Personally, I like a road trip. I love driving and I enjoy being out on the road knowing that while our destination has been pre-determined our route can change with the wind. It’s why my recent love affair with train travel is a bit of a surprise. On the train the route is the route. And unless you plan on getting out and moving tracks yourself (not recommended) you’re going wherever the train is. But once you accept that that is the case something funny happens: You lean back and enjoy the journey.
It happened to me, most recently, when my husband Ish and I packed the kids up for a trip that would take us to Ottawa for Canada Day and then over to Montreal for the Jazz festival before returning us to Toronto.
It didn’t start out well. I, in my infinite wisdom, thought we’d save time by boarding at Guildwood station, closer to our north of Toronto home, and thereby avoiding the downtown traffic of getting to Union Station. Brilliant plan – until we got lost. We boarded with only seconds to spare and fell in a sweaty mess into our seats. Thankfully, it was all uphill from there.
Here’s what we did right:
• Reserved a 4-seater: At the time of booking reserve one of the quad-seating sections if you have 3 or 4 in your group. The seats face into each other making traveling a lot like sitting around your kitchen table. You’ll be able to talk, share books and toys and switch seats a lot faster when its (insert name’s) turn to sit beside (insert name). On trips without reservations, make sure the ticket agent knows you’re traveling as a group. Families can often pre-board and have the best shot at those seats.
• Packed Snacks: You can purchase meals and drinks in the economy section on board (first class meals and snacks are provided) but they probably won’t have the jam sandwich on raisin bread that’s a lunchtime mainstay at home. Bring it, along with other healthy snacks and you can offer it up when tummies start to rumble.
• Turn off the electronics: We packed the DS and Ish and I made good use of the free wifi on board but we also made sure everyone had books to read, things to talk about (it’s amazing what they’ll tell you when you give them time and full attention) and participated in games of I spy that let us simply take in our surroundings.
• Met the neighbours: From the on-board staff who brought around VIA bags filled with activity books and model trains to build (and were then forced to engage in chatter with the 7-year-old about what Ottawa was like), to the family of four who happened to be sitting across from us, being on the train offered the opportunity to meet, chat and learn about new people as we rode. (Tip: The man who’s sleeping in the seat behind you is always going to be less excited about your kids’ excited chatter than you are.)
• Got great deals: Via Rail subsidized some portions of our trip, but we paid for others willingly because it was so inexpensive. A summer promotion means kids (ages 2-11; under 2 is free) pay only $10 each when traveling with an adult in economy! Don’t forget to check the express deals section on VIA Rail Canada for more last minute discounts.
Read more about Heather’s family trips at www.globetrottingmama.com