The Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Banff Ultimate Family Guide
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The Rocky Mountaineer is a dream come true—an unforgettable journey where you’re treated like royalty from start to finish.
This summer, we had the incredible opportunity to ride this iconic train, and I’m excited to share our experience to inspire your own adventure.
Spanning two full days, the Rocky Mountaineer takes you from Vancouver to Banff National Park, offering breathtaking views you won’t find anywhere else.
This isn’t just a train ride; it’s a world-class way to travel through Canada, where the scenery and the service are truly unmatched.
Now, you might be wondering—how do four boys, ages 2 through 10, manage two full days on a train?
I’ll break down our experience and give you all the details on what to expect from this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Why the Rocky Mountaineer is Perfect for Families
The Rocky Mountaineer is an ideal way for families to travel. One of the best aspects is how laid-back it is, allowing kids the freedom to move around without being confined to seat belts.
Plus, it’s a unique opportunity to see breathtaking landscapes that aren’t accessible by car or plane.
Unlike road trips, where kids are stuck in one spot, the train offers the same activities- drawing, reading, and games–but with more room to move around, larger tray tables, and flexibility to switch seats and engage with each other.
Plus, snacks, drinks, and restrooms are always available, so there’s no need to stop or wait.
Feeling restless? Step outside to enjoy the views and fresh air from the area between the train cars.
The freedom to move around, combined with scenic surroundings, makes the Rocky Mountaineer an amazing experience for kids and parents alike.
Relaxed Scenic Adventure
Believe it or not, train travel can be relaxing, even with kids!
The spacious seats, incredible food and drink service, and stunning views out the windows allow parents to unwind.
I remember sipping coffee one morning while the kids quietly colored– it felt magical not having to worry about the next meal or bathroom break.
The friendly staff made sure we were well taken care of, offering snacks and drinks, leaving me stress-free to enjoy the journey.
Quality Time Together
The Rocky Mountaineer gives families the amazing opportunity to bond and interact with one another while traveling.
On most trips, we focus on just getting to our destination.
But on this train ride, we played games, colored, read, and simply talked.
We shared undistracted meals, worked together to spot eagles and bears outside the windows, and enjoyed the beauty around us.
Side note: We did see both eagles and bears and it was so exciting!
Kid-Friendly Features
Though not many kids were on board during our trip, the Rocky Mountaineer is extremely family-friendly, and here’s why:
Special Meals and Snacks
The staff offered special kids’ meals for our boys. The chef even whipped up something different when one of our boys wasn’t feeling adventurous with their food choices.
The snack options were great too- fresh fruit and chocolate candy bars– what kid wouldn’t love that?!
Friendly and Engaging Staff
The Rocky Mountaineer hosts and staff went above and beyond to make sure our boys felt welcome.
They quickly bonded with the staff, who were kind, approachable, and attentive.
The kids loved the interaction and were thrilled to get to know the crew throughout the two-day journey.
Unique Gifts
Each child received a special Rocky Mountaineer backpack with crayons inside. They were able to color this backpack right at their seat which kept the kids quietly entertained for a while!
They also received an exclusive Rocky Mountaineer aluminum water bottle, which was a huge hit!
These thoughtful touches made the kids feel special and helped pass some of the time between the scenic highlights.
Freedom to Explore
One of the best parts of train travel for kids is the ability to move around. Whether they wanted to stretch their legs, use the restroom, or get fresh air, the Rocky Mountaineer offered the flexibility to do so whenever we needed.
There were no seatbelt signs or major restrictions which makes traveling with kids on the train go much more smoothly.
Window Watching and Wildlife Spotting
The kids had a blast peering out the panoramic windows looking for wildlife.
The Rocky Mountaineer staff encouraged this by pointing out key spots and helping the kids identify animals like eagles, mountain goats, and, by the end of the trip, even bears!
It felt like a scavenger hunt, and our boys were totally engaged throughout the journey!
Overall, the Rocky Mountaineer offers a perfect mix of comfort, flexibility, and fun for families.
It’s an adventure that keeps kids entertained while also giving parents the opportunity to relax and soak in the stunning views.
What to Expect: The Journey from Vancouver to Banff
Fun Fact
Our train route was called First Passage to the West. This route is the Rocky Mountaineer’s flagship route and is still the most popular route.
Day 1: Vancouver to Kamloops
We boarded the train after a seamless shuttle pickup in downtown Vancouver.
From the moment we set foot on the royal red carpet, the staff made sure everything was smooth and easy.
Even our luggage was handled for us–loaded onto the train and delivered right to our hotel room in Kamloops.
The train departed at 8:00 a.m. sharp, with about Rocky Mountaineer staff and a bagpiper waving us off.
We spent about 11 hours on the train that first day, but it flew by.
Upon arrival in Kamloops, our luggage was waiting in our hotel room at the Thompson Hotel, which, while clean, was the least impressive part of the journey.
In my opinion, the Thompson Hotel was slightly below average and located in an area where it was hard to find a quick meal when we needed to with hungry and tired kids.
