Comparing Options: A Breakdown of Different Types of VIA Rail Fares for Seniors (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between economy and economy plus on VIA Rail? ›

Economy Plus Class offers an upgraded experience compared to Economy Class. Passengers in this class benefit from enhanced seating comfort, including additional legroom and wider seats.

Details. With a Senior Railcard anyone 60 years or over can save 1/3 on all Standard and First Class, Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares for £30. Take a look at all the ticket types you can make savings on with a Senior Railcard. There are plenty of ways you can use your Railcard, for both long and short trips.

The fare comparison page at Via Rail has the information you need. There is no difference in the onboard experience (nor the at-station experience such as using the lounge) at all. The only difference is in the flexibility of the fare - change fees and cancellation fees.

The lowdown on Premium Economy

On average, you can expect Premium Economy tickets to cost approximately 1.5 to 3 times more. The big selling point for premium economy tickets is more space.

Unlike Premium Economy, which is generally separated from Economy, Economy Plus is still part of the main cabin. The main difference is that you have a better seat, with more legroom, and your seat will be right at the front of the cabin.

The OAP Railcard, better known as the 'Senior Railcard', is a discount card specifically for senior citizens. It gives people aged 60 and over 1/3 off rail fares throughout Great Britain.

Children under 5 years of age travel for free on most journeys but check with your train company to make sure. Please note, children under 5 who are travelling without a ticket may only occupy a seat that is not required by a fare-paying passenger.

Costing just £30 a year, the Senior Railcard saves you 1/3 on all Off-Peak journeys offering you immediate savings.

Any baggage weighing more than 23 kg/50 lb will not be allowed on board the Corridor trains. Each passenger is responsible for their own baggage. Please only bring baggage that you can carry and store unassisted (under the seat in front of you, on the overhead shelf or in the towers).

Can you shower on VIA Rail? ›

Yes, there are washrooms on every VIA Rail train. There are showers on some of our trains, depending on the route. For long distance trains (e.g. the Canadian and the Ocean), private washrooms and shared shower rooms are available for cabins. Berths have access to a shared washroom and a shared shower room in each car.

May is the most popular month to travel because winter is over and train prices are lower than they will be in June, July, August and September. To balance the lower prices, temperatures are lower in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in May.

You can bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on the train. We also offer a selection of refreshments and food, prepared with carefully selected local products from Canadian artisans. Visit our meals section for more information about the options available for your class of service and route.

The Economy class of The Canadian train features two rows of comfortable seats. These seats come with reclining footrests and provide ample legroom to ensure a comfortable journey. You also have the unique opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape from the expansive Skyline Car.

Economy class

Spread out and let the gentle motion of the train rock you to sleep while you glide through the wilderness. Extra blankets and pillows can be purchased.

Whatever it's called, the economy plus seat is actually part of the economy cabin. But what sets these seats apart from the rest is a few extra inches of legroom, priority boarding, a better location at the front of the cabin, free alcoholic beverages, and free meal service, depending on your specific airline.

For most travelers, the primary value-add is extra legroom, though Economy Plus also features seats near the front of the aircraft. The extra legroom is substantial. Though the exact seat pitch—the distance between you and the row in front of you—varies by aircraft.

United restricts full-sized carry-ons for its basic economy tickets. Basic economy tickets are ineligible for refunds and don't include seat selection. Economy Plus features standard economy seats with extra legroom. Standard economy includes seat selection and a free carry-on.

Get extra legroom and a seat in front of the Economy sections with Economy Plus^®. Economy Plus is available on all United flights and most United Express^® flights. You can upgrade to an Economy Plus seat at any time from booking to check-in.