Anyone ever took the Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver? (hotels, costs)

[jzhang1]

I'd like to know what the services are like and what class you took. Was it worth it? What time of the year did you do it? VIA Rail seems pretty expensive for a train but the costs are on par with a cruise. I'm just doing some research to see if it's worth my time and my dime.

[marc3565]

If you are trying to get somewhere flying is a lot cheaper. This trip is about the views. I considered it once but the price put me off so I can't comment on the trip itself.

[sunshineleith]

If it were me I would probably fly from Toronto to Calgary and then take the Rocky Mountaineer Canadian Train Travel, Trips, Rail Journeys, Vacations, Holidays: Rocky Mountaineer

[Jesse44]

Can't comment on the train, but I took a Greyhound from Sudbury to Van. Uneventful until you hit Western Alberta, so the poster above me might have the right idea.

[jzhang1]

I know the regular price is outrageous but their current discount price is like 1/3 of the regular price. This puts it close to flight costs (for the sleeper). I think of it as more a cruise than a transportation thing. So if I can get a 1 way trip in a sleeper for 400 bucks, I'm considering it.

The prices for the Rocky Mountaineer are just beyond crazy. I'm not that loaded. Starting at $4000? Geez, I can go backpack Europe for that kind of money.

[sunshineleith]

True - even thought the Rocky Mountaineer includes food, alcohol and accommodation (in nice hotels) the price difference is rather large