The Only Way to Fly--Young

Young travelers are being offered a better break on standby air fares for domestic travel in Canada this summer.

Canadian Airlines International has announced that it has lowered the youth standby fares in 17 markets across the country. The new fares are available to travelers ages 12 to 24, and travel must be complete by Oct. 28.

The advantage to a youth standby fare is that you can travel at an economical rate without having to commit yourself to a specific time and place weeks in advance. The disadvantage is that you won’t necessarily travel when you want to. Confirmed seats are given to standby travelers on a first-come, first-served basis and depend on the availability of seats at the time of departure.

This summer, for example, the youth standby return fare for travel between Calgary and Vancouver is $140.

Travelers who meet the age requirements and have proper identification can purchase the reduced-fare tickets from Canadian Airlines ticket offices or local travel agents.

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There’s a new, economical way for travelers to combine a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario’s northern wilderness, Canada’s capital (Ottawa) and go whale-watching along the mighty St. Lawrence.

A new bus pass is available for 15 consecutive days of unlimited travel in Ontario and Quebec this summer. The “Rout-Pass” costs $147 and is valid on the services of most (nearly 40) bus companies in the two provinces. Some of the carriers honoring the pass include Greyhound Lines of Canada, Voyageur Colonial, Autobus Maheux and Orleans Express Inc.

The Rout-Pass is available for purchase until Oct. 5. Travel must be completed by Oct. 26. Up to six extra travel days can be added at the time of purchase.

Information on Rout-Pass is available at bus terminals. For details in Toronto you can call (416) 393-7911, in Montreal, call (418) 525-3000. You can also write Rout-Pass Coordinator, Quellou Services, 420 McGill St., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2G1.

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New budget accommodations are available in downtown Toronto. The new centrally located Toronto International Hostel opened in May. It shares space with the Toronto Hospital Hostel. The disadvantage is that the building is institutional-looking. But the advantages include a good location, and clean and secure surroundings Accommodations for 160 travelers are available in rooms with two to four beds. Some rooms for couples are available. The rate is $15.50 per person, per night for members of Hostelling International. Non-members are charged an additional $3. Guests can use the self-catering kitchen facilities.

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Budget travelers should find that youth hostels in gateway cities are good places to find inexpensive lodgings and good sources for information on local tours and budget travel opportunities.

At the Toronto International Hostel guests can get information on backpacker tours to Niagara Falls, and one- and two-night Ontario backpacking/hiking tours with the Canadian Experience (both about $30). The new Toronto International Hostel is located at 90 Gerrard St. West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1J6, telephone (416) 971-4440, or toll-free (800) 668-4487.

Solo budget travelers visiting Toronto who want more privacy can head to 96 Gerrard St. East, where Neill-Wycik College rents rooms with individual rates from $23.35 (taxes extra). The trade-off is that you share a hallway, kitchen/common room and washroom with four or five other rooms.

For details, contact Neill-Wycik College Hotel, 96 Gerrard St. East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1G7, tel. (416) 977-2320.

Both of these facilities have 24-hour access and are open to travelers of any age.