At least with the current postings. Not looking so good for a one person bedroom trip on the Canadian this winter, though.
VIA Rail express deals
Started by
manderson
, Feb 16 2012 08:13 PM
24 replies to this topic
#3
Blackwolf
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Posted 17 February 2012 - 12:25 AM
They really dropped some deals this time around! Too bad we're already booked through for an AGR redemption... A Cabin for 2 leaving on March 1st from Toronto is mighty tempting!!! 
Amtrak
Capitol Corridor (too many times to count!); Coast Starlight (x20); California Zephyr (x5); Empire Builder (x2); Lake Shore Limited (x3); Maple Leaf (x1); Adirondack (x2); Cascades (x1); Pacific Surfliner (x5); San Joaquin (x7); Capitol Limited (x1); Cardinal (x1)
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Ocean (x3); Windsor Corridor (x2); The Canadian (x1)
#4
manderson
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Posted 17 February 2012 - 06:05 PM
They really dropped some deals this time around! Too bad we're already booked through for an AGR redemption... A Cabin for 2 leaving on March 1st from Toronto is mighty tempting!!!
I booked a late March AGR long distance trip when the VIA prices took that big hike, but I'm strongly inclined to cancel it in favor of the Canadian from Toronto March 8th. As you say, mighty tempting.
#5
Anderson
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 02:09 AM
I'm similarly tempted by a March trip. I probably need to be back in Virginia by the 13th or thereabouts, but the idea of Toronto-Vancouver in a private room (even if it's a BR for two and would run about $800 per the site's quote when I put it in) is appealing (and competitive with four nights in a Holiday Inn plus expenses).
Capitol Limited (7), CA Zephyr (4) Lake Shore Limited (1), Acela (2), NE Regional (2), Sliver Meteor (4)
Upcoming: Silver Meteor (1), Lake Shore Limited (1), SW Chief (2), MO River Runner (1), Texas Eagle (1)
Possibly Upcoming: Either Texas Eagle (1), Capitol Limited (1), Silver Meteor (2) or Texas Eagle (1), Capitol Limited (1), Silver Meteor (1)
Upcoming: Silver Meteor (1), Lake Shore Limited (1), SW Chief (2), MO River Runner (1), Texas Eagle (1)
Possibly Upcoming: Either Texas Eagle (1), Capitol Limited (1), Silver Meteor (2) or Texas Eagle (1), Capitol Limited (1), Silver Meteor (1)
#6
manderson
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 06:54 PM
I gave in to temptation, cancelled my SEA-NOL roundtrip at the end of March, and am on the Canadian March 8th from Toronto. Just two weeks until I leave for Toronto on the EB -- can't wait!
#7
pennyk
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Posted 19 February 2012 - 06:56 AM
I gave in to temptation, cancelled my SEA-NOL roundtrip at the end of March, and am on the Canadian March 8th from Toronto. Just two weeks until I leave for Toronto on the EB -- can't wait!
I hope your trip will be as wonderful as mine was. If the express deals are as good next fall, I might do the trip again.
Amtrak miles: 101,379; Routes: Silver Meteor, Champion (1973), Silver Star, Auto Train, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Lakeshore Limited, Adirondack, Vermonter, Cardinal, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Texas Eagle (CHI-STL), Missouri River Runner, Acela Express (FC), Southwest Chief, Cascades, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Hiawatha Service, Maple Leaf, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Downeaster.
VIA miles: 4,584; Routes: The Canadian (westbound), Ocean (eastbound/westbound).
#8
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 07:52 PM
I just booked a trip on the Canadian for late March. I've been putting it off for so long, I just decided to bite to bullet! I'm pretty excited and got an awesome deal. Late March, Vancouver to Winnipeg in a lower berth for about $300! I'll fly out to Seattle the day before and catch the early morning Amtrak Cascades, and spend the afternoon in Vancouver before boarding the Canadian at 8:30 PM. I really wanted to get off in Toronto, but I just couldn't risk missing work, as I have to work later that afternoon.
I was searching for a bus from Winnipeg down to North Dakota and maybe catch the Empire Builder back to MSP, but there are no more buses!!
Jefferson Lines and Greyhound use to cross the border between Grand Forks and Winnipeg. So I guess there's no cross border service by land between Vancouver and maybe Windsor? If anyone knows different, please let me know!
So looks like I'll have to spend the night in Winnipeg and fly back the next morning. I'll post my trip in the Member Trips forum if anyone happens to be there too. It'll be late March.
I was searching for a bus from Winnipeg down to North Dakota and maybe catch the Empire Builder back to MSP, but there are no more buses!!
Jefferson Lines and Greyhound use to cross the border between Grand Forks and Winnipeg. So I guess there's no cross border service by land between Vancouver and maybe Windsor? If anyone knows different, please let me know!So looks like I'll have to spend the night in Winnipeg and fly back the next morning. I'll post my trip in the Member Trips forum if anyone happens to be there too. It'll be late March.
Amtrak Miles: 145,595
As of Dec. 2012
As of Dec. 2012
#9
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 10:45 PM
I did the almost the same routing, except flew PHX-SEA and Winnepeg-PHX. Yes, there is NO bus service south, a real sign of the times, I guess. But since the Canadian gets into Winnepeg around 8 p.m., try to get a hotel downtown (not expensive at all, esp. in March) and spend part of the day sightseeing in the downtown area, which has a lot of history, culture and scenic attractions (good website by Winnepeg city to learn of things). Then fly back in late afternoon or evening if possible.I just booked a trip on the Canadian for late March. I've been putting it off for so long, I just decided to bite to bullet! I'm pretty excited and got an awesome deal. Late March, Vancouver to Winnipeg in a lower berth for about $300! I'll fly out to Seattle the day before and catch the early morning Amtrak Cascades, and spend the afternoon in Vancouver before boarding the Canadian at 8:30 PM. I really wanted to get off in Toronto, but I just couldn't risk missing work, as I have to work later that afternoon.
