UK to Vancouver without flying

[Menmaatre]

I have an elderly relative who's not in the best of health and cannot fly. They want to go to Vancouver (I know!) to visit family.

I would have thought a boat trip across the Atlantic was possible, but only realised today (apologies to all Canadians) that Vancouver is on the west coat of the country.

Could a boat go all the way from the UK to Vancouver? Or would it be better to take a train all the way across Canada?

How long would such a journey take? How much would it cost? I really don't know where to start looking.

Any help and information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think it's practical to go to Vancouver by boat all the way. You'd have to go all the way through the Panama Canal.

Check out here for trains but this would be a punishing journey for someone too frail to fly I'd think

http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html?wt.ad=engl ish_link_view&wt.ac=click_English_link

[Davethedog]

You can go by Boat to New York
http://www.cunard.co.uk/CruiseCalendar.asp?shi pID=&Region=7&CruiseDate=&Duration=&submit=+++ Search+++&Mode=Submit&LeftNav=Planner&DestRegi on=10&Active=&Sub=

This is Cunard but there may be others.

Then Train
http://www.seat61.com/Canada.htm

However as Jake says if the person is to frail to fly this , in my opinion is far more punishing.

[Menmaatre]

Thanks for that - I think you're both right, and your help will help me prove the point.

Thanks a lot.

[Mr Veritas]

Many years ago,I went by train from Quebec to Vancouver.
We got on the train at 6pm Monday,and arrived in Vancouver at 8am Friday.So as others have said,if you relative is too frail to fly,the trian/boat option would be definitely MORE exhausting.

I think even boat to NY,and then fly to Vancouver would be more stressful than a direct Vancouver flight.

According to Air Canada's website the quickest(non stop) flight to Vancouver is only 10 hours,not bad considering the distance.