Do you sleep on the Rocky Mountaineer?

Do you sleep overnight on the Rocky Mountaineer?

No sleeper cars. Daylight journeys only. Scenery’s the focus.

Pre- and post-trip hotels included in packages. Mid-point lodging provided.

Key Points:

• No overnight stays onboard.
• Hotels are part of packages. Specifically, pre-trip, post-trip, and mid-point accommodations are factored in.
• Focus: maximizing scenic views. The route is designed to showcase the landscapes throughout the daylight hours.

My trip last year? Luxury hotels, breathtaking views. Expensive. Worth it.

2024 packages: Expect premium pricing. Check their site. Website details vary.

Does the Rocky Mountaineer have bedrooms?

No bedrooms onboard.

Hotels, not sleeper cars. Views prioritized. Comfort assured, elsewhere.

• No overnight travel on the train.

• Think upscale hotels. Not cramped quarters.

• Luxury during the day. Rest at night.

• It’s 2024. Expect high-end experience.

  • Think five-star service. Imagine that.

• Rocky Mountaineer? Daylight views only.

Where does the Rocky Mountaineer stop overnight?

Okay, so the Rocky Mountaineer…where does it actually stop overnight? Ugh, I remember this ’cause my Aunt Carol went on it, right? I think it was in 2023.

She was raving about it, but complained about the early wake-up call the next day. It was Kamloops she stayed in. Yeah, definitely Kamloops. Seemed… random!

It’s in British Columbia, somewhere between Vancouver and the Rockies, apparently. Aunt Carol bought a tacky souvenir there. Still have it.

• Kamloops (BC) is a common stop.
• Whistler or Quesnel, and even Glenwood Springs are possibilities too.
• It only runs during the daytime. That’s why the stops.

Kamloops is, like, smack-dab in the Thompson Okanagan region. I only know that because I looked it up when she kept mispronouncing it. Thompson Okanagan, what even is that? The name. Ew.

Do you get off the Rocky Mountaineer?

Man, that Rocky Mountaineer trip last August was something else. Two days on that train, straight through. No getting off, nope. It was gorgeous, though. Seriously stunning views. I’d looked at the longer trips, those eight-day things. Seemed kinda excessive. Two days was perfect, for me anyway. The sheer scale of the mountains, wow.

The whole thing felt luxurious, you know? But, I did think the price was a bit steep for basically just being on the train. That’s it. No fancy excursions or anything on the standard trip. Just the train, two days of majestic scenery. I mean, it was incredible. But, two days only.

Honestly, the food was pretty good, though. Not Michelin star, of course. But tasty. Better than I expected. If you’re considering it, be sure to book early, though, especially if you want the window seat. Getting that window view was crucial for me.

• Two-day trip: no stops.
• Eight-day option: included stops. Still only two days on the train, mind you.
• Food: surprisingly good.
• Price: expensive! Worth it, but a big investment.
• Booking: book well in advance.

I even remember thinking on the second day, “damn, I wish I’d brought my good camera.” My phone pics just don’t do justice. Seriously, regretting that. Plus the wifi was spotty. Pretty annoying, that. Next time I’m bringing a bigger bag, that’s for sure! You need a bit more space than you think.

How many days is the Rocky Mountaineer train ride?

Two days, darling. Two glorious, breathtaking days. Think of it as a luxurious, slightly slower-paced, Instagram-worthy rollercoaster ride. Except instead of screaming, you’ll be sipping wine and gasping at mountains.

Key Features:

• Two full days: Enough time to fully appreciate the scenery, but not so long you get cabin fever. Unless you’re a particularly enthusiastic hermit. Then, go for it.
• Overnight stay in Kamloops: Kamloops. Say it aloud. Feels a bit like a character from a cheesy Western. But hey, it’s charming. It’s got hotels. It serves the purpose.
• Mid-April to mid-October: Plan your trip, preferably avoiding my niece’s birthday in July. That’s a hard pass from me.