I was searching for a bus from Winnipeg down to North Dakota and maybe catch the Empire Builder back to MSP, but there are no more buses!!
So looks like I'll have to spend the night in Winnipeg and fly back the next morning. I'll post my trip in the Member Trips forum if anyone happens to be there too. It'll be late March.
#10
amtraknovi
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Posted 23 February 2012 - 12:15 PM
just booked this trip as well using the express deals rate, pretty excited. Van to Tor. Wanting to know the best way to get back to Kansas City from Tor. Dont want to fly due to cost, from what I can tell its the maple leaf to buffalo, then Lake Shore to Chicago. The big bummer here is the huge layover in Buffalo (130pm for midnight depature)
Had also considered getting to Detroit via Windsor and flying back from Det.
Anything I am missing on getting home?
Had also considered getting to Detroit via Windsor and flying back from Det.
Anything I am missing on getting home?
#11
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Posted 23 February 2012 - 04:12 PM
I just booked a trip on the Canadian for late March. I've been putting it off for so long, I just decided to bite to bullet! I'm pretty excited and got an awesome deal. Late March, Vancouver to Winnipeg in a lower berth for about $300! I'll fly out to Seattle the day before and catch the early morning Amtrak Cascades, and spend the afternoon in Vancouver before boarding the Canadian at 8:30 PM. I really wanted to get off in Toronto, but I just couldn't risk missing work, as I have to work later that afternoon.
I was searching for a bus from Winnipeg down to North Dakota and maybe catch the Empire Builder back to MSP, but there are no more buses!!
So looks like I'll have to spend the night in Winnipeg and fly back the next morning. I'll post my trip in the Member Trips forum if anyone happens to be there too. It'll be late March.
Enjoy the trip. At those prices, you cannot afford not to go!!! I went from Toronto to Vancouver in December on an express deal and I got my money's worth plus some!!
Amtrak miles: 101,379; Routes: Silver Meteor, Champion (1973), Silver Star, Auto Train, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Lakeshore Limited, Adirondack, Vermonter, Cardinal, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Texas Eagle (CHI-STL), Missouri River Runner, Acela Express (FC), Southwest Chief, Cascades, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Hiawatha Service, Maple Leaf, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Downeaster.
VIA miles: 4,584; Routes: The Canadian (westbound), Ocean (eastbound/westbound).
#12
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Posted 28 February 2012 - 10:27 AM
yarrow and i are going vac-tor on 4/3 and tor-vac 4/7 in a section. i was so excited i barely asked the wife if it was ok if we went. i didn't know our forum had a via section. what a great forum. you will find us in the dome of the park car (or the diner)
amtrak miles-90,181
great northern miles-876
northern pacific miles-28
via rail canada kilometers-8,848
#14
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Posted 28 February 2012 - 06:51 PM
What are the advantages of two "roomette"?Mrs Ispolkom and I sprang for roomettes (or Cabins for 1) Toronto-Vancouver at the end of May. I can't wait!
Time flies like an Arrow
Fruit Flies like a Banana
#17
PRR 60
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Posted 25 March 2012 - 12:03 PM
Via prices cabins on a per-person basis. Via does not have separate rail fares and accommodation charges like Amtrak.I'm confused about the express deal. I I want to travel with my 12 yr old daughter and I select a cabin for 2. I pay that price. Is there a "rail fare" like Amtrak? It must cost more than the price of the cabin for 2.
Sue
On the Via website, select the train and accommodation you want, select the number of adults and number of "Youths" (for Express Deals, the price adult and youth prices are the same), and the pricing page will show the price per person and the total cost.
#18
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Posted 25 March 2012 - 12:05 PM
Sue,
The price you see is the price per person. For example I picked a trip on April 3rd from Toronto to Vancouver. The first page showed a price of $581.10 CDN. That's the price for 1 person. When I move to the next screen and select 1 adult & 1 youth (since your daughter is 12), I find that each of you must pay $581.10 for a total of $1,028.50 before tax. The taxes add another $133.70 bringing the grand total to $1,162.20 CDN. Conversion to US dollars could result in a higher price or a lower price depending on the exchange rate at the time of booking, along with the fee charged by your credit card company.
There is no extra "railfare" like at Amtrak.
Also note, you cannot exchange or get a refund on these tickets, so be sure that you can take the trip!
The price you see is the price per person. For example I picked a trip on April 3rd from Toronto to Vancouver. The first page showed a price of $581.10 CDN. That's the price for 1 person. When I move to the next screen and select 1 adult & 1 youth (since your daughter is 12), I find that each of you must pay $581.10 for a total of $1,028.50 before tax. The taxes add another $133.70 bringing the grand total to $1,162.20 CDN. Conversion to US dollars could result in a higher price or a lower price depending on the exchange rate at the time of booking, along with the fee charged by your credit card company.
There is no extra "railfare" like at Amtrak.
Also note, you cannot exchange or get a refund on these tickets, so be sure that you can take the trip!
Alan,
Take care and take trains!
Take care and take trains!
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