Everything You Need to Know About Riding the Rocky Mountaineer Train in Canada

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I was sure that the extra-tall train car would tip over as every single person on board threw themselves in the direction of the left-hand-side windows. They were tripping over camera bags and tray tables and their own feet simply because the four magic words had been spoken: “Bear on the left!

It was Day 2 of my journey into the Canadian Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer; the last of two days, in fact, and thus far we hadn't seen a ton of wildlife.

The scenery was enough for me, to be honest – but of course who doesn't want to see a bear?

As I sat back down in my seat a minute later (having seen no sign of a bear), I smiled, remembering one of my dad's favorite jokes: “There aren't any bears around here,” he likes to say. “I saw a sign down the road that said ‘Bear left.'”

I never did see a bear.

But the things I did see were still pretty awesome.

Canadian Rockies as seen from the Rocky Mountaineer

After my journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, I got a lot of questions about the train ride in western Canada. And that's fair – it's a bucket list item for many people, but totally unfamiliar to others.

I'll admit that I myself knew little about the Rocky Mountaineer before being invited to try it out for myself. All that I knew was that there was a train and mountains involved – two of my favorite things.

But now that I've traveled from Seattle to Lake Louise on the Rocky Mountaineer, I figured I would answer some of those burning questions of yours.

Rocky Mountaineer FAQ

What is the Rocky Mountaineer?

The Rocky Mountaineer is a privately-owned luxury train company with routes between the west coast and the Canadian Rockies (hence the name). The company, begun in 1990, has a variety of itineraries, and two different classes of service – Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf. Starting in 2016, all services on the Rocky Mountaineer will enjoy the company's signature glass-domed train cars: single-level for Silver Leaf, and double-decker for Gold Leaf. (Take it from me: the double-decker Gold Leaf cars give you the best views and experience.)

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer offers packages ranging from 4 to 19 days long, depending on the route and extras you want to throw in. Most packages include 2 days at minimum onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train itself. My trip was 7 nights long, and I spent 3 days onboard the train.

Watch the highlights here!

How does it work? Can you get off whenever?

The Rocky Mountaineer is not like a regular train. It doesn't make stops throughout the day (unless it has to pause to let a freight train go by), and you can't hop off whenever you want. When you book your trip, you're booking an entire package – train ride, accommodation, and some additional activities. It's a full trip in and of itself.

Do you sleep on the train?

Nope! While the train is certainly comfortable enough for sleeping, there are no beds aboard. You travel on the train during the day, and then stay overnight at hotels (which are booked according to whatever package/service level you choose).

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

What is the inside of the train like?

I was lucky enough to experience Rocky Mountaineer's Gold Leaf service, which meant a seriously fancy train car. The Gold Leaf cars are double-decker, with a dining room, toilets, and outdoor vestibule on the lower level, and comfortable seats beneath a glass dome ceiling up top.

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Dining aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train

Rocky Mountaineer pays a lot of attention to detail on their trains, and the staff does everything to make sure your journey is as comfortable as possible. This means offering you snacks and pillows, keeping the toilets impeccably clean, and I'm pretty sure even washing the windows at the end of each day.

How did you take those pictures?

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

The top question I've been getting when sharing my Rocky Mountaineer photos on Facebook and Instagram is “How did you take those pictures? Were you on top of the train?” And the answer is no, I didn't pull a James Bond and climb out on top of the train (even though that would have admittedly been pretty badass). The explanation is that I was in a double-decker train car with a glass dome up top, and I happened to be in the first dome car on the train, meaning I got that awesome view.

How did I luck out to get in that particular car? I have no clue! I think it really was just luck.

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in the Canadian Rockies

RELATED: 27 Photos from Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

How is the food and how do meals work?

On the Coastal Passage (Seattle to Vancouver), you get dinner onboard the train. For the ride into the Rockies (whether you're headed for Jasper of Banff), you get breakfast and lunch onboard each day. The dining room holds about half the passengers in each car, so you get divided into two dining groups. Don't worry though – if you're in the later dining group one day, you'll be in the early group the next (and you'll get snacks before both breakfast and lunch in case you get peckish).

I was really impressed by what two chefs in a tiny train kitchen could make. Both breakfast and lunch came with a full, multi-course menu – and the menus were different each day. I'm not really a foodie, but I thought the eggs Benedict was fantastic, and I enjoyed my two lunches and one dinner, too.

Food on the Rocky Mountaineer
Dinner on the Coastal Passage

All your meals onboard are included, and they also serve you as much coffee, soda, mixed drinks, and local Okanagan wine as you can drink in between meals.

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Who will you travel with?

