Half Price Train Travel in Canada

Via Rail is having a sale. Right now many of their most popular routes are on sale 50% off. And it's a legitimate 50% off sale!  This makes train travel a very affordable option.  A person could take the train from Winnipeg to Edmonton, one way, for less than $150 including all taxes.  That is the economy seat, but the great news is their sleeper cars, berths etc are also half price. That puts them in the $300-$500 range, but includes meals, a bed and private washroom.

Short haul trips of around 2 hours I've seen as low as $16 per child (2-11 years) and $35 per adult. Now tell me that isn't worth it just to say you took your kids on a train!!

I, personally, have travelled the Winnipeg to Jasper run on the "Canadian." Fine dining and spectacular scenery are just some of the reasons that people romanticize train travel. I would do it again for certain!

Train travel does take a little longer than air travel, but is MUCH easier than driving it yourself in a car. And when Via Rail has such a great sale, you really should give it serious consideration. If it's on your Bucket List, don't wait. Doesn't everyone say "life's a journey" so why not enjoy the scenery along the way?

This sale ends January 26th, but may be booked for travel through May 31, 2012.  Spring break trip anyone?  Here's the link to book.  Via Rail Canada Sale.

The domed viewing cars make the ride spectacular.

Passenger train parked in Jasper, AB. 

The Train Again

I've had lots of questions about my experiences on the train and I'm happy to share my story.  It seems that it's a nostalgic, romantic thought for most... taking the train across Canada.  And I can assure you that it is indeed spectacular and the view from the rail is magnificent. I suppose it could have been romantic, though my journey was not. We travelled with two young children. What could possibly be romantic about that? LOL

Train stations, and Via Rail stations in Canada specifically, still have an air of elegance about them. A presence notably lacking in airports. The train station in Montreal, Quebec is so cosmopolitan. It sits beneath the fabulous Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, and the station itself is packed with merchants and French charm. (That's a story I'll share another day.)

This train trip takes us from Winnipeg to Jasper.

We had a deluxe cabin for our family of 4. This included bunk beds (or berths as they are called)  and our own private washroom. Meals in the formal dining room were also included, as was access to the observation car. (I can't recall if it had another name.)

The meals were wonderful. They were served in an elegantly appointed dining car. Each group of guests had their own designated table and server for each meal. We enjoyed getting to know our server and she got to know the meal preferences and quirks of our children. The dining car was one of the highlights of the trip. It really made an impression on me. I loved the pale pink table cloths and sipping wine as we watched the world go by.

The "observation" car, with it's relaxed seating, newspapers, coffee, fruit and juice made everyone feel comfortable. I recall great conversations among guests in a environment that put everyone at ease. The chance to see wildlife, mountains and statuesque trees from within our glass ceilinged car, was pretty amazing too.

When we arrived in Jasper, we were downtown, in the heart of all the action. Jasper is a very laid back, ski town. It was amazing. Log cabins, totem poles and breathtaking mountain views right from our first steps out of the train station. Jasper was a pretty amazing destination, though the journey itself to get there was equally impressive.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat!

I have a favourite snapshot from the trip. To me, it tells the whole story and reminds me of why we took to the rails. The photo is of my two boys, at daybreak in the train yard in Edmonton. They are perched on the berth gazing in awe out the window. That photo for me, says it all and reminds me why I put so much effort into planning these family trips.