Sunday

Review : Via Rail to me is a Perfect 10


If you're destination oriented,  take the plane.  If you want a real TRAVEL, take the VIA Rail train ~ Freddie Miranda 2012

I have travelled on VIA Rail quite a few times between Toronto, Kingston, Montreal and Ottawa and will continue to use their services in order to get between these cities.

I really love this train. I can shell out the extra money for the comfort, the service, the speed, and the free WIFI. Personally, I prefer purchasing my train tickets online with VIA Rail. Their website, www.viarail.ca is user-friendly and easy to understand.  The staff at the Union Station in Toronto are polite and very efficient whenever I pick up my tickets. The VIA crew are friendly, cheerful, helpful and very professional.  Excellent job! Keep up the good work guys! What else can I say?

Some people think that it might be cheaper flying. I tell them it's not, if they travel with VIA. The price is affordable. They frequently have special promo.  The price of the promo tickets does not even cover the taxes if you fly.  As for the time it takes, yes the train ride is a solid 5-hour travel outside Canada, but a one hour flight can turn into 3 to 4 hours when you consider the time it takes to get through security and other formalities, not to mention the wait for your checked-in baggages.  The Via trip is more relaxing, and the stations are located in city centres, unlike most airports which is located in the suburb.  Booking tickets in advance will save you money with the supersaver fare. It gets sold out really quickly, so booking in advance is your best option.

In Via Rail, you have to stand in a long queue to board the train. It did not bother me at all.  Last month, on my trip from Toronto to Kingston, it took less than five minutes for a long queue of  passengers to board the train.

On my next trip, I am travelling on a business class ticket as adviced by some friends. "Do yourself a favour, dish out the extra dollars and take the business class, you won't regret it", says one of my friends. I want to try and maximize the benefits as much as I can using my Via Preference. Create a profile with Via Preference and be a member. You can accumulate one point for every dollar spent.  I got my ticket from Toronto to Kingston for free redeeming my point using this programme. If you are a frequent traveller, take advantage of this, you will be glad you did.

I've had nothing but friendly service in the 10 years using VIA Rail. With this review, I am giving VIA Rail a perfect 10 as I agree with them, its "A more human way to travel."

Category:Transportation/Train
Name of Transport: VIA Rail Train
Address: Union Station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website: www.viarail.ca
Rate: 10 

Read Reviews: (Rated between 1 and 10) 1-Worst   10-Excellent

From the desk of: 
Freddie Miranda

A blogger and a Canada-based freelance writer. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send a message @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.











 













14 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I never tried any travel via Rail Train and your words here adds my eagerness to try at least once. It's really nice to have travel when the service is quite comforting. Thanks a whole lot Freddie :) blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Leony. When I am on a journey, I travel by train whenever possible. If you are coming to Toronto, book with VIA Rail online for a trip to other cities of the province of Ontario. I can guarantee a comfortable seat and very pleasant staff and crew. Try it, there'll be no regrets.

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  2. Seems a very interesting way of traveling! ^^

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    1. It is, Horus. Travelling by VIA Rail is interesting. It is always a good reference if the experience is coming from a local resident. Thanks for dropping some lines.

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  3. Freddie, I don't travel much, but this blog of yours is fantastic.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl. Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it very much. I promise that I will work harder for the benefit of everyone, traveller or not.

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  4. I love to share the beautiful things about the city where I am at. The excellent service of Via Rail in Toronto is something that I like to blog about.

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  5. Hi traveller.I have travelled via train 3 times and I enjoyed each time a lot but unfortunately our country or that is better to say our government is under a global sanction so all of tools and instrument are old and then lot of misadventures happen for our poor people annually.you are very lucky because u live in one of the best countries and so you can enjoy living completely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ahdiye for finding time to share your views.
      Canada, and the city of Toronto in particular, is a livable place. But of course nothing in this world is perfect. There is always the good and the bad side of it. Via Rail Canada belongs to the good side.

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    2. I gave a rate of 10 to Via Rail Canada for their outstanding customer service. Also gave a 10 for their roomy and restful seats. Their WIFI facility is superb that gets also a 10.

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  6. Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words.
      Terima kasih atas kata-kata baik Anda.

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  7. So time for a road trip ...
    Thank you much Freddie ...
    ~Blessings ...
    ~Debbie:)

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is, Debbie! I always want to think that I am going for a trip. If you are on a holiday to your neighbouring Canada, try Via Rail, you will be glad you did. Very comfortable and excellent customer service. Thanks for dropping by.

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