Just like on the river cruise I went on earlier this year, it appeared to be a mostly older crowd aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. I'd say the average passengers were couples around 50-60. But this didn't bother me a bit! I made friends with an Australian surgeon and a really nice couple from Canada. Believe it or not, the top country that Rocky Mountain passengers come from is Australia, followed by Canada and the US, according to our main host.

What's it like for solo travelers?

I can't speak for the rest of the train, but there were four solo travelers in my train car alone. We all actually had our own set of seats since the train wasn't packed, and were seated near the front of the car. I'm used to traveling solo, so it didn't bother me to be on my own here. In fact, I loved just being free to stare out the window or hang out on the outside vestibule as long as I wanted to.

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in British Columbia

However, you do save money when booking as a couple as opposed to a solo traveler, because there appears to be a single supplement for all Rocky Mountaineer routes.

What is an average day like?

You'll board the train early – usually between 7 and 8 a.m. (unless you're taking the Coastal Passage from Seattle to Vancouver, as this is an afternoon/evening train) and chug along at an average speed of about 35 miles per hour. You'll have breakfast, some snacks/coffee, enjoy the scenery and onboard commentary until lunch, and then have some more drinks and time for sightseeing/chatting. Most days, you'll spend at least 8-10 hours on the train, getting in to your overnight destination before dark.

Ten hours sounds like a LONG time to be on one train, I know, but the time actually flew by for me!

Rocky Mountaineer train

View from aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

What are the highlights?

The scenery!! You don't book the Rocky Mountaineer for the speed; you book it for the incredible scenery that you'll see out those domed windows. Some of my favorite parts were training through Fraser Canyon and along the Kicking Horse River on the “First Passage to the West” route. The train slows down to a crawl at some of the more scenic spots, like waterfalls and bridges, so you can get good photos.

The Rocky Mountaineer traveling through Fraser Canyon
Fraser Canyon
The Rocky Mountaineer alongside the Kicking Horse River
Traveling alongside the Kicking Horse River

When is the best time to go?

The Rocky Mountaineer only operates from April to October each year. This isn't actually because of snow/ice or anything like that in the winter – it's to ensure that you're enjoying the scenery during the daylight hours and not after dark.

I went in late-September, and the fall colors were incredible along the way!

Canadian Rockies as seen from the Rocky Mountaineer

Fall colors seen from aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

What are the costs like?

As I mentioned before, the Rocky Mountaineer is a *luxury* train ride/vacation package. The prices, therefore, reflect this. Silver Leaf service on an itinerary similar to mine (7 nights from Seattle to the Rockies) starts around $4,000 per person.

What's included?

For what you pay, you actually get a lot. The price covers your train travel, all accommodation for the duration of your trip (and transport between the train station and said accommodation), meals while onboard the train, and often some activities like sightseeing in Vancouver, a post-trip land tour to Calgary, and even a helicopter ride in the mountains.

Field, British Columbia

Where will you stay?

Your accommodation options are based on the service level you choose when booking. To give you a taste of what Gold Leaf service gets you, I stayed at the Fairmont Olympic in Seattle, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Hotel Five-Forty in Kamloops, and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The Fairmonts are almost all historic railroad hotels, and are all absolutely gorgeous inside and out.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

What makes it worth the money?

It's true that you could see the same scenery by driving yourself into the Rockies, or by taking a less expensive train journey. But I think what makes the Rocky Mountaineer worth the splurge is the service you get onboard. You get good food, good drinks, and fantastic, friendly service. The hosts in my car – three twenty-something Canadian girls – were bubbly and always up for a chat (or impromptu poetry contest). They popped on over the speakers to tell us about the history of all the places we were passing through, or to point out interesting landscapes or wildlife. I learned a lot more about Canada's rail history than I ever expected to on this trip!

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

It's also nice not to have to worry about ANY details throughout the trip. You don't have to get to/from the train station on your own. You don't have to book accommodation along the way. You don't even have to worry about your luggage – in both Kamloops and Lake Louise, my bag was waiting for me in my room when I arrived! There's definitely something to be said for convenience sometimes.

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer's Coastal Passage

You'll probably also be wondering whether I think the Rocky Mountaineer is worth paying for. It's definitely something I asked myself before agreeing to go on this trip – because I never go on free trips that I wouldn't be willing to pay for myself.

In the end, I decided that, yes, this IS something that I think is worth saving up for – if you have the means. If you're a strict budget traveler who prefers the freedom of solo travel, then the Rocky Mountaineer probably isn't for you. But don't completely write it off – because I definitely know from experience that your travel style will change the older you get!

Views from the Rocky Mountaineer

So, if you're looking for a luxurious, comfortable way to see western Canada, the Rocky Mountaineer is for you. I think it's a train journey you'll remember for the rest of your life!

