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VIA Rail Canada offers families a great
way to travel across Canada and beyond by Train.
Families can enjoy a fascinating mode of transportation that
affords an opportunity to watch the countryside through
panoramic windows in a relaxing atmosphere to
share the
trip with each other and fellow passengers.
Train travel also lets kids stretch their legs and visit the
rest room without any delay in travel
time.
Click on the Links or Scroll
the Page to learn more about VIA Rail Canada.
ON THE TRAIN
CHILDREN'S
FARES
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Services for Children and Families on VIA Rail Canada can include:
Special Cars on Selected Trains
 Special
cars on selected trains include a Skyline Car with a cafe,
Park Car with lounge and Panoramic Dome, Dining Car and
Activity Cars with on-board video games, board games, movies
and other scheduled activities for all ages. Not all
cars may be available in Economy Class.
Priority Boarding
At most stations that service VIA Rail
Canada Trains, passengers with young children, pregnant
women, seniors and persons with restricted mobility can
board trains prior to other passengers. Priority
Boarding should be requested when booking. Upon
arrival at the station, passengers wishing priority boarding
should let the ticket handler know that this service is
required. Sleeper Class passengers may also request
priority boarding when available.
Activity Kits
Available on most VIA Rail Canada Trains is a children's
Activity Kit that contains a colouring/activity book and a
punch out and fold activity that creates a VIA Rail
train. Ask your Car Service Attendant if these are
available upon boarding.
Activity Car
Selected VIA Rail Trains come with one or more Skyline
Cars, depending on the train's size. An Activity
Co-ordinator may schedule games, activities and movies for
children and all passengers. Board games are also
available. Some trains also come equipped with a video
game console and games. Tables and chairs in one
section of the Skyline Car is usually the place for many
activities.
A relaxing lounge like area furnished with
 comfortable
seating is located on the other end of the Skyline
Car. Refreshments are available. The panoramic
dome is a great place to view the passing scenery during the
day or on a clear moonlit night.
Summer Guides
Two VIA Rail Trains that travel from
Montreal into Northern Quebec have the unique feature of an
on-board Guide that provides tourist information and
entertains children.
Children's Menus
 A Children's Menu is available in most Dining Cars that
include favourites like pancakes for breakfast and grilled
cheese, macaroni and cheese and more to please younger
appetites. Where food service is available without a
children's menu, menus contain items that may be suitable
for children.
Sleeper Cars
Sleeper Cars are available for longer
journeys and offer passengers the unique experience of being
lulled to sleep by the train movement. Upper and Lower
berths are converted from day seating to comfortable beds at
night with privacy curtains.
Bedrooms are available in single, double,
triple and doubles can be combined by removing a portable
wall to form a four bed double room. All bedrooms have
private toilet facilities. Shower facilities on
sleeper cars are shared.
For more information on
services available on VIA Rail Canada Trains go to www.viarail.ca
or go to Contact Information.
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Here
VIA Rail Canada has fares designed to make
a train trip an affordable vacation for families.
Special fares for children, students and seniors are
available year round.
For Fare specials go to Travel
News: VIA Rail offers ways for Families to Travel and Save with Summer "Kids Travel Free" and Seniors' "Take Someone for a Free Ride" Promotions
Babies and Infants
Children under 24 months of age travel free
on all VIA Rail trains unless a seat is required, in which
case a child's ticket must be purchased.
Children 2 to 11 Years
Children travelling in Economy Class on VIA
Rail trains pay half the adult fare. In Sleeper Class
children receive a 25% discount on the adult rate.
Special seasonal promotions may also be available.
Teenagers 12 to 17 Years and Students
with ISIC Identification
 In Economy Class teenagers and Students
receive a 35% discount on the adult rate. A 10%
reduction is available for Sleeper Class. Special
seasonal promotions may also be available. Students
over 17 years of age must have a valid International Student
Identification Card. The ISIC also offers other
advantages.
Canrail Pass
A Canrail Pass allows for 12 days of free travel within a
30-day period in Economy with upgrades to Sleeper Class upon
payment of a surcharge.
For more information on
fares, restrictions, vacation packages, Canrail Passes, ISIC,
classes and to reserve tickets online with VIA Rail
Canada go to www.viarail.ca
or go to Contact Information.
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Here
VIA Rail Canada does permits children aged 8 to 11 to
travel as unaccompanied minors ("UMs") under
certain conditions. Children 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18
years of age or older. Children 12 and over may travel
alone on VIA Rail Canada Trains.
The following is a brief outline of VIA Rail Canada's
policies for travel by UMs on its Trains:
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Parents or legal guardian must complete
and sign VIA Rail Canada's Waiver of Liability form.
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Children may not travel between midnight and 6
am.
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UMs can not travel in any sleeper
classes.
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UMs can not change trains or transfer to
connecting trains.
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Parents or legal guardian must present
UMs to VIA staff at boarding time.
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The person designated on the Waiver of
Liability Form must pick up UMs at the destination station.
UMs will not be released to anyone other than the
designated person on the form unless authorized by the
parent or guardian completing the Waiver Liability
Form.
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UMs travelling cross-boarder must comply
with United States customs and railway company
requirements.
In the event that a UM is not met by the
authorized party at their destination, VIA Rail Canada has
established policies to be followed by VIA Rail personnel
that parents should be aware of.
For more information on
VIA Rail Canada's policies for Unaccompanied Minors and pick
up procedures go to www.viarail.ca
or go to Contact Information.
To Return to Top of Page Click
Here
For more information on VIA Rail Canada's
Train Routes, Schedules, Fares, Services and Policies or to
to plan a Family Train Trip Contact VIA Rail Canada.
By Telephone:
Toll-free line available from anywhere in
Canada:
Information and reservations: 1 888 VIA
RAIL (1 888 842-7245)
VIA Preference: 1 888 VIA PREFER (1 888
842-7733)
Click
here for Local Area Contact Numbers within Canada
United States: Please contact your
travel agency or call 1 800 561-3949.
Click
here for International Contact Numbers
People with speech or hearing problems may communicate
through telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired
(TTY): Toronto and area
(TTY only): (416) 368-6406 and all
other locations: 1 800 268-9503 On-line
- Go to www.viarail.ca
or click below:
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We would love to hear about
any experiences visitors to www.hotelfun4kids.com
have had. Go to Contact Us and
let us know. We look forward to hearing from families
and their travel experiences.
Note: These
policies may change without notice and we suggest that you
contact VIA Rail Canada directly for more information.
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