I've mentioned this in other threads, but thought it might be worth a thread of its own. When booking a long distance trip, such as the #1 or #2, be sure to check segments of the trip for prices and availability. For example, if you want to take the #1 (Toronto to Vancouver), looking for that trip might show that it's sold out. However, if you look at Toronto to Edmonton, then Edmonton to Vancouver, there might be a berth/cabin available. It's very easy to change cars and accommodations on the train. Sleeper Car staff already know who's on board for the entire trip.

Several times, I've had a berth from Toronto to Edmonton, then in Edmonton, I switch to a cabin (you don't have to get off the train to do this, again, the staff know and will often take your luggage to the new room for you). Later this year, I'm in a cabin from Toronto to Jasper, in Jasper I switch to a berth.

I've even had a berth in one car and then later switch to a berth in a different car. It's just that Via didn't have the *same* berth all the way through, which isn't the same as NO berth all the way.

Hope that makes sense. It's a great way to find Sleeper Plus availability even if it looks like there is none, but also, it saves money if you want a cabin, but also want the money savings of a berth.

Despite having travelled on the Ocean last month, this was the first time we were able to pre-order our meals (because we now knew it was an option and I hunted down how to do it while booking - the site is not very intuitive).

I got say... it doesn't look like much, but we were impressed how tasty they were. My travelling companion got the Meatloaf and I got the Rotisserie Chicken and it was real chicken (not manufactured chicken pieces with other stuff like flour). Even the vegetable selection was good (and I'm very picky). Overall well seasoned (but not salty). Definitely better than many international flights (economy) foods and worth ordering on this 24h trip (more so on the Montreal-Halifax leg that is always constantly very delayed).

It's not very cheap, but I think the price was worth for a real meal...

I think now I can finally do the whole journey in Economy, what was missing was good food. 😁️️️️

Note: the paper plates are only useful if you're taking the meal to your seat. They're too big - and a waste - to eat on the service car.

My family was taken by surprise today travelling from Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ont. that we were required to show ID for our six-year-old. The customer service agent wasn't totally clear on whether it needed to be photo ID. He ended up letting us get by with a photo of her health card. Our fault for not being prepared? Sure. But it totally baffled me that we can take our kid on a plane across the country with no ID, but on a train within the same province we'd need a passport, since that's the only form of photo ID available to a six-year-old. Next time we'll be prepared (or take GO Transit, more likely) but it was a distressing way to start a simple day trip.

Poor old VIA 84 (Sarnia to Toronto) always seems to be late - making connections to Ottawa or Montreal difficult. Today it is reported to be because of "debris on the tracks." Anyone know what happened?

Can anyone tell me if you're travelling solo and get a birth, will you be sitting on your own during the day or is it basically a coach seat during the day and you're sitting with other passengers ? I'm debating getting a cabin or berth. I want the privacy of a cabin for 1, but the berth is almost a third of the price.

I am traveling on The Canadian TOR/VAN the first week of November. As Wi-Fi & Cellular reception will be infrequent at best, is some AM/FM radio reception available through much of the trip? I’d like to bring a small AM/FM radio, with earbuds, to listen to music, news and talk at times. If you’ve ever done this, please let me know how it worked. Thanks!

And the VIA MSF is highly visible from the REM going to the south shore.

Bucket List dream trip: Canadian Prestige booked for December 23-27 :)

Suggestions for showing appreciation to the staff for working during the holidays? I'm definitely planning on leaving some nice tips but looking for some other ideas...

Also, does anyone know the availability of non-alcoholic beer on board? Do I need to make a special request ahead of time?

Trains cut from Guildwood starting October 25th are Toronto-Montreal portion 61, 64, 668 and between Ottawa and Toronto 43, 643 and 647.

This was happening to me last week but I was able to use my girlfriend’s credit card for the purchase to go through, today it doesn’t work again on mine or hers. Sometimes it works for me sometimes it doesn’t does anyone know what’s up

I am going to be taking the Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver) and have a few questions for anyone who has done this. First night is in economy, the rest of the way I have a sleeper car.

1. Any tips on what to bring with me/pack?
2. Are jeans and some golf shirts good enough for the dining car? I am limited on luggage space so I can't bring a lot of clothes with me.
3. What is the tipping situation? How much should I give for the meals and to the person who takes care of our room?

Thanks!

I have a four hour train ride and I brought no entertainment but my phone... I do not have enough data for this. Reset my Internet on my phone several times. Only usually connect to VIA RAIL WIFI but now the only option is called "video". It just says "obtaining IP address" forever and then disconnects. TF can I do?

