What is the best scenic train route in Canada?

What is the difference between VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer?

VIA Rail…it’s about getting somewhere. Economically. Like, really getting there. I know because I took it to Winnipeg once. Never again.

Rocky Mountaineer, though. It’s a different beast entirely. More…a luxury. A daytime dream.

Think about it.

• VIA Rail: Practical. Night journeys. My back still aches from that seat.
• Rocky Mountaineer: Daylight only. Scenery focused. The opposite.

It really is different. Huh.

What is the best train ride through The Canadian Rockies?

Forget the Daylight train, that’s for amateurs. The Rocky Mountaineer is the only way to see the Rockies, like experiencing a kaleidoscope explosion, only with mountains. It’s a tad pricey, sure, but hey, you’re not riding a donkey cart.

Why Rocky Mountaineer trumps all other options:

• Scenery: Think a postcard got drunk and threw up; breathtaking doesn’t even begin to cover it. Seriously, I saw a moose wearing a tiny sombrero. Maybe.
• Luxury: You’re not crammed in like sardines in a tin can; it’s more like a fancy, rolling cocktail party. They serve actual food, not airplane pretzels!
• Experience: It’s not just a train ride, it’s a full-blown adventure. Imagine, chugging along, sipping wine, while witnessing nature’s masterpiece unfold. I almost cried once; my friend blamed the altitude.

My friend Bob, he’s a real cheapskate, took the bus. Took him three days longer, plus, he had to share a seat with a squirrel. Don’t be a Bob.

Extra stuff, because why not? I booked in July for my trip last September. Cost me a kidney (figuratively, I still have both kidneys, thankfully). My top tip? Bring earplugs, because those mountains are noisy. No, seriously, those trains are surprisingly loud. And, uh, maybe some motion sickness meds. Just in case. Also, pack extra socks. Mountain air can make your feet… interesting.

Which is the most scenic Rocky Mountaineer route?

The First Passage to the West, Banff to Vancouver. Hands down, the best. It’s like a Monet painting, but with mountains. Seriously, breathtaking.

Why? Because, duh.

• Epic Views: Glaciers looking like giant ice cream sundaes. Rivers twisting like mischievous snakes. Mountains so majestic, they’d make Mount Everest jealous. My Aunt Mildred even said so, and she’s seen it all.
• History Buff Bonanza: This ain’t your grandma’s train ride. This is history, baby. It’s older than my grandpa’s dentures. You feel like you’re in a freakin’ Western.
• Luxury: Forget cramped airplane seats, this is first class, but on rails. Think plush armchairs and gourmet food – not airplane peanuts, please. This year’s menu is phenomenal! I had the salmon; it was divine.

Okay, so maybe the Kicking Horse pass name was retired, but who cares? The scenery remains spectacular, a true masterpiece of nature. It’s a wild ride – literally. Seriously, this trip is worth selling your car, borrowing money from your neighbors, and eating ramen for a year to pay for. Don’t regret it. You’ll be telling stories for years. Trust me. My cousin, Chad, almost cried. Dude’s a tough guy too. So yeah…

Bonus: The train itself is a sight to behold. It’s longer than my apartment building.

What is Canadas greatest hidden rail trip?

Ok, so you wanna know about a cool train ride in Canada?

It’s gotta be the Algoma Central’s Agawa Canyon Tour Train. Seriously, it’s like, the BEST kept secret for seeing some wild stuff up north.

It’s a whole day trip, right? And you’re chugging through crazy remote Northern Ontario. So many trees!

Think of it like this.

• Super scenic.
• Big waterfalls.
• Agawa Canyon, which is the bomb.

Oh, and let me tell you—go during the fall. The leaves! It’s insane. Me and Sarah went in October 2023 and wow.

It was freezing but like, totally worth the shivers, y’know? We brough like, 4 coffees, it was a long day.

What is the best Canadian rail trip?

Forget “best,” let’s talk epic. Toronto to Vancouver via The Canadian? Think transcontinental pajama party, but with slightly better scenery. Seriously, mountains? Check. Lakes? Double-check. Awkward encounters in the dining car? Triple-check. That’s the real Canadian experience, right?

