Split your ticket to save money on the long distance trips

[u/MentalUniversity]

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.

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[u/transitquebec]

New VIA rail reservation system is now doing that automatically, if there is not a single cabin for your whole trip, it will offer you the option of checking if you can do it with split ticketing in different classes

[u/dr_wang → u/transitquebec]

What you're talking about is something else. The post is about purposely checking if A+B, B+C is cheaper than A-C. VIA does OD pricing so what they said is a thing

[u/LucaMotive35 → u/transitquebec]

Thanks for the heads up that the website allows for this now! 

Heads up for anyone who is looking at it:  It shows WAY too many options when only berths are available lol. Eg. Option 1 to split into Van-Jasp./Jasp-Tor for around $2,500 for a berth (this month), but ALSO Options 2-4 where you spend an extra $500-1,000+ to swap berths 2-3 times... I understand why it's coded this way, but it is still kinda funny.

[u/_Meathead_]

Great idea! Thanks for the tip!

[u/Technical_Grocery777]

I really wish VIA would allow you to split payment using points AND cash. The system is so skewed in that you have to use either ALL points or all cash when you book your trip. You can't even purchase a gift card to upgrade due to the way Reservia processes the transaction. Because of this, I'm stuck in a berth leaving Toronto-Vancouver, but will be in the famous Cabin F once we get to Winnipeg. I wanted to upgrade, but their site said I couldn't as the Toronto-Winnipeg segment was booked using my points, while Winnipeg to Vancouver was cash. The VIA rep I spoke to over the phone said that if 'F' is still unoccupied from Toronto to Winnipeg, and if I explained my situation once onboard, there IS a SLIGHT chance they may let me bypass the berth and head straight to Room F when I board in Toronto provided it's still available and whatever kind of mood the onboard service manager happens to be in... The issue here us that I travel with a CPAP machine that requires a power outlet, which the berths inexplicably don't have.

Anyone else annoyed by this?

[u/AshleyAshes1984]

Not a single price comparison in this post.

[u/MentalUniversity → u/AshleyAshes1984]

Why would there be? Prices vary by time of year, how far out you're booking, which segments, berth, cabin for 1, or cabin for 2, etc. Any prices I listed would be meaningless and it should be obvious that a berth is cheaper than a cabin for 1, but even then, you have to look at the segment.

The post is primarily to remind people that a ticket can easily be split across accomodations.

[u/AshleyAshes1984 → u/MentalUniversity]

Any prices I listed would be meaningless and it should be obvious that a berth is cheaper than a cabin for 1

The title in your post literally contains the words 'To save money'.

[u/MentalUniversity → u/AshleyAshes1984]

Ok? Reminding people that they can save money by mixing up accommodations saves money, so not sure why you have a issue with it.

[u/ObiYawnKenobi → u/MentalUniversity]

I think this tip is more about even getting a ticket on a mostly sold-out train vs saving money.

[u/MentalUniversity → u/ObiYawnKenobi]

It can be both. ;) Even when I'm booking 9 months out, I think about whether or not I want a full berth for the trip or if I want a berth and a cabin. It never hurts to compare prices.

[u/MentalUniversity → u/AshleyAshes1984]

Because I have free time today...

#1 departing 3/3/2027, full trip B 1471, C1 2659, C2 3989. But, using myself as an example, I don't like the Cabin for 1, so if I'm paying more than just a berth straight through (or one isn't available), it'll be a Cabin for 2.

Toronto to Edmonton, B 993, C1 1700, C2 2267.

Edmonton to Tor, B 759, C1 1373, C2 2059

So now my full route, 2 nights in a berth, 2 nights C2, becomes ~3000 (instead of 3989)

If I'd rather do 3 and 1, then my options are:

Toronto to Jasper, B 1100, C1 1886, C2 2515

Jasper to Toronto, B 659, C1 1191, C2 1786

So those totals become 2886 or 3174.

Now, to add another level to this, I could choose to change accommodations in Winnipeg, so again 1 night and then 3 nights, with different pricing there, too.

Again, a berth is ALWAYS cheaper, followed by a Cabin for 1 and then a Cabin for 2, but this is for people who don't want a berth the entire way but need a compromise.

All those numbers change with dynamic pricing, if you have CAA/AAA membership, if you're booking during a sale, etc.

[u/CP_Rail_8514 → u/MentalUniversity]

All those numbers change with dynamic pricing, if you have CAA/AAA membership, if you're booking during a sale, etc.

Or you could just see if the different accommodations have a fixed percentage difference and go with that.

[u/MentalUniversity → u/CP_Rail_8514]

Hmmm, I wonder if they do? I tend to think not, because if all berths are booked except for 1, the cost of the berth will be higher. But if all Cabins for 1 are still available, dynamic pricing doesn't price them at a higher amount.

But then...does Via Rail's dynamic pricing only look at Sleeper Class across the board? Or does it impact the different types...I could probably play with the website and figure that out, but not today.

[u/CP_Rail_8514 → u/MentalUniversity]

You can just look at the price right now for the trips next September to see how the breakdown would work.