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Train Across Canada

Malakaiii
edited June 2007 in General
Just wondering if any of you have taken the train from Vancouver to Halifax? It's a trip I've wanted to make since I was little, and after seeing most of Thailand I'm even more inclined to see my own country.

My plan is to go in the 2nd week of August. Looks like I'd pay about $700 one way (there is a student discount of 35%), and it takes 4 days. I'd be using the economy class which means no bed (just chairs that look a lot like airplane chairs).

The first train is Vancouver to Toronto:
en_cart_toja.jpg

And the second is Toronto to Montreal:
mont-toro.jpg

And the third is Montreal to Halifax:
en_cart_ocean.jpg

I'd be going by myself and visiting my best friend who now lives in northern Nova Scotia. I'd probably stay for two weeks then fly home. The flight home will cost about $299 if I book it by tomorrow night (seat sale at West Jet).

The whole plan is so insane it excites the hell out of me. And I haven't seen my friend in a few years and I want to see her so badly I'd WALK to Halifax... so this is a good blend of what I really want and what I've wanted to do for a long time.

Thoughts, suggestions? Has anyone actually done this?

Comments

  • imelting
    edited June 2007
    i saw somethin on tv about this the other day, not really my cup of tea, but its just a long scenic tour of all that is canada and what makes this country so beautiful

    its prob more for the retired or vaca type thing, where u can drop by some cities and stay for a day and enjoy the little things that make that certain town unique

    but ya, sounds like a crazy plan, seems kinda pricey tho $700 for the ride :x
  • noname
    edited June 2007
    My coworker's husband is suffering from an illness and he is pretty old. One of the things he would love to do before he dies is to see all of Canada. My coworker said seeing Canada would be boring so she wouldn't go but I think I'll let her know about the train ride so her husband can decide from there.
  • Malakaiii
    edited June 2007
    Seems kind of cold to me to not go along with your dying husband! And I don't think seeing Canada would be boring at all.

    $700 isn't that bad. I found out that I can get a pass for that price which allows me 15 "travel days". So I can get off in Edmonton and go to my friend's wedding, have a day with another friend in Toronto, stay in a hostel for a night or two in Montreal, etc.

    It also sounds weird, but this would help my application to PDP (the teaching program at SFU) because they consider things like travel experience. AND they require all these courses on Canadian history and geography (which is maybe why I'm all jazzed up about seeing the whole country, now that I know so much about it).
  • Malakaiii
    edited June 2007
    I researched it a lot at work today. And I want to go more than ever! I'm booking my return flight from Halifax tonight, so I'll still have time to decide if I just want to fly or if I'm going to plunge and take the train.

    I'm thriving on crazy decisions lately!
  • noname
    edited June 2007
    ^ Well good luck with the trip. I was planning to visit a friend in Ottawa but too bad I deleted her contact info by mistake.
  • gawdawaful
    edited June 2007
    tbh, I want to drive a RV across Canada, do it on my own pace :D
  • imelting
    edited June 2007
    like in the tim hortons commercial :D
  • NukeChem
    edited June 2007
    Wow, $700.. still, it'd be an experience and a half, I bet, seeing Canada by train. Now you've got me wanting to do this :teeth:
  • Malakaiii
    edited June 2007
    I think it will be awesome! And they have observation cars that you can go to so you can look out. I'm wondering if I'll see northern lights? Apparently some people saw them while riding the train. Pretty freaking neat!

    Looks like if I want a bed, it costs THREE TIMES more. Cripes... Good thing I'm adventurous. :wink:

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