Rocky Mountaineer Train Information

Without a doubt, Canadian train trips are well worth the time and cost. The Rocky Mountaineer offers a luxury travel experience, with excellent service and gourmet food, as you take in the spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies. It makes travel about the journey and not just the destination, although the destinations are wonderful.   

We highly recommend booking your Rocky Mountaineer vacation at least 11 months in advance to guarantee the dates that you want. The trains do not depart every day and the trains are only operational between mid-April to mid-October, so space can be limited.  

Any time of year is beautiful onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, so the best month depends on your preference. April to the beginning of May is less expensive, but many of the lakes will still be frozen and it will be cooler. This also means that some of the excursions offered in our tours will not be available, although you will get more time to explore the area on your own. June is perfect for seeing wildlife, but it may rain more than other months. July is when Calgary hosts the Calgary Stampede, and August and September are the driest months which offer the best weather for sightseeing. This means that you will see more crowds and will want to make dining reservations at more popular locations far in advance. September is the first month to sell out every year. October has the fall foliage, and you will see a decrease in the crowds, along with a decrease in the temperature at night.  

The Rocky Mountaineer has three unforgettable Canadian routes for you to choose from. The most popular is the First Passage to the West, connecting Vancouver to Banff along the route famous for uniting Canada’s East and West. The Journey Through the Clouds takes you to Jasper to see the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies, while the Rainforest to Gold Rush route to Jasper will take you from British Columbia’s coastal rainforest to the historic Cariboo Gold Rush region before ending in the Canadian Rockies. All three routes offer spectacular views and pass by iconic landmarks.  

The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury, two to three-day train trip, and the price does reflect this. April and October are the cheapest, followed by May to July, with August and September being the most expensive. Prices in 2024 for double occupancy, with GoldLeaf Service, range between CAD $2,769 and CAD $4,499, plus tax. There are no discounts for children of any age or seniors.   

There are two levels of service offered onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian routes, GoldLeaf Service and SilverLeaf, with only GoldLeaf Service offered on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route.  

You will experience excellent service, gourmet meals, and stunning views regardless of whether you have GoldLeaf Service or SilverLeaf Service. However, upgrading to GoldLeaf Service is absolutely worth the cost. Glass-dome windows on the upper floor of the bi-level car allow you to have a full 180-degree view, and meals are served in the dining room on the lower level. You also are given access to a large, open-air outdoor viewing platform.   

It is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for your Rocky Mountaineer trip. These trips are non-refundable, so it is important that you are covered. Travel insurance not only protects you in the event of a medical emergency but also covers trip cancellation and interruption. To find more information about who we recommend you can click here: Travel Insurance 

Your time onboard the Rocky Mountaineer for all routes will be two days, with the exception of the Rainforest to Gold Rush route which will give you three days. If you would like to spend more time on the rail I recommend one of our Canadian Rockies Circle Tours, in which you would start and end your journey in Vancouver and get between four to five days on the train.  

Your tour, however, can be anywhere from four days to two weeks, depending on how long you would like to spend in each location.  

On the Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian routes, you will travel approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) each day, with the shortest route being only 119 kilometres (74 miles) between Vancouver and Whistler. On their American routes, you will travel approximately 300 kilometres (185 miles) each day.  

No. The Rocky Mountaineer offers daylight-only rail journeys, allowing guests to take in all the stunning scenery. All overnight stops in Kamloops, Whistler, and Quesnel are spent in hotels.  

At check-in, you will receive your boarding pass with your seat and overnight accommodation information. If you would like to sit near someone who has booked separately, please let us know when booking. Seating is pre-assigned and multiple couples and families are typically seated across the aisle from each other. Rocky Mountaineer is unable to accommodate specific seat, coach location, or meal seating requests.   

No. Both sides of the train will offer unique views, and on many of the routes that follow a river, the tracks cross over a bridge to allow all guests to be waterside. Rocky Mountaineer also encourages guests to get up from their seats, so they will be able to experience views from various vantage points.  

You can learn more about seating on the train in our blog here, How to get the best seat aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.

There is no dress code on the Rocky Mountaineer, although most guests tend to dress smart casual. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing and comfortable, flat shoes with adequate grip. It is also a good idea to dress in layers, bringing a light sweater or jacket for the open-air vestibule.  

Wi-Fi is not available, and much of the train route is out of cell service as the train travels through remote parts of Canada. There are both electrical outlets and USB ports at your seat. 

Rocky Mountaineer’s culinary team strives to create sophisticated and diverse menus with the finest locally sourced ingredients. Guests have their meals served alongside award-winning BC wines and locally brewed beers.  

Every season they do a brand-new menu, although they do consider guests’ feedback. Note that there are no alternative kids’ menu items.  

While onboard, meus will have a selection of options that can cater to various dietary requirements, such as vegetarian and gluten-friendly. To guarantee that you are accommodated and receive the best service you should notify us of any restrictions or allergies when booking. 

While SilverLeaf Service guests are served their meals at their seats, GoldLeaf Service guests are served meals in two seatings in the dining area on the lower level of the GoldLeaf Panoramic Dome Car. Second-seating guests are served beverages and snacks while the first-seating guests are being served. Meal seatings are reversed on the second day.  

When you book with Canada Rail Vacations, all our Rocky Mountaineer tour packages of four days or more include transfers from our partnered hotels to and from the railway station. Rocky Mountaineer staff members will meet you in your hotel lobby to collect your luggage and bring you to the train station.   

Yes. There are lifts for embarking and disembarking and an elevator in GoldLeaf Service to aid in moving from your seat to the dining area. You can learn more about accessibility on the train in our blog here, Accessible Train Travel in Canada.   

For any trip in Canada, we recommend packing layers and bringing a daypack onboard with you as you will not have access to your luggage while on the train. For luggage and packing questions, you can learn more on our blog here, What to Pack for a Canadian Train Trip.