While a traditional road trip has its charms, a Canadian train adventure allows you to ride through the Rockies, explore the remote north, and wind along the East Coast’s shores.
Canada is a big country, after all, and rolling through its vast stretches of prairie, deep forests, and peaks and valleys allows you to get intimate with its wild and rugged side. So stretch out and enjoy the ride. And as always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
First Passage to the West
Rocky Mountaineer’s four train routes span Western Canada’s scenic greatness, including Banff, Jasper National Park, Whistler, Lake Louise, and more.
One of the most dramatic Canadian Rockies routes, the First Passage to the West, departs from Vancouver and passes both natural wonders like the pillar-like hoodoo rock formations throughout Alberta and remarkable human-made creations like the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park.
Hop off the train at Lake Louise, home to the crystal-blue alpine lake and Victoria Glacier, or take the train to the terminus — the outdoor adventure paradise of Banff. Alternatively, you could start with outdoor adventures in Banff and take the First Passage to the West train back to city conveniences in Vancouver.
The luxury trains feature glass-domed cars for panoramic views plus hot meals and complimentary alcoholic drinks.
The Canadian
One for the bucket list, VIA Rail’s cross-country route from Toronto to Vancouver shows off a range of Canadian grandeur. You’ll cross Ontario lakes, Saskatchewan prairies, and snowcapped Rockies peaks, including a stop in the alpine town of Jasper.
The four-night, three-day journey is most comfortable in a sleeper car, but an economy seat is a comfortable budget option with access to the panoramic-domed Skyline car.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
Bring your passports for the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which leaves from Skagway, Alaska, and crosses into Yukon territory. The Bennett Scenic Journey winds along Lake Bennett and includes a short layover at the 1903 Bennett Station, with a small museum and a self-guided tour of the former gold rush town. Traversing western mountains and lakeshores, the train ends in Carcross in Yukon Territory near Montana Mountain. It’s also near the “world’s smallest desert,” which is not a desert but a roughly 1 square mile series of tall sand dunes remaining from ancient glaciers.
While only in Alaska, the just under three-hour White Pass Summit route in Skagway is also worth seeking out. It climbs approximately 3,000 feet in 20 miles, and you can expect narrow turns, tunnels, and plenty of mountain views from the historic scenic railway.
The Ocean
VIA Rail’s Montreal to Halifax route “The Ocean” traverses Atlantic Canada’s craggy coast. Start the nearly 24-hour trip in Montreal, where the train departs in the early evening, and you’ll spend the next day crossing through small towns and admiring the shoreline views of Nova Scotia.
You can travel in economy or book the Sleeper Plus car for more spacious accommodations. Meals are available on board, and the dome car is the best bet for stretching out your legs and taking in the views.
The Polar Bear Express
While the name conjures images of a cinematic snowy North Pole ride, this Polar Bear Express offers a glimpse of the wilds of northern Ontario. The roughly five-hour trip runs between Cochrane and Moosonee, a small town on the Moose River known as the gateway to the province’s far northern reaches.
The passenger train includes a dome car for viewing the heavily wooded and wild habitats, as well as a dining car. Make time in Cochrane, too, to spot an actual polar bear at CochranePolar Bear Habitat.
Related Articles
