Whether you’re gliding through the Rockies or meandering across the Inner Plains of British Columbia, train travel is one of the most relaxing ways to experience BC’s breathtaking vistas. From the iconic Rocky Mountaineer to themed train rides like Thomas the Train, these railway journeys offer a front row seat to the best of this incredible province.
Unlike most rail trips in the US, which run through the cities, a trip on a Canadian train allows you to get immersed in the wilderness and discover the people who call it home. For many, this is the most authentic way to see Canada and it’s not hard to see why. From the historic Kettle Valley Railway visit this site near Summerland to the Trout Creek trestle bridge 238 feet above the river canyon floor, these trains will leave you spellbound.
The beauty of the Canadian landscape will unfold before your eyes as you savour gourmet meals and impeccable service. You’ll have a chance to take in old-growth forests blanketed in moss and rushing waterfalls, rocky beaches lined with gnarled Arbutus trees, and winding river canyons surrounded by soaring peaks. A trip aboard the Canadian is also a great opportunity to witness the richness of Canada’s culture and heritage as you pass by relics from the past like pioneer settlements, quaint little towns, and interesting monuments.
One of the best train tours in Canada is the Rocky Mountaineer, which runs between Jasper or Banff and Vancouver on three different routes. During the three days on the First Passage to the West route, you’ll have the chance to visit the beautiful and remote Yellowhead pass in the Rockies and Yoho National Park, as well as the stunning Icefields Parkway, where glaciers flow over icy cliffs and towering mountain peaks.
Between Jasper and Kamloops, you’ll traverse the mighty Fraser River canyon. This is cattle country, and a woman named Doris has been known to emerge from her house in the tiny town of Canoe on Shuswap Lake to wave to the train every time it passes. The train will also cross the spectacular Cottonwood bridge, which is both high and long—and was only completed in 1952. This is also the point where you’ll reach the Continental Divide, a small monument and wooden sign marking the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia. Rainwater falling east of the Divide flows to the Atlantic, while water falling west makes its way to the Pacific.
From Kamloops, the Journey through the Clouds route takes you on to the Cariboo Plateau and pine forest country where you’ll see the backside of the cattle ranches that once made the Cariboo famous. You’ll also be able to see the stunning gorge of the Thompson River and its winding river valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
If you want to make the most of your trip, book a full round-trip journey on the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver and back. Then you can choose from a variety of packages that combine this journey with other rail routes in British Columbia such as the Whistler Northwind or Rainbows End to Jasper and back.