The tilted train along the track, rocks us in a calm. The maples, the stations of the small town and the blue sky pass in front. This is the trip, not the destination they say. And for these, and many other reasons, we are caught in a love story with train trips.
During a recent adventure that took me to Quebec, I decided to make my very first train journey with Via Rail, the first passenger train in Canada. And even if I have traveled on the train through Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, I was curious to know if there were Canadian train travel advice that I should know. So don’t look any further! I have compiled a list of the 8 best tips via rail for your next Canadian train travel adventure.
Why should you travel by rail
But first, why should you travel by Rail? Sometimes, the plane trip is faster and gives you more time in your final destination, which is essential with travelers with limited time. Then there are the excursions that like to stop along the way and like to have a complete control over their trip. Although each trip is different, here are three main reasons, I think you should travel by rail.
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Convenience
One of the main attractions for me as a solo traveler with regard to travel methods is convenience. When you travel between two big cities, the train trip is the most practical. The stations are always located in the center and offer easy access to other forms of travel throughout the city, such as metros and buses.
Although some may think that plane trips are faster, think again. When you travel from London to Paris via Eurostar, the journey time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. A flight between the two cities is 1 hour and 5 minutes. But, with a flight, you must take into account the fact that airports are generally outside the city limits, there is therefore more time to travel to and from airports, as well as time to go through safety and other aspects. It’s the same with train trips to Canada. The average flight from Toronto to Montreal is 1 hour and 15 minutes, but you must take into account another 2 hours for the journey time between airports, safety, etc. Driving between the two cities is approximately 5 hours, but again, you must take into account traffic time and think of additional expenses such as gas and vehicle maintenance. While, a train via Toronto in Montreal is around 5 hours, comparable to the other two modes of transport, but so much more practical.
Canadian landscape
For many, including myself, the appeal of the train trip is on the side of the seated window and watching the landscape, as an enchanting silent film. And what better way to see the beauty of the Canadian landscape than to travel by train. Lush forests, shiny blue waters, mountains and fauna in Gogo – train trip across Canada is a treasure of landscapes.
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Green trip
The train trip is now one of the greenest modes of transport. Did you know that by traveling by train, you will help the environment? The train trip uses up to 70% less energy and produces up to 85% in less air pollution than if you travel by air. And via rail is committed to Gutter trip. It has new cleaner racing trains, but has also rebuilt old ones to reduce their fuel consumption, which helps to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
By comparing transport between Toronto and Montreal, you will find a huge difference. Traveling between the two cities by car will produce 2x the amount of CO² emissions than by train. And travel between Toronto and Montreal by Air will produce almost 6 times that of a train. So when you are looking to start traveling green, consider train trips.
Ticket offers
Via rail is an affordable mode of transport, but we all want to save more! So you are lucky with the first of my advice via rail! Every Tuesday via the Rail offers last minute offers for travel the following week. And if you are looking for an escape check on weekends on Wednesday.
As for most reservations, the sooner you book your ticket, the better. If you wait until the last minute, you could pay more. Another point via rail is to be flexible with your journey times. With various trains between cities throughout the day, you will find cheaper train tickets than others on the same day.
Go without paper with the application via rail
Speaking of green trips, via Rail has an application to help you go without paper. Download the application via Rail to have all your train travel information at hand, including your electronic pass, information on departures and delays, share your route, as well as the services that will be available in your train car, and much more.
Check luggage allocation
As with all transport, you must be aware of your luggage allocation. And for Rail, it depends on the class or commercial class of the economy or the commercial class. For the economy, you have a personal object and a large object or two small articles. But also note the sizes of your items. The small items are not weighed but your large suitcase will be weighed before boarding. The maximum weight of your large suitcase is 50 pounds.
Register for SMS alerts
Forget about standing in the station and not knowing where your train is! You can also be informed by SMS with the status of your train, whether there is a service disturbance or a delay. Via the rail covered you!
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Have money or credit on board
If you plan to buy food and / or drinks on board, be sure to have money at the checkout or a credit card. These are the only two forms of payment on board via the rail. And on the note of drinks and food, via rail has large healthy food options, which are all affordable. And for coffee aficionado – I recommend their coffee!
Be there 30 minutes. Before
Make sure you be at the station at least 30 minutes before your departure. If you do not have your ticket yet or if you want to check your luggage, you must make sure you be at the station at least an hour before departure. Also note that some stations open only 30 minutes before the time of the planned train. This is when my advice via rail are useful as you read above – you can download the application to get your ticket without delay.
Sweat
It may seem strange to all practical advice via rail, but it is something to consider. Even when traveling during the summer, you may want to bring a sweater, or wrap, or similar, because train cars are air-conditioned. And if spending time relaxing and looking out the window, you can get a cold.
Bring a hand disinfectant
And finally, but not the least of my advice via rail is to make sure you bring a hand disinfectant. This is not only before eating after touching the dreaded germy food tray, but also in an emergency. You know what I’m talking about. You finish in the bathroom and go to pump the soap and notta! Thank goodness for the disinfectant with the hands!
I am sure you were encouraged to travel with Via Rail Canada thanks to my three main reasons why you should travel aboard one of their trains. And you will be ready for an incredible trip with these rail tips!
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