Rail and land
The Canadian
About four nights from Toronto to Vancouver. You see the lakes of the Canadian Shield, the prairie, and the Rockies from the Skyline and Park cars.
The train
The Canadian takes about four nights from Toronto to Vancouver. It crosses the lakes of the Canadian Shield, the prairie, and the Rockies. You see the Shield from the Skyline dome. West of Jasper you see Mount Robson from the train. Between Kamloops and Vancouver the train follows the Fraser Canyon. You see the river from the dome.
Sleeper Plus is a cabin for one, a cabin for two, or an upper or lower berth. It includes the meals and time in the Skyline dome when a seat is free. Prestige is a larger cabin, with more time in the Park car at the rear, and that car has a second dome. Economy is a seat, and the meals are not included.
Where you can get off
People get off in Jasper for a night. The station stop is longer than a platform stretch, and it is still too short for a visit to Maligne Lake or the Icefields. The stop in Winnipeg is longer, long enough to leave the station and come back. It is not long enough to see the city.
Meals
Sleeper Plus includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining car. Breakfast starts at 6:30. You choose one of two seatings for lunch and dinner. There is always a vegetarian dish. Wine is sold by the glass.
VIA changes the menu. Breakfast has included a chef’s omelette. Lunch has included a pulled-turkey wrap and ginger beef on rice. Dinner has included trout, pesto chicken, and beef. The dishes on your date can differ.