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Can you drink your own alcohol on VIA Rail?

Can we bring our personal alcoholic drinks on board? No, Provincial laws forbid passengers from consuming personal alcoholic drinks on the trains. Personal alcoholic drinks may only be consumed inside private sleeping car cabins on some trains. Read VIA's full policy concerning alcoholic beverages.



The rules for personal alcohol on VIA Rail are strict due to provincial liquor laws in Canada. Passengers are strictly prohibited from consuming their own "personal" alcoholic beverages in public areas of the train, such as the Economy cars, Lounge cars, or Dining cars. You are only allowed to consume alcohol that you have purchased from the on-board VIA Rail service. The only major exception to this rule is for passengers who have booked a private cabin on long-haul routes (like The Canadian or The Ocean). In the privacy of your own enclosed cabin, you are permitted to consume your own alcohol. However, even in a private cabin, you must remain responsible; if a passenger becomes intoxicated or disruptive, the crew has the authority to intervene. For those in Economy or in "open" sleeper berths, you must stick to the drinks sold by the staff, who are trained to serve alcohol in compliance with the laws of the various provinces the train passes through.

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You may bring aboard your own private stock of alcoholic beverages subject to the following limitations: You may consume private stock alcoholic beverages only in Sleeping Car accommodations for which you have a valid ticket. You may not consume private stock alcoholic beverages in any public areas.

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You can bring your own food on the train (as meals are not included in Economy class), however there are also snacks, meals, and beverages available to purchase on board with cash or credit. If you're travelling with kids, ask an agent on board for the kids activity book. Want to know when it's time for your stop?

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Accessible and Comfortable VIA Rail is one of the most accessible travel options in Canada, and you can always count on us for a safe, comfortable, and more autonomous way to travel. You'll enjoy a unique experience, one-of-a-kind services, and a warm welcome.

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On trains, you are free to tip your server in the dining car and the individual responsible for your room or berth in the sleeper car. Do remember, however, that the crew will change several times on long journeys.

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VIA Rail is proud to provide complimentary Wi-Fi service on board most of its trains, in its Business lounges and in select stations in the Québec City – Windsor corridor. Note that Wi-Fi is also offered on board the Ocean train (Montreal - Halifax) in the service cars located on either side of the dining car.

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The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.

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Does the Railroad Crew Sleep on the Train? People who work on a passenger train including the porters and other staff may have to stay onboard the train for up to 48 hours at a time. In these situations, the onboard crew will often sleep in a dormitory car on the train.

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Are electrical outlets available on board your trains? All HEP train cars feature at-your-seat power outlets in both Business class and Economy class.

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Alcohol, Drug or any other Mood-altering substance or Medication dependency, in site or off site VIA Rail's Premises, a positive Drug test, a failure to test, and an Alcohol test result of . 04 BAC or higher are all considered a violation of the Policy and Procedures.

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All of our private cabins have washrooms and berths have access to shared facilities in each car. At the end of your car, you have exclusive access to a shower room at all times and we offer towels and toiletries.

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It's pretty logical that the front car is the most dangerous place in a head-on collision, and the last car worst if the train is rear-ended, so National Association of Railroad Passengers president Ross Capon suggests riding in the middle cars.

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There are many scenic train rides in Canada, but The Canadian, i.e. the train between Toronto and Vancouver, offers the most varied landscapes. The most popular section of this train journey is the ride in the Rocky Mountains, before, during, and after the train's stop in Jasper.

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You can travel very affordably in Economy class in a reclining seat, or in Sleeper Plus class with a private sleeping-car room and restaurant car meals included.

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Dinner: 17:00-19:00 No entitlement if departure is at or after 18:30 (local time). (Exception for train 14 passengers departing from Montreal and St. Lambert will be entitled to dinner)

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