Trains have always been my comfort transport for long-distance travel. The scenic view and small townships in the distance while traveling at high speed have often taken my breath away, and Canada doesn’t shy away from the legacy of trains either. Trains make intercity transportation much easier, more comfortable, and faster. The Canadian railway system that does justice to tourists and working professionals is called ViaRail. Founded in 1977, this railway company still provides a premium experience to people from all walks of life.
If you are up for a distant journey inside Ontario without the hassle of driving tirelessly, VIA Rail is just a ticket away!
Coming as an international student here in Canada, I was wondering after getting off the plane at Pearson Airport if I needed clarification on how I would carry my luggage of a total of 46 kilos and go all the way to Windsor, which was almost 4 hours of driving. A friend of mine suggests using VIA Rail. All I had to do was create a profile and book a ticket in advance on the VIA Rail website. It was a simple procedure, nothing too complex.
Booking a Ticket
What I did was go to the website, choose my origin and destination, and define if the trip was a round trip or one way. Since I was going on a one-way trip, I took that section and selected my departure date and number of passengers. As you click on the departure date, you will see ticket prices on every date in the calendar, which will help you plan your trip in a better way and help manage your money. And I chose the number and weight of luggage that I had. You might need your passport or government-issued ID as well. Finally, I made the payment. They do accept VISA and Master debit, credit, or even cash (if you are buying tickets at the station). After I finalized my ticket, I could choose to download it in PDF format or send me an email with the QR that I had added to my digital wallet (you can add them to your Apple or Google wallet). The ticket would have the seat number and compartment or bus number on it. The best part is that you can book your tickets way ahead of time.
Going to the Train Station from Pearson Airport
A shuttle from the airport takes you directly to Union Station in Toronto. From there I boarded the train. It was very convenient, and I did not have to worry too much about my heavy luggage.
The Station
The VIA Rail stations are usually very clean and busy in larger cities like Toronto. The railway staff is always there to help guide you to platforms. You need to check in before boarding the train, where they might ask for a piece of government-issued ID. Since I was fresh off the boat and did not have a Canadian ID, I used my passport. Some people use their driver’s license or even provincial photo ID cards
The Train
I was amazed to see spacious compartments, which, by the way, are known as buses here in Canada. Each bus had two columns on each side and was divided by a walkway for people to move. Every bus had a huge luggage section, which I had to pass right after entering. This helped passengers like me with heavy luggage.
The Seating Arrangement
The seats were two columns on both sides, with good leg space for each seat. They were arranged, one on the window side and the other just beside the walkway. There was an overhead luggage shelf where I stored my carry-on. Every seat has an overhead light and an air conditioner, which you can easily control. There was also a charging port to charge your phone. Every seat comes with a foldable table, which can be used for keeping your things or eating. Unfortunately, food and snacks are not complimentary, so you have to order food.
The Train Experience
The railway staff was very helpful; they would help with your luggage. If you have any elderly person with you who struggles to get on and off the train, the staff always comes forward to help them. The ticket-checking method is straightforward; they scan the tickets with a digital scanner, and you won’t even need a physical ticket; all they require is the QR on your phone. The train always announces which station they are reaching 15 minutes prior.
It is a beautiful sight to see people moving around small townships and greenfields. The natural beauty pops up mostly during the summertime in Ontario, and traveling by VIA Rail becomes a wondrous adventure!
