Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer: luxury tourist trains through western Canada

Rocky Mountaineer is a tourist train company that operates daylight journeys through western Canada and the Canadian Rockies. The company presents itself as the world's largest privately owned luxury tourist train operator and describes its journeys as a way to experience some of North America's most spectacular landscapes. Its trains do not run international routes: all journeys take place entirely within Canada and the United States.

Two levels of onboard service

The onboard experience is organised into two classes. SilverLeaf Service uses single-level glass-dome coaches with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, an outdoor viewing area, breakfast and lunch served at your seat, and complimentary beverages and snacks. GoldLeaf Service uses bi-level glass-dome coaches with oversized glass-dome windows, a large exclusive outdoor viewing platform, and gourmet breakfast and lunch served in a dining room on the lower level, also with complimentary beverages and snacks.

Three rail routes

The company's catalogue includes three main itineraries. First Passage to the West, described as its most popular route, links Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff, and is presented as the route that historically united Canada's East and West. Journey Through the Clouds runs through Vancouver, Kamloops and Jasper, passing the highest peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Rainforest to Gold Rush departs from Vancouver and continues through Whistler, Quesnel and Jasper, crossing British Columbia's coastal rainforest, the Fraser Canyon and the historic Cariboo gold rush region.

Destinations and packages

Among the Canadian destinations featured in the offering are Jasper, Banff, Whistler, Lake Louise, Vancouver, Kamloops, Edmonton, Quesnel and Calgary. Packages are classified into several types: short journeys, Rockies highlights and circle journeys. By duration, they are grouped into 1-3 nights, 4-6 nights, 7-9 nights and 10-14 nights, or any length. Some options include rail only; others add hotel, transfers and multiple destinations. The company also offers group and incentive travel packages, as well as an agent portal.

Planning and booking

The website allows you to select the travel year (2026, 2027 or 2028), the country where the journey starts and ends, the destinations of interest and the trip length. The company publishes limited-time offers and a newsletter for promotions. For 2027 it announces a new package, First Passage to the West Rockies Refined, presented as an elevated offering. It also offers a downloadable e-brochure and interactive virtual tours of the GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf glass-dome coaches.

Sustainability and awards

Rocky Mountaineer states its commitment to protecting the areas it travels through, using resources wisely and supporting local communities. The company maintains a section on international awards and recognition received over the past decade. Its website features media and traveller reviews, such as those from Tripadvisor, Condé Nast Traveler and USA Today.