I'm a seasoned Amtrak rider who spent 6 hours in business class on a Canadian train for the first time. It was better than any train I've taken in the US.

The author traveled in business class on Canada's Via Rail train from Toronto to Montreal.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I booked a business-class ticket on a Via Rail Canada train from Toronto to Montreal in 2022.
• For $200, I sat in a business-class seat with two tables and complimentary meal and drink service.

In the last three years, I've spent over 150 hours traveling 5,000 miles on trains, from 30-hour overnight rides to quick, three-hour journeys.

I've taken trains along the East Coast of the US, into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec, and between the European countries of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Along the way, I've tried out a wide range of seating options, from business and first classes to shared bunks and private rooms.

In August of 2022, I spent six hours traveling in business class from Toronto to Montreal on Via Rail, Canada's main railroad system. It was my first time using Via Rail, and I was surprised by all the business class offerings, from comfy seats to snacks and meals. It was better than my business-class Amtrak experiences in the US — and totally worth the $200 ticket.