Trains Across the Rockies | Canadian Rockies Train Routes & Trips

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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Canada - Endless beauty from a train window.

I thought I could visit friends in Toronto after seeing my daughter in NYC and, knowing nothing about Toronto googled ‘what to do’ there. The first thing that came up was an ad from Discover Holidays about travelling by train to the Rockies. My immediate thought was ‘yes!’ I liked their proposed itinerary and loved every day of the trip. Via Rail from Toronto to Jasper offered wonderful views, companionable and delicious meals, and a cosy cabin. The amount of water - lakes, rivers, waterfalls - is just about incomprehensible to we Australians and nurtured my spirit. Interesting late night stop at Winnipeg - behind the station is the magnificent Human Rights Museum - wonderful to know it even exists. The hotel stays and wildlife tours in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff gave me a good introduction to the magnificent Rockies, and all the arrangements fell into place well. The Rocky Mountaineer trip to Vancouver was a dreamlike experience. Travelling by train offers so much more than flying-in-flying-out, and crossing beautiful Canada’s waterways, rocky shield, prairies and mountains was uplifting.

Jane Touzeau

Elwood, VIC, Australia

One of our best vacations. Perfectly planned and all went off without a hitch.

Canada by Design planned our trip to the Canadian Rockies including travel on the Rocky Mountaineer and visit to Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary. Every contact with Canada by Design was a positive one. So helpful so positive. Recommend them highly!

Joel Yellin -

Rochester, United States

We definitely want to come back and we know who to contact.

We have just come back from 10+ days tour from Vancouver to Jasper/Lake Louise/Banff/Kamloops back to Vancouver via train/bus. We had a great time. Thanks Canada by Design, especially to Karen for putting together and planning such a trouble free, smooth running package to make our visit even more unforgettable. Every place we have been to have been carved very deeply in our memories. We fell in love with the Rockies, its wild life, ice fields, beautiful towns and the friendly people.

Lutfu -

Istanbul

The whole experience was breathtaking...

Thanks very much to Jasmine for helping to organise our wonderful holiday from Vancouver across the Rockies to Calgary. The whole experience was breathtaking and we appreciate the effort you put into organising the trip. We both loved the National Music Centre, especially the theatre organ there! We also loved the Maligne Lake cruise that we did when we were in Jasper. The accommodation was excellent and the rental car was perfect.

Graham

Perth, Australia

Thanks again for a well planned and hassle free vacation. We will look forward to future vacations with Discover Holidays.

We wanted to thank Jasmine Wong and Discover Holidays Inc. for our great fly and self-drive vacation traveling to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Edmonton & Drumhiller AB from July 24th to August 1st 2018. We had a great time. Good accommodation. Great venues - Banff Sulpher Mt. Gondola, Banff Hot Springs, Columbia Icefield excursion and Tyrell Museum. The weather was perfect, the scenery was breathtaking and the wildlife sightings in and around Jasper and Elk Island National Park were an extra special bonus.

Ross -

Ontario, Canada

I highly recommend this company, They will tailor a trip to meet individual needs.

My wife and I had 10 days on Vancouver Island and the Rockies organised by Jennifer. It was excellent. The accommodation was very good, some of it apartment type which allowed freedom to do a bit of our own cooking. The included activities were first rate and with two nights at each stop the whole trip was very relaxed. Everything went smoothly.

Mel

New Zealand

We had the most fabulous trip to our Winter Wonderland in the Canadian Rockies.

Thank you so much for organizing all our travels and hotels. Highlights: the vintage train from Vancouver to Jasper! Via Rail Canadian needs better pictures to tout the awesome rail with it's adorable public rooms, dinning car, glass roof cars and cozy cabins. I left the shade up all night and watched the world go by.

Mary -

California, United States

We will be recommending you to others and will use you again when we return for more adventure.

We are leaving Calgary today to return to Vancouver after our week trip that you organized for us. Just want to thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The train and the places we stayed were great. Everything was so easy with transport and accommodation.

Kay -

New Zealand

This was an A++ experience! I'll definitely use Canada by Design for our next trip to Canada.

Paulina booked a week long self drive tour of Nova Scotia for my family. This was so easy to arrange. I just told her what we wanted to do and the time frame we had. She got back to me within a day with an outline of what she had arranged and shortly after that, I had a finalized tour. The hotels were outstanding and she also included maps and a guide book that helped us while we were in Nova Scotia. The price was very reasonable for the tour. This was an A++ experience and I'll definitely use Canada by Design for our next trip to Canada.

Kathleen

Texas, United States

They not only tailored my itinerary to include activities I liked, but also made my car and hotel reservations, making it no-fuss for me.

Because it was a loose itinerary, it left plenty of room to explore on my own, finding my own unique experiences and sleeping in when I wanted!

Annette