VIA Rail Prestige Class | Price Reviews and Inside Experience (2024)

Table of contents

• Popular VIA Rail Prestige Class Trips
• What’s included in the Prestige Class Cabin
• The Canadian Train Prestige Class Journey [with map]
• VIA Rail’s Prestige Class Interiors and Photos
• About Prestige Class Menu
• Prestige Class Compared with Sleeper Plus and Economy Class
• Best time to travel in Prestige Class
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian Prestige Journey

The Canadian Prestige Journey includes luxury, personalized service from start to finish. Enjoy private airport transfers, private tours in your stopover destinations and — of course — Prestige Class on VIA Rail’s sleeper train between Jasper and Toronto. You’ll also discover Jasper and Banff national parks and the best of the Canadian Rockies.

Miles covered on train: 2,762
Days on train: 4
Nights on train: 4

Canadian Cross Country Journey

On this trip, sleep onboard The Canadian train for four nights as you travel across the country, from Vancouver on the West Coast to Toronto in Eastern Canada. Spend four days admiring the changing scenery and tasting locally inspired cuisine on the train. Choose to explore Vancouver and Toronto on small group tours.

Miles covered on train: 2,762
Days on train: 4
Nights on train: 4

Canadian Cross Country Journey in Winter

Take a sleeper train across Canada during winter and see the snowy Canadian Rockies. In Toronto, choose to visit Niagara Falls shrouded in ice, and in Vancouver, explore the local rainforest and surrounding mountains. With two hotel nights in each city, and a four-night train journey, this is the perfect trans-Canada winter adventure.

Miles covered on train: 2,762
Days on train: 4
Nights on train: 4

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Get inspired with sample itineraries, train information, route maps, and travel advice from our local experts.

Available between Toronto and Vancouver, Prestige Class is a luxury experience. This unparalleled encounter with nature comes with personalized attention. It's an inspiring way to admire Canada's beautiful landscapes. Enjoy attentive, personalized concierge service throughout your trip. Priority reservations for onboard dining and priority boarding at the train station gives Prestige Class travellers complete peace of mind. Savour the all-inclusive treatment, with refined dining and complimentary drinks service.

Features of Prestige Class:

• Personalized concierge service throughout your train journey
• The Prestige Sleeper cabin, which is 50% larger than the cabin for two in Sleeper Plus class, for the duration of your train journey
• Priority reservations in the dining car
• Delicious meals prepared by onboard chefs every day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Pre-dining appetizers and snacks, arranged by your Prestige concierge
• All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, hot and cold drinks
• Access and reserved seating in the Prestige Park Car, which is an excellent viewing area
• Complimentary bar service, snacks, and activities in the Prestige Park Car
• Access to the Skyline Car, another viewing area
• Priority boarding and priority check-in at major stations
• Access to Vancouver and Toronto station lounges
• Baggage registration service

Included in the Prestige Class Cabin:

• A comfortable sectional couch, facing an extra-large picture window for incredible views (this is the daytime cabin set up)
• A fold-down bed for two with turndown service (this is the evening cabin set up)
• Private washroom with wash basin, shower, and toiletries
• A flat-screen TV with video selection
• Small cooler cabinet/mini bar that can be stocked with a selection of beverages

Not Included:

Prestige Class is VIA Rail's premium service, so it includes all The Canadian train has to offer. Wi-fi is not included, as there is no wi-fi and limited cell service on the train.

Gratuities are not included. All gratuities are at your discretion, so feel free to tip your server in the dining car and the agent responsible for your cabin in the sleeping car. Note: the crew does change several times on the journey between Vancouver and Toronto.

Explore: VIA Rail Vacation Packages

The Canadian Train Prestige Class Journey [with map]

The Canadian train travels from Toronto to Vancouver, or from Vancouver to Toronto. Stops include Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Jasper. The route traverses five provinces over four days and four nights. This is the only passenger sleeper train that goes across Canada. You can travel in Prestige Class in either direction.

The Prestige Cabin is more elegant and spacious than the Sleeper Plus Cabin for two. In fact, it is 50 percent larger.

Instead of the armchairs that are featured in Sleeper Plus cabins, inside the Prestige Cabin, there is a modular L-shaped leather sofa which faces an extra-large window. During the evening, this sofa is changed into a murphy bed for two, which also faces the window. This is great for couples who would like to share a bed and not climb into the upper bunk of a Sleeper Plus cabin.

The Prestige Cabin also features a mini-fridge stocked with beverages, a flat-screen TV with videos, and a power outlet. The heated cabin floors maintain a comfortable, constant temperature. There is also a small private washroom with a shower, wash basin, fresh towels, and amenities. There is a small shelving space and a thin, long hanging cupboard where you can hang up a few clothing items. There are also coat hooks on the back of the door.

Though the Prestige Cabin is larger than the Sleeper Plus cabins, it is still smaller than a hotel room. When travelling on The Canadian train, you should only bring small carry-on suitcases and personal items into the cabin with you. Your large luggage items will be checked in at the train station. There is limited space in the hallways and cabins of the train, and large luggage is difficult to manoeuvre in these narrow spaces. The less amount of luggage you bring onto the train, the more comfortable your onboard experience will be.

The cabin is the perfect place to relax with a book, play a game, sleep, and gaze at the beautiful scenery outside your window. It offers complete privacy and comfort, so you can arrive at your destination feeling refreshed. You can even enjoy breakfast in bed if you do not want to go to the dining car — ask your Prestige concierge to arrange this.

Our VIA Rail Prestige Class photos on this page show the interior of the cabin and the different train cars.

The VIA Rail Prestige Class menu includes main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) served in the dining car. The 1950s vintage dining car features tables with white tablecloths, flowers, menus, and elegant table settings. It is essentially a restaurant onboard the train.

Enjoy three-course gourmet meals for lunch and dinner. There are always options to choose from, including a meat dish, a fish dish, and a vegetarian dish. These meals on The Canadian train are cooked by onboard chefs and are made using fresh Canadian ingredients. You can enjoy a glass of local beer or wine with your meal. There is a range of hot and cold beverages available. All drinks are included in Prestige Class. Guests with special diets, allergies and other requirements can request special meals in advance.

Both Prestige Class and Sleeper Class guests are served their meals in the dining car. It is likely you will be seated with other passengers during meal service. This is a great way to make friends on the train and share your Canada travel stories.

Prestige Class passengers will have priority reservations for meals in the dining car. To accommodate all Sleeper Plus and Prestige guests, there is more than one seating per meal. In Prestige Class, let your attendant know if you prefer to eat in the earlier or later seating.

Prestige Class Compared with Sleeper Plus and Economy Class

Wondering why you should pick Prestige Class over Sleeper Plus or Economy? Here’s a quick comparison.

Best time to travel in Prestige Class

Every season is a good season to experience Prestige Class. The best time to travel in Prestige Class depends on what Canadian scenery you’d like to see. Summer is the most popular time for travellers to embark on an across Canada trip, due to the pleasant weather and longer daylight hours. Winter provides a magical experience. Snuggle up in your Prestige Cabin, travel past snow-capped mountains and watch flurries fall outside your window.

Discuss your Canadian train vacation with a local travel expert