Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ic destinations like Nandi (Fiji).
Air Pacific
(800/227-4446,
www.airpacific.com
) offers
flights from points throughout the Pacific to Honolulu and then on to Vancouver.
From Asia
Vancouver is the closest West Coast gateway to Asia, being more than 1,200 kilometers
(746 miles) closer to Tokyo than Los Angeles. This and the city's large Asian population
mean that it is well served by carriers from across the Pacific. In addition to Air Canada's
multiple Asian destinations, Vancouver is served by:
Air China
(800/685-0921,
www.airchina.com
)
from Beijing;
ANA
(888/422-7533,
www.ana.co.jp
)
from Osaka and
Tokyo in affiliation with Air Canada;
Cathay Pacific
(604/606-8888,
www.cathaypacific.com
)
twice daily from Hong Kong;
Japan Airlines
(800/525-3663,
www.jal.co.jp
)
from Tokyo;
Korean Air
(800/438-5000,
www.koreanair.com
)
from
Seoul;
Philippine Airlines
(800/435-9725,
www.philippineairlines.com
)
from Manila;
and
Singapore Airlines
(800/663-3046,
www.singaporeair.com
)
from Singapore via
Seoul. For the short hop between Vancouver and Calgary on Air Canada, expect to pay
around $150 extra each way.
The original transcontinental line passed through Banff, crossing the Continental Divide at
Kicking Horse Pass and continuing to Vancouver via Rogers Pass. But this form of trans-
portation, which opened up the Canadian Rockies to tourists, began to fade with the ad-
vent of efficient air services, and the last scheduled services on this line ended in 1991.
Government-run VIA Rail provides coast-to-coast rail service using a more northerly route
that passes through Jasper National Park. At Jasper, the westbound transcontinental line
divides, with one set of tracks continuing west to Prince Rupert via Prince George and the
other heading southwest to Vancouver. Another, more luxurious, option is the privately run
Rocky Mountaineer, with summer service to Banff and Jasper from Vancouver.
VIA Rail
Government-run VIA Rail (416/366-8411 or 888/842-7245,
www.viarail.ca
)
provides
passenger-train service right across Canada. The
Canadian
is a thrice-weekly service
between Toronto and Vancouver via Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Kam-
loops. Service is provided in two classes of travel: Economy features lots of leg room,
reading lights, pillows and blankets, and a Skyline Car complete with bar service, while
Silver and Blue is more luxurious, featuring sleeping rooms, daytime seating, all meals,
a lounge and dining car, and shower kits for all passengers. At Jasper, the westbound
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