19 Hours on the Canadian Train: Canadian Rockies by Rail

“I was one of 3 left in the Skyline car. The stars were out above the mountains, and it was finally time to sleep.”

In April of 2025, I had the chance to spend 19 hours on VIA Rail's Canadian train with three other Canada Rail Vacations team members. We journeyed from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies by rail in Sleeper Plus Class.

Our team is always on the move, and this trip was one of our regular ventures in our pursuit to share insights and recommendations from across Canada and design our signature trips.

Summary

• I took VIA Rail's Canadian train from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies
• The journey took a total of 19 hours, including a night sleeping onboard the train
• The trip was a great chance to relax, enjoy stunning views of Western Canada, and eat delicious food

Our trip onboard the Canadian train was the first leg of the Luxury Winter Rail Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, though you can also take its sister package, Reflections of the West | Luxury Train to the Canadian Rockies, running through summer.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Pre-Boarding

The journey started by making our way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station.

The train leaves at 3pm, which means passengers have the beginning of the day to themselves in the city, a great chance to spend one last morning exploring Vancouver.

My recommendation? Brunch downtown, a final stroll along Gastown's Water St, and then the 10-minute Skytrain ride from Waterfront Station to Main Street-Science World, located directly across the street from Pacific Central Station.

Day 1 | Hours 1-9 Onboard the Canadian

Day one on the Canadian was our introduction to the stunning landscapes, wild backcountry, and panoramic views that were to follow.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Boarding the Canadian

We got to the station about an hour before boarding, and lined up to check in and select our onboard meal time. Our first-choice slot was already full (perhaps we should've arrived a little earlier if we were committed to a dining time), but we were happily flexible.

We were briefly shown our sleeper cabins before we were free to explore. Our party of four was split across two cabins. Each had two seats facing a large window in the day which, we were told, would be converted to two bunk beds at night. There was also a private toilet and a sink.

I wish I could say more about the (really very comfortable) cabin — and for more information, see our dedicated post — but, from that point onwards, if I was awake, I was in the common lounges, dining car, and the illustrious Skyline dome.

Sparkling wine and canapés greeted us in our assigned lounge car as we began our journey.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Leaving Vancouver

Despite thinking I'd quickly pull out my book, ever-changing views and passive conversation in the Skyline car kept me busy as we followed the Fraser River out of Vancouver.

The city fell away fast. Rolling farmland greeted us, which then, too, left in favor of mountains.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

We quickly found our fellow passengers to be an astonishing range of people. Newly retired women meeting for the first time discussed their adult daughters; men at the front of the dome passionately discussed locomotive models; and a young couple on their honeymoon sat together in the mid-section. The teenage boy traveling with his elderly grandma was undoubtedly the star of the car, though, and became a crowd favorite.

By the time we're called to dinner, we're deep in British Columbia's Coast Mountains. To the sides were lush forests colored a vibrant green with new spring leaves. But winter still lingered, and fresh snow had coated the upper peaks in white.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Dinner in the Dining Car

I won't pretend that dinner onboard wasn't part of the journey I was most excited for. There's something romantic about making your way to the dining car, being seated at a white-linen-topped table, and being handed a menu, all as the train sways and trundles on.

As a group of four, we were seated at a private table (groups of two are paired together to dine) where we proceeded to feast on three courses (all delicious) of soup, a signature entrée, and a generous portion of dessert.

While all incredible, the stand-out was the Rack of Lamb, which seems to have become the unofficial signature of the route and was by far the most-ordered dish in the dining car.

Like others before me, I recommend it.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

After Dinner

After dinner I, to nobody's surprise, retired to my beloved Skyline dome. The initial excitement onboard had turned to a sleepy atmosphere as passengers digested their dinners and slowly peeled off to bed, bidding goodnight to the rest of the occupants. By 9pm, the dome was less than half full. As it was only April, the sun was setting behind the mountain peaks. Even then, it felt rude to leave, and I spent my time trying to resist the draw of a warm bed in favor of ever-darkening mountain views and late-night-dome ambiance.

