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Travel Guide: Amtrak & Via Rail

North America Rail Pass DISCONTINUED

Unfortunately, Amtrak NO longer participates in the North America Rail Pass that used to include nearly unlimited travel on both Amtrak and Via Rail Canada for 30 days.

You can still travel to Montreal and Vancouver via Amtrak.

You can also access Toronto via Amtrak to Niagara Falls, NY, with a separate Via Rail Canada ticket from Niagara Falls to Toronto that Amtrak will sell you, if you are traveling on an Amtrak rail pass. Otherwise, you can buy a through ticket to Toronto that includes both Amtrak and Via Rail.

Greyhound Canada offers the least expensive service from Vancouver to both Banff and Jasper national parks. This leaves from the same station Amtrak serves in Vancouver. Via Rail also serves Jasper from this station.

We do not advise same day connections to Amtrak at Vancouver.

About the now discontinued pass

We are including pass information below, in case reinstated.

If you would like to visit lots of places in Canada and the United States, and see some of the best scenery in North America while doing so, the discount Amtrak and Via Rail Canada North America Rail Pass may be for you.

No ticket gives you more stops in comfort for its price. In fact, this rail pass deal offers you unlimited stops in Canada and the U.S. within a 30 day period.

This truly is your chance to explore Canada and the U.S. in depth.

With your North America pass, you easily access Disney World, the Grand Canyon, Vancouver, Seattle, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, San Antonio, Quebec City, Charleston, Washington, DC, Toronto, Whistler, Tucson, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boston, Austin, New York City, and so much more.

On most long-distance trains, your seats have leg room similar to airline first class seats. On many trains, you sit high above the tracks and view the countryside from big picture windows.

Because your trains often drop you near where you want to be, you may not have to rent a car. In fact, one Amtrak stop (San Clemente, CA) is literally on a beach and another (Winter Park, CO) is virtually next to a ski lift.

Incredible scenery

You never forget approaching Jasper National Park in Canada, climbing the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, and having surf almost touch your window as you glide along the rugged California coastline north of Santa Barbara—just some of the places you see.

One of the most scenic routes starts just outside of New York City. You ride past Bear Mountain State Park, West Point, and Lake Champaign, as you head toward Montreal.

Prices

Prices depend on the time of year you travel and whether you buy your pass in Canada or the United States, and whether there's a special promotion, but you always get access to some of the most beautiful routes in the world.

Currently, the peak season pass rate is considerably higher than the off season one. Check "Hot Deals" on the Amtrak home page for prices.

There are student and senior (60+) discounts.

Note that the pass rates include comfortable seating. If you wish private sleeping accommodation, the cost is much higher.

You may buy your pass from Amtrak (1 800-USA-Rail), Via Rail Canada (1 888-842-7245), or a travel agency that specializes in rail travel.

You can combine your pass with hotel savings by using the bidding tips available on this site.

Plan carefully