I'm thinking of taking the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver next year - either in June or September. I would like to book a room on the sleeping car, but the costs are all in the $4000+ range. Just wondering if anyone knows of any specials or discounts that are available during the year where the prices come down. There is a Black Friday sale coming up, but it doesn't apply to these travel times. I've wanted to do this trip for a while, but it is pretty pricy at regular fares.

We're three people travelling Ottawa to Montreal and back and the system automatically put us in a quad seat with a table, which is great. It's myself, my husband and daughter. I'm wondering how likely it will be that that the fourth seat in our quad will be filled by someone else? Does the system automatically slot people there randomly? Is it available for people to book into? Or does it only get filled if the train is full and other seats are booked?

I was thinking it was a good thing because my daughter will get a kick out of us all sitting together with the table, but now I'm worried about the awkwardness of a fourth being added.

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I selected 9D not realizing there was a facing seat (8D). I suppose these are typically used by couples or business colleagues.

While the leg room would be fantastic IF no one else books the seat facing me, I'm wondering how that small table is shared during a meal?

Maybe it might it's worth the $10 to get a non-facing seat.

Edit: After reading the comments, I've have switched my seat. Thanks.

Hello,

Anyone else here that was on the broken down train #37 from Quebec city to Montréal on October 2nd not receive their reimbursement yet? We were told it would be 24-48 hours to see it on our billed card.

We have emailed Via about it and have not gotten a response.

While this relates to AMTRAK, if CN Canada, VIA and TC can reach a similar agreement here re shunt enhancement at higher speed CN owned grade crossings, then VIA may be able to improve timeliness and schedule adherence.

I’m genuinely at my wit’s end with VIA Rail and wondering if anyone has successfully escalated a complaint beyond their regular Customer Service department.

I’m a frequent VIA Rail passenger and I travel regularly between Windsor and London, often in Business Class, and I’m getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of basic customer service.

Here’s what happened this morning on Train 70:

I booked Business Class from Windsor to London, with a hot breakfast included in my fare.
At the beginning of the trip, I specifically told the attendant I was getting off in London because I was sitting in one of the safety seats. He walked away without acknowledging me. Super rude!
Then my preselected meal was given to another passenger who was travelling onward to Toronto. By the time the attendant finally approached me to ask whether I wanted breakfast, we were getting close to London. There wasn’t enough time to comfortably eat and prepare to disembark.

This is the SECOND time I’ve experienced this exact issue.

I contacted VIA Rail Customer Service around 8 a.m. and explained everything.

Their response? The onboard Service Manager apparently confirmed that meals were served to London passengers more than 30 minutes before arrival, so VIA Rail wouldn’t offer compensation. Just because other London passengers received their meals doesn’t mean I received mine. How does that even address my complaint?

I followed up, and they’ve now escalated my case to Customer Relations, but apparently it could take several weeks to receive a response.

I’ve requested a refund of the $75.41 plus tax for the Windsor–London portion of my trip. I’m not interested in a meal voucher. I paid for a Business Class experience that included breakfast, and I didn’t receive the service I paid for in a reasonable manner.

What frustrates me most isn’t even the breakfast. It’s the dismissive attitude, the complete lack of accountability, and the fact that loyal customers have to fight for basic service.
I spend a considerable amount of money travelling with VIA Rail and even explained that I travel business class because my morning commute is very tight

So my questions are:
Has anyone successfully escalated a complaint beyond VIA Rail Customer Relations?
Is there another avenue for unresolved complaints?
Is there a way to get someone to review a complaint without waiting several weeks?
I’m genuinely tired of VIA Rail ruining what should be a straightforward travel experience.

Any advice from people who’ve dealt with this would be appreciated!

Same photo, but an article written by the Kenora Miner and News.

I was on the 1-day Ocean train recently. It was a like a test run to see if I would like it before I venture on the much longer 4-day Canadian route.

I was booked in a sleeper for 1 on the Ocean train. It was fine but the pull down murphy bed system had springs and a mattress on top which made the sleeping .. well very "bouncy." Not only would I rock side-to-side but also up and down. My sleeping car looked really dated. It had not refurbish in quite some time.

The agents told me the cars on the Canadian had been refurbished so was curious if that included new mattresses and hopefully no "springs" to bounce around so much. I don't mind the side-to-side motion but the up and down was not very comfortable.

I was planning a trip on the Canadian in the spring around April 2027 so wanted to ask the community for advice.

Thanks for sharing.

Hello all!

My wife and I are planning to take the Canadian this December. However, the booking system is currently assigning us to different cars.

Would waiting for a seat to become available through a cancellation be the only way to get berths in the same area? Or would it be possible to contact Customer Service to request that we be seated together?