By 10:30pm, I was one of 3 left in the Skyline car. The stars were out above the mountains, and it was finally time to sleep.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Sleeping on the Canadian Train

It is worth mentioning that travelers are often a little apprehensive about sleeping on a train. And while I was incredibly excited to spend the night onboard, I was also curious as to how I'd sleep.

In our private cabin for two — now converted into its nighttime formation, with two stacked bunk beds, where before there were chairs — I had the upper of the two bunks, which meant climbing a ladder to sleep, and no window view. As someone prone to travel sickness, I was a little worried. Without a view of the outside to ground myself, would I feel unwell? But I needn't have. I had no issue with the swaying train and slept remarkably well in my bed.

Day 2 | Hours 10-19 Onboard the Canadian

I'm an early riser by default, and had made the decision to get to the Skyline dome to watch the sun rise over the Rockies before I ever stepped foot on the train.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Early Morning Onboard

I was up by 5am and greeted by dense pine forest rolling past the windows, and flashes of mountains behind them. We had reached the Canadian Rockies while I slept.

5:30am in the dome was surprisingly busy. Maybe a third of the seats were taken, but the car was hushed as people slowly woke over coffee.

I nabbed a seat at the back of the dome and settled in with my book and a coffee. But, like usual, I was quickly distracted from reading by beautiful scenery. Nestled in the forest, I spotted barely-there towns; more clusters of houses than anything defined. The sunrise painted the sky and the landscapes a soft pink.

At 6:30am, our attendant came into the dome to announce that a continental breakfast spread was available in the downstairs lounge. There were baskets of fruit and pastries, jugs of juice, and, thankfully, more coffee. I pocketed a muffin, trying to stay mindful of the fact we'd be treated to a table-service brunch in just a few hours.

More passengers began to filter into the dome car (including my fellow Canada Rail Vacations team, who didn't quite join me at 5am), and the morning unfolded much like the evening before it, accompanied by views of the Kootenays National Park.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Breakfast on the Train

Over brunch — starting at 9:30am — the views were keeping their promise of a Canadian Rockies train trip, made clear by seemingly endless snow-capped mountains rolling past the windows.

Like dinner, the brunch came in courses, starting with a pastry and fruit, followed by a hearty meal selected from an extensive menu. We passed Mount Robson (the tallest in the Canadian Rockies) just as French toast, eggs Benedict, and coffee were set down on the table.

It must be difficult to produce multi-course meals from the small onboard kitchen, but you'd have no clue. We were presented with perfectly jammy eggs, crisp potatoes, and indulgent toast.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Last Hours Onboard

Painfully aware that our time onboard was coming to an end, we returned to the common lounge to enjoy a talk by our coach attendant.

By now, we were deep in the Rocky Mountains and rapidly approaching Jasper National Park. It was clear that, despite leaving a sunny and lush Vancouver, winter was still clinging to Jasper. Snow coated the trees and lingered around the edge of frozen lakes.

While we passed through icy forests, we learned about the magnificent scenery in the surrounding area and local wildlife in the Rockies. It was the perfect precursor to any sightseeing or wildlife tours we had planned once we arrived, laying the foundations of knowledge as we journeyed through.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Arriving in Jasper

All good things come to an end, and at 12pm, we arrived at Jasper train station.

That being said, where one good thing ends, another must surely follow.

At the train station, we were greeted by our private tour guide, Norm, who would be escorting us through the next stage of our journey through the Canadian Rockies.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

How was spending 19 hours on a train?

I adored my trip on the Canadian train. I will be the first to admit I'm a rail enthusiast at heart and I was utterly in love with the idea of a rail journey to the Canadian Rockies before I ever stepped onboard. That made me the exact kind of person who would revel in the Canadian's classical stylings.

