Canadian Railroads > VIa to Prince Rupert

We've been on the Canadian but not the train to Prince Rupert, so I was thinking of riding it later next month. I'd plan to leave Vancouver on a Friday on the Canadian, Saturday night in Jasper, Sunday night in Prince George, arrive Prince Rupert on Monday, fly home from there on Tuesday. I've looked into train, lodging and air, I know about the recent lateness of the Canadian, anyone here have any recommendations or cautions about the trip?

As long as you are overnight in Jasper you should be fine. No.2 normally departs Vancouver on time. So lateness into Jasper is normally only a few hours.

The former Skeena is a great ride. If I lived closer I'd be on it every year. In the summer the BC ferry between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy on the north end of Vancouver Island is also a great ride. While the ferry operates on a reduced schedule all year, the summer daytime schedule is better.

Jimbo Wrote:
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> The former Skeena is a great ride. If I lived
> closer I'd be on it every year. In the summer the
> BC ferry between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy on
> the north end of Vancouver Island is also a great
> ride. While the ferry operates on a reduced
> schedule all year, the summer daytime schedule is
> better.

You're right Jimbo, but it was more of an adventure when the
Malahat was still running on Vancouver Island.
We rode the ferry to Port hardy and went motorcoach to Courtenay
and caught the train. Can't do that anymore! :>(

Larry Dodgion
Wilsonville, OR

It's a MUST do, before it to is gone too! And definitely a MUST do when the Panorama Car is in the consist - in peak period when Touring Class is offered. It's a SPECTACULAR journey.

I consider the Prince Rupert line the best.

FWIW, I was told that the VIA #2 left 22 hours late recently.

Rick

The ferry option between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert is a good one.

I took your trip in reverse, booking a flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy, staying overnight, and the ferry to Prince Rupert and Skeena to Jasper, with an overnight at the Ramada Inn in Prince George. There were no security checks required before boarding the Port Hardy plane.

rschonfelder Wrote:
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> FWIW, I was told that the VIA #2 left 22 hours
> late recently.
>
> Rick

Was that number 2 or number 1 that left 22 hours late? I've heard about the Toronto delayed departures but not from Vancouver.

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> The ferry option between Port Hardy and Prince
> Rupert is a good one.
>
> I took your trip in reverse, booking a flight from
> Vancouver to Port Hardy, staying overnight, and
> the ferry to Prince Rupert and Skeena to Jasper,
> with an overnight at the Ramada Inn in Prince
> George. There were no security checks required
> before boarding the Port Hardy plane.

I've stayed at the Ramada Inn and the Travelodge in Prince George. Both were OK and within reasonable walking distance from VIA, maybe eight blocks.

I stayed at the Crest Hotel and had a corner suite. It was a really GREAT room! All my experiences to Prince Rupert from 2004 onwards have been FANTASTIC! Best Halibut I've ever ate - fresh right off the boat!!!