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Updated information JANUARY 2006Rail tickets, passes and fares (pp13-16) Following are some sample costs for 2006; you’ll find more information on VIA Rail’s website (www.viarail.ca) and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ (the new name for Rocky Mountaineer Railtours) website (www.rockymountaineer.com). Note that the prices quoted for berths apply to upper berths; a supplement (price varies) is charged for lower berths. Bear in mind, also, that these prices are in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes (see p48). The dates for the high and low seasons are as stated in the book. RAIL PASSES box p14 Canrail Pass Adult fares The basic pass now costs $763 in high season and $475 in low season. Concessions (students, seniors, children) The basic pass is $687 in high season and $428 in low season. DISCOUNTS p14 VIA are now offering a couple of fantastic new deals – for up-to-the-minute details visit their website, www.viarail.ca. Seniors – Bring a Friend for Free Passengers of 60 years or over travelling in Economy Class now have the opportunity to bring a friend – of any age – for free on any journey in Canada. If travelling Sleeper Class (eg Silver and Blue on the Canadian), the Senior can bring a friend at 75% discount. Note that the offer is subject to availability. Kids travel free Between 27 May and 5 September 2005, children aged 2–11 accompanied by an adult in Economy Class travelled free. Check VIA’s website to see whether they’re still offering this deal. FARES pp15-16 The Canadian – Toronto to Vancouver Sleeper class A through ticket currently costs $1217 for a berth and $1836 for a private room in peak season; outside peak season, you can buy Super Saver (advance purchase) tickets costing $876 for a berth or $1123 for a room. Economy class Standard economy class tickets cost $703 from Toronto to Vancouver in peak season, or $389 for advance purchase Super Saver tickets during the rest of the year. The Ocean – Halifax to Montreal Economy class Tickets cost $198 full fare, or $109 advance purchase (available year-round). Sleeper class You’ll pay $387 for a bedroom in peak season, and $231 during the off-peak season, advance purchase. The Skeena – Jasper to Prince Rupert Economy class $170 full fare, or $97 advance purchase. Totem class $500. The Hudson Bay – Winnipeg to Churchill Economy class Full fare is $254, and advance purchase is $141 (year-round). Sleeper class A bedroom costs $639 in peak period and $372 with an off-peak advance purchase ticket. The Corridor – Montreal to Toronto VIA 1 $178 year-round. Economy class $114 full fare, or $70 advance purchase (year-round). Rocky Mountaineer (high season June–Sept; prices based on two people sharing) Redleaf (standard) class Fares from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper cost $729 in high season or from $539 in low season. Goldleaf (luxury) class From Vancouver to Banff or Jasper costs $1429 in high season, and from $1099 in low season. GETTING TO CANADA (from the UK) p19 Air fares have, in general, changed very little from those quoted. However, please note the following change of contact details: Air Canada tel 0871–220 1111 British Airways tel 0870–8509 850 THE OTHER TRAINS p65 The Ocean: Halifax to Montreal From 1 June to 31 October, as well as standard sleeper tickets, you’ll have the choice of a newly revamped ‘Easterly class’ sleeper service, including all meals and a mixture of cultural commentary, short movies, workshops and other activities provided by a ‘Learning Coordinator’. BC RAIL SOLD – NEW ROCKY MOUNTAINEER SERVICES LAUNCHED p67 After 91 years of operation, BC Rail has been sold to Canadian National (CN). All its rail services have been suspended, including the Royal Hudson steam train described on p162 of this guide. However, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (the company operating the Rocky Mountaineer train – see below) has recently won a bid to take over two of BC Rail’s lines on a ten-year lease from CN, and plans to launch two new tourist services in 2006: the Whistler Mountaineer, a three-hour journey from Vancouver to Whistler resort; and the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery route, a two-day, daylight-only service from Whistler to Jasper, overnighting in Prince George. At the time of writing, fares have not been published for these services. Other Rocky Mountaineer updates Rocky Mountaineer Railtours now calls itself Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, and offers a wide range of holiday packages in Canada on top of the tourist rail services described in this guide. The company’s website address has changed from www.rkymtnrail.com (as given on p16 of this guide) to www.rockymountaineer.com. HALIFAX p80 The Bras d’Or tourist rail service This service, from Halifax to Sydney on Cape Breton Island, has been discontinued; according to VIA Rail, ‘there are no plans for operation in the foreseeable future.’ |
Trans-Canada Rail Guide