Comparing All VIA Rail Classes: Prestige vs Sleeper Plus vs Economy & Business

Classic rail travel: days spent in the common lounges, dinner taken in the dining car, a private cabin to retire to each night. This is how to do it best.

VIA Rail is the culmination of over 100 years of railway history, when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), after establishing the first transcontinental rail route in 1866, was consolidated into VIA Rail in 1978.

Now, VIA's various trains connect Canadians across the country, and offer visitors the chance to travel coast-to-coast, and connect with our unique rail-faring heritage as they do.

But in offering four different classes across more than seven routes, finding what you're looking for can be difficult for travelers. Luckily, our Travel Designers create trips around these every day, and know the ins and outs of the distinctions by heart.

We've put together a definitive guide of the service levels available on VIA Rail's various trains, and what you'll get in each one. If you're looking to speak directly to an expert, reach out to a Travel Designer for a free consultation.

Let's begin.

Summary

VIA Rail classes are broken into: Prestige, Sleeper Plus, Economy, and Business classes.

Prestige and Sleeper Plus Classes offer private cabins and access to the dining car, while Economy and Business Classes provide a roomy seat. The classes offered depend on the route you are taking.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

VIA Rail Classes at a Glance

VIA Rail Classes depend on which route you take. While each individual route has slightly different offerings, the main distinction is between the long-distance trains offering sleeper services and the short-distance trains offering day trips.

Long-Distance Train Classes

Across their long-distance trains, VIA Rail offers three levels of service: Prestige Class, Sleeper Plus Class, and Economy Class.

If you're short on time, here's a quick look at what each of the long-distance service levels includes:

Prestige Class	Sleeper Plus Class	Economy Class
Large private cabin for two with double bed	Three cabin types with private and semi-private options	Reclining seats
Private toilet	Private toilet	Shared toilet (one per car)
Private toilet	Private toilet	Shared toilet (one per car)
Private shower	Shared shower (one per car)	No shower access
Meals in the dining car	Meals in the dining car	Light meals for purchase
Snacks and beverages	Snacks and beverages	Snacks and beverages for purchase
Alcoholic drinks included	Alcoholic drinks available for purchase	Alcoholic drinks available for purchase
Access to a Skyline car with priority seating in the dome	Access to a Skyline car	Access to a Skyline car

Short-Distance Train Classes

Short-distance trains between Quebec City and Windsor (known as the Corridor) offer two levels of service: Business Class and Economy Class. Both offer a comfortable seat to travel in, but in Business Class you'll have a wider seat, more leg room, and meals all included in your ticket.

VIA Rail routes with the Canadian in red, and all others in grey | Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Which Route Has Each Service?

A different combination of classes is found on every route. It seems confusing at first, so we've broken it down for you in the table below:

	Prestige Class	Sleeper Plus Class	Economy Class	Business Class
Canadian Train	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ocean Train	No	Yes	Yes	No
Corridor Routes	No	No	Yes	Most Routes
Scenic Adventure Routes	Np	Some Routes	Yes	No

If you're still confused about what you might get on each trip, you can reach out to one of our Travel Designers. They will help find the right combination of route and class that you're looking for.

VIA Rail Prestige Class

Prestige Class is simply the best way to travel on a VIA Rail train. You'll have the most spacious cabins onboard, a personal concierge attending to your needs, and all meals, snacks, and drinks (both alcoholic and non) included in your ticket.

Prestige Cabins

Prestige sleeper cabins are the largest on any VIA Rail train — 50% bigger than the next biggest onboard, in fact. They're styled classically, with a large L-shaped couch in the daytime and a flat double bed at night. That means they're best for couples who want to sleep beside each other, as they are the only cabins without single bunks.

Prestige Cabin Features:

• L-shaped couch in the daytime
• Extra-large window
• Double bed at night
• Private washroom with both toilet and shower
• Flat Screen TV

While we encourage travelers to spend time outside of their cabins (the community feel on these trains is truly special, and something you have to experience while onboard), the large couch, oversized window, and flat screen TV make your cabin the perfect place to relax in the daytime, or retire to once you're ready for some alone time.

Credit: VIA Rail

Prestige Meals

Freshly cooked meals in the dining car are one of the highlights of any classic rail trip.

So, like any good classical rail vacation should have, Prestige Class passengers enjoy multi-course meals in one of the train's dedicated dining cars. You'll be seated in groups of four at restaurant-style, white-linen-topped tables, and, while seating groups might rotate, you will dine in the same car each night.

Depending on route, destination, and your chosen stop, what exactly you're offered may vary slightly.

Some staples can be counted on — the rack of lamb has become the Canadian train's unofficial signature, recommended by both travelers and experts alike, and you'd be amiss to spend more than a night on the train without encountering the infamously delicious chocolate cake — but meals vary across route, time of year, and day of travel. For example, on day two of the Canadian train, you'll be offered a continental breakfast followed by a multi-course brunch rather than the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Credit: VIA Rail

You'll never find yourself hungry; meals always come in courses, and dessert is plentiful.

