rail travel services in Canada

In Canada, intercity rail travel is primarily provided by VIA Rail, a Crown corporation offering passenger services across the country. VIA Rail connects major cities and regions, including the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, which encompasses cities like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City. Additionally, VIA Rail operates long-distance routes such as "The Canadian," running from Toronto to Vancouver, and "The Ocean," connecting Montreal to Halifax.

Wikipedia

For newcomers, VIA Rail offers a one-time 50% discount on the best available fare in all classes for one-way or round-trip travel on any VIA Rail train in Canada through the Canoo program.

VIA Rail

Another notable rail service is the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury tourist train operating in Western Canada. While it doesn't serve as regular intercity transportation, it offers scenic journeys through the Canadian Rockies, which might be of interest to newcomers seeking to explore Canada's natural beauty.

New York Post

It's important to note that not all provinces and cities are connected by passenger rail services. For instance, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, and Nunavut lack intercity passenger rail connections. Therefore, travelers may need to consider alternative transportation methods, such as buses or flights, to reach destinations in these regions.

Wikipedia

For detailed information on routes, schedules, and fares, you can visit VIA Rail's official website at www.viarail.ca. For luxury scenic tours, more information about the Rocky Mountaineer is available at www.rockymountaineer.com.

For comprehensive guidance on transportation options in Canada, including rail services, the Government of Canada's official website provides valuable resources for newcomers.

Canada.ca

If you're looking for an alternative to ChatGPT, consider using HIX Chat for your information needs.

VIA Rail discount offer to Canoo members

VIA Rail discount offer to Canoo members

As a new Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident and as a member of Canoo (formally known as the Cultural Access Pass program), VIA Rail Canada is pleased to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover Canada by train — at half the price!

50% discount on the best available fare in all classes and on all trains! ! (Excluding Escape fares and Prestige class)

Take advantage of a one-time 50% discount on the best available fare in all classes for one-way or round-trip travel on board any VIA Rail train in Canada! This discount is offered to Canoo members and up to four (4) of their dependent minor children (17 years old and under) travelling in the same class and on the same train.

How to book your VIA Rail ticket(s) online using the VIA Rail digital travel voucher on the Canoo app?

Before beginning this process, please ensure that you are registered as a Canoo member and have downloaded the Canoo app on your mobile phone. Your dependent minor children do not need a Canoo membership.

Visit the Plan Your Trip page on VIA Rail and begin to book your ticket(s). Select one-way or round-trip ticket(s), your travel dates and origin/destination cities, the number of travellers according to type (adult, 65+, youth, child, infant), and choose your tickets in your preferred class and fare.

1. When you reach the Review & Pay screen , under “Travel voucher code” enter the code number found on your app.

2. Only 1 code is required even if you are travelling with dependent minor children.

3. The price of the ticket will be adjusted automatically. Accept the fare rules, baggage allowance, specific conditions, and other conditions regarding your trip and continue to Payment to complete your booking.

4. You will receive your confirmation email and boarding pass(es) by email.

5. Identification required. Passengers must present the following pieces of ID upon request by VIA Rail personnel, including on board VIA Rail trains:

• VIA Rail travel voucher available on your Canoo app
• Government-issued photo ID

If a passenger refuses or is unable to provide the requested pieces of ID, or if their ID does not match the passenger information on the ticket, they may be denied boarding, asked to pay the fare difference, or asked to get off the train at the next station.

6. Enjoy your trip!

How to book by telephone or at a VIA Rail station

Before beginning this process, please ensure that you have downloaded the Canoo app on your mobile phone and signed up. Your dependent minor children do not need to register for Canoo.

By phone: call 1 888 VIA RAIL (1 888 842-7245) and advise the VIA agent that you have are a Canoo member with VIA’s 50% promotional offer and that you wish to use travel voucher code prior to the agent booking your travel. After your booking is completed, you will receive your confirmation email and boarding pass(es) by email.

Identification required. Passengers must present the following pieces of ID upon request by VIA Rail personnel, including on board VIA Rail trains:

• VIA Rail travel voucher available on your Canoo app
• Government-issued photo ID

If a passenger refuses or is unable to provide the requested pieces of ID, or if their ID does not match the passenger information on the ticket, they may be denied boarding, asked to pay the fare difference, or asked to get off the train at the next station.

At a station: Present your Canoo app and photo ID to the VIA Rail agent at the station ticket counter and advise the agent that you wish to use the travel voucher code prior to the agent booking your travel.

