ESSENTIALS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 742

the VIA Rail system. During high season (June 1-Oct. 15) the pass is adult $1,008, senior
(over 60) and child $930. The rest of the year, adult tickets are $630, seniors and children
$567, respectively.
AIR TAXES
The actual airfare is only a portion of the cost of flying—there are a raft of fees and
taxes collected by numerous government agencies, as well as fuel surcharges. On do-
mestic flights within Canada, expect to pay around $80-100 in additional charges.
This includes an Air Travellers Security Tax ($5-10 each way for flights within
North America and $25 round-trip for international flights), an insurance surcharge
of $3 each way, and a fee of $9-20 each way that goes to NAV Canada for the opera-
tion of the federal navigation system. Advertised domestic fares are inclusive of fuel
surcharges, but on international flights expect to pay up to $200 extra. All major
Canadian airports charge an Airport Improvement Fee to all departing passengers,
with Victoria charging just $10; other British Columbia airports charge up to $21.
You'll also need to pay this fee from your original departure point, and if connecting
through Toronto another $8 is collected. And, of course, the above taxes are taxable,
with the Canadian government collecting the 5 percent goods and services tax. While
there is no bright side to paying these extras, it is made easy for consumers, with air-
lines lumping all the charges together and into the ticket price.
On regular fares, discounts of 25-40 percent apply to travel in all classes October-June.
Those over 60 and under 25 receive a 10 percent discount that can be combined with other
seasonal fares. Check for advance-purchase restrictions on all discount tickets.
The VIA Rail website ( www.viarail.ca ) provides route, schedule, and fare information,
takes reservations, and offers links to towns and sights en route. Or pick up a train schedule
at any VIA Rail station.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (604/606-7245 or 877/460-3200,
www.rockymountaineer.com ) runs a variety of luxurious rail trips, including the Whistler
Sea to Sky Climb from North Vancouver to Whistler (May-mid-Oct., adult $311 roundtrip),
between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper, and from Whistler to Jasper via Prince George.
On the latter three routes, travel is during daylight hours only so you don't miss anything.