10 Reasons to Ride the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Train

My husband and I were looking for travel within Canada and had read about the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Train journey. We had never been on a train tour before, and after a bit of research, we decided to book this trip of a lifetime!

This luxury train trip is not inexpensive, and so we were not sure if it was going to be worth the cost or not. By the end of the trip, we had decided that it was most certainly worth the cost!

When planning this trip, we found it difficult to find an honest review of the Rocky Mountaineer Train with lots of information and pictures. So for those looking for more information about this train journey, I’ve got you covered!

Read on to find out all the details and why I believe a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer Train is worth it!

The Rocky Mountaineer is a Vancouver-based company that promotes a luxury travel experience by train. From the impressive glass-dome trains to the customer service, the on-board tour guides, the luxury seats, and the high-quality food and drink, this train ride is definitely a luxury experience.

An Honest Rocky Mountaineer Train Review

Here are 10 reasons why we loved our recent experience on board the train and why you will love it too! Read on to hear our honest review of the Rocky Mountaineer Train journey.

1. High-Quality Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Services

Two train services are offered on board the Rocky Mountaineer, the Gold Leaf Service and the Silver Leaf Service. Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf options offer different services that, of course, affect price.

We chose the Gold Leaf level of service for our trip, but the reviews for the Silver Leaf service are just as excellent. Essentially, Gold Leaf service includes a slightly different on-board travel experience. Looking at the list below, you can see that the majority of differences are only slight.

The biggest differences are the windows, the bi-level train, and dining in a separate cabin. With the Gold Leaf service, the windows are fully domed, and you have an elevated view from the second level of the train. In my opinion, this add-on is worth the additional cost.

2. Luxurious Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Trains

The Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Trains are pure luxury. From domed glass ceilings to reclining chairs to gourmet food service, these trains are the most comfortable way to travel that we have ever experienced.

Both the Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf services offer spectacular views, pre-assigned seats, reclining chairs with lots of leg room, snacks, and excellent hosts. No matter which service level you choose, you will have an excellent, luxury experience on board the train.

The view from any seat is spectacular, but you also have the option to stand on the outdoor viewing platform or walk through the cabin as you converse with other passengers.

In order to maximize your train ride experience, passengers only travel on the train during the day. Each evening, you are transferred to a hotel to sleep. That way, you are not losing out on potentially spectacular scenery if you were to sleep on board the train.

3. Variety of Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Itineraries and Routes 

When you first consider booking with Rocky Mountaineer, there are four different train routes you can choose from. Three of the routes are in Western Canada, and one is in the Western United States. Each train journey is unique, and each one offers stunning views of the country.

Our route, Journey Through the Clouds, took us from Vancouver to Jasper. At the end of Day 1 on the train, we stopped in Kamloops, where we stayed in a hotel overnight. On Day 2, we travelled from Kamloops to Jasper.

The Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery is what really makes this trip worth the cost! Some of the locations you will see as you travel on the train, such as Pyramid Falls, are only viewable by train as there is no car access.

Other routes, such as Rainforest to Gold Rush, offer three full days on the train. You can also choose to take a return ride back to Vancouver to add more days on the train or add additional tour days via bus after arriving at your final destination. There are many customization options available, and all of these decisions will impact the final cost.

5. Sophisticated Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Food and Drink

Let me start by saying that the food on board the train was spectacular! There were two meals each day, consisting of breakfast and lunch. The meals were prepared on the train by the chef. No airplane-type food on this trip!

There were two seatings in the dining car each day. We were also served coffee or tea and a treat to start our day. When you arrive in the dining room, you are provided with a small menu from which to choose your main course.

The starters and dessert were also delicious. Although we do not have any dietary restrictions, we know that other passengers’ food restrictions were accommodated individually by the on-board chef.

While eating, you can continue to enjoy the amazing views as you travel at top speed throughout the country. Throughout the train ride, there was also unlimited beverage service, including alcoholic beverages.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by the Rocky Mountaineer dining service.

6. Convenient Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Observation Platform

On every carriage, there is an outside viewing platform. It’s small but open on both sides, and it’s a great spot to see the sites outside. As a photographer, this was the best spot for me! Generally, there was lots of room on the platform for everyone.

There were only a couple of times the platform was really busy, usually at a couple of key sites. I spent a lot of my time on this platform and became friendly with a few of the avid photographers on the trip.

