Canada is a vast nation, larger in area than the entire European Community! It is therefore important to plan your itinerary carefully. For example, the trip by rail from Toronto to Vancouver takes three (3) days, during which you will experience forest wilderness, open prairie that stretches for kilometres on end, and the mountain majesty of the Canadian Rockies. When you travel in Silver & Blue class, you will be treating yourself to the comfort and luxury of an excursion by rail you will remember for the rest of your life.
Canada boasts a wealth of travel treasures waiting to be discovered: breathtaking countryscapes, and some of the finest museums in the world Pacific and Rockies, Prairies and Northern Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Atlantic Provinces. To help you better organize your trip, we also present a choice of popular destinations, discovery destinations, as well as travel suggestions for youth and students.
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Calgary - Banff - Vancouver: The "Rocky Mountaineer"
The 'Canadian' from Toronto to Vancouver now takes the Canadian National Railways route via Edmonton and Jasper, and there is no passenger service over the more Southerly Canadian Pacific Railway route via Calgary and Banff. However, a special tourist train called the 'Rocky Mountaineer' runs regularly between Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. Tourist-orientated (in other words, very high...) fares are charged, usually as part of a package including meals and accommodation - the train does the full trip in daylight, passengers spend a night in a hotel on the way. The train also operates on other routes, including the Jasper route. For dates of running and fares, see the Rocky Mountaineer website, www.rockymountaineer.com
Canada railpasses:
Excellent value railpasses are available for Canada, well worth checking out if you are planning a tour. The CanRail pass gives unlimited travel in a seat on all VIA Rail trains, including 'Comfort Class' reclining seats on "The Canadian" and "Océan". If you want a Silver & Blue or Easterly Class sleeper you must pay the difference between the seat price and the sleeper price. Note that even in seats on "The Canadian" and "Océan", a seat reservation will need to be made either in advance or when you get to Canada, as you cannot hop on and travel on these trains without a reservation. There is also a North America railpass covering both Amtrak in the USA and VIA Rail in Canada for 30 days. It costs around £397 off-peak and £560 peak.