VIA Rail's The Canadian Sleeper Touring Class Service
Canada
The Canadian, owned and operated by VIA Rail Canada, a Canadian Federal Crown Corporation, has been renovated to its stainless steel exterior and art-deco style of the 1950s, offering a nostalgic travel experience. From the vantage point of the private domed Skyline car, your enjoyment of the scenery along your travels is truly enhanced.
Enjoy your trip aboard VIA Rail in the upgraded Sleeper Touring Class, which includes the following:
- Pre-boarding and priority baggage handling
- 24-hour complimentary tea/coffee service
- Private bedroom aboard the sleeping car
- Basic, functional sleeping quarters
- Exclusive access to the famed observation domes of the Skyline cars, which also have a relaxing lounge area. Each Skyline car is the exclusive domain of guests from three sleeping cars.
- Excellent meals in the dining car
- Special touches including a shower kit (soap, shampoo, and towels), tourist literature, included check-in of your baggage
- Courteous staff attentive to your every need
- Exclusive use of The Park Car, a peaceful, 360-degree glass-domed car at the rear of the train
Baggage
When boarding, please limit yourself to one item of hand luggage to carry into the cars. Please check all baggage that you will not need during the three night journey. Don’t forget to keep any medication with you.
Passengers With Special Needs
None of the stations have platforms level with rail car doors. Passengers in wheelchairs can be boarded with the help of VIA Rail personnel. Travelers who are unable to travel between cars may have their meals served at their seats by VIA Rail personnel.
Smoking
There is a strict no-smoking policy on board VIA Rail trains.
Gratuities for Train Personnel
We are sure you will agree that tipping is a personal matter and should be commensurate with services provided. The following are recommended guidelines:
On Board Attendant: CAD $3.00 per person per night
Dining Room Staff:
Breakfast CAD $1.50 per person per day
Lunch CAD $3.00 per person per day
Dinner CAD $4.00 per person per day
Meals
All meals are included while on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian. All meals are ordered from a menu and served at the table. All tables seat 4 people. Dress up or down as you wish. Sleeper Touring Class guests find that the constantly changing panoramas from the Skyline car create a special mood all their own, there are three sittings for each meal, not just dinner. First seating for breakfast means first choice seating for the other two meals of the day. Generally, if you are assigned a later dinner seating one evening, you get the first seating the next evening. Each meal, prepared by a chef exclusively for Sleeper Touring Class passengers, features a Canadian-inspired menu — soups and salads, fresh bread, cold plates, and excellent hot entrees, topped off by delicious desserts. Your meals include most non-alcoholic beverages.
On-train personnel will do their best to fill requests for vegetarian, kosher, low-sodium, or low-fat meals. Please let Vantage know about any special dietary requests at the time of booking to allow us enough time to transmit your request. VIA Rail does not guarantee that its meals are free of all allergenic products.
Cabin Descriptions
Overnight Single Accommodations
Single passengers on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian are accommodated in smaller, single bedrooms with a window seat that converts to a bed folding out from the wall. Amenities include a sink/vanity, mirror, and toilet (Please note: Single bedroom toilet is not accessible when bed is lowered). There is a public restroom and a public shower in each sleeping car. Room dimensions are 6’ 5” in length x 3’ 7” in width.
Overnight Double Accommodations
Double accommodations on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian are accommodated in bedrooms with a window and two armchairs, which are replaced by upper and lower beds for sleeping. Amenities include a small closet, mirror, sink/vanity, and private toilet. There is a public restroom and a public shower in each sleeping car. Room dimensions are 7’ 2 3/4” in length x 4’ 11 5/8” in width.
The Westin Bayshore
Canada
(Vancouver trip extension only)
The Moderate Deluxe Westin Bayshore Vancouver offers guests the best of both worlds: the activities and cultural events of Vancouver, as well as a relaxing resort experience. Enjoy views of the coastline, distant mountains, and Stanley Park. Connected to the historic 1,000-acre Stanley Park via its picturesque seawall, you’re just moments away from unspoiled nature. Guest rooms offer Internet Access, as well as floor to ceiling sliding glass doors opening up to incredible water, mountain, and city views.
King Edward
Canada
Boasting modern comfort and turn-of-the-century charm, the King Edward is a Deluxe hotel situated in the heart of the Toronto, just steps away from the finest shopping, arts, and entertainment districts. The hotel offers a restaurant, lounge, room service, business center, currency exchange, concierge services, laundry/dry cleaning, barber/hair stylist, gift shop, indoor pool, and health club and spa. You'll rest easy in a guest room that features a 42-inch plasma television set, in-room movies, and an iPod docking station. Rooms also have air conditioning, radio/alarm clock, a telephone with voicemail, iron and ironing board, minibar, in-room safe, and a bathroom with a hair dryer, robes, and a separate bath and shower stall.