The one downside to being outside, however, is that you cannot hear the information provided by the host. So while I loved watching the scenery go by, I did not get to hear about some of the history of the area or tips to watch out for wildlife.

7. Knowledgeable Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Hosts and Guides

Throughout the entire trip, the Rocky Mountaineer hosts were outstanding. There are hosts on every carriage of the train, and they pamper you with fantastic service. We were always being offered drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), as well as tea and coffee.

The hosts also become tour guides as they share an abundance of information throughout the train ride. Whether it’s pointing out interesting geographical formations, explaining the history of the area, or drawing your attention to the wildlife, the hosts are a wealth of information. They also answered any questions asked by the passengers.

8. Customizable Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Bus Excursions

Following the two- or three-day train ride, you can continue your tour of British Columbia and Alberta by bus. The bus tours are run through Rocky Mountaineer bus tour partners, and they are also excellent. You can customize this part of the trip to best suit your needs and travel desires.

On this part of the tour, we experienced a number of fantastic tours throughout British Columbia and Alberta, including all the magnificent things to do in and around Banff.

Some examples included walking on the Athabasca Glacier, taking a boat across Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island, walking across the impressive Columbia Icefield Skywalk, riding the Banff Gondola, and enjoying spectacular spots such as Emerald Lake and Sulphur Mountain.

The tour guides on the bus tour were equally as impressive as those on board the train. And, with the recent announcement by Parks Canada to ban personal vehicles in many popular spots in Western Canada, travelling with private tour companies is another benefit of booking with the Rocky Mountaineer.

9. Renowned Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Hotels

For this trip, we chose to upgrade and stay at the iconic Fairmont Hotels throughout our trip. This was an excellent choice, as we were able to stay at some of the best luxury Fairmont Hotels in Canada including the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Lake Louise, and Fairmont Banff Springs.

This upgrade was also worth the cost. Many of these luxury hotels are sold out months in advance and are very hard to book. The Fairmont Hotels are also some of the most picturesque and unique hotels you can stay at in Canada, and I would highly recommend staying at any (or all) of them if you travel to Western Canada.

10. Unique Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Wildlife

If you are a nature lover, you will also appreciate the many opportunities you have to view some unique and interesting wildlife. If you travel at the right time of year, you might even get to see a bear or two! On our trip, we saw some spectacular birds, mountain sheep, and caribou.

Things to Consider When Booking Your Trip

You can see from this Rocky Mountaineer Train review that we were thoroughly impressed with this train trip of a lifetime. That being said, there are a few things to consider before you book your trip.

Budget and Cost of Travel

It is important to note that this travel package is not a budget trip. You are treated with luxury throughout the trip, and this high level of service does come with a cost.

That being said, prices are impacted by the train route you select, the time of year you travel, the level of service you choose, the accommodation level you choose, and the number of additional days you choose to participate (or not) in bus tours following the train ride.

I would highly recommend you work with one of the excellent Rocky Mountaineer vacation consultants to customize your vacation needs and identify a budget that works for you.

How Much Does the Rocky Mountaineer Cost?

As mentioned, the cost depends on many factors, but for those interested in just taking the train from Vancouver to Jasper in the 2023 season, the cost for two days on the train and one evening of accommodation in Kamloops ranges from $1,864 – $3,091 CAD ($1,380 – $2,290 USD) per guest.

The cost includes the train ride, breakfast and lunch on board the train, hotel accommodation, all bus transportation, tour guides, all attraction admissions, hotel transfers, and luggage pick-up and drop-off.

Flights and travel to and from the airport are not included.

Hotel Accommodations

The Canadian Rocky Mountaineer also books all your hotel accommodations. Your service level also includes the type of hotel accommodations you prefer. Your stay in Kamloops, however, will not be at a luxury hotel. Your hotel will be a clean, quality hotel, but there are limited accommodations in Kamloops, so it will not be of the Fairmont caliber.

As previously mentioned, we chose to book all our accommodations at the Fairmont hotels. Wow is all I can say! And again, I highly recommend this upgrade option!

When we were considering our options for this trip, I did consider booking my own accommodation and attractions in Banff and Jasper independent of the Rocky Mountaineer. I quickly found out, however, that this was challenging, more expensive, and in some cases, impossible.

