Rocky Mountaineer Train Canada
Realize a lifelong dream and travel the Canadian Rockies by train through some of the most majestic mountain scenery in the world.
Rocky Mountaineer Train Trips
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Rocky Mountaineer Train Rides
Featured Tours aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.
Rockies Circle Essentials
This 9-day circle tour takes you on a stunning journey through Western Canada’s Rocky Mountains aboard the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer. Starting…
Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper to North Vancouver Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Lake Louise Escape: Circle Tour
This 7-day circle tour takes you on a simple, yet stunning, journey through Western Canada’s Rocky Mountains aboard the world-famous Rocky…
Rockies Gold Rush Golf
This 9 day, 8 night tour is highlighted by a three day train ride on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Whistler and Jasper, 2 nights at…
Lake Louise Explorer: Eastbound
A truly relaxing one-week getaway, taking you deep into the Canadian Rockies from the stunning city of Vancouver on Canada’s West Coast. You will…
Rockies Essentials: Eastbound
This 6-day tour will show you all the essential locations you need to see in the Canadian Rockies and takes you aboard the luxurious Rocky…
Rockies Passage Plus: Eastbound
On this 5-day tour through the Canadian Rockies, you will experience two days of world-class service aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. As you travel from…
Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Banff Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Rockies Kananaskis Golf
This 7 day, 6 night tour is highlighted by a two day train ride on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff, 4 nights at Fairmont Banff Springs…
Rocky Mountaineer: North Vancouver to Jasper Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Rockies Circle Train Adventurer
This 12-day circle tour includes 5 luxurious days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Beginning your adventure in Vancouver you will travel from the west…
West Coast Expedition
On this 13-day circle tour you will immerse yourself in Canada’s West Coast as you tour the entire length of Vancouver Island, ride the Inside…
Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper to Vancouver Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Rockies Relaxer: Eastbound
This 10-day tour provides you with a total of six nights in the Canadian Rockies with stays in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. You will have time to…
Rockies Passage: Eastbound
This quick 4-day tour takes you aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for two full days along the historic Canadian Pacific Railway route from…
Rockies Glaciers & Gardens: Eastbound
This 13-day tour from Vancouver Island’s lush floral gardens to the remote glaciers of the Canadian Rockies, this tour is our most comprehensive…
Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Jasper Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Rockies Adventurer: Eastbound
This 8-day tour provides you with a total of five nights in the Canadian Rockies with stays in Jasper and Banff. You will have time to explore and…
Rocky Mountaineer: Banff to Vancouver Rail
A spectacular two-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service. Includes hotel…
Train Lover’s Dream: Circle Tour
A train enthusiast’s dream! This 9-day tour combines the nostalgic feel of VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” train with the luxury of the Rocky Mountaineer.…
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
November 9, 2023
A Train Lover’s Dream Feature
A highlight of Canada Rail Vacations' Train Lover's Dream Tour, from Vancouver…
September 19, 2023
The Best Books About Trains – A Reading List for Riding the Rails
A reading list of the best train-related books to take on a train vacation.
August 14, 2023
Martin’s Moab Trip
Canada Rail Vacations founder Martin Flanagan's trip and Live Blog from Salt…
July 20, 2023
When is the best time to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer train?
Hiking is as quintessential to the Canadian Rocky Mountains as swimming is to…
June 9, 2023
Wildfires in Canada and the Impact on Rail Travel
Everything you need to know about the wildfire situation.
March 21, 2023
Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service
Information about Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Service.
January 19, 2023
Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service
Information about Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf Service.
November 14, 2022
What to Pack for a Canadian Train Trip
Tips on what to pack for a Canadian train trip and how much luggage you are…
April 26, 2022
Rocky Mountaineer’s First Train of 2022
In April 2022, the Canada Rail Vacations team were aboard the first Rocky…
January 20, 2022
Our Journey from Rockies to Red Rocks
In October of 2021, the Canada Rail Vacations team took a staff trip down to…
December 17, 2021
The difference between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf
The difference between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer…
December 2, 2020
Red Rocks – My New Favourite Tour
Both my friends, and the staff here at Canada Rail Vacations know that one of…
November 23, 2020
How to get the Best Seat Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
There are no bad seats aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, the staple of the…
March 19, 2020
Banff National Park aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train
The Canadian Rockies train chuffs through pine forests that cover most of…
February 11, 2019
Canadian Rail Vacations & Alaskan Cruises
Similar to cruises, train-based holidays are a luxurious and relaxing way to…