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CANADA TRAIN TRAVEL FOR 1ST TIMERS | How to Take Trains Across Canada (Step by Step!)

Happy to Wander (Travel Tips & Inspo)

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👀 This guide will tell you everything you need to know for your bucket list train journey across Canada!

0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:55 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CANADIAN RAIL SYSTEM
4:30 LOGISTICS & ROUTES FOR CROSS-CANADA TRAIN TRAVEL
6:13 TICKET PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS E.G. FARES, CABIN TYPES, ETC.
13:35 STEP BY STEP TICKET PURCHASE GUIDE
15:22 PREPARING AND PACKING
16:55 ARRIVING AT THE STATION
18:24 GETTING TO THE PLATFORM
18:47 FINDING YOUR CARRIAGE & SEAT
20:04 ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
21:59 DISEMBARKING
22:45 FINAL TIPS

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NOTE: many of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info on what this means, check out my website privacy policy and disclosure: https://happytowander.com/privacy/

➡️ Official VIA Rail website: https://www.viarail.ca/en

➡️ VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class deals page: https://www.viarail.ca/en/offers/slee...

➡️ VIA Rail Routes: https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our...

➡️ Rocky Mountaineer official website: https://www.rockymountaineer.com/

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Curious about how to travel across Canada by train? It's not as simple as the pretty videos make it look, but this guide breaks it down simply step by step, with detailed information about different VIA Rail routes, train classes, packing tips, and more for your very first Canadian train journey.

14 Comments

@HappytoWander Creator 2 months ago Pinned

who has a train ride across Canada on their bucket list? 🙋🏻‍♀or has done one already!? let me know below :)

@valerie577 2 months ago

We left Vancouver June 19th, had a great time, I've done it previously in coach but this time we had a sleeper plus

@DeniseMitchell-West 2 months ago

Great job!

@mmiller2866 2 months ago

Your videos and details provided give a level of confidence to solo women travelers! Have used past videos to tackle Europe and Christmas markets..and tips/discounts for airolo. Canada by rail next on the bucket list. Thanks!

@paulyhip1507 2 months ago

Can't forget, that METROLINX also owns UP EXPRESS, BETWEEN TORONTO-UNION STATION, & TORONTO-PEARSON AIRPORT!

@paulyhip1507 2 months ago

Those bucket seats, @ the end of the car, is not the bullet lounge (prestige car)!

@tomgoedde2737 2 months ago

How is it in the Accesible Bedroom and how many power chairs are allowed in the room

@gnomealone350 2 months ago

There used to be a passenger train on Vancouver Island that ran daily from Victoria to Courtney or maybe(?) Campbell River. I took it once about 30+ years ago from Qualicum Beach to Victoria. It was not luxury class in any way, dinky little platforms on the tracks in the forest, you’d pay the conductor when you got on…it felt so retro! But people were using that train to actually travel where they needed to go, not as a “vacation experience”. That’s the only time I’ve ever taken a train anywhere in Canada. And I’m the only one of my friends and family here 🇨🇦 who has!

@paulyhip1507 2 months ago

& because, the berths(lower,& upper) do not have power outlets, you are recommended to bring a power cord outlet, with multiple 120volt output, U.S.B PORTS, &,"C", OR A INVERTER POWER BANK, WITH A 120VOLT OUTPUT, ALONG MULTIPLE U.S.B OUTPUTS!

@cowbayshrub 2 months ago

I was supposed to take the Vancouver to Toronto trip with my mum in 2020 and then COVID happened. She has taken it multiple times as she doesn’t fly, but the only train I’ve taken was in ‘77 when I was 3 and we went to PEI from Toronto…taking it Moncton and then renting a car to go to the ferry to PEI (no bridge back then). I have done a couple of the smaller trains, such as the Royal Hudson from Vancouver to Squamish and the Kettle Valley Railway in the Okanagan. One of these days, I will be able to ride my dream train ride on “The Canadian”.

@helenmarentette 2 months ago

Good job on doing your video but I have done the trip from Toronto to Vancouver and return five times in the last 3 1/2 years and it is absolutely beautiful and a bucket list trip for sure. I do that return trip because you gain points on your via preference points when you do that and then you get your next trip really cheap or like my last trip was absolutely free to fly from Vancouver to Toronto is a lot more money than buying a return ticket I have done coach I have done a solo cabin and also the birth. My preference is the birth. There’s more room and yeah, the privacy is not as good as the cabin, but it’s a lot cheaper.

@CeeLeeLEMT 2 months ago

Did your mom make the pretty white sweater you are wearing in the video? It is gorgeous!
Friends of mine did take the train from Toronto to Vancouver and said it was awesome (they did fly home). Last time I was going to take the train (Ottawa to Toronto) Via threatened a strike so I changed to a flight 🙄 However, I am still thinking of taking a shorter 'fancy' train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer.

@BradCrozier-w3b 2 months ago

Goodevening i enjoyed your train 🚆 travel video 📹 it was very informative and helpful. For me ive always pined for a train tour from Vancouver eastwards to Alberta. You provided essential information on train travel. I gave you a thumbs 👍 up. But what is your name mam .