As a train lover, there isn't a train I wouldn't ride-each has its own unique character, route, and experience. So, when asked to choose between VIA Rail's Canadian and the Rocky Mountaineer to explore the Canadian Rockies, I know there is no wrong choice when it comes to great train journeys, so I can confidently say "All Aboard!"
Both journeys are spectacular, each delivering breathtaking scenery, friendly and attentive staff, and an overland experience filled with lasting memories created with each mile of track traveled. In my previous post, I shared why VIA Rail's Canadian is the perfect first overnight train trip for a North American traveler. Rocky Mountaineer, on the other hand, offers something different - A luxurious, daylight-only rail experience designed for scenic immersion, storytelling, and high-touch comfort.
If time and budget permit, I recommend combining both Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail's Canadian in a single trip-linking them with a drive along one of the most scenic roads in the world, the Icefields Parkway through Banff and Jasper National Parks. But if you're choosing between the two, here are three ways Rocky Mountaineer is uniquely different from VIA Rail's Canadian when traveling by train between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies:
1. A Daylight Journey Built for Sightseeing
Rocky Mountaineer was founded in 1990 with a clear mission: to create the most spectacular train journey in the world both in terms of onboard service and scenery. The privately held railroad operates as a daylight-only sightseeing train, allowing travelers to experience every mountain, canyon, and river crossing in their awe-inspiring glory.
Each two-day itinerary is split with an overnight hotel stay, so you don't miss any scenery to the night. Onboard, you'll enjoy thoughtful, engaging commentary, warm Canadian hospitality, and modern carriages that have been continually updated through the years for comfort and visibility.
2. Luxury and High-Touch Service
Rocky Mountaineer is Canada's premier, regularly operating luxury train, with an April through October schedule. Two classes of service are offered:
- SilverLeaf Service features single-level dome cars with oversized windows and plated meals served at your seat, and two hosts per SilverLeaf carriage
- GoldLeaf Service includes bi-level glass-domed coaches, an outdoor viewing vestibule, a dedicated lower-level dining room with gourmet prepared meals, and four hosts per GoldLeaf carriage.
In both classes, the onboard hosts provide high-touch service, sharing stories and ensuring guests are well cared for. No matter the class you choose, each will provide splendid viewing opportunities and personal memories.
Want to see what it's really like? View the 360 virtual tour: Rocky Mountaineer
3. Three Scenic Routes to Choose From
Rocky Mountaineer operates three primary routes:
- First Passage to the West (Vancouver - Kamloops - Banff): This is the original Rocky Mountaineer route and most popular, following the historic Canadian Pacific Railway line through Fraser Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels, and past Lake Louise and Morant's Curve.
Suggested tours: Canadian Rockies Featuring Banff & Lake Louise
- Journey Through the Clouds (Vancouver - Kamloops - Jasper): A northern route that traces the Thompson and Fraser Rivers, ending in Jasper National Park. As a side note, this is the same route VIA Rail's Canadian travels between Vancouver and Jasper.
Suggested tours: Exploring Western Canada or Canadian Rockies & Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour
- Rainforest to Gold Rush (Vancouver - Whistler - Quesnel - Jasper): A lesser-known but equally stunning route through British Columbia's interior and then over to Jasper in Alberta.
Tip: Invest in the Train, Not Just the Hotel
Budget often plays a role in travel planning, but when choosing between hotel upgrades and onboard experiences, I always invest in the train. If you're considering a deluxe hotel room versus an upgrade to GoldLeaf Service, I'd recommend GoldLeaf every time. You can always visit the Banff Springs Hotel or Chateau Lake Louise for a drink or dinner - But the view from a bi-level dome car and table service dining on a moving train is something you can't replicate.
Whether you choose the all-daylight luxury of Rocky Mountaineer or prefer the romance and sense of journey in a private sleeper aboard VIA Rail's iconic Canadian, you're guaranteed memories that will last a lifetime. For me, the decision is nearly impossible - But I take comfort in knowing it's equally impossible to choose wrong.