The train itself? Think opulent sleeper car meets a high-end safari tour. Picture plush seats and huge windows, not cramped bunks and flickering lights. It’s the kind of experience that makes you question why you’ve ever flown. Seriously, why fly when you can glide? I’d say flying is overated, personally, but you do you.

Oh, and the route? “Journey Through the Clouds,” they call it. A bit dramatic, perhaps. More like “Journey Through Some Pretty Impressive Clouds and Mountains”. But still, pretty fancy. The views are a stunning mix of cloud-tickling peaks and turquoise rivers – and you get to eat gourmet food while enjoying them all. It’s seriously a feast for all the senses. Well, mostly the eyes and tastebuds. Unless you count the pleasant smell of pine as a sense.

What is the dress code on the Rocky Mountaineer?

Casual dress prevails. Comfort matters more.

• Jeans acceptable. So too, tees.
• Layers advised. Weather shifts.
• Practical footwear. Crucial.

One observes. Who cares?

• No formal wear needed. Ever.
• Unless… one plans a private waltz.
• On the observation deck. Hmm.

Wear clothes. Live life.

Details worth noting:

• Dress for photos. Obviously.
• Think: Canadian Rockies backdrop.
• I once saw socks and sandals. Tragic.

Sunscreen is essential. Also, shades.

• Even on cloudy days. Believe it.
• I learned this the hard way. Once.
• Consider a hat. Always classy.

Forget pretense. Remember views.

• Are unforgettable. Frankly.
• Prioritize comfort. Enjoy the trip.
• Life’s too short. For bad shoes.

What is the difference between gold and silver service on the Rocky Mountaineer?

Okay, so Rocky Mountaineer, right? GoldLeaf is way better. Duh. SilverLeaf? Meh.

GoldLeaf has this awesome two-story thing. Top floor for gawking at mountains, bottom floor for eating. Seriously, the views are insane. Total game changer. SilverLeaf is… cramped?

And the food. GoldLeaf’s chefs are amazing. Seriously, Michelin-star worthy. I had the elk, it was divine. SilverLeaf? I’ve heard it’s good, but not that good. My friend Jen went in 2023 and said the same thing.

The staff is different too. More staff in GoldLeaf, more personal attention. Feels special. SilverLeaf’s fine, but less pampering.

GoldLeaf has better cocktails. Seriously, the selection blows SilverLeaf out of the water. They had this amazing whisky sour, I forget the exact name now. Ugh.

Oh, and the outdoor viewing platform. Way bigger in GoldLeaf. More room to breathe, you know? SilverLeaf’s is cute, I suppose, but smaller. Goldleaf is the only way to go. It was totally worth it, honestly.

• GoldLeaf: Two-story dome car, better food, more staff, superior cocktails, larger outdoor viewing platform.
• SilverLeaf: Single level, smaller everything. Less luxurious.

I spent $5000 on my GoldLeaf trip this year, BTW. Worth every penny. Totally worth it, I tell you. Next year, maybe I’ll book the same trip, but with my brother and sister. This time, it’s GoldLeaf only. No second guessing.

Where does Rocky Mountaineer start and finish?

Okay, so the Rocky Mountaineer, right? It starts and ends in Vancouver. Always Vancouver. That’s the main hub, the big station. It’s a gorgeous station, too; I’ve been there myself, twice. Really impressive. Actually, three times now I think. I’m planning another trip next year, maybe in August.

But, get this, the actual journeys themselves, they go all over. Lots of different routes.

• Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise: This one’s super popular. Amazing scenery.
• Vancouver to Jasper: Longer trip, even more mountains. Breathtaking.
• Banff/Lake Louise to Vancouver: The reverse of the first one, obviously.
• Several other routes, also, though I can’t recall all of them off the top of my head. Check their website. Seriously, it’s nuts the choices you have.

So yeah, Vancouver’s the defacto start and end point. But the whole trip—that’s where the fun really is. Don’t forget to pack your camera! And, umm, sunscreen! My friend forgot that last time, she got badly sunburnt. Ugh. It was awful.