Rocky Mountaineer Train Information

Realize a lifelong dream and travel the Canadian Rocky Mountains by train through some of the most majestic mountain scenery in the world.

Rocky Mountain Train Tours

The stunning Rocky Mountaineer routes promise an unforgettable journey through Canada’s most striking landscapes. Three different paths await you, each providing a unique perspective on the breathtaking Canadian wilderness. This journey will provide you the opportunity to visit the charming Rocky Mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, where you can fully immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture of the Rockies.

It is of course not just about the destinations, but also about the journey. On board the Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll experience unparalleled luxury. Whether you choose the GoldLeaf Service or SilverLeaf Service, you’ll savour regionally-inspired dishes, enjoy complimentary beverages, and receive attentive service from the onboard hosts. Plus, the panoramic windows ensure you won’t miss a moment of the awe-inspiring scenery.

Rocky Mountaineer Routes

The Rocky Mountaineer has three unique routes to choose from within the Canadian Rockies as well as one route through the US Rockies.


Rocky Mountaineer – First Passage to the West

The Rocky Mountaineer's First Passage to the West train route travelling between Banff / Lake Louise and Vancouver. Information on amenities onboard, service types, and schedules.

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Pricing & Schedules

Rocky Mountaineer – Journey Through The Clouds

The Rocky Mountaineer's Journey Through The Clouds train route travelling between Jasper and Vancouver. Information on amenities onboard, service types, and schedules.

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Pricing & Schedules

Rocky Mountaineer – Rainforest to Gold Rush

The Rocky Mountaineer's Rainforest to Gold Rush train route travelling between Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel, and Jasper. Information on amenities onboard, service types, and schedules.

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Pricing & Schedules

First up is the ‘First Passage to the West,’ a historic route that connects Banff and Lake Louise to Vancouver. You’ll traverse the iconic Canadian Rockies, feasting your eyes on the majestic peaks, crystal clear lakes, and possibly even some local wildlife. Next is the ‘Journey Through the Clouds.’ Connecting Jasper and Vancouver, this route takes you on a spectacular trek through the clouds, offering expansive views of the verdant valleys and towering mountains. Lastly, there is the ‘Rainforest to Gold Rush‘ route. This journey starts in Vancouver, winds through Whistler and Quesnel, and ends in Jasper. It’s a thrilling ride, taking you from lush rainforests and gold-rush towns to the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Rockies.

For more information on the Rocky Mountaineer – Rockies to the Red Rocks route, please visit: Rocky Train Vacations

Popular Rocky Mountain Train Rides

Featured Tours aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.


Explore Rockies Tours
Rocky Mountaineer Service Levels

During your journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train, you’ll have the choice between two distinct service levels: GoldLeaf Service and SilverLeaf Service. Each service level offers a unique experience, tailored to your preferences and comfort.


GoldLeaf Service includes:

  • Two days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer with assigned seating in a bi-level dome coach
  • Outdoor vestibule access
  • Hot breakfasts and lunches served in the GoldLeaf Dining Room
  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • One night moderate accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel or Whistler
  • Service and interpretive commentary by our knowledgeable and friendly Onboard Attendants
  • Motorcoach transfers between the train station and your hotels
  • Luggage delivered to hotel room in Kamloops or Quesnel or Whistler
  • Rocky Mountaineer Information Package

SilverLeaf Service Includes:

  • Two days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer with assigned seating in a single-level coach with extended height, oversized windows
  • Breakfast and lunch meals served onboard each day at your seat, including hot entrée options
  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • One night moderate accommodation in Kamloops
  • Service and interpretive commentary by our knowledgeable and friendly Onboard Attendants
  • Motorcoach transfers between the train station and your hotels
  • Luggage delivered to hotel room in Kamloops
  • Rocky Mountaineer Information Package

Either choice ensures you’ll have an unforgettable travel experience on the Rocky Mountaineer train. Whether you’re indulging in the luxurious GoldLeaf Service or enjoying the excellent value of SilverLeaf Service, you’ll be taken care of every step of the way. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas, delectable meals, and engaging commentary from your onboard hosts.

Whichever service level you choose, we’re confident your journey on the Rocky Mountaineer will be a highlight of your travel experiences.

Regionally-Inspired Dining

As you journey through breathtaking Canadian landscapes, the Rocky Mountaineer offers an equally impressive dining experience. In both GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf Service, enjoy culinary delights that are as astonishing as the views.


In the GoldLeaf Service, you’ll dine in an exclusive lower-level dining room where gourmet hot breakfasts and lunches are served. The menu is inspired by the regions you’ll pass through, showcasing the best of local ingredients. Picture sinking your teeth into Alberta striploin steak, or savouring a Crispy Skin Lois Lake Steelhead, all while surrounded by stunning scenery.

Meanwhile, in the SilverLeaf Service, you’ll enjoy a selection of hot entrees served at your seat. You won’t have to miss a moment of the spectacular views as you tuck into meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, such as a spinach and cheese frittata for breakfast or a Lois Lake Steelhead Salad for lunch.

Complimentary snacks and beverages are also provided throughout your journey, ensuring that your culinary experience is as unforgettable as the landscapes rolling past your window. Sit back, relax, and let your taste buds join you on this journey of a lifetime.

Meals tailored to your dietary requirements

Do you have special dietary requirements?
Rocky Mountaineer caters to a variety of dietary restrictions as well as personal preferences.

Allergies
Religious Preferences
Special Diets
Vegan + Vegetarian
Rocky Mountaineer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions to Help Plan Your Future Rocky Mountaineer Vacation.


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 

Tips for your trip aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

  • Turn off your camera’s automatic flash to prevent glare and if you are using your mobile phone to take pictures, press your camera lens directly against the window to avoid reflections. 
  • Prepare for upcoming photo-ops by reading the mile marker descriptions in the Mile Post, Rocky Mountaineer’s publication, and by listening to host announcements.  
  • Share the vestibule – you cannot move between cars so there is only one open-air vestibule per car for all GoldLeaf Service guests to share. On a full train, you can have up to 72 guests per car. The GoldLeaf Service vestibule can comfortably accommodate 4 guests at a time, while the SilverLeaf Service vestibule is covered and can only comfortably accommodate 2 guests at a time. 
  • Be patient – the train shares the rails with freight trains so there may be delays.  
  • Be aware of the time zone change. British Columbia is PDT while Alberta is MDT. 
  • A full breakfast is served shortly after departure, but you may want to grab a coffee and snack before leaving your hotel.  
  • Remember to have your onboard daypack.  
  • Prepare for motion sickness by having either motion sickness medication or acupressure wristbands. Eating a green apple can also help with alleviating motion sickness symptoms.  

Rocky Mountaineer News & Blogs

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Accessible Train Travel in Canada

Accessibility on the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail.

Rocky Mountaineer Train

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

Information about Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Service.

Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service

Information about Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf Service.

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