Your meals are all prepared fresh onboard the train, impressive given the space constraints. That being said, you wouldn't know, as stylishly-plated gourmet meals rival many off-the-tracks restaurants.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Prestige Cars

There are four main spaces that Prestige passengers will spend their time onboard the train:

• Private cabin
• The Skyline lounge car
• The Skyline viewing dome
• The Park car

Prestige comes with a few more onboard perks not enjoyed by Sleeper Plus passengers.

In the Skyline car (the most popular part of the train by far), you'll have priority seating at the front of the upper-level viewing dome. It's worth leaving the comfort of your cabin's cozy sitting room for these: the best seats in the house. After all, what is traveling onboard the Canadian or the Ocean if not to watch the towering Canadian Rockies and the vast prairie skies stretch above you through domed-glass windows, or spot the glisten of the Atlantic on the horizon.

In the downstairs Skyline lounges, snacks, tea, and coffee are readily available between meals, and activities are hosted throughout the day. On the Canadian train, the other major advantage to traveling in Prestige Class is unrestricted access to the Park Car.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

When VIA Rail first started its operations, the Park Car was home to the 'Mural Lounge,' an intimate common area each painted with a different iconic Canadian landscape. Over the years, as the trains were modernised, the Mural Lounges were redesigned as the sleek and stylish Bullet Lounge and its attached bar.

The lounge-slash-bar-car is always positioned at the very rear of the train, allowing stunning views through the back window onboard the train, along the tracks, and to the landscapes behind you.

In peak summer travel, Prestige passengers have exclusive all-day access to the Park Car, the Bullet Lounge, and this coach's viewing dome.

VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class

Sleeper Plus Class is intended for long-distance travelers desiring comfort and privacy. It is available on the Canadian train, the Ocean train, and the Scenic Adventure route between Winnipeg and Churchill), Manitoba.

Credit: VIA Rail

Sleeper Plus Cabins

Sleeper Plus Cabins are best for comfortable overnight journeys and come in many forms. In fact, there are three different kinds of cabins in Sleeper Plus Class:

• Semi-private berth
• Private cabin for one
• Private cabin for two

Each cabin includes spacious seats in the daytime, which, at night, become fold-down beds. And while there are no private showers available in Sleeper Plus (you'll need a Prestige Class ticket for that), there is a shower readily available in each sleeper car for passengers to use.

Sleeper Plus Berths

Sleeper Plus berths are made up of a pair of inwards-facing couches in the day, and two bunk beds at night. While there isn't a door, there is a thick blackout curtain that gives you privacy from the corridor at night.

It is worth noting that Sleeper Plus Berths don't have access to an electrical outlet at the seat or in bed. However, there are plenty to use in the trains' common lounges and seating areas.

Sleeper Plus Cabin for 1

A Sleeper Plus cabin for one is designed for a single person traveling alone. It includes a comfortable chair facing a large window during the day, and a single-size bunk at night.

The cabin also includes a toilet, which you'll have easy access to in the daytime, and a sink.

At night the bed will be pulled down to cover the toilet, and while it can still be accessed by pushing up the bed, it is easier to visit the shared washroom just down the hall.

Sleeper Plus Cabin for 2

A Sleeper Plus cabin for two is made up of two comfortable chairs in the day, and two bunk beds at night.

There is also a sink and a separate private washroom with a toilet and a locking door.

Some private cabins for two can also be combined to make a cabin for four. This is perfect for families traveling with young children. If you're looking for this option, talk to your Travel Designer at time of booking.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Sleeper Plus Meals

Sleeper Plus passengers enjoy the same meals as Prestige Class passengers in the dining car. That means freshly cooked, multi-course breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners depending on when and where they are traveling.

Breakfast starts with a pastry, before choosing your à la carte meal from the rotating menu. Tea and coffee are, of course, included.

Both lunch and dinner are three-course meals, starting with a soup or salad, before another menu of mains (which changes each day you travel). Each will end with dessert. Non-alcoholic beverages are included with your meals, and there is the additional option to purchase alcoholic beverages if you so wish.

Aside from the comfort of a lie-flat bed, this is the main reason we recommend Sleeper Plus to all our travelers: a traditional dining car laid with white linen, silverware, and a menu of multi-course meals just waiting for you as you pass picturesque towns, glistening lakes, and the Rocky Mountains.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Sleeper Plus Cars

Outside of private cabins, there are several places Sleeper Plus passengers may spend time.

The Skyline Car, containing the common lounges and the illustrious scenic dome, is understandably the most popular.

