Western Canada Train Trips

If you seek natural beauty, culture and relaxation, embark on a West Coast rail vacation. British Columbia in Western Canada will give you goosebumps as you glide through the landscape on a train.

See old-growth forests blanketed in moss, thundering waterfalls and rocky beaches lined with gnarled Arbutus trees. The official motto of British Columbia (B.C.) is "Splendour without Diminishment." To truly appreciate this splendour, you need to experience it for yourself. The best way to behold B.C.'s beauty is from a comfortable lounge chair in a train car, where you'll also enjoy delicious gourmet food and friendly service. Consider a West Coast train trip for seniors looking to see Canada in a relaxed, inviting way. 

Our travel experts can help you plan a personalized itinerary for your West Coast train trip that suits your interests, tastes and budget. You may want to do more than watch the wilderness from the train window. Talk to our Canada travel experts about adding on wildlife viewing and food tours and even hiking and kayaking to your West Coast train trips. A helicopter sight-seeing tour is a popular activity. That way, you can fully explore the wild West coast.  

Many of our train vacations start in British Columbia, giving you the opportunity to spend time in this stunning area. Whether you are visiting as part of a full journey across Canada, or a smaller-scale trip focused on West Coast destinations, you'll be enchanted by the beauty around you.

Complete Canadian Rockies by Train

This eight-day West Coast railway tour departs from Vancouver and includes two days on the train. It is one of our most popular trips, allowing travellers to spend time exploring the Rockies, as well as relaxing on the Rocky Mountaineer. 

Miles on train: 559 Miles

Days on train: 2 

Essential Rockies by Train

This West Coast train route takes you to Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff. It’s an ideal itinerary for those with time restrictions. You’ll ride the Rocky Mountaineer, plus get time in beautiful Lake Louise and the mountain town of Banff. 

Miles covered on train: 594

Days on train: 2 

Discover Whistler and the Canadian Rockies by Train 

Possibly the best West Coast train trip if you want ocean views, this route travels along scenic Howe Sound. This itinerary takes travellers between Vancouver and Calgary and includes a scenic tour of Icefields Parkway. Customize your trip with extra activities in Banff National Park or Jasper National Park.

Miles on train: 707 Miles

Days on train: 3 

Quick facts about the West Coast

• The West Coast of Canada has the warmest climate in the country - the flowers start blooming as early as February. It’s the retirement capital of the country, making it an ideal vacation spot for seniors looking for mild weather and accessible activities.   
• The province of B.C. is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, six National Parks and over 400 provincial parks and recreation areas. 
• Half of British Columbia's 4.6 million people live in the metropolitan area of Vancouver. This means the rest of the province is quiet, peaceful and relatively unpopulated. 
• Locals joking refer to the West Coast as the “Wet Coast.” It is home to Canada’s rainiest city, Prince Rupert, which can get more than 100 inches of rainfall a year.  
• The narrow passage between Vancouver Island and the rest of Canada is known for being one of the best places in the world to spot killer whales. So, if you take the ferry to the island be sure to sit on the outdoor deck and have your camera ready!

5 Reasons to take a West Coast train vacation

1. Everything is a bit more relaxed here. Whether it's the mild weather or the calming sound of the ocean waves, the West Coast is more laid-back than the rest of Canada. If you want a break from the hectic pace of city life, sit for a while in a cafe in a place like Victoria or further west in Tofino. You'll notice soon enough that no one is in a hurry.
2. The cuisine is fresh, varied and mouthwatering. Authentic sushi from the streets of Vancouver. Wild Pacific Salmon baked on a cedar plank. Homemade goat cheese from Salt Spring Island. You'll find a plethora of delicious things to eat on the West Coast. If you visit Vancouver Island, be sure to try the Nanaimo Bar — an irresistible dessert square made with a graham cracker coconut base, a creamy custard middle and a layer of chocolate on top. 
3. You'll learn about First Nations culture. B.C. is home to approximately 230,000 indigenous people from 203 different First Nations. From the totem poles displayed proudly in city parks to the many excellent interactive museums of the region, there are many opportunities to learn about the indigenous communities who have lived on the West Coast for thousands of years. 
4. How about that weather? Why do so many Canadians dream of retiring to the West Coast? It's because the weather here is so much milder and more pleasant than the extreme winter freeze of the Prairie and Eastern provinces. While Albertans and Ontarians are snow-shoveling a path from their door to their car, Vancouver Islanders are taunting them with photos of cherry blossoms in February and enjoying the warm sea breezes. 
5. West Coasters will greet you with warmth. The people on the West Coast are notoriously laid back and friendly. You'll meet plenty of people who will welcome you with a warm smile — and then you're only a short conversation away from making a new friend. 

