VIA Rail Canada | Travel Planning Guide

This Canada train travel planning guide to VIA Rail Canada features train travel planning information for VIA Rail Canada travel deals and services including rail pass travel discounts and train ticket reservations. Amenities and speial needs are also described.
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For the best fare its smart to book early, be flexible with travel schedule and avoid peak travel times. Web surfers can compare fares, buy tickets, arrange air travel, hotel and car rentals and obtain VIA Rail Canada information about travelling by train at the railway's. Reservations may also be made at VIA ticket counters, by phone (Canada and US only) at 1 888 VIA-RAIL or at 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired) or at Ticket Express self-service ticketing kiosks (selected stations). Canadian and US residents are eligible to participate in VIA Prèfèrence, a complimentary program that awards points for VIA travel. Points are redeemable for discount travel, airline-miles, gift certificates and more.
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Age-based travel discounts are offered on senior and youth fares. Groups are eligible for reduced fares. A limited number of travel discount and supersaver fares are available for 5-day advance purchase. The VIA Rail website offers discount travel on selected fares. Most discount offers are available online.
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VIA Rail Canada offers a choice of two rail passes. Each gives guests the flexibiity to visit multiple destinations over an extended period of time. VIA Rail Canrailpass offers unlimited travel throughout Canada for 12, 13, 14 or 15 days within a 30 day period. VIA Rail Corridorpass is valid for 10 days of unlimited travel between Quèbec City, Quèbec and Windsor Ontario including Montrèal, Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Stratford, London, Sarnia and all intermediate stations. VIA Rail passes are for regular Comfort (Economy) Class travel. In some instances, travel class upgrades may be available for an additional charge.
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VIA Rail Canada stations range from wilderness clearings not accessible by car to sprawling downtown complexes housing numerous Canada rail passenger services including ticketing and baggage transfer plus intermodel connections, ATMs, restrooms, payphones and more. While advance ticketing is advised, many larger stations staff ticket counters and house Ticket Express self-service ticketing kiosks. Exclusive to VIA1 First Class passengers are Panorama Lounges in Quèbec City, Montrèal, Dorval, Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston or London. Panorama Lounges and selected Corridor stations are internet and/or Wi/Fi accessible.
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VIA Rail Comfort Class (economy) seating is available on all trains. First Class Corridor passengers travel in spacious VIA1 coaches. During peak season, First Class Skeena passengers travel aboard panoramic Totem and Totem Deluxe coaches. First Class and/or "Romance by Rail" sleeper service (including meals) is available on all long-distance trains except the Hudson Bay. Comfort Class (economy) sleeper accommodations (meals extra) are available on all long-distance trains except the Canadian. Skeena passengers must arrange independent overnight accommodations for Prince George layover.
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Available on all long-distance trains except the Skeena, Sleeper Service options include Upper or Lower Berths (one adult), Single Bedrooms (one adult), Double Bedrooms (two people), Renaissance Deluxe Double Bedrooms (selected Ocean Easterly runs; two adults and one child) and Triple Bedrooms (three people). Accessible Bedrooms are also available. Hotel-style amenities are included. First Class (see Travel Classes, above) includes meals. Sleeper Service should be booked along with reservations. Advance-purchase discounts available.
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Luggage is limited to two carry-on and three checked pieces; one carry-on and four checked pieces aboard Renaissance; carry-on only aboard the Mahalat, most Corridor trains and non-peak Skeena runs. All bags must be tagged; carry-on pieces may not weigh over 50 pounds/22 kilos/3.5 stone; checked pieces, not over 70 pounds/32 kilos/5 stone. Fees are charged for the transport of canoes, kayaks, sailboards, dog sleighs, bicycles, child-carriers, household pets and excess, heavy or oversized baggage (no charge for skis). Dangerous, fragile, valuable, oversized and overweight items are prohibited. Baggage should be checked at least 60-minutes prior to departure.
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VIA 1 and first class Sleeper passengers have access to personal power outlets. All trains welcome cell phones (limited coverage in some remote areas). Wireless internet access is available aboard most Corridor trains and in Corridor stations and Panorama Lounges. Children's activities are available on the Canadian, the Ocean and the Chaleur (year-round), Abitibi and Saguenay (summer only), and aboard most Corridor trains. Peak-season interpretive programs are offered on the Ocean, Abitibi and Saguenay. Skyline panoramic dome cars operate on the Canadian, the Ocean and the Chaleur. Park Car dome/lounges are reserved for first class passengers on the Canadian, the Ocean and the Skeena (also Skeena Comfort Class passengers, November to April only). Totem Deluxe passengers travel in a glass-enclosed Panorama Car.
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Most Corridor trains and all long-distance trains provide full meal services (priority given to first class passengers). All trains feature snack/beverage services (beverages only aboard Abitibi, Lake Superior, Malahat and Saguenay). Alcohol is available on all trains, subject to Provincial laws. Children's menus are available aboard most Corridor and long-distance trains. First class passengers may request Kosher, ingredient-sensitive or low-calorie meals aboard most Corridor and Ocean trains; most long-distance trains offer Kosher choices. Special needs passengers may request in-room or at-seat tray meals. Allow 3-10 days for meal requests. Special request meals are not available to economy class passengers.
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VIA Rail strives to assure accessible travel for individuals whose eyesight, hearing, mobility or learning capacity is impaired. Special provisions usually available include advance-boarding, priority seating, special request stops and assistance with boarding, detraining and baggage. Escorts meeting certified needs for assistance and certified service animals are entitled to free travel. Arrange for special needs (at least 48 hours in advance) at any VIA ticket counter or by phone (Canada and US only) at 1.888.VIA.RAIL; TTY, for hearing and speech-impaired individuals, at 1.800.268.9503.
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Childen aged 7 or under must by accompanied by an adult when traveling aboard VIA trains. Children ages 8-11 may travel unaccompanied in some instances providing certain conditions are met including the approval of a travel waiver ($15CDN processing fee). Children ages 12 and older may travel unaccompanied. When reserving tickets, passengers crossing the Canadian/US Border must state date of birth, country of citizenship and type of ID to be carried. A passport is preferred for US and Canadian citizens however a government-issued photo ID accompanied by a certified copy of one's birth certificate is acceptable. Passports are required for citizens of other countries as are visas in many instances. Children under 18, not crossing the border with both parents, must carry a notarized letter of permission signed by any parent or guardian not present. Children, age 15 or under, may not cross the border alone. Visitors to the US, not carrying US or Canadian passports, will be enrolled in the US-VISIT identification program which entails a ten-finger-scan, digital photographing and a review of documents and trip plans. A two-finger scan is required for subsequent border crossings.
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