Train to Churchill

The train from Toronto to Churchill MB takes 4 days. The train leaves from Union Station at 9:45 on Sunday, and is supposed to arrive in Winnipeg at 7:30 PM on the following day. We were about 2 hours late; the freight trains take precedence over passenger trains so delays occur often. Below is the departure lounge in Toronto:

So how cost effective is train travel? The lower sleeping berth from Toronto to Winnipeg is about $750 and this includes 2 checked bags if you want, all meals included (they have a kitchen on board and the food is excellent), shower on board, observatiion car and a completely relaxing trip. Cranking the numbers for the full trip from Toronto to Vancouver (4 days and 4 nights), the lower sleeping berth (best deal imho) is $1475.00, a 1-person cabin is $2020, a 2-person cabin is $3500 and Prestige Class is a hilarious $10500 - this includes your own huge room with queen size bed and mimosas in the observation car - the prestige passengers have been subsidizing everyone else since 2015. It’s completely booked every summer.

The Winnipeg train station is pretty nice:

Overnight in Winnipeg and then the train to Churchill leaves noon on Tuesday and arrives at 9:00 (or so) on Thursday - 2 nights. The scenery looks a lot like this:

Off to explore Churchill where it is pretty dang cold with a steady wind.