Moose Travel

Where does the Moose Travel Network go?

Canada is a country to be explored beyond the cities.  Moose gets you to all the best places that are in between: the glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, glacial lakes, wildlife, and amazing vistas.  As a passenger you get the advantages of a “tour” but the flexibility and independence that backpackers desire.

Passes are offered on both the West and East sides of Canada. The interesting parts of the country are the "Coasts", with 4500km of "Prairies" in between. The prairies can be seen by travelling on the Prairie Rail Link or skipped by flying between Vancouver and Toronto.

The Big West, Big East, and Mega Moose Pass (combination of West and East Passes) are the main network of passes. These routes offer frequent departures, jump on/off flexibility, and the main highlights of Canada. In addition, the Moose Travel Network has a number of other shorter trips and tours for backpackers and adventure travellers. The main season is in summer (April to November), but there are winter options too (December-March).


What do the passes include?

All passes include transportation, driver/guide, road tolls, ferry fees and tax. Accommodation is not included (except on select winter tours), but we do reserve beds along the way so that you are always guaranteed a bed. Expect to pay between $13-35 CAD per night for a dorm bed. Food is not included but we make daily stops at supermarkets and all hostels we recommend have kitchens. In addition, we get great discounts at many cafes and restaurants if you prefer that option. We do include some free activities, mainly hiking and swimming, but we also get great discounts on many paid activities, all of which are optional.


What Passes are available and when are they valid?

ALL CANADA PASSES

Mega Moose Pass
The Mega Moose Pass is a combination of the Big East and Big West. See descriptions below for details. It is available only during the valid periods described below. Price - $1109 AUD. A discounted price of $1049 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.

Prairie Rail Link
The Prairie Rail Link is a rail pass operated by VIA Rail between Vancouver and Toronto, in either direction. It departs on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays from Vancouver or Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Toronto. It takes 3 days to cross the country. You may jump on/off the rail pass, but you must give your itinerary in advance. Travel is in economy class seating. Passes must be purchased in combination with one or more Moose Travel Network bus passes valued at $200 AUD or more. The Prairie Rail link is available year round. The Prairie Rail Link is a great way to link the East and West Passes by crossing Canada and seeing the changes in the landscape from coast to coast. Price - $599 AUD. A discounted price of $569 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.


WESTERN CANADA PASSES

Big West
The Big West pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Western part of Canada, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, with a focus on the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 1 to October 15. Departures are daily in peak season (June through September) and four times per week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday departures from Vancouver) in shoulder season (May and October). Travellers may start and end the pass anywhere enroute, but most people start in Vancouver. The pass is a unidirectional circuit and takes a minimum of 9days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Vancouver-Whistler-Vancouver-Shuswap Lake-Banff-Jasper-Banff-Revelstoke-Kelowna-Vancouver. Price - $559 AUD. A discounted price of $529 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.

Wapiti
The Wapiti operates in the Western part of Canada, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, with a focus on the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The trip is seasonal and operates from June 28 to September 13. It is a fully jump on/jump off trip. Departures are three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) from Vancouver. The Wapiti is a 9-day trip starting and ending in Vancouver, and is a jump on/off service. The route is: Vancouver-Shuswap Lake-Banff- Rampart Creek - Edith Cavell- Jasper- Banff-Revelstoke-Kelowna-Vancouver. Price -$599 AUD. A discounted price of $575 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.

Hoodapus
The Hoodapus operates in the Western part of Canada, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, with a focus on the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The tripis seasonal and operates from April 1 to November 30. Departures are two times per week (Tuesday and Saturday departures from Vancouver) in shoulder season (April, November), four times per week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) in May and October, and daily from June to September. The Hoodapus is a minimum 7-day trip starting and ending in Vancouver, and is a jump on/off service. The route is: Vancouver-Shuswap Lake-Banff-Jasper-Banff-Kamloops-Vancouver. Price - $489 AUD. A discounted price of $465 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, IYTC.

Island Explorer
The Island Explorer operates in the Western part of Canada, on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia. The tour is seasonal and operates from May 15 to October 15. Departures are three times per week (Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays). The Island Explorer is a 4-day minimum tripstarting and ending in Vancouver, and is a fully jump on/off service. The route is: Vancouver-Tofino-Victoria-Vancouver. Price - $269 AUD. A discounted price of $259 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, IYTC.