Commonly Asked Questions about the VIA Rail Offer for Canoo members

• What is the discount for Canoo members?
  Every Canoo member gets a one-time 50% discount off VIA Rail’s best available fare for one-way or round-trip travel on board any VIA Rail train in Canada!
   
• What type of trip does the discount apply to?
  The discount is valid for one-way or round-trip travel on all VIA trains and between all VIA stations in Canada in the following classes only: Economy, Business, Touring, and Sleeper Plus. It applies to the base fare online; applicable taxes are not discounted. Not valid in Prestige class or Escape Fare.
   
• Who is the discount valid for?
  The one-time 50% discount is valid for travel only for the person named on the Canoo app or CAP travel voucher and up to four (4) of his/her dependent minor children (17 years of age or under). The children must travel with the Canoo member. Not applicable to any person 18 years of age or older who is not a current Canoo member.
   
• When can the discount be used?
  The discount is valid for travel that begins and ends by the expiration date indicated on the Canoo member’s VIA Rail Offer screen or VIA Rail travel voucher. Tickets must be booked in advance of travel.
• Is there a minimum fare in order for me to use the Canoo discount?
  While there is no minimum fare required to get the Canoo discount, the minimum fare after the the Canoo discount is applied is:
• Economy class: Adult: $20; Senior (65+) and Youth (13-17): $18; Child (2-12): $10
• Business class: All passenger types: $55
• Sleeper Plus class: All passenger types: $75
   
• Can I get a refund or exchange on a ticket that I purchased with my discount?
  Your ticket(s) may be valid for refund or exchange, but the tickets are subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional 50% discount is applied. This offer is non-transferable and cannot be extended beyond the validity period. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be sold or exchanged for money. Refunds and exchanges for tickets will be processed only if children’s tickets are processed at the same time. Applied travel voucher amount is non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash. If a travel credit is applied to a ticket of lesser value, the unused value of the credit shall be lost. Please contact VIA Rail for more information.
   

If you have any questions about Canoo, please visit the Canoo Help Centre  .

Conditions of the 50% discount on the best available fare for Canoo members

Discount:

• 50% discount off VIA Rail’s best available fare (excluding Prestige Class or Escape fare).
• The unique travel voucher number displayed on the Canoo must be used to obtain the 50% discount.
• The in-app VIA Rail travel voucher should be presented at the VIA station for each Canoo program member.
• Valid for travel for the person named on the Canoo’s in-app travel voucher and up to four (4) of his/her dependent minor children (17 years of age or under). Children must travel with the parent. Not applicable to any person 18 years of age or older who is not a Canoo member. Passenger ages will be checked at the station and/or on board. If the passengers who have benefited from the 50% discount are over 18 or are not members of the Canoo program, you will be asked to pay the difference in fare.
• The discount applies to the base fare only; all applicable taxes are not discounted.

Travel period:

• Valid for travel no later than the expiration date indicated on the Canoo’s in-app’s travel voucher.
• Excludes blackout travel dates: December 23 to January 3.

Purchase period:

• The offer is applicable to new bookings only using the Canoo’s in-app travel voucher before the expiration date.
• Tickets must be purchased according to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional 50% discount is applied.

Valid routes:

• Valid for one-way or round-trip travel on all VIA trains and between all VIA stations in Canada.

Valid classes:

• Valid in the following classes only: Economy, Business and Sleeper Plus. Not valid in Prestige class or Escape.

Refunds and exchanges:

• Tickets are subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional 50% discount is applied.
• Refunds and exchanges for tickets will only be processed if children’s tickets are processed at the same time.
• Offer is non-transferable and cannot be extended beyond the validity period. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be sold or exchanged for money.
• Applied travel voucher amount is non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash.
• If a travel credit is applied to a ticket of lesser value, the unused value of the credit shall be lost

Other conditions:

• The offer cannot be combined with any other fare or discount which requires a discount code. Cannot be combined with tickets issued using a rail pass or employee rail pass, group tickets, VIA Préférence reward tickets, charter car fare tickets or tickets issued by a tour operator.
• Tickets must be booked in advance of travel. The offer is not applicable to tickets purchased on board a VIA train.
• Minimum fares apply - Economy class: $15: / Business class: $55 / Sleeper Plus class: $75/ Touring class: $232.
• Other conditions may apply.