Rocky Mountaineer
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"Take this off your bucket list"
We traveled Silver Leaf from Vancouver to Banff in October 2025. Before boarding, everything looked promising—good coffee, a piano player, and bagpipes welcoming guests. Unfortunately, that was the highlight. The first day to Kamloops was a slow crawl. The seats have generous legroom but are uncomfortable—old brown leather that reclines barely two inches. Walking around is permitted, but only within your car, and the small viewing area between cars, barely fitting four people, was constantly overcrowded. Air conditioning failed in our car, making the experience stifling. Meals were limited: a small breakfast and lunch, neither fresh nor impressive, with only two choices per meal. Pretzel nut mix and an occasional croissant were available. The bar opened late and service was extremely slow—sometimes an hour between requests. The trip to Kamloops took over eight hours, arriving around 7 pm with no dinner served; we had to find food at our hotel. The hotel and baggage handling were fine. The second day to Banff took 12 hours, arriving at 8:30 pm. Again, no dinner was provided, leaving us to eat late at Boston Pizza. The airport shuttle pickup the next morning was a disaster. Despite confirming the time and location with two representatives, no bus arrived. After 30 minutes on the phone, we were finally instructed to walk to another hotel to meet the shuttle, and the driver was visibly annoyed. Rocky Mountaineer later emailed to claim this wasn’t their fault, citing small print about an “international hostel” pickup—but no staff or driver communicated this to us. Without persistence, we would have missed our flight. Overall, the trip was disappointing. For the high price of Silver Leaf, passengers should expect far better service and comfort. My advice: save your money and invest it in something truly worthwhile on your bucket list.
"Buyer’s Remorse"
We planned an amazing trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with a week in Banff followed by two days on the Rocky Mountaineer, but it turned out to be a mistake. While the staff were incredible—fun, knowledgeable, and attentive—the journey itself was frustrating. Our first day included hotel pickup at 6:50 am, breakfast before departure, delays picking up more passengers at Lake Louise, slow travel, and multiple stops due to rail traffic. By the time we reached our hotel, it was 15½ hours, and the next day was over 14 hours. Dinner, normally not included, had to be served due to the late arrivals. On top of that, nearly everyone on the train was coughing and sneezing, making the journey unpleasant. While the staff are the highlight, we regret spending the money, as it would have been better to spend more time exploring beautiful Canada in hotels.
"Good for some. Not for everyone."
Our Rocky Mountaineer train journey was part of a three-week trip across western Canada. While the trip itself was fine, in retrospect, it might not be for everyone. If you love trains, enjoy being waited on, and don’t mind sitting for long periods, it may suit you. However, if you like to move around, you may feel confined. The crew was excellent, working hard to keep food and drinks flowing and providing information and stories throughout the journey. The scenery near Banff was spectacular, though the first day out of Vancouver was just okay. The hotel in Kamloops was below our expectations and the worst accommodation of our trip. A fire alarm around 11:30 pm caused further disruption, and the hotel’s lack of communication was disappointing. We also had to wake up very early to catch the bus to the train, resulting in poor sleep. Overall, the train journey wasn’t bad, but for the price, we expected more. As plant-based travelers, we found the food adequate but not impressive. I’m sharing this review because I wish I had read something like this before booking.
"Beware of the terms andconditions-one nice day followed by hours of utter misery w/ no concern by Rocky Mountaineer."
We booked what we thought would be the trip of a lifetime on Rocky Mountaineer’s Gold-Leaf Service. The first day was fine, and the stopover in Kamloops was acceptable, though only a modest hotel. However, the second day turned into a nightmare. Our train sat stuck for hours due to a wildfire, enduring extreme heat while waiting. Eventually, passengers were evacuated to crowded buses, requiring a long, hazardous walk over rocky terrain—especially dangerous for retired travelers like us in our 70s. The promised Gold-Leaf Service was replaced with a hot, cramped bus, with no sightseeing or tour experience, making the entire second day miserable. Rocky Mountaineer showed no concern or apology and offered no refund or compensation, blaming the railroad closure. While we were grateful to be safe, the callous treatment and failure to deliver value left us appalled. We strongly suggest taking a bus instead, at least you’ll get what you paid for—unlike this experience, where we received only a fraction.
