The First Passage to the West Route with Rocky Mountaineer
Route: Vancouver – Banff/Lake Louise
First Passage to the West is the route that started it all. Travelling between Vancouver and Banff (with the option to depart or embark at Lake Louise), this luxury rail journey follows the historic route of the Canadian Pacific Railway – the very line that once united a nation.
Aboard Rocky Mountaineer's glass-dome coaches, you'll trace the dramatic Fraser and Thompson River Canyons, cross the legendary Stoney Creek Bridge, and wind through Kicking Horse Pass. The train only travels in daylight, so you won't miss a single moment of the scenery unfolding outside your window.
With a choice of GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf service, expect outstanding cuisine, attentive hosts, and commentary that brings the landscape to life. This is the ultimate introduction to rail holidays in Canada.
Best for: First-time visitors to the Rockies | Spring to autumn departures
Journey Through the Clouds with Rocky Mountaineer
Route: Vancouver – Jasper
Following the historic Canadian Northern Line – dating back to 1913 – the Journey Through the Clouds route connects Vancouver and Jasper, winding through the Yellowhead Pass deep into the mountains.
The undisputed highlight is the view of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, towering at nearly 4,000 metres. You'll also pass through the dramatic Fraser Valley and Cariboo Plateau, with the train stopping overnight in Kamloops before the final ascent into Jasper National Park.
Jasper itself is a wonderful destination to extend your stay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a designated Dark Sky Preserve, ideal for wildlife watching, hiking, and stargazing.
Best for: Travellers wanting more time in Jasper | Wildlife enthusiasts
Rocky Mountaineer: Rainforest to Gold Rush
Route: Vancouver – Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel
For those who want to truly immerse themselves in the Canadian wilderness, the Rainforest to Gold Rush route is an extraordinary two-and-a-half-day rail experience. Departing from Vancouver, the train heads north along the iconic Sea to Sky Corridor – past fjords, coastal mountains, and plunging waterfalls – before stopping overnight in Whistler and then the gold rush town of Quesnel.
On the final day, the train enters the Rockies, climbing past remote stretches of the Fraser River before arriving in Jasper. Keep your eyes peeled – grizzly bears, black bears, bald eagles, and osprey are regularly spotted along this route.
This is a Canadian rail holiday for those who crave the untamed and the extraordinary.
Best for: Adventure seekers | Those who want maximum time on the train
The Canadian with Via Rail
Route: Toronto - Vancouver
If Rocky Mountaineer is Canada's luxury daytime star, The Canadian is its romantic overnight counterpart. Covering over 4,400km across four days and four nights, this legendary VIA Rail sleeper train connects Toronto and Vancouver – crossing five provinces and some of the country's most diverse landscapes.
From Toronto's Union Station, the journey heads north through the rugged Canadian Shield, into the vast open Prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, before the Rockies come dramatically into view as you approach Jasper. The train's glass-domed Skyline observation car makes the perfect spot to watch the scenery shift from forest to prairie to mountain.
Onboard accommodation ranges from Sleeper Plus cabins – with meals included and beds that fold down from your daytime seats – to the premium Prestige Class, which offers ensuite showers, flat-screen TVs, and 24/7 concierge service.
As North America's oldest continuously operated named passenger train, The Canadian is a true icon of rail travel in Canada – and a journey unlike any other.
Best for: Cross-country explorers | Those who love classic sleeper train travel | Bucket-list travellers
The Ocean with Via Rail
Route: Montreal - Halifax
Lesser known than The Canadian but every bit as rewarding, The Ocean holds the remarkable distinction of being the oldest continuously operated named passenger train in North America. Running between Montreal and Halifax, this overnight service carries you through the historic landscapes of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Along the way you'll pass through the Matapedia Valley, skirt the shores of the Baie des Chaleurs, and wind into the rolling hills of Nova Scotia before arriving in the charming maritime city of Halifax. It's a wonderfully relaxed and scenic way to explore Eastern Canada – a region that often gets overshadowed by the Rockies but is equally rich in culture, history, and natural beauty.
For travellers exploring a Canada rail holiday that takes in both coasts, pairing The Ocean with The Canadian makes for an unforgettable coast-to-coast adventure.
Best for: History lovers | East Coast explorers | Those adding Maritimes to their Canada itinerary
