Questions for Canadian SSV Members

[oldhudson]

In 2020 my and my wife will celebrate 50 years together. We've talked on and off for years about taking some kind of railroad trip in Canada. Of course there's lots of info on line. I was taken aback by the prices - but it is what it is. Anyway for those who know about the offering and train travel here are some questions.

1. We live in the Twin Cities we so we are pretty close to Winnipeg so could we rent car and drive to Winnipeg and catch the train there and go west. Or would we be better to fly to Vancouver, get the train come east to Winnipeg and try to rent a car and drive home? Can we rent a car and cross an international boarder? 

2. There are several options offered Rain Forest Route, Cross Country Journey, Canadian Rockies by Rail, Essential Rockies. We'd have 3 weeks - which would allow us to see the most?

3. Autumn would be the high season no doubt and I know we'd prefer that but there are 3 other seasons. Has anyone made these journeys in one of the other seasons? What did you think?

4. Of course everyone wants to see the Rockies in autumn, but what would a trip east towards the Atlantic be like in autumn on VIA Rail?

5. One way to save money would be to avoid the train and do road trip, but while saving money we'd have to work a lot harder planning places to stay and I wouldn't consider a road trip in winter.

6. What general info/advice as we plan either a rail or road trip? 

7. Does anyone know if we'll have any money left in our 401K by 2020? Maybe we'll have to take a trip to South Dakota?

Thanks for reading

[scrollerpete]

I would google VIA rail trips, they have lot’s of suggestions, if you want to go from Winnipeg to Vancouver, I would suggest that you drive to Winnipeg and then go on the train. The Prairie route is boring because it is flat and same all the time but at least you can move around and go to the dome on top of the train.

[MTCowpoke22]

The thing with the prices, and I have no knowledge on what they are, is that you have to apply the exchange rate. So if the price of one ticket in Canadian is $100, it will only cost you around $65 US. You will want to get some Canadian spending money before you go. But for your bigger purchases (hotels, train tickets, meals, etc.) you'll want to put them on a card because the exchange is automatically figured into your purchase. And Canada loves MasterCard.

[Tomanydogs]

@oldhudson I wish I could give you some answers to your questions. I have heard good things about the train to the Rockies and I have heard bad things. I suggest you do your homework on this one. Google reviews for the trip you are wanting to take.  I’m not sure why the train is so darn expensive, I guess you need a berth for the trip. But it’s still pricey.