The train trundles along the track, lulling us into a calm. Maple trees, small town train stations, and blue skies sweep past. It’s the journey, not the destination they say. And for these, and many other reasons, we get caught up in a love affair with train travel.

On a recent adventure that took me to Quebec City, I decided to take my first ever train ride with Via Rail, Canada’s premier passenger train. And while I’ve travelled via train across Europe, the UK, and the United States, I was curious if there were any Canadian train travel tips I should know. So look no further! I’ve compiled a list of the top 8 Via Rail tips for your next Canadian train travel adventure.

Why you should Travel Via Rail

But first, why should you travel Via Rail? Sometimes air travel is faster and gives you more time in your final destination which is key with travellers with limited time. Then there are the road-trippers who love to stop along the way and enjoy having complete control over their trip. While each trip is different, here are three main reasons I think you should travel Via Rail.

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Convenience

One of the top attractions for me as a solo traveller in regards to methods of travel is convenience. When travelling between two major cities train travel is the most convenient. Train stations are always centrally located and offer easy access to other forms of travel throughout the city, like subways and buses.

While some may think air travel is faster, think again. When travelling from London to Paris via the Eurostar travel time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. A flight between both cities is 1 hour and 5 minutes. BUT, with a flight you have to factor in the fact that airports are usually outside the city limits, so there is more time travelling to and from airports, plus time going through security and other aspects. It’s the same with train travel in Canada. The average flight from Toronto to Montreal is 1 hour and 15 minutes, but you have to factor in another 2 hours for travel time between airports, security, etc. Driving between both cities is roughly 5 hours, but again you have to factor in traffic time and think of added expenses like gas and vehicle maintenance. Whereas, a Via Rail train from Toronto to Montreal is roughly 5 hours, comparable to the other two modes of transport, but SO much more convenient.

Canadian Landscape

For many, including myself, the lure of train travel is from sitting window side and watching the landscape, like an enchanting silent movie. And what better way to see the beauty of the Canadian landscape than by travelling through it by train. Lush forests, brilliant blue waters, mountains, and wildlife galore – train travel through Canada is a treasure trove of scenery.

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Green Travel

Train travel is now one of the greenest modes of transport. Did you know that by travelling by train you will be helping the environment? Train travel uses up to 70% less energy and produces up to 85% less air pollution than if you travelled by air. And Via Rail is committed to greener travel. It has new cleaner running trains but has also rebuilt old ones to reduce their fuel consumption which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably.

Comparing transportation between Toronto and Montreal you’ll find a huge difference. Travelling between both cities by car will produce 2X the amount of CO² Emissions than by train. And travelling between Toronto and Montreal by air will produce nearly 6X that of a train. So, when looking to start travelling greener, consider train travel.

Via Rail Tips for a Great Train Travel Experience

Ticket Deals

Via Rail is an affordable mode of transport but we all want to save more! So you’re in luck with the first of my Via Rail tips! Every Tuesday Via Rail offers last minute deals for travel on the following week. And if you’re looking for a weekend getaway check on Wednesdays.

As with most bookings, the sooner you book your ticket the better. If waiting until the last minute you could be paying more. Another Via Rail tip is to be flexible with your travel times. With various trains between cities throughout the day, you’ll find some train tickets cheaper than others on the same day.

Go Paperless with the Via Rail App

Speaking of green travel, Via Rail has an App to help you go paperless. Download the Via Rail App to have all of your train travel information at your fingertips, including your E-boarding pass, information on departures and delays, share your itinerary, as well as the services that will be available in your train car, and so much more.

Check Baggage Allowance

As with any more of transportation you should be aware of your baggage allowance. And for Via Rail this depends on whether you are travelling Economy Class or Business Class. For Economy you are allowed one personal item and one large item or two small items. But also note the sizes of your items. Small items are not weighed but your large suitcase will be weighed before boarding. The max weight on your large suitcase is 50 pounds.

Sign Up for SMS Alerts

Forget about standing in the train station and not knowing where your train is! You can also be notified by text message with your train status, whether there is a service disruption or a delay. Via Rail has you covered!

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Have Cash or Credit on Board

If you are planning on purchasing food and/or drink on board be sure to either have cash on hand or a credit card. These are the only two forms of payment while on board Via Rail. And on the note of drinks and food, Via Rail has great and healthy food options, all of which are affordable. And for the coffee aficionado – I do recommend their coffee!

Be there 30mins. Before

Make sure to be to the train station at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. If you do not have your ticket yet or want to check your baggage you should ensure you are at the station at least one hour before departure. Also, note that some train stations only open 30 minutes before the scheduled train time. This is when my Via Rail tips come in handy as you’ve read above – you can download the app to obtain your ticket without delay.

Bring a Sweater

This may seem a strange one out of all the practical Via Rail tips, but it is something to consider. Even while travelling during the summer you may want to bring a sweater, or wrap, or the like, as the train cars are air-conditioned.  And if spending any length of time relaxed and staring out the window you may get a chill.

Bring Hand Sanitizer

And last, but certainly not least of my Via Rail tips is to make sure you bring hand sanitizer. This is for not only before you eat after touching the dreaded germy food tray, but also in case of emergency. You know what I’m talking about. You finish up in the bathroom and go to pump the soap and notta! Thank goodness for hand sanitizer!

I’m sure you’ve been enticed to travel with Via Rail Canada thanks to my top three reasons why you should travel aboard one of their trains. And you’ll be all set for an incredible journey with these Via Rail tips!

Have you travelled with Via Rail?

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