Ways to find economic VIA Rail tickets?

[RobertInOntario]

My family and I would like to visit Ottawa for a few days next March break (around March 14-18).

I'd like to take a VIA train but, when I phoned for prices the other day, they quoted $500 for the 4 of us. Last summer, I heard of specials ranging around $70 per person, but maybe those have long expired. I'd really like to take the train but why pay $500 when we could drive there and back for a fraction of that cost?

Does anyone know of any ways to get good VIA deals, i.e. when to phone in, how to find promotions? I'm also going to check our Airmiles balance as you can sometimes buy tix with airmiles.

Thanks in advance,
Rob

[MasonJar]

Hi Rob,

You have checked most of the usual ways. $70 is not far off the one way adult fare for that trip, so it may be the best you can find. However, you might also be a little early for any of the specials for March Break. There are often deals like buy an adult ticket and the kid travels free. But they may not coincide with March Break. I'd keep checking every week from now til then.

If you need any ideas for what to see or do in Ottawa, let me know.

Andrew

[MasonJar]

Rob,

It also just occurred to me that you might find the best savings if you book a hotel and ticket together (assuming that you need a hotel). VIA has finally started to pick up on the fact they can offer a package like the airlines. Their deals from here to Toronto are actually pretty good, so maybe the reverse is true...?

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

Rob,

It also just occurred to me that you might find the best savings if you book a hotel and ticket together (assuming that you need a hotel). VIA has finally started to pick up on the fact they can offer a package like the airlines. Their deals from here to Toronto are actually pretty good, so maybe the reverse is true...?

Andrew

Thanks, Andrew -- I'll try that!

I expect the various museums (especially the Science and Technology Museum ), the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, exploring restaurants, will keep us busy but still open to a few other ideas!

I'm going to try to log in to my Airmiles account now....

Rob

[tomustang]

I sure believe it's about time someone came out with a expedia or priceline for passenger trains

[BR60103]

Rob: I get regular email from VIA about "bargains" Try viarail.ca/packages .

[MasonJar]

I expect the various museums (especially the Science and Technology Museum ), the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, exploring restaurants, will keep us busy but still open to a few other ideas!

I'm going to try to log in to my Airmiles account now....

Rob

Science & Tech has the trains...

The Aviation Museum is also very good. Both are a bit of a pin to get to on public transport, but do-able. The O-train (public light rail) is also good, except that it does not take you anywhere. Interesting for railfanning, not so much for getting around. There is a nice trestle (?) bridge over the Rideau River at Carleton University, and there is also the tunnel under Dow's Lake that is interesting.

Parliament is good, and you should be able to go up the Peace Tower. The Rideau Canal may be on its last legs for skating at that time, but you never know. The Market is fun, and the American Embassy is something to see (from outside only... ). The NAC, Art Gallery, Parliament, Canal, Market, Sparks Street and much of downtown is walkable from anywhere in the central area.

The Museum of Civilization with IMAX is just across the river in Gatineau (used to be Hull).

Ottawa also has a huge model railroad community, so check the calendar at <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ovar/ca">www.ovar/ca</a><!-- w --> to see if there is anything that might interest.


Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

Rob: I get regular email from VIA about "bargains" Try viarail.ca/packages .

Thanks, David!

Rob