The domed seating area is often the main reason travelers want to take this train. It's where you'll find the legendary views that popularized these routes. But, throughout the day and evenings, activities like educational talks, wine and beer tastings, and games will also be hosted here.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

The lounges below are often overlooked in favor of the dome, but that just means you're always able to find a quiet corner to tuck into here. The walls are lined with large picture windows, and vintage-inspired couches curve around tables at one end, and a cafe-style setup can be found at the other. As with any class, we recommend you spend time outside of your cabin in the public lounges and viewing cars across your trip. It isn't a stretch to say that the people you'll meet onboard the train truly make the journey.

Three of the Canada Rail Vacations team on a recent trip on the Canadian train | Canada Rail Vacations

Our Experience in Sleeper Plus Class

We regularly have members of our team take Canada's trains to make sure the experiences we offer our guests continue to meet our own high standards. And, like with our guests, we always travel in Sleeper Plus Class or above to preserve the authentic rail experience we believe is so important.

Several different members of our team have made the trip in the last several years, and across all these journeys, the same things are praised time and time again: the views, the food, and the people.

I spent the majority of the time on the train in the Skyline Car — the one with glass-domed windows. Only the food onboard could make me leave. I didn't expect the meals on the train to be freshly prepared and served hot. - Maria, Team Member

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

The meals in Sleeper Plus are usually the first thing our team will point out when they return from our journey. Food is plentiful, cooked onboard, and served hot in the dining car. And even across each trip's rotating menu, our team continually recommends the lamb for dinner, and the eggs Benedict the following morning for brunch.

But once our team has finished gushing about the dining car, conversation always quickly turns to the viewing dome on the top floor of the Skyline car, which is an undisputed favorite among every single team member who steps aboard the train.

We woke up early in the morning to grab a spot in the Skyline dome, and we spent the day stealing pictures of the views around. - Rachel, Travel Designer

Our tips: get there early, watch the sunrise, and don't be afraid to start a conversation. A laid-back atmosphere greets you as you venture up the stairs, and you'll meet an incredible range of people, each with their own reason for being there.

You'll spend time with the same small group of travelers across your days onboard, and end up getting to know each other surprisingly well. Everyone here just wants to enjoy rail travel together, and is happy to slow down, make conversation, and let the views roll past. - Rowan, Team Member

And, of course, the cabins.

It's always a hot topic to see how well people sleep onboard the train (understandable, as this is one of the most common questions we get from guests). We always find the cabins comfortable, the beds spacious, and the night’s rest restful.

This is exactly why we recommend these cabins.

You should expect some gentle sway from the train and the occasional sound of another train passing — this is still a train, not a hotel. However, it’s easy to sleep through, and many of our team members enjoyed the quiet reminders of where they were spending their night. If you’re particularly worried, earplugs are provided in your cabin and are free to use for any lighter sleeper.

Credit: VIA Rail

Other Classes on VIA Rail

VIA Rail Business Class

Business class is available on most VIA Rail trains between Quebec City and Windsor, also known as the Corridor. You'll have a wider seat with more leg room, and included meals and drinks to enjoy at your seat. Small comforts, like a Business Class lounge at your departing station, just sweeten the deal.

We offer our guests the highest level of comfort onboard these trains. We want to make sure you get the rail experience you're dreaming of, and that means included meals and extra legroom.

We always include Business Class tickets in any itinerary using this route, so you can be sure that you're getting the best when you book with us.

VIA Rail Economy Class

Economy Class on VIA Rail is a good budget option for traveling across Canada. However, we do not recommend Economy Class to our guests traveling on sleeper trains, and do not include it in the vacations we design.

While Economy Class offers the most affordable way to travel the country by rail, you miss a large part of the train trip experience — meals taken in the dining car, a cabin to retire to at night, a cozy bed to sleep in — that makes these trains so special.

You'll have access to a comfortable reclining chair and, on the long-distance sleeper trains, the Skyline Car (and its famous viewing dome). However, meals are not included — though food and drinks can both be purchased onboard — and no bed is provided for overnight trips.

Credit: VIA Rail

Available in All Service Levels

There are some things that are available across all VIA Rail classes: namely, the ease of crossing the entire country (and, in doing so, the continent of North America) by rail, and the stunning views that come with it.

On an interconnected series of trains, you can travel Canada coast-to-coast entirely by rail. You'll see everything from temperate coastal rainforest on the West Coast, to the Rocky Mountains and the glistening lakes between them, to the vast prairies spanning Central Canada.

You'll pass through the biggest cities in the country. But, just a few hours later, some of the smallest farming and fishing villages, many of which are rarely seen by travelers.

All the while, you're treated to the warm and welcoming service onboard by an incredibly passionate team of staff. They spend hours upon hours traveling these routes, and are a fountain of knowledge. Any questions about the sights you see, the wildlife you pass, or the intricacies of rail travel are met with enthusiasm and true expertise.