I met people I would never normally cross paths with, let alone spend several days traveling alongside. I saw absolutely stunning views of Canada behind its most well-trodden paths; forests, waterfalls, and valleys that hide far beyond the roads.

After just one night on the Canadian, I have tall aspirations to one day cross the entire country by rail (a route comprising no less than three VIA Rail trains encompassing 36 hours and 4 nights onboard).

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Favorite thing about the Canadian train?

Among it all, my absolute favorite part of my time on the Canadian was the complete lack of cell service, data, or GPS, and the resulting disconnect from the outside world.

News is passed around as rumors between passengers, then confirmed (to our delight and excitement) or refuted (to our slight disappointment) when the attendant stops by.

One of the small handful that understood the railside signage (thus able to track our location) was the first to notice that we were about 2 hours behind schedule. We must have stopped for a while in the night. It’s to be expected on these trips where freight trains take priority, and is always planned into the itineraries we design.

Train travel, at its core, is about intentionally slowing down and enjoying the journey. In that moment, there was no place I’d rather be.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Anything to consider before taking the Canadian?

If your idea of the perfect vacation is a jam-packed, action-filled, non-stop itinerary, the Canadian might not be for you. That being said, train travel makes the perfect start (or end) to a busy trip, and we include it in our itineraries to balance the pace. For me, an ideal vacation includes experiencing beautiful new places, meeting new people, and giving myself time and freedom to relax.

I was more than happy with the image of boarding a vintage steel train, filling my days reading books, gazing out of retro-futuristic glass-dome coaches at awesome natural beauty, wandering in and out of the dining car to enjoy my meals, and falling asleep to the sway of the train only to wake up someplace entirely new.

In these regards, traveling to the Canadian Rockies by rail will not disappoint.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

FAQ

Do I need to bring food on VIA Rail's Canadian train?

If you're traveling in Sleeper Plus Class and above on VIA Rail's Canadian, your meals and snacks are all included. Food is plentiful onboard. Meals are multi-course and, between them, you're welcome to help yourself to the snacks and drinks in the Skyline car lounge.

Is a train trip to the Rockies worth it?

If you're a fan of trail travel or are even remotely curious about the sleeper train experience, this two-day trip is extremely worth it. You get a small taste of traveling by rail while journeying the most scenic stretch of the trans-Canada railway. There are great views, great food, incredible company, and you'll be left with memories that'll last a lifetime.

What is there to do once you reach the Rockies?

Once you reach the Rockies, you can explore Jasper National Park (where you disembark the train) and Banff National Park, visit Lake Louise, drive the Icefields Parkway, and so much more. Some of our favorite individual activities to plan for our guests are wildlife tours, the Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier, and a guided ride on the Banff Gondola. For more information, see our Canadian Rockies packages, or reach out to a Travel Designer.

What should I pack for a train trip in Canada?

When you’re onboard VIA Rail’s Canadian train, any large bags will be checked into the luggage car, and won’t be accessible until you disembark at the end of your ride. Therefore, you should pack a small bag with all items you’ll need while on the train.

This might include:

• Pyjamas
• Toiletries
• Medication
• Entertainment (tablets, laptops, books, games)

You can bring up to a carry-on-sized bag, which will likely be stored under the beds at night. Large suitcases will be available to collect once you get off the train at your final destination.

Is there WiFi on the Canadian?

Internet access and cell service is extremely spotty along the Canadian train’s route — it is best to assume you won’t be able to use the internet, calls, or texts for the duration of your trip.

Be sure to download any content, like movies and TV show episodes, you’d like to watch along the trip. Or, consider this an opportunity to enjoy analogue means of entertainment onboard. Board games and puzzles are available in the Skyline lounge, and the dome is a great place to curl up with a book.

How do I book a train trip to the Canadian Rockies?

To book a train to the Canadian Rockies, reach out to one of our Travel Designers. They will work one-on-one with you to design and arrange everything you need for your rail vacation including train tickets, hotels, and custom excursions.

Feature Image Credit: VIA Rail