The saying goes, “it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey,” and the top scenic train routes in Canada just dropped to prove just that.
Journeyscape, a tour operator for Canada and the U.S., based in the United Kingdom, recently dropped the most breathtaking rail routes accessible for passengers across Canada. A train out of Toronto also made one of the top spots in the list. Here are the ones to check out.
1. White Pass and Yukon
Taking the top spot, this nearly 3-hour route gives passengers a view of the mountain peaks, waterfalls and gorges.
Travelling from Skagway, Alaska, to White Pass, a mountain pass in British Columbia (B.C.), the track hugs a vast mountain range that many social media users call a “must-do” experience.
This route holds the highest Tripadvisor rating, at 4.6/5, with many reviewers praising the journey’s valleys, mountains, and other scenic features.
Tickets can be purchased on the White Pass and Yukon Route website for $155 for adults and $77.50 for children.
2. The Canadian
This cross-country train route has passengers seeing a range of dramatic views for five days straight while going from Toronto to Vancouver. From the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to the mountains of Alberta and B.C., this more than 4,000-kilometre ride on a sleeper train is popular on social media, with more than 11,000 posts across multiple platforms.
The trip passes many of Canada’s natural landmarks, notably riding through Banff, Jasper and Pyramid Lake in Alberta.
Tickets for a variety of seat types are available on the VIA Rail website.
3. First Passage to the West
The Canadian Rockies are front and centre during this rail trip between Vancouver and Banff. Passing by Kamloops and Lake Louise, this route shows passengers views of lakes, mountains, rushing rivers and even glaciers!
Those on board will be experiencing the range of B.C. and Alberta’s views for two days, before finally ending at the terminus station.
Hotel packages and excursions are also available at checkout when buying tickets on the Rocky Mountaineer website.
4. Journey Through The Clouds
Three and a half hours north of Banff lies Jasper, a town tucked in the mountains, in the centre of Jasper National Park. The Journey Through the Clouds takes the train from Vancouver up to Jasper, passing through various parts of the Canadian Rockies, lakes and cliffsides during the trip.
With a front row seat to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, passengers are in for a treat during this two-day journey through the mountains.
Journey Through the Clouds is the cheaper and shorter trip option of the two available Vancouver to Jasper trips. Tickets are available now on the Rocky Mountaineer website.
5. Rainforest to Gold Rush
If you’re looking to have a different view while travelling from Vancouver to Jasper, taking the Rainforest to Gold Rush route will bring green sites to see through passengers’ windows.
With a route that travels north through Whistler, B.C.’s mountains and passes Quesnel, B.C.’s lake and town, anyone interested in this train trip can expect a change in scenery often during this three-day ride.
Anyone interested can purchase their ticket on Rocky Mountaineer.