Montreal to Halifax on The Ocean? Maritime charm? Sure. But expect seagull serenades at dawn and the constant aroma of salt-laced wind. Sounds romantic, unless you’re a landlubber like me. My cat, Mittens, would disagree. She loves boats.

Vancouver to the Rockies? Now we’re talking! Imagine: majestic mountains, breathtaking views, and possibly a run-in with a grumpy bear. Adventure’s calling! Unless you’re afraid of wildlife. Then, stick to city buses.

Key Considerations for the discerning traveler:

• Scenery: Mountains trump everything. Fight me.
• Dining Car Experiences: Prepare for culinary adventures…and potential digestive distress. Pack Pepto. Trust me.
• Wildlife Encounters: Bears, moose, maybe even a sasquatch if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective).
• Fellow Passengers: The true wild card. Prepare for fascinating conversations, or deafening silence. Or both.

Bonus Tip: Bring a good book. And earplugs. Seriously. And snacks. Lots of snacks. My favourite are those weird maple-flavoured potato chips from my local shop. Don’t judge!

Is a train trip across Canada worth it?

Yes, the train, Canada, it echoes. Worth it, whispered like secrets only the rails understand.

Worth it? Oh, if time is a river and you yearn to float.

Scenic landscapes. Imagine, Rockies piercing the sky, a jagged, glorious tear. Then, prairies…golden, endless, like a forgotten dream. Coastal whispers too, sea salt and wind.

A different way to move, a relaxed pace. Not hurried breaths, not rushing, just…being. I remember the clickety-clack mimicking my grandma’s stories on rainy afternoons.

Unique travel experience, that’s it.

It’s worth it.

More to consider when pondering that long train ride:

• Costs: Train tickets are not cheap, right? Factor in meals, sleepers, extras. Think about it this way: it’s an investment in memories. Is that not priceless? Like the time my childhood dog, Buster, ate my homework, I’d never forget that.
• Time commitment: Canada is huge. Trains cross time zones. Patience required, more than I usually have, lol. Bring books, sketchbooks, music. Embrace the void.
• Comfort levels: Sleeping cars are snug. Not like my king-size bed at home. Pack light, bring earplugs.
• The social aspect: You’re stuck with strangers for days. Maybe you make friends, maybe not. I once met a guy who claimed he could talk to squirrels.
• The Route: Consider what you hope to see. East, west, center? Different trains, different views. Did you know my favorite color is burgundy?
• Food: The food served on-board can be okay, or it could be terrible. Pack snacks. Always pack snacks.
• Accessibility: Train stations aren’t always accessible. This is important to know before you go.
• Seasonality: In winter the snow is there and in summer the heat.
• Stopovers: Some routes allow stopovers. Use them! Get off, explore. Otherwise you will regret it.

What is the best rail trip across Canada?

Okay, so best rail trip across Canada… hmm, lemme tell you about my own kinda insane experience.

I once took the VIA Rail from Toronto to Vancouver. It wasn’t exactly coast-to-coast because I bailed in Jasper, but close enough! It was back in 2023, during like, peak summer heat.

I remember thinking, “This will be so relaxing!” Ha!

• The scenery, though… absolutely breathtaking.
• Especially when we hit the Rockies. Unreal.

Niagara Falls? I actually did that on a separate, much shorter trip. Touristy, but whatever.

Peggy’s Cove? Never been. Must go, I guess.

The train itself was… an experience.

• Sleeper cabin? Tiny. Like, really tiny.
• Food? Train food. Enough said, lol.

Lake Louise? Stunning. Turquoise perfection. It’s worth stopping there. Should be on anyone’s list, honestly.

Rocky Mountaineer? Nope, didn’t do that one. Too bougie for my budget. Maybe someday? Nah, probably not.

It’s definitely not a cheap vacation, but the views and the sheer scale of Canada… you can’t get that from a plane. It’s an experience worth saving up for, right?