In four days by train via Canada - without internet and mobile phones

Rachel Askinasi/Business Insider

For four days I traveled by train to Canada. I had neither wifi nor cell phone reception.

To keep myself busy during the journey, I bought books and downloaded the series in advance.

However, the breathtaking scenery, friendly fellow travelers and daily wine and beer tastings make it time to fly on board.

As I prepared for my four-day trip across Canada with VIA Rail Canada, I thought a lot about how I would spend time on board.

I knew breathtaking landscapes awaited me, but that was about it.

In October 2019 I boarded a VIA Rail train bound for Vancouver in Toronto. The Canadian Railway Company advertised a four-day scenic tour through the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. A total of seven stopovers were scheduled.

When I first came across this offer I learned that there would be no internet on board. While I waited for a few days to go offline, I also thought about how I could spend the time instead.

Also, the website stated that mobile coverage on the route was severely limited, meaning I wouldn’t be able to do anything with my phone other than camera function.

To stave off potential boredom, I created a Spotify playlist in advance, which I could listen to even offline, and download a few episodes of Netflix series.

I could listen to Ed Sheeran on loop without being connected to the internet.

I wanted to make sure I had something to look at before bed and for a long time.

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I also bought a new book.

I hoped that I would have more than enough time to read the book. However, by the end of my journey I had not opened it even once.

Similarly, I anticipate spending most of the day in my cabin reading, working, and watching the scenery. Actually, I had entered that room only to sleep.

My cabin was in a train compartment called the Sleeper Plus, which can be compared to business class on an airplane. I had my own room with two comfortable seats that could be folded into a bed.

depending on the season Ticket Travel costs up to $6000. All the meals on board were already included in the Sleeper Plus ticket I bought.

Most of the time I used to sit in the skyline compartment of the train with my fellow passengers

If I don't leave my cabin, I'll never meet all the interesting people on board. — If I don’t leave my cabin, I’ll never meet all the interesting people on board.

The whole trip was a lot more social than I thought. As we left Toronto station, all the guests gathered in the skyline compartment of the train, mostly window sills.

There I got to know other residents of business class. During these four days we met there again and again and saw the sight there and talked.

The skyline compartment is the ideal place to take pictures of the route.

Thanks to the large windows, we can enjoy the scenic views that have passed us by. If you are traveling to take good pictures, you should definitely be comfortable in the Skyline compartment.

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You also have the opportunity to make friends there.

I got to know about my fellow passengers on the upper deck.

Instead of sitting in your private cabin all day, you can mingle with other passengers and maybe make friends in the process.

Everyone was friendly and open.

Martin (left) and Randy (right) met on the train.

We exchanged stories about our travel experiences and told each other where we came from.

Some photography-savvy travelers even gave me some tips on how to improve their photos.

I used part of the time to search for the train.

This part of the business compartment can be converted into a bedroom with a bunk at night.

I started in the first compartment and made my way through the entire train – not without taking too many pictures along the way.

There was an economy compartment at the front of the train.

The economy class seats can be rear-adjusted.

My cabin was in the rear of the train, but not in the last compartment. It was reserved for high business class travelers.

The rearmost compartment was first class.

I was not allowed to use the first class bar area with my business ticket.

All kinds of activities were offered on board.

Andy do Rego gave a concert in our compartment.

Canadian songwriter Andy Du Rego gave a special concert during our visit. He went from one compartment to another and played some songs for all the passengers.

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