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Train travel is having a moment.
Both at home and abroad, more travelers than ever are choosing to slow down and take the train to explore new destinations.
One of the things I love most about traveling is being able to see a new destination from a unique perspective.
You can’t immerse yourself in a destination in the same way as you fly into a hotspot and then follow the tourist flow to the nearest beach!
Which train routes stand out from the crowd?
According to Conde Nast Travelthe Rocky Mountain Railroad is the best train route in North America. This is why.
Why is the Rocky Mountain Railway considered iconic?
The views on this train route are epic.
You’ll experience all the majesty of the Rocky Mountains from the comfort of a luxurious train seat and from a very unique perspective.
Autumn leaves and snow-capped peaks look better than ever on this train route, which only runs from sunrise to sunset.
This ensures that passengers don’t miss any of the beautiful scenery while it is on too dark to appreciate it.
Some of the sights you will see on this rail route include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and the truly breathtaking Pyramid Falls waterfalls.
This route is considered to take in mountainous highs, canyon lows, icy rivers, lush forests and everything in between.
If you take the First Passage To The West route, you can also explore Lake Louise.
This train ride has become one of the most iconic attractions in Canada and it feels like it is a historic attraction.
So I was surprised to learn that the Rocky Mountaineer train wasn’t founded until 1990.
Nevertheless, the train has a rich history that will appeal to culture lovers.
It is the only passenger train that runs on the oldest section of the Canadian Pacific Railway, connecting Vancouver to Banff.
This historically important railway line was built in the 19th century.
Exploring the Rocky Mountaineer Train
The best attractions of the Rocky Mountaineer are the truly awe-inspiring views.
And the railroad company knows it!
To make sure you don’t miss anything, the train’s carriages feature huge glass dome windows on both sides.
I love train travel, but this sounds more lush than any train I’ve ever experienced.
This is no ordinary train: it is designed to provide ultimate luxury and comfort.
There are 2 carriage classes available: Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf. Both offer breakfast, lunch and free drinks and snacks.
But with the Silver Leaf class these are served at your seat and with the Gold Leaf class you have an exclusive dining room.
Likewise, both classrooms offer an outdoor viewing area. But this is a bigger platform if you opt for Gold Leaf class tickets.
The Rocky Mountaineer can take one of four different routes, with each route showing the Rocky Mountains from a unique perspective.
Wondering how much it will cost?
I’m not going to lie and suggest this is a cheap route for budget travelers, but it’s an epic bucket list experience that’s still worth considering.
The price of a two-day train trip from Vancouver to Banff, in The Silver Leaf class would cost $1,364. If you prefer to travel in Gold Leaf class, the price rises to $1,810.
This includes breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks, baggage handling and transportation to the train station, and an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops.
The available routes
As you would expect, the longer your trip, the more expensive your package will be.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers four different routes with durations ranging from 2 days to 7 days.
The routes you can choose from are:
- First passage to the West: Vancouver – Kamloops – Banff / Lake Louise
- Journey through the clouds: Vancouver – Kamloops – Jasper
- From rainforest to gold rush: Vancouver – Whistler – Quesnel – Jasper
- Rockies to the Red Rocks: Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver
Technically there are 8 options available as each of these 4 routes can also be taken in reverse!
This means that if it is more convenient for you to start from either direction, that option is available to you.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
