List of abbreviation CN/CNR = Canadian National Railway CP/CPR = Canadian Pacific Railway EMD = Electro-Motive Diesel EXO = Réseau de transport métropolitain [Metropolitan Transportation Network] (Montreal, QC) GE = General Electric LRC = Light, Rapid, Comfortable NJ Transit = New Jersey Transit (New York, NY/NJ) REM = Réseau express métropolitain [Metropolitan Express Network] RTD = Regional Transportation District (Denver, CO) SEPTA = Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Philadelphia, PA)
Thank you for this review, esp. as I will be travelling on this route next summer. Just one question, does VIA Rail have seat booking or you just get to sit wherever you find an empty place? How full are usually the trains especially in August?
VIA Rail will randomly assign you a seat when purchasing your ticket online. However, you can modify it at the station or by telephone. If you will be traveling in a group, I suggest you modify it to have the face to face seats for 4 people in the middle of the car. As summer is the travel season, the train is often full and therefore the price will be more expensive. Book your tickets as early as possible (like a month in advance), if you know the exact date of your trip.
Check with Via Rail when you book your tickets and remember. If you reserve accommodations on the Canadian. Between Toronto and Vancouver. I very highly recommend going with a sleeping car. All your meals in the dinning car will be included
The only complain that I have with Via Rail is the speed. Back in the 90s, Toronto-Montreal took only 4 hours, while with the modern day Via, it is now more than 5 hours. If Via Rail wants to be actually more competitive and more appealing. Then, it should be at least faster than driving not the same speed.
List of abbreviation
CN/CNR = Canadian National Railway
CP/CPR = Canadian Pacific Railway
EMD = Electro-Motive Diesel
EXO = Réseau de transport métropolitain [Metropolitan Transportation Network] (Montreal, QC)
GE = General Electric
LRC = Light, Rapid, Comfortable
NJ Transit = New Jersey Transit (New York, NY/NJ)
REM = Réseau express métropolitain [Metropolitan Express Network]
RTD = Regional Transportation District (Denver, CO)
SEPTA = Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Philadelphia, PA)
Thank you for this review, esp. as I will be travelling on this route next summer. Just one question, does VIA Rail have seat booking or you just get to sit wherever you find an empty place? How full are usually the trains especially in August?
VIA Rail will randomly assign you a seat when purchasing your ticket online. However, you can modify it at the station or by telephone. If you will be traveling in a group, I suggest you modify it to have the face to face seats for 4 people in the middle of the car.
As summer is the travel season, the train is often full and therefore the price will be more expensive. Book your tickets as early as possible (like a month in advance), if you know the exact date of your trip.
Check with Via Rail when you book your tickets and remember. If you reserve accommodations on the Canadian. Between Toronto and Vancouver. I very highly recommend going with a sleeping car. All your meals in the dinning car will be included
In my books. There is absolutely no better way to travel than on the train. Especially. On Via Rail Canada
The only complain that I have with Via Rail is the speed. Back in the 90s, Toronto-Montreal took only 4 hours, while with the modern day Via, it is now more than 5 hours. If Via Rail wants to be actually more competitive and more appealing. Then, it should be at least faster than driving not the same speed.