Some of the Fairmont hotels showed no availability, and by the time I factored in the cost of a car rental, parking, attraction costs, and accommodations, the Rocky Mountaineer travel package ultimately became the better travel option for us.

Does Rocky Mountaineer Offer Any Promotions?

Yes! We were able to take advantage of several promotions. First of all, there was a discount at the time for Canadian residents. We also chose the Fairmont Hotel package as it was an upgraded special at a highly discounted rate. There are often different promotions at different times of the year, such as “Book Before” promotions.

Rocky Mountaineer also has a partnership with Aeroplan that offers certain perks (such as room upgrades) and Aeroplan points when you book a Rocky Mountaineer Journey. And, of course, if you book in the economy season (April, May, and October), there are even more specials to be had.

What Will You See on the Journey Through the Clouds (Vancouver to Jasper) Route?

Our route, Journey Through the Clouds, took us from Vancouver to Jasper. At the end of Day 1 on the train, we stopped in Kamloops, where we stayed in a hotel overnight. On Day 2, we travelled from Kamloops to Jasper.

The Canadian Rocky Mountain Scenery is what really makes this trip worth the cost! Some of the locations you will see as you travel on the train, such as Pyramid Falls, are only viewable by train as there is no car access.

The Journey Through the Clouds route took us through the Fraser Valley, past Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon, along the North Thompson River, and over the Yellowhead Pass with views of the Canadian Rockies and Pyramid Falls.

Some highlights on this route include the Alexandra Suspension Bridge, Hell’s Gate, Moose Lake, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson. This route also took us through Lytton, British Columbia, which had been recently devastated by forest fires. It was a reminder of the impact of climate change and an emotional experience.

Is There WiFi On Board the Train?

No. There is no WiFi available on board the train. Data connectivity is also limited and inconsistent as you travel through mountains, tunnels, and more remote areas of British Columbia and Alberta.

What is Included in the Guided Bus Tours?

Again, this depends on your specific desires and your route choice. During our trip, we got to see many excellent locations close to Jasper and Banff, including Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and so much more!

As this was our first trip to Western Canada, we loved every minute of the guided bus tours. During this portion of the trip, you are following a very specific itinerary and timeline determined by the tour company. As with all guided tours, you do lose some of the flexibility you may have when travelling on your own itinerary.

We got to see and experience so much on this trip, but we also learned that there is so much more to see and do in Western Canada. Our plan is to return to certain locations in Alberta and British Columbia on a future trip and spend more time exploring and hiking at our leisure in the future. Banff is at the top of that list!

Who Should Book with the Rocky Mountaineer?

Those considering a unique, luxury travel experience should consider booking a trip on board the Rocky Mountaineer.

Overall, I would suggest that taking the train is especially appealing for travellers who:

• don’t want to drive
• want to travel long distances in a short period of time
• want to enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving
• have mobility issues or may have limitations in how far they can walk or hike
• love seeing beautiful landscapes but don’t necessarily love to walk or hike
• want to see many different locations in a shorter period of time

The train is also an excellent option for those looking to travel with an older relative or parent. We saw several senior parents travelling with their adult children. It seemed to be an excellent travel option for those families wanting to spend quality time with each other without the challenges of more traditional travel.

And finally, this is not a trip for children. The Rocky Mountaineer caters to adults, and it is not an appropriate trip for children.

Final Thoughts: Is the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Train Worth the Cost?

As you can see from this review, I wholeheartedly believe that a train journey with the Rocky Mountaineer is well worth the cost. On this trip, we saw some of the most spectacular scenery in all of our world travels and experienced a new and exciting mode of travel. Train journeys are now something we will certainly consider more often in our travel planning.

We have a much stronger appreciation of the beauty of Western Canada, and I cannot wait to book a return visit. I particularly enjoyed the two days I spent on the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train.

Overall, the Rocky Mountaineer Train was such a unique way to travel and see Canada. We loved the luxury treatment, spectacular views, and excellent food and customer service. We can not wait until we can return and try a different route on board the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer.

The only challenge is deciding which route to take!

Read More About Western Canada

If you are looking for more interesting things to see and do in Western Canada, visit one of these related posts.

• The 8 Best Fairmont Hotels in Canada
• Is Banff, Canada Worth Visiting in 2023?