I compared every aspect of business-class train travel in Canada and the US. One is worth the higher price.

Joey HaddenSep 24, 2022, 17:06 IST

Insider's reporter rode in business class on Amtrak in the US and on Canada's Via Rail.Joey Hadden/Insider

I traveled in business-class trains on Amtrak in the US and Via Rail in Canada.
My $216 Via Rail ticket included meals and access to station lounges. The $168 Amtrak fare didn't.

I recently traveled in business class on a Via Rail train in Canada and an Amtrak train in the US.

The author sits in business class in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Via Rail and Amtrak are popular train lines in Canada and the US.

Trains arrive in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I began my Canadian journey at Toronto's Union Station while I boarded my US ride at Penn Station in NYC.

Toronto's Union Station (L) and NYC's Penn Station (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

My Via Rail ticket included access to an exclusive lounge, but my Amtrak ticket did not.

The author waits for trains in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

After boarding both business-class trains, I was impressed by the amount of leg room and aisle space.

Business-class train cars in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the Via Rail seat was comfortable throughout the 6-hour journey, but my Amtrak seat was stiffer than I expected it to be.

Business-class seats in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Both seats reclined and came with a tray table and access to outlets for charging devices, but the Via Rail train had an additional side table next to the seat.

Sides of the train seats in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

My Via Rail business-class ticket included complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks, while my Amtrak ticked only included one complimentary drink.

Complimentary business-class offerings in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the customer service was better on the Via Rail route than on the Amtrak ride.

Business-class cars in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

On both business-class trains, I didn't think that the bathrooms were too different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes, but the Via Rail bathroom appeared to be cleaner.

Business-class train bathrooms in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

On both business-class trains, I didn't think that the bathrooms were too different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes, but the Via Rail bathroom appeared to be cleaner.

After departing business-class trains in Canada and the US, I concluded that Via Rail offers a better business-class experience than Amtrak does, and I think it's worth the higher price tag.

People board trains in Canada (L) and the US (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

After departing business-class trains in Canada and the US, I concluded that Via Rail offers a better business-class experience than Amtrak does, and I think it's worth the higher price tag.

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I compared every aspect of business-class train travel in Canada and the US. One is worth the higher price.

I recently traveled in business class on a Via Rail train in Canada and an Amtrak train in the US.

Via Rail and Amtrak are popular train lines in Canada and the US.

I began my Canadian journey at Toronto's Union Station while I boarded my US ride at Penn Station in NYC.

My Via Rail ticket included access to an exclusive lounge, but my Amtrak ticket did not.

After boarding both business-class trains, I was impressed by the amount of leg room and aisle space.

I thought the Via Rail seat was comfortable throughout the 6-hour journey, but my Amtrak seat was stiffer than I expected it to be.

Both seats reclined and came with a tray table and access to outlets for charging devices, but the Via Rail train had an additional side table next to the seat.

My Via Rail business-class ticket included complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks, while my Amtrak ticked only included one complimentary drink.

I thought the customer service was better on the Via Rail route than on the Amtrak ride.

On both business-class trains, I didn't think that the bathrooms were too different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes, but the Via Rail bathroom appeared to be cleaner.

After departing business-class trains in Canada and the US, I concluded that Via Rail offers a better business-class experience than Amtrak does, and I think it's worth the higher price tag.