Rocky Mountaineer is typically recognized as one of the world’s must-do rail journeys – both for train enthusiasts, and those that just really enjoy great scenery. National Geographic describes the Rocky Mountaineer as “One of the world’s greatest trips”, and recently named the World’s top train journey by readers of Travel & Leisure.
If you’ve spent any time on the Rocky Mountaineer website, it’s easy to get confused with the dozens of different options, so here is a quick cheat sheet:
The Canadian Train
There are dozens of different packages, but they are all centered around 3 different rail routes:
- Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise (via Kamloops) – this is the original Rocky Mountaineer itinerary that has been operating since 1990.
- Vancouver to Jasper (via Whistler, and Quesnel) – this routing is a bit further around and crosses the Rockies further north than the Banff itinerary
- Circle Journey round-trip Vancouver – this incorporates both the above routings.
- Gold Leaf service is a double-decker, domed rail car, where you enjoy the scenery upstairs, and retire downstairs for your meals on board the train.
- Silver Leaf service, offers the same food, but it is served to you at your seat on a single-deck domed rail car.
- Calgary (for Banff) and Edmonton (for Jasper) are nearest major airports on the Eastern terminus of these itineraries. Vancouver Airport is very well served, and about 6 miles from where the train boards. Some of our Vancouver cruise clients also use Seattle Airport (about 100 miles south).
Where it gets unnecessarily confusing is that there are literally dozens of different packages ranging between 2 and 14 days. My best suggestion is to sketch out the itinerary you want (how many days in Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise etc.), and then we can help you go looking for the itinerary that best suits you.
Here is ONE example for each of these rail routes:
Vancouver to Banff for 6-nights
- Vancouver (2), Kamloops, Banff (2), Calgary.
- Prices range between $2520 – $5006 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.
Vancouver to Jasper 6-nights
- Vancouver (2), Whistler, Quesnel, Jasper (2)
- Prices between $3854 – $5380.
Circle Journey 14 -days
- Vancouver (2), Whistler, Quesnel, Jasper (2), Lake Louise (2), Banff (2), Kamloops, Vancouver (2)
- Prices start at $8391 per person.
The USA Train
Rocky Mountaineer began operations in the United States in 2021 with itineraries between Denver and Moab, Utah (via Glenwood Springs).
- Much like its Canadian counterpart, there are dozens of itineraries, but they all incorporate this two-day rail journey into them.
- There is no Gold Leaf service in the US, because the tunnels along the route are not large enough to accommodate the double-decker Gold Leaf cars.
- If you’re looking for something more than Silver Leaf service, then Silver Leaf Plus is offered. This enables access to a lounge car with a bar, and outdoor viewing platform.
- Moab does have a regional airport, but most people use Las Vegas or Salt Lake City for the western terminus of their trip.
- There is an option to go round-trip from Denver
Here are two examples of US itineraries
Denver to Las Vegas for 6-nights
- Denver (2), Glenwood Springs, Moab (2), Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas
- $3947 to $5140
Denver round-trip for 7-nights
- Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab (for 3 nights), Glenwood Springs, Denver
- $4293 – $5857
Partnership with Tauck
Tauck (the luxury land tour operator) has recently announced a partnership with Rocky Mountaineer. Here’s the Tauck itinerary between Denver and Salt Lake City.
- Start with 2-nights in Denver with a City Sightseeing tour, and scenic drive to the Foothills.
- 2 days on board Rocky Mountaineer via Glenwood Springs to Moab.
- A flight-seeing trip over Canyonlands NP, and then on to Salt Lake City to take in Capital Sights, Great Salt Lake, and Park City.
- Departures May through September from $7590 per person for 7-nights
Some notes on all Rocky Mountaineer itineraries
- You don’t sleep on the train – otherwise you’d miss some of the incredible scenery. The train operates in daylight hours, and you sleep in hotels at night. They take care of your luggage, so the logistics are made as easy as possible.
- These trips are about scenery, wildlife, food and wine. The scenery on the Canadian side rivals what you would see in Denali National Park in Alaska (some would argue the Canadian Rockies are even more impressive). On the US side, the scenery is different, but every bit as spectacular, and you have close proximity to several of the Southwest’s National Parks.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Rocky Mountaineer has a Black Friday Sale underway, that will offer up to $1500 off some rail packages that are 6-days or longer. Here are a few others that crossed my desk this week:
Uniworld’s President’s Cruise departing June 16 on the Rhine for one-week
- Ellen Bettridge is the President and CEO of Uniworld, and she always has a few extra surprises on cruises that she hosts. She’s also a blast to travel with.
- This coming year, she’ll host 110 guests on the SS Victoria – one of the two former Crystal ships Uniworld has acquired.
- Visit Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam.
- French Balconies start at $5999.
Viking World Cruise Segments
- As often happens on world cruises, some cabins have opened up at the last minute, and Viking is marketing them on individual segments. Each of the cruise segments below includes round-trip air, and the Silver Spirits Beverage Package as well Viking’s regular inclusions of all taxes & fees, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship:
- LA to Sydney for 40 days departing January 6.
- Sail down-under via Hawaii, Tahiti, and New Zealand
- $12,999 per person
- Sydney to Singapore for 28 days departing February 15
- Travel up the Australian East and North coasts, to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand before landing in Singapore
- $9999 per person
- Singapore to London for 55-days departing March 13
- Visit Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, before arriving in London.
- $17,999 per person
Explora Journeys Mediterranean
This exciting new brand has a casual, yet sophisticated vibe with fantastic entertainment, and a really interesting culinary scene. Due to our exclusive arrangement with them, we can offer you up to 10% off the pricing you see listed on their website, AND get you an additional €150 Euro Experience Credit.
- Barcelona to Athens departing June 19 for 8-nights
- Visit Sicily (2 ports), Malta, Crete, and Naxos.
- Verandas from $5550 per person
- Athens to Venice departing July 5 for 7-nights
- Sail up the Croatian Coast visiting Paros, Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj, before arriving in Venice.
- Verandas from $5250 per person
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
