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.

6 Canadian Train Trips to Book for a Summer Vacation

Embrace the beauty of a Canadian adventure with Canada's leading rail specialist and save up to $3,000 per couple on your 2024 Canadian Rail Vacations (Limited Time Offer).

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 Canada Train Trips !. Johanna, Carol & Judy

Johanna Oswald -

Little Rock, AR, United States

Everything that you and the team at Canada Train Trips organised for us was top class

From day one we felt comfortable that everything was going to be special. From the driver that met us at Seattle Airport, to the staff at Alexis hotel, everyone made us feel welcome. The Via Rail trip was great and once we picked up the vehicle in Jasper we could not believe that the sights of the Rockies could get any better, but they did!

Mark

Australia

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. Thanks Canada Train Trips !

Mary -

California, United States

Could not have asked for a better vacation

with my family My 24 year old and 13 year old enjoyed every aspect of the vacation The train ride was spectacular Very well organized It was well planned for our family Loved our stay in the Fairmont at every location. Highly recommend the tour with Canada Train Trips - Good value for money spent Thank you

Lakshmi

Texas

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

A Bucket List dream come true!

We did the "Rail & Drive Across Canada" with you & it was wonderful. All accommodations were top notch, tours were above our expectations & the train ride was neat. We were so excited & privileged to see the Norther Lights in Jasper! A "Bucket List" dream come true!

Rita

Illinois, United States

When we turned off, there were all these trees covered in snow. It was like a Christmas tree fairyland.

I failed to mention how much we liked the hotel in Calgary. What a beautiful building. Our view out the window was the tower. What a treat when it started changing colors at night. It was snowing pretty good. So coming from Texas in the summer it was really special, almost magical. We did not get to see the lake he thought was so pretty cause it was too cloudy, but seeing the snow and trees it did not matter.

Anita

Texas, United States

Vacation Perfection

Our trip through Western Canada was as breathtakingly beautiful as we had hoped and the whole experience progressed flawlessly. Our agent was Jasmine Wong and she understood what we wanted and had the expertise to arrange the whole two weeks to perfection. Our trip included a Via train trip, various sightseeing coaches, a flight to Whitehorse and then another to Vancouver, narrow-gauge railway trip to Skagway (utterly fantastic) and a rental car for our time in Whistler, and of course great accommodations throughout as well as side excursions. Our detailed itinerary included all the vouchers and tips and hints for our added enjoyment. We highly recommend their service.

Evelyn D

Miami, FL

We loved our holiday in Canada

all of the tours and hotels arranged by the company were excellent. They made the holiday a breeze. We would love to come back again and visit in the Summer for a totally different holiday and would be happy to use this company again.

Louise W

California

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 Canada Train Trips 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