Scenic Highlights: Vancouver to Kamloops
The first day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer takes you through a variety of stunning landscapes.
Each section offered something unique, making the entire journey feel like a scenic tour of Canada’s natural wonders.
Fraser Valley: Lush Farmland and Rolling Hills
After leaving Vancouver, the first part of the journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer takes you through the Fraser Valley.
This area is known for its farmland, rolling hills, and small farmhouses.
It was the perfect introduction to the beautiful countryside awaiting us.
Fraser Canyon: Towering Cliffs and Raging Rivers
As the train enters the Fraser Canyon, the terrain changes dramatically. Towering cliffs rose on both sides of the train as we followed the fast-moving Fraser River below.
One of the most thrilling moments was passing by Hell’s Gates, a narrow and powerful spot of the river where water rushes at incredible speeds.
Good to Know Information
Whenever we approached a scenic highlight, the Rocky Mountaineer hosts would point it out so we could capture pictures of it along with providing us information about it.
Twin Bridges: Engineering Marvels
Further along, we passed the famous Cisco Crossings, two bridges spanning the Fraser River– one a railroad bridge and the other for vehicle traffic.
Thompson River Valley: Desert-Like Terrain and Rocky Cliffs
As the train journeyed deeper inland, the lush green landscape turned into a more arid, desert-like environment- the Thompson River Valley.
This area is characterized by rocky cliffs and a drier, more rugged landscape.
It is super interesting to see the difference in geography in Canada just in a few short hours on the train.
Kamloops Lake: Mirror-Like Waters
Just before arriving in Kamloops, the train passed by Kamloops Lake, a serene body of water that reflected the sky and surrounding hills like a mirror.
It was the perfect calming view to end the first leg of our journey.
Day 2: Kamloops to Banff
After an early start, we reboarded the train at 6:45 a.m.
Day two was another 12-hour ride, but it again went fairly fast with all the sights to see.
Along with fantastic meals, we spotted more wildlife–bald eagles, deer, mountain goats, and even bears!
At the end of the day, the train first stopped at Lake Louise to drop some passengers there before continuing to Banff.
Good to Know Information
We did not get to see anything during our stop at Lake Louise. It was just the train station, and we were not allowed to get off. Some passengers thought that they were going to see actual Lake Louise and were very disappointed. You will not see this sight as part of the Rocky Mountaineer train ride.
Once we arrived in Banff, we picked up our luggage and then rode the shuttle bus to our resort in Banff.
Scenic Highlights: Kamloops to Banff
The second day was even more breathtaking as the train climbed higher into the majestic Canadian Rockies.
Shuswap Lake: Winding Waters Surrounded by Forests
After leaving Kamloops, the train first passes Shuswap Lake.
This massive, winding lake is surrounded by forested hills.
We kept our eyes peeled for birds and animals along the shoreline.
Craigellachie The Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway
One of the most interesting historical highlights of the trip was passing by Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven.
You can see the commemorative monument as well as a small gift shop and picnic area from the train.
It’s a cool glimpse into Canada’s rail history, which made the journey feel even more special.
Rogers Pass: Towering Cliffs and Cascading Waterfalls
On day 2, the train begins to climb higher into the Canadian Rockies. It travels through Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park.
This area has towering cliffs and numerous waterfalls to spot.
The combination of rugged mountains and flowing water was breathtaking!
The Spiral Tunnels: An Engineering Feat in Yoho National Park
One of the most unique and exciting parts of the journey was passing through the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park.
The train slowly wound through the mountains in a spiral formation, allowing us to see both the front and back of the train at the same time.
This awesome piece of engineering had everyone impressed, and the kids thought it was one of the coolest parts.
Kicking Horse River: Crossing the Whitewater Rapids
The train travels through the Kicking Horse Canyon, crossing the Kicking Horse River seven times!
The river is famous for its whitewater rapids, and the view of the rushing water carving its way through deep gorges was quite amazing!
Arriving at Banff National Park: A Stunning Finale
Driving into Banff National Park was some of the most gorgeous scenery on our Rocky Mountaineer journey!
The snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and peaceful lakes definitely made an epic conclusion to the trip.
We even saw a few bears as we ended our trip in Banff.
This was an unforgettable way to end our Rocky Mountaineer adventure.
Is the Rocky Mountaineer Worth It For Families?
Absolutely! The Rocky Mountaineer offers a one-of-a-kind experience that families will love.
The kids will enjoy the adventure, feeling fancy with folded napkins and special cups, and they’ll love the freedom to walk around and interact with others.
With everything taken care of– meals, drinks, restrooms, and incredible scenery–this is a stress-free, memorable way to travel!
So, start planning your Rocky Mountaineer adventure today!
We used a travel agent to assist with planning, and I highly recommend doing the same.
Discover more on the Rocky Mountaineer including tips for keeping the kids entertained on the train in our next post.
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May you LOVE your adventure! KW