Rocky Mountaineer Train Tips

Prince Adventures Top Seven Rocky Mountaineer Tips - know before you book! Reach out before booking as the lowest price is always with your Prince Adventures travel advisor. Connect with us to learn more.

1. Which side of the train is best? From Kamloops to Banff, sit on the left side of the train. If you’re heading the opposite direction from Banff to Kamloops sit on the right hand side. The views from this perspective I would say are a balance of 80%/20% - with eighty percent of what you wish to see from the train appearing on your side. Everyone has a great view, but especially if you’re in SilverLeaf class seating, with less freedom to move around, you’ll want to be on the best viewing side of the rail car. All the seats are numbered, so be sure to look at a seat map to select the seat that is right for you.

2. Feasting on board is definitely part of the experience. Before breakfast you may enjoy a scone with butter and jam, then breakfast is served a la carte. After breakfast is the bar open for alcoholic beverage services. Following that you will be offered a very light snack, followed by a hearty lunch served with dessert. Later in your journey you will be offered a final snack option paired with a feature beverage. I recommend requesting to dine later in the morning if you can, which will set your whole meal schedule further into the journey. I believe this allows you to revel in the initial excitement of being on board for the first hour, then changing location to be served your first meal (in GoldLeaf class seating the glass dome top portion of the rail car is where you will spend most of your day, transition downstairs for your main meals).

3. The timing of the schedule is a guideline, and while it is certain you’ll be following a rail route (as the tracks of course following the historic Canadian National rail lines). Once you embark on your rail journey, there are many instances that can cause a delay or pause in movement. “Meets” occur when the passenger Rocky Mountaineer train is approaching other commercial rail traffic - freight trains. As these other trains can be long, short, have various types of loads they are carrying, you may find your train ‘pulled over’ to let a train pass by. Keep a flexible mind about your journey, that truly each passage is one of a kind. You may be in a Meet just momentarily or perhaps up to an hour.

4. If you’re flying to your destination to embark on your Rocky Mountaineer train journey, pack according to your airline regulations. Once you arrive, for example in Vancouver, the day before your train journey, take a moment to sort your packed items so that you have your essentials to hand. Include in your smaller carry on tote or bag - a change of clothes perhaps and any toiletries you may need. The staff will check your luggage to your hotel so you don’t have to have it with you on the train. Very convenient! However, upon arrival at the hotel, the luggage does not travel on the train itself, it is transported by vehicle. That means there is a chance you’ll arrive at your hotel prior to your luggage, and if you’re changing for dinner or another outing, you will only have your hand luggage with you. I would recommend a backpack or day pack for your experience on the train itself, there is more than enough room for it underneath the seat in front of you.

5. I believe the best time of year to ride the Rocky Mountaineer is May 1 - June 15, or after September 1. While it is important to choose the best time of year to suit your personal travel schedule, consider many factors when contacting me to book your Rocky Mountaineer train vacation. In the summer months temperatures can rise, drought can set in, and on routes that involve traveling through the Fraser River Valley, (journeys departing or ending in Vancouver, British Columbia) wildfires are becoming increasingly common. While safety is the number one priority for the team at Rocky Mountaineer, the wildfires may result in a portion of your trip being converted to a motor coach tour. This experience is completely unlike being on board the train itself. You will enjoy breakfast at a local hotel, board the motor coach, be given a bag of snacks, and arrive in your destination in time for lunch at your hotel. I could not emphasize more than to emphatically say - if you are concerned about missing out on the rail experience, and all the luxury amenities and ambiance of the train, do not book during July or August. It is impossible to predict if and when your Rocky Mountaineer train journey will be converted partially into a motor coach tour, so keep informed and in touch with me as your travel advisor to ensure you are best prepared for what your vacation experience may be like. Traveling in the earlier season or later season will still be excellent for scenery, vistas and possible wildlife sightings, and certainly it is far less likely that you’ll face potential disappointment on board a bus. Bonus tip - if this does happen to you, you will be compensated by Rocky Mountaineer, but this amount is not in the form of a full refund for your days spent on the bus.

6. Wildlife sightings do happen! When I traveled The First Passage West from Vancouver to Banff in July, we saw a bear, several bald eagles, two osprey, Canadian geese, ducklings and a small herd of elk. However, depending on the speed of the train at the time, the viewings can be fleeting. Make friends with your nearby travellers and offer to share photos if someone does happen to snap a good photograph of any wildlife. The train travels at an average speed of 50-60kms per hour, to a maximum of 100kms per hour. While this isn’t especially fast, just like in a moving vehicle, once you’re past an interesting sight like a bear or a moose, it can be gone in an instant!

7. The open air observation deck is a wonderful place to experience the charm of your train journey. Feel the wind and sunlight on your face, breath deeply and smell the foliage and environment all around you. Close your eyes and listen to the wheels and movement of the train on the tracks. Wearing comfortable footwear, do walk to experience that space while the train is moving or stopped. Only within tunnels are not permitted on the observation platform. You may have on your favourite outfit or even dressed up for your train journey, and that’s great! Be prepared, there can be a lot of dust, and soot that you may find on your clothes, hands and face when spending time outdoors. Consider a shawl or light jacket to wear if you want to protect your clothing from these elements. Be sure to wash your hands after venturing outside, and wipe your face with a damp cloth if you find it is irritating your eyes.

Thanks for reading! Did you learn something new? I hope so. Looking to book your Rocky Mountaineer train journey, please phone Jakki 519-362-3672.

If you would like seven more free tips, click the button below to provide your email, and I’ll send you them! Or if you would rather email me at travel@princeadventures.com, please do ask for our additional tips and we’ll email them straight to you! 

Head to Instagram @princeadventures for some photos of our train journey and our other recent travels.

Jakki Prince is the co-owner of Prince Adventures, a luxury travel concierge service and Virtuoso travel advisor. Having traveled to over 57 countries personally and curated travel experiences and vacations for over 1000s of travellers she can be relied upon as an expert in her field. Read more about her on LinkedIn here.