Classical train travel, you'll find, is a niche with incredibly devoted followers. So across both staff, who make the passion their life, and passengers, you'll meet (and learn from) some extremely interesting people.

Credit: VIA Rail

How to Choose Your Class on VIA Rail

Different VIA Rail classes suit different passengers on different journeys at different points in their lives. We work hard to make sure we pair each potential passenger with their perfect experience.

Why Choose Prestige Class?

You should choose Prestige Class tickets if you're looking for the most comfortable way to travel across Canada by rail. We especially recommend it to travelers completing a full trans-Canada train trip who want the most space and comfort across their cumulative week spent onboard sleeper trains.

We also suggest this class to couples who would prefer to sleep side-by-side rather than in single beds, or any couples who may both struggle to climb into an upper-level bunk.

If you want to book a Prestige Class cabin, be sure to reach out to Canada Rail Vacations far in advance of when you plan to travel. These cabins are extremely limited in quantity, often selling out several months before any given departure date. Our Travel Designers can help you secure one of these coveted rooms.

Why Choose Sleeper Plus Class?

Sleeper Plus Class has the widest variety of cabin types, and, as such, is ideal for all kinds of guests. We recommend Sleeper Plus Class to any traveler looking to take a sleeper train in Canada.

When designing trips on sleeper trains, we always include Sleeper Plus class as a minimum. We believe this is where you'll find that classic rail experience you're dreaming of.

Why Choose Business Class?

You should choose Business Class when you're looking for the highest level of comfort on short-distance VIA Rail trains, or are traveling across a meal time. You'll have a larger seat and meals included.

We always include Business Class tickets for our guests on any short-distance route that allows it. So if you're booking with us, rest assured you'll have the highest quality care onboard the train.

Why Choose Economy Class?

Most travelers choose Economy class tickets to save money. However, they miss out on a lot of the best parts of long-distance train travel in doing so. As a result, we do not recommend choosing Economy class, and do not include it in our trips.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

How to Book

Single VIA Rail tickets can be booked directly on their site, or to incorporate a train trip into a larger vacation, you can book with a specialist tour operator like Canada Rail Vacations.

We will assist you in getting competitive cabin types, connecting multiple routes seamlessly, and offering on-the-ground support while you travel. Aside from the trains, we'll design a complete trip around VIA Rail's various journeys. They might include pre- and post-night stays, personalized activities in the Canadian Rockies, guided tours around Canada's biggest cities, or multi-day road trips throughout Atlantic Canada (and the flexibility to customize each step of the journey).

A member of our team will work one-on-one with you to coordinate and book all aspects of your trip, allowing it to flow seamlessly from rail to land and back to rail with no added stress.

All you need to do is show up and allow yourself to be whisked away.

FAQs

Which VIA Rail class should I take?

The service level that's right for you depends on what you're looking for in your trip.

If you're looking for a more luxurious train trip, then traveling in Prestige Class is likely best for you. But if you want a more traditional rail travel experience, Sleeper Plus Class gives you that authentic experience, including meals in the dining car and access to the iconic Skyline Car dome.

We would caution any traveler against taking Economy Class on a long VIA Rail train trip. Economy Class does not include a bed or meals while onboard. For this reason, we only ever book our clients in Sleeper Plus Class and above.

What's it like onboard a VIA Rail train?

For a full look into your time onboard a VIA Rail train, see our detailed article: Train Across Canada: How to Plan the Journey of a Lifetime

When is peak season on VIA Rail?

Peak season runs from mid-April to mid-November, with slight variations each year. This is the most popular time to travel onboard long-distance sleeper trains due to longer daylight hours, better weather.

For Prestige and Sleeper Plus passengers, this distinction is important. During peak summer season, only Prestige Class passengers can access the Park car in the daytime — Sleeper Plus passengers are restricted between 6am and 5pm each day.

In the off-season, both Prestige and Sleeper Plus passengers can access the Park car.

Is there WiFi and cell service on the train?

While there is WiFi available on most VIA Rail trains, internet access is extremely limited across much of the long-distance routes. The same is true for cell service.

We recommend to our guests that they do not plan to rely on the internet during their trip. Instead, enjoy more analog forms of entertainment (there's nothing like diving into a new book in a quiet corner of the Skyline dome) and download anything you need so it can be accessed offline. This way, you'll be better prepared for connection outages and, perhaps, will even enjoy the slow-travel atmosphere of a train ride all the more.

Does VIA Rail accommodate dietary restrictions?

VIA Rail accommodates various dietary restrictions for travelers in Sleeper Plus and Prestige Classes enjoying onboard meals. They offer special meals for travelers with some medical conditions or dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free options on most routes. If you have dietary needs or allergies, please let your Travel Designer know at the time of booking, as many accommodations must be requested in advance.

Feature Image Credit: New Brunswick Tourism