Upon arrival to Canada, I got to do something I’ve always wanted to do: ride the train across Canada. For me, there is no better way to travel than via train. It’s slow enough you can watch the world float by, but also comfortable enough that you can stretch your feet, sleep, and eat cozy meals as you go. For me, it’s the only method of travel that lets you feel like you’re moving, without making you feel like your travelling, if that makes any sense. If comfy enough, riding a train is like travelling in your house.
This is the back of the train. On the Via, this car always has coffee, tea, and, on the night you set off, some champagne and snacks waiting for you.
The VIA Rail that runs across Canada, in my case from Toronto to Edmonton, is that perfect form of travel. And despite the idea that lots of Canadians have that taking the train across Canada is boring since east of the mountains is all prairie or bush is completely untrue. Though there is lots of prairie, and lots of bush, the views are constantly beautiful.
Rather than writing a long descriptive article about the train, I thought instead it would be good to show you the train trip in photos, and explain through the captions. And if you’re looking for some tips about how to take pictures from a train like the Via Rail, click here.
Enjoy!
On the first night, I climbed up into the dome car for a view of Toronto at night.
This would be my bedroom for the trip across Canada. It’s the top room you can get, this is a double although I had it to myself. It also had a private toilet and sink. Showers are shared by multiple cabins.
Day 2 on the Via across Canada starts with breakfast in the dinning car as the train cruises through Ontario.
Most of Ontario is a mix of bush and hidden lakes. There’s not a cell phone signal in sight, the perfect escape from technology for a day!
One of the rare stops long the way. Aside from a fairly long stop in Winnipeg, this was the only time I got out of the train.
The view from my room on the Via Rail… 2 days without cell coverage was exactly what I needed.
Life in the dinning car at sunset.
Food along the way on the Via Rail was great. 3 Course meals with a view… you can’t beat that!
More food…
I could go all day with the food photos.
Hitting the prairies… getting closer to home. Breakfast and this view is about as good as it gets.
This was my favourite photo from the entire trip across Canada with Via Rail. I love the colours of the prairies and the father and sons walking down the road. Perfection.
The prairies moving from the window in the back of the train.
Is there a more familiar view of the prairies than this photo???