Sutton Place Hotel Toronto
Canada
The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto is a Deluxe, European highrise hotel located in the heart of the city, just blocks away from the finest shopping, arts, and entertainment districts. The hotel offers a restaurant, lounge, room service, business center, currency exchange, concierge services, laundry/dry cleaning, barber/hair stylist, gift shop, indoor pool, and health club. Guest rooms have air conditioning, cable/satellite TV with in-room movies, radio/alarm clock, two-line phone with voicemail and data port, iron and ironing board, minibar, refrigerator, coffee maker, complimentary newspaper, in-room safe, and private bath with hair dryer and robes.
Rimrock Resort Hotel
Canada
Located just outside of town in a spectacular mountain setting near the area’s famed hot springs, the Deluxe Rimrock Resort Hotel offers elegant accommodations and amenities — and the most incredible views in the Canadian Rockies!
Enjoy the heated indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, and other luxuries. Perhaps even go for a hike on the property. And in your deluxe room, you can relax in comfort and take in the views of the Rockies. All rooms feature Aveda toiletries, cable television with in-room movies and internet games, individually controlled thermostat/air conditioning, a two line phone with speaker and a single line phone, wireless high-speed internet access, radio with alarm, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and board and 24 hour room service.
The Rocky Mountaineer
Canada
Discover the spectacular scenery of Canada’s untouched wilderness along a historic route aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, featuring glass-domed cars or large picture windows for your viewing pleasure!
SilverLeaf Service
Service as spectacular as the scenery. Welcome to Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service — a truly civilized way to experience a great all-daylight adventure. Settle back in your roomy, reclining seat and enjoy the commentary and service provided by your Onboard Attendant. Delicious chilled breakfasts and luncheon selections are served at your seat, so you will not miss a moment of the scenery through the large picture windows during your all daylight journey. Enjoy the thrill of the Canadian Rockies in classic style with Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service.
SilverLeaf Coach Features- Single level dome coach with oversized windows
- Assigned seating in reclining seats
- Extended legroom
- Oversized windows — 167% larger viewing area than RedLeaf service
SilverLeaf Service Features
- Service and interpretive commentary by 2 knowledgeable and friendly Onboard Attendants
- Hot breakfasts and lunches (lunch includes the option of a complimentary glass of beer or wine)
- Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages served at your seat throughout your journey
- One night moderate accommodation in Kamloops with luggage delivery
- Transfers between the train station and your accommodation in Kamloops
Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service!
Upgrade your experience on the 2-day Rocky Mountaineer train ride with GoldLeaf Service. GoldLeaf gives you First-Class luxury seating in the panoramic, bi-level glass domed car, gourmet meals served in a lower-level private GoldLeaf dining room, complimentary snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and four onboard attendants assisting you.With GoldLeaf service, like SilverLeaf service, your luggage is delivered to your hotel in Kamloops. Please carry any medications with you, as you will not have access to your luggage during the day.
GoldLeaf Coach Features
- Two level glass dome coach
- Assigned seating in reclining seats
- Extended legroom
- Full-length windows for unparalleled views
- Large open-air vestibule and dining area
GoldLeaf Service Features
- Service and interpretive commentary by 4 knowledgeable and friendly Onboard Attendants, plus a full culinary team
- Hot breakfasts and lunches, featuring an a la carte menu and served in an exclusive GoldLeaf dining room
- Complimentary snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- One night moderate accommodation in Kamloops with luggage delivery
- Transfers between the train station and your accommodation in Kamloops
Gratuities for Train Personnel
We are sure you will agree that tipping is a personal matter and should be commensurate with services provided. That being said, in response to our passenger’s request for recommendations, a gratuity of $30.00 (Canadian) in Gold Leaf and $25.00 (Canadian) in Silver Leaf per guest to be shared among the attendants in your coach is generally considered appropriate for the two-day on-board experience.
Safety Tips While On Board
Your safety and well being are important to us. To ensure that you have a safe journey, we request that you observe the following:
- Wear rubber soled, low heeled, or flat shoes at all times
- When visiting vestibules or walking through the cars, always wear your shoes and do not stand on the moving end plates
- Keep your head, arms, and any other parts of your body inside the moving coach at all times
Smoking
There is a strict no-smoking policy on board the Rocky Mountaineer. The train company will provide Nicorette gum to smokers if they wish.