"Not for everyone"
I’ll share my honest perspective. I traveled with a group of older friends who all know each other. The trip from Banff to Kamloops took 14.5 hours. Because the Rocky Mountaineer must give way to freight trains, delays are frequent and expected, which makes for a very long time sitting with often repetitive views, many blocked by rows of trees. Wildlife sightings are rare—you might see something in the distance, but it can be hard to tell. We thought we saw a bear, but it was fleeting, and the train moved quickly past it. We were in Silver Class, where you sit with one other person for many hours. Standing in the aisle to chat is tricky as it blocks the crew serving food and drinks, or passengers heading to the bathroom. There are about 55 people in the car, and exploring other parts of the train is restricted. The “viewing platform” in Silver is just a few open windows between cars. Our day began with a 7:00 am hotel pickup and ended at the next hotel at 9:30 pm. On the positive side, the food is well-prepared and served, drinks are readily available, and the crew is very kind. That said, long stretches of sitting and eating without being able to work up an appetite can become uncomfortable. The next day, Kamloops to Vancouver, starts at 7:00 am with expected arrival around 6:00 pm. For me, the expense and time commitment weren’t worth it. Gold Service may be less restrictive, but delays are still frequent. Bring books, cards, or puzzles to pass the time, as internet service is inconsistent. Long train rides without frequent stimulation aren’t for everyone—be aware of what you’re signing up for.
"Massive rip off unless you like to sit for an average of 16 hrs a day and enjoy cafeteria-quality food"
The Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf experience is seriously overrated for the price. The first leg from Vancouver to Kamloops is mostly industrial and unattractive, with long, boring stretches and numerous stops in dismal areas. While the itinerary warns you about stops, it does not prepare you for how unattractive and tedious this leg truly is. Paying Gold Leaf prices for what feels like a prolonged shuttle ride is frustrating. The heat in the Gold Leaf car made the journey unbearable. The air conditioning failed, and the windows created a greenhouse effect. Two passengers even had to leave the car due to heat-related health issues. We had to spend time in the dining area downstairs just to escape the heat, turning our Gold Leaf ticket into a Silver Leaf experience. Staff dismissed the problem and offered no reassurance, despite it being a recurring issue according to multiple reviews. Kamloops itself is unattractive, and the train-to-bus handoff was bleak and industrial. The hotel stopover offered nothing special, with barely seven hours to check in, rest, and leave the next morning. The second leg toward Banff was beautiful, but the ride was overly long. Despite boarding before dawn, we arrived in Banff after 11 pm, making the experience feel exhausting and not worth the cost. The food was mediocre at best. The steak was thin, overcooked, and tough, salmon tasted canned, and supposedly “gourmet” snacks were tiny pre-packaged portions. Asking for seconds drew judgmental looks. The seats were only average for train travel—definitely not worth the Gold Leaf premium, and less comfortable than many airline or even movie theater seats. Staff, while superficially polite, were ultimately dismissive and unhelpful, offering rehearsed responses to legitimate concerns. Overall, the experience feels overpriced, uncomfortable, and underwhelming, with very few redeeming qualities beyond fleeting scenery. This review would serve as a warning: don’t expect luxury or smooth service for Gold Leaf fares—much of it is style over substance.
"We got your money, so don’t care!"
I was charged for my Rocky Mountaineer trip on my credit card, which is fine. However, they also placed a pending charge for the full amount, which hasn’t posted yet. While not technically a double charge, it still counts against my credit limit, preventing me from using my card for other purchases. The credit card company says they cannot help because the charge is still pending. Rocky Mountaineer admits the charge is their error, yet refuses to contact the credit card company to reverse it. It’s clear: they took the money and now simply don’t care about resolving the inconvenience for their customer. Frustrating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
Rocky Mountaineer
Scenic train through the Rockies.
Address
1100-980 Howe Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6Z 0C8
Website
https://www.rockymountaineer.com
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
1-877-460-3200