A Vancouver to Banff rail trip on the Rocky Mountaineer is like no other train journey anywhere in the world. This luxury sightseeing train travels during the day and slows down to highlight natural wonders, combining spectacular scenery with gourmet food and top-shelf beverages. You will also be treated to the expertise of trained guides who narrate Western Canada’s storied history and unforgettable natural beauty. It is a journey you will never forget.
As the Rocky Mountaineer winds through its pristine wilderness, you will discover an endless panorama of stunning landscapes, breathtaking mountains and glaciers, thundering waterfalls, soaring peaks, lush forests and vibrant wildflowers. Every moment is a treat, and it all happens in custom-designed, glass-domed coaches that allow for uninterrupted views of the incredible surroundings.
The journey is one of the most beautiful and luxurious ways to explore the Rocky Mountains, and there are many choices for how you can experience this iconic Canadian learn more here train trip. You can do a two-day trip from Vancouver to Banff, or if you want to extend your vacation, you can do the three-day Journey through the Clouds or the four-day First Passage to the West route. Each route runs in both directions, allowing you to do a full loop of the Rockies.
Whether you choose the SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service, you will be assigned a host for your trip. These are men and women who will attend to your every need, ensuring that your meal needs are met, your luggage is transported to your overnight hotel (it’s an all-inclusive train adventure after all), and that you have a wonderful time aboard. They are also there to inform you about the scenery, share their knowledge of the area and its flora and fauna, and point out interesting monuments and structures along the way. They will recommend tours in the towns you’re traveling through, and help you book activities for your days in Banff and beyond. They are truly amazing, and I loved the fact that they weren’t merely a hired hand, but were people with their own personalities.
Day 1: 07:30 departure from Whistler: From the Rocky Mountaineer train station in Creekside (between Alta and Nita lakes), you check in at the desk outside the waiting room, hand over your luggage to be taken away and given a boarding card with seat allocation. The train then veers right and leaves the town behind as it enters a canyon with the CP tracks on one side of the river and the CN track on the other – this is called ‘avalanche alley’.
09:15 Arrival at Kamloops: The train pulls into the downtown Kamloops station and you board motor coaches for your overnight stay in the lake town. It is worth noting that Via Rail offers a similar overnight journey between Vancouver and Jasper, which departs at the same time but does not stop in Kamloops.
Unlike Via, Rocky Mountaineer transports your luggage throughout the entire journey, so you only need to bring your personal items with you. This makes it a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, especially since you don’t have to worry about your bags getting lost or stolen, and because you can simply enjoy the scenery as you ride.
Canada Rail Vacations
1400 Kensington Rd NW #206
Calgary, AB
T2N 3P9
Canada