snacks.

37.) Time for a “Drink Drink”

If you love an adult beverage, here are the ways you can enjoy them during the trip.

• It feels naughty, but you are allowed to bring your own alcohol to drink in your cabin or berth. We bought some rum with us and purchased a couple of cans of pop onboard to mix with it for a pre-dinner beverage.
• You can buy alcoholic beverages from the bar in the Park car for most of the day, but during dinner service, there might not be anyone here. Make sure you get your drinks sorted ahead of dinner. Alternatively, you can order drinks during dinner from your dining table. These will be added to a tab that you can pay at the end of your journey.
• You could try to make friends with Prestige in hopes that they will share their alcohol inclusions…but that is probably easier said than done, and to be honest, the drinks are pretty good value so it isn’t really worth the hassle.
• They may run a couple of wine or beer tastings during your journey. The pours are rather small but it is a nice way to get a cheeky extra drink whilst you learn about some cool local producers.

Miscellaneous Tips

38.) Don’t Make Plans for Your Arrival Day

As I mentioned, delays are not only possible but common. The arrival time listed on your booking is more of a suggestion than anything. It would be a real shame to miss an onward connection or bucketlist attraction visit due to a late train. Best thing to do is to plan anything important for the following day and then have some fun extras in the back of your mind for if you arrive on time or early. We actually rolled into Toronto two hours early (having been five hours delayed the day before) and so we popped across the road to the gorgeous Fairmont Royal York to fill that extra time!

39.) Fun Journeys to Add On

If you are travelling on The Canadian, consider adding one of these journeys on to extend your trip

• The Skeena – Rolling from Jasper to Prince Rupert, The Skeena takes visitors through the wilds of northern BC where the train is the only connection for many communities.
• The Polar Bear Train – Although this is not its official name, it is widely known as such for the polar bear sighting opportunities at the end of the line in Churchill. This train carves a line two days north from Winnipeg to Churchill.
• The Ocean – If you fancy another night on a train then hop on one of the many commuter trains from Toronto to Montreal and then climb onboard The Ocean. This trip is around 24 hours and travels up the coast from Mntreal to Halifax.
• The Maple Leaf – Extending down to the south-east from Toronto, this two hour trip takes you down to iconic Niagara Falls.

40.) Smoking/Vaping

There is no smoking or vaping allowed onboard. You will have to make use of the “fresh air” time at station stops to indulge. Check with your room attendant to confirm where and when this is ok. If you are a heavy smoker or vaper, then bring some alternative options (nicotine gum, patches) if you don’t think you can make it. Breaking the rules can lead to fines or even prosecution.

Final Thoughts on These VIA Rail Canadian Tips

We hope you are as excited to take your train adventure as we were, and feel a little more prepared now too. Have the best time and if we missed any important VIA Rail Canadian tips, let us know!

Rosie xx