Compare Rocky Mountaineer & VIA Rail Journeys Through the Mountains
Several of Canada’s most iconic rail routes cross the Canadian Rockies, each offering a different way to experience the mountains. Rocky Mountaineer focuses on daylight viewing between Vancouver and either Banff or Jasper, while VIA Rail’s Canadian continues further across the country with overnight segments between major stops.
Use this page to understand the key differences between these Canadian Rockies train routes, then explore sample trips that combine them with time in mountain towns, national parks and other regions of Canada.
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Read moreWhat our fellow travellers have to say
We would highly recommend Jennifer and Canada by Design for all of your travel needs. We count ourselves very lucky that we found this 5-star team of travel experts!
We chose Canada by Design in favor of a travel company in our own country, as we thought that the local experience would give us a better holiday. How right we were! We also saved ourselves a lot of money, as Jennifer's quote was much less expensive than the quote we received in Australia. We liaised with Jennifer by email many months before our trip, to organize our once-in-a-lifetime Christmas Snow Train adventure from Vancouver through Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and, finally, Calgary. Jennifer and her colleagues provided us with an excellent standard of service, always prompt, friendly and efficient. All accommodation was of a high quality, with The Fairmont Castle at Banff being outstanding. We felt like we were living in a fairy-tale with the amazing scenery that we encountered all along the way. When we first arrived in Vancouver, we headed directly to the Canada by Design office because we wanted to meet Jennifer in person. We were given a tour of the office and greeted by the whole team. Jennifer continued to work for us during this meeting, by offering suggestions for our time in Vancouver before our train departed.
Julie Cass -
Brisbane, Australia
When we go back in future to Canada we will contact you again. Will recommend your company!
We are back again from a wonderful trip in the Rockies. Everything was great! The Fairmont hotels we loved it. We had wonderful rooms in each hotel, the bus transfers very good arranged. We enjoyed our trips - snowshoeing, ice canyon walk, sleigh-ride, is was all fantastic! I was happily surprised with the informative travel documents with the lonely planet guide that we received on arrival in the Banff Springs hotel. So we want to thank you and your colleagues very much for arranging this wonderful trip for us!
Jacqueline -
Netherlands
Our trip to Canada was incredible!
We had quite an adventure travelling by planes, train, auto and boat. We enjoyed every moment of our trip from Calgary to Vancouver and your company made it all so convenient with the trip vouchers. We came back with many happy memories and beautiful photos of your breathtaking country. This was a special trip for our family and it was everything we wanted it to be! We will certainly be using Canada by Design again if we get the chance to explore the East coast of Canada. Thank you for your assistance. Johanna, Carol & Judy
Johanna Oswald -
Little Rock, AR, United States
Most Wonderful Trans-Canada Rail Trip
We found our experience with Canada by Design & Jennifer B in particular to be most wonderful for our Trans-Canada Rail Trip. All arrangements made by her were perfect, not a hitch anywhere. When I was in touch with her with concerns, she was very prompt in responding & resolving them. We really felt her customer service was so welcoming. We have talked to a few people since our return and have recommended your company to them.
Marjorie Stock
California, United States
Our trip through western Canada planned by Canada by Design was fabulous.
Karen made all of our trip arrangements and handled our unique requests seamlessly. She responded to all of our questions (there were many) and took special care to follow up on those that could not be answered immediately. Our detailed itinerary included all the vouchers and tips, along with special hotel upgrades that included full breakfasts. We highly recommend their service. The Jasper Foodie Tour was our own private Jasper history lesson tied to local food and drink. The Maligne Lake Cruise, Ice Explorer Glacier Icewalk, and Glacier Skywalk were all educational, with spectacular scenery. The VIA Rail (overnight) from Vancouver to Jasper was a unique and enjoyable experience. Scenery along the way was breathtaking. The Vancouver Fairmont Pacific Rim, Jasper Fairmont Park Lodge, and Moraine Lake Lodge were all 5-star in every aspect of their hotel accommodations and service. Thank you, Karen, and the entire Canada By Design team!
Jeffrey -
California, United States
We had a wonderful time, everything was perfect.
We would recommend trips organized by Canada by Design to anyone who is interested in actively exploring parts of the country. Many thanks for an outstanding job.
Astrid
Ottawa, Canada
My husband and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Eastern Canada.
We travelled from Toronto (visiting Niagara Falls) to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. We could not have been more pleased with the trip that was planned by Canada by Design. The travel agents are professional and helped us plan a wonderful trip. Their selection of hotels was ideal. The train travelling from Province to Province was such a great way to travel. Thank you to all of the agents made this a very memorable trip.
Carol Cevolani -
Petaluma, United States
We booked a trip in Eastern Canada - It was wonderful
We booked a trip in Eastern Canada by rail last fall. It was a wonderful, well-designed package, with minor adjustments to accommodate some special requests we had made. Great service!!
Los Angeles, CA
Loved this vacation!
We just came back from our winter adventure 5 days/4 nights in Whitehorse, Yukon. We had such a nice time. Everything was great. We saw the Northern lights, which was very special to start into the New Year, connected with the universe. We went dog sledding and snowmobiling..all the tour guides were always on time, had knowledge and made an extra step to make the clients happy. Also the hotel is a beautiful place with nice, warm beds. !!
Ina
Dominican Republic
We had a marvelous trip. Everything fell into place.
Worked with Jennifer planning a road trip from the Calgary Stampede through Lake, Louise, Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks and finishing in Vancouver. We worked together using some of my ideas and many of her ideas. She booked most of our hotels, sight seeing venues and car rental. We had a marvelous trip. Everything fell into place and each hotel she selected was great and a little different from the one before. Thank you Jennifer for all your help. Will never forget this trip.
Anne
New Jersey, United States