How to Find Train Times for VIA Rail Canada

VIA Rail Canada is a state-owned Crown corporation that manages over 14,000 kilometers of track spanning the entire country. The company runs 480 trains, which offer Comfort (economy-class), VIA 1 (first-class) and sleeper tickets for standard travel and route-specific vacation travel packages that include the Silver and Blue, the Easterly and the Totem options. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Things You'll Need

• Wi-Fi-enabled device (if you plan to get schedule information while in the station or onboard the train)
• Computer with Internet access and printer

Instructions

Find Train Times and Schedules by Phone or Online

1. Find train times for Via Rail Canada by calling 888-VIA-RAIL.

2. Or, visit their Web site. On the online reservation page (see Resources below), select your departure city from the drop-down menu.

3. Choose your date of departure using the drop-down menu or the interactive calendar.

4. Select your destination city from the drop-down menu.

5. Enter your return date using the drop-down menu or the interactive calendar.

6. Indicate the number of passengers traveling by type. The options include: adult, senior (60 and over), child (age 2 to 11) or student.

7. Choose a travel class: "Comfort," "VA1," "Sleeper class" or "All."

8. Click the "Search" button. Choose options from the "Select class and fare plan" drop-down menu.

9. Click "Train Service Description" to see details about the options you select for each part of your journey, including departure times.

10. Click "Select and Continue" to see the departure and arrival times for each portion of your trip.

11. Print out all the information you need for planning your itinerary.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a Canrailpass for 12 days of travel in any one-month period. Students get a discount.

• Wi-Fi access, for a fee, is available in many train stations, in all Panorama lounges and in some VIA 1 coaches. Call 888-VIA-RAIL to see if a particular train has Wi-Fi.

• You can buy full meals, drinks and snacks on trains.

• The bus network in Canada is more extensive than the rail network, and considerably less expensive.

• Travel by train is expensive in Canada. The price goes up in the summer months.

• Pets must ride in carriers in the baggage car. You'll have to pay a fee for their travel.

• You can bring oversized luggage, sports equipment and bikes on the train for an additional fee.