Whistler Snow Shuttle
The Whistler-Vancouver Shuttle is an express bus between Whistler and Vancouver. The service is seasonal and departs twice daily from December 15 to April 15 (winter season). The trip takes approximately two hours. Departures from Vancouver are at approximately 06:30 and 13:30. Departures from Whistler are at approximately 09:30 and 17:00. This is a hostel-to-hostel service. Price - $30 AUD each way.

Rocky Rager Ski/Snowboard Tour
The Rocky Rager operates in the Western part of Canada, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The 7-day tour is seasonal and operates from approximately December 20 to April 4. Departures are once per week (Mondays) from Banff, with a meet & greet on Sunday night. The tour can also start/end in Vancouver (10-days). It is an all-inclusive tour that includes; transportation, park fees, accommodation (7 or 9 nights in dorm style accommodation), 5 days of skiing/boarding (Sunshine Village - Banff, Lake Louise, Kimberley, Fernie x 2), 7 breakfasts, 1 group dinner, Radium Hot Springs admission, welcome pack, t-shirt, and a special event ticket (hockey game, curling, or other). The route is: Banff (Sunshine and Lake Louise)-Kimberley-Fernie-Banff. Price - $999 AUD start/end Banff or $1299 start/end Vancouver.


EASTERN CANADA PASSES

Big East
The Big East pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Eastern part of Canada, in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 2 to October 7. Departures are a minimum of three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday departures from Toronto). Travellers may start and end the pass anywhere en route, but most people start in Toronto. The pass is a unidirectional circuit and takes a minimum of 9 days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Toronto-Kingston-Montreal-Quebec City-Mont Tremblant-Ottawa-Fort Coulonge-Madawaska-Algonquin Park-Toronto. Price - $559 AUD. A discounted price of $589 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.

Beaver Fever
The Beaver Fever pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Eastern part of Canada, in the province of Ontario only. The trip can be done in a very short period of time for those who don’t have much time but wish to see two of the most exciting things in Canada – Niagara Falls and Algonquin Park. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 20 to September 30. Departures are twice per week (Monday and Friday departures from Toronto). The pass is a unidirectional circuit and takes a minimum of 4days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Toronto-Algonquin Park-Madawaska-Toronto-Niagara Falls-Toronto. Price - $279 AUD. A discounted price of $265 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, , IYTC.

Beaver
The Beaver pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Eastern part of Canada, in the province of Ontario only. The trip can be done in a very short period of time for those who don’t have much time but wish to see the true Canadian wilderness in Algonquin Park. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 20 to September 30. Departures are twice per week (Monday and Friday departures from Toronto). The pass is a unidirectional circuit and takes a minimum of 3 days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Toronto-Algonquin Park-Madawaska-Toronto. Price - $219 AUD. A discounted price of $209 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, IYTC.

Whaler
The Whaler pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Eastern part of Canada, in the province of Quebec. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 4 to October 7. Departures are a minimum of two times per week (Monday and Wednesday). Travellers may start and end the pass anywhere en route, but most people start in Quebec City. The pass is unidirectional and takes a minimum of 3 days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Quebec City-Tadoussac-Quebec City. Price - $199 AUD. A discounted price of $189 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, HI, VIP, IYTC.

Loonie Pass
The Loonie Pass is a fully flexible jump on/off service operating in the Eastern part of Canada, in the province of Quebec. The pass is seasonal and operates from May 4 to October 7. Departures are a minimum of three times per week (Wednesday, Fri and Sunday). Travellers may start and end the pass anywhere en route, but most people start in Montreal. The pass is unidirectional and takes a minimum of 4 days, but is valid for the whole season. The route is: Montreal-Tadoussac-Quebec City-Montreal. Price - $299 AUD. A discounted price of $279 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, YHA, HI, VIP, IYTC.

Niagara Falls Day Trip
The Niagara Falls Day Trip is a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls. It includes a winery tour and other highlights along the way. The Maid of the Mist boat tour is an extra option ($12 CAD). The Niagara Falls day trip operates year round. Departs daily in peak season (June through September), but runs five times per week in all other months. Price - $59 AUD. A discounted price of $56 AUD is offered to holders of one of the following cards: ISIC, VIP, IYTC.

For more information or to book your Moose pass contact your nearest STA Travel branch or call us on 134 STA