Is a train ride like this on YOUR bucket list? What other questions do you have?

 

*Note: I was a guest of Rocky Mountaineer on this trip. But, as always, all opinions (and photos) are my own!

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien

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51 Comments on “Everything You Need to Know About Riding the Rocky Mountaineer Train in Canada

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  1. Amanda,
    You rode the Rocky Mountaineer Eastward, is there an advantage to Eastbound travel versus Westbound travel?

      Not that I can think of! It’s the same route either way, so really just depends on your preference of where you want to start/end.

    My wife and I placed a deposit to take this train from Vancouver to Banff in September 2020 and put down $668 deposit last September. I came across the reviews of fellow travelers who ended up getting travel vouchers for some time in the next 2 year period because the company cancelled their plans. I was shocked to see that the company cancelled on travelers who paid the entire amount due to coronavirus yet people had to accept travel vouchers for future travel. WE live in South Carolina and have other vacations planned and have no desire to rebook. It seems even if you purchased travel insurance and the company cancelled last minute it doesnt seem you would get any part of your money back and end up with a travel voucher. I see that the company changed its policy so now only requires a $25 deposit but you still have to pay the balance 30 days out-and if they cancel you are out of luck you have to take a voucher. Furthermore the responses from the company to many of these reviews were really consistently heartless. I decided I had no choice but to cancel and give up my deposit even though we werent traveling for another 4.5 months. I totally appreciate others who provided their reviews as it helped me make a better decision. I also think the company made a terrible decision not to provide an option for people to get at least some of their money back. The Company acts like they are the only one affected in this transaction by the coronavirus and seems not to care that it doesnt operate at all without customers like us who are fortunate enough to spend a considerable amount of money to take a train through the Rockies. Perhaps they have the law on their side, I dont know, because I could not find any guidance for how it they legally came to the decision to only offer vouchers. Yet I feel this is a shortsighted solution that in the end may put them out of business and all these poor people with vouchers will be out of luck. This review is consistent with other similar experiences already published by Trip Advisor and is important for others who are in similar situations.

      As unfortunate as the current situation is for many people now facing canceled travel plans, this is how MANY travel companies, small and large, are handling canceled reservations. In some cases, giving full refunds is not legally required or even possible if the company has already paid other contractors with monies collected. I have had 3 major trips canceled so far this year, and in all cases I was only given the option of rescheduling for free, or getting a voucher/credit to use later. It’s not ideal, but it’s also the only way that most of these companies can continue to keep their businesses running through this. This is a situation most people in the travel industry have never faced before, so I also think we need to extend a little grace and kindness; we’re all trying to figure it out as we go.

    I want to do this trip but I have an eye disorder and unless I can go with my son I would not be able to go alone. If he could go we would leave from Seattle.

    I found the above very informative about traveling on the Mountaineer. We will be going in June and can’t wait. Sounds wonderful!

      I hope you have an amazing time, Susan! (Though I’m sure you will!)

    You can lower the price of the trip if you want to travel Gold Leaf by choosing to take Silver Leaf accommodation.
    We are doing the trip in September 18 and very much looking forward to it. Thank you for all your tips

      Ah, that’s a very good tip! I hope you have a great time!

    We are going in Sept 2018 and I was wondering if you packed for cold, warm or both! I am having trouble picturing what to bring!

      You won’t need winter gear really, but definitely pack for cooler weather! When I was at Lake Louise in later September, it was only in the high 30s/low 40s in the morning!

    Hi Amanda,
    I’m late to this party but was really interested in your piece. Can you tell me if tipping is expected on this trip and, if so, what sort of money are we talking about?

    Hi Amanda
    What is the best side of the train to be seated? Would I be able to select where I sit prior to taking the trip? You mentioned being in the first car is best. They may have given you that car because you were going to write about it.
    Thanks,
    Lynda Robinson

      Hey Lynda! To be honest, both sides of the train have great views! I was on the right-hand side, but also went up to the front and out on the observation platform to get photos from different angles.

      And as for being in the first car, no one on the train itself knew I was writing about it – I think I just got lucky with the first double-decker car! (Though, it was me and a couple other solo travelers up front, so maybe that had some bearing on it, too?)

    How did you get to go on a ~$4,000 Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Trip for Free as a Guest? I would love to do the same!

      Part of my job, Linda! Basically I was hired by Rocky Mountaineer to take a trip and write about it/promote it to my audience, and the payment was the cost of the trip. 🙂

    We’re getting ready to go on the gold leaf special 9/3 and appreciate all the comments!
    Barbara

      Enjoy! It’s such a beautiful journey!

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