Places to Visit on the West Coast of Canada

You could spend months exploring all of the nooks and crannies of Canada's West Coast and still not see it all. There are just so many tiny islands, remote inlets, far-flung communities and friendly towns to explore. To get you started on planning your train vacations to the West Coast, here are a few of our favourite spots:

Vancouver 

Vibrant and cosmopolitan Vancouver often tops lists of the world's "Best Places to Live." The attributes that make it delightfully liveable, such as walkable neighbourhoods, close access to nature and superb international dining, also make it very enjoyable to visit. Plus, the view of the snow-dusted mountains on the horizon never gets old. 

When to go: Visit during the pleasant spring months, when the city's flower gardens and parks are in full bloom. 

Train you'll ride on: VIA Rail Canadian 

The highlight: Take a walk through the sprawling green Stanley Park and admire the ocean from the scenic seawall. 

Whistler 

Home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America, Whistler is an alpine wonderland named after the whistling call of the furry marmot. The summer offers just as many fun activities for mountain fun. Take to the trails and enjoy a selection of scenic hikes, try an alpine picnic, ride the gondola, indulge in a Nordic Spa or try zip-lining. More extreme sports include mountain biking  

When to go: While winter is the classic time, summer is a splendid time to explore.  

Train you'll ride on: The Rocky Mountaineer (in the winter, an excursion to Whistler can be added to any of trips that start or end in Vancouver, but you will not travel by train to Whistler) 

The highlight: Add an evening foodie tour of Whistler's excellent culinary scene to your trip. 

Campbell River 

Known as the "Salmon Fishing Capital of the World,' Campbell River is one of the quirky small communities that are the beating heart of the West Coast. Take a 30-minute flight from Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge, where you'll have the unforgettable experience of spotting grizzly bears in the wild. 

When to go: September is the prime month for viewing grizzly bears, and it's also a great time to beat the summer crowds. 

How to go: An excursion to Campbell River and Knight Inlet can be added to most of our itineraries out of Vancouver. 

The highlight: Flying into the remote and unspoiled Knight Inlet, where bear viewing groups are limited to only 12 people at a time.

Tofino 

Secluded on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino, a small coastal village of about 1,600 residents, is one of Canada's secret gems. At Tofino's doorstep is the Clayoquot Sound region, a world UNESCO biosphere reserve. This Canadian area boasts one of British Columbia's most cherished nature reserves, the Pacific Rim National Park. 

Rugged coastlines and lush temperate rainforests offer a feast of natural Canadian exquisiteness for the nature lover on your Canadian train trip. 

When to go: Tofino's untamed beauty make it a popular destination during the summer months. Alternatively, visit in March, when thousands of grey whales migrate to the Sound in Canada and kick off the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival. 

How to go: An excursion to Tofino can be added to most of our itineraries out of Vancouver. You can fly in on a small charter plane or we can arrange a self-drive component to your trip.  

The highlight: Choose from a range of outdoor experiences: surfing, whale watching, hiking and more. 

Victoria 

British Columbia's capital city, Victoria, lies on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and has a temperate coastal climate year-round. Surrounded by rugged west coast wilderness, the city is full of lush green spaces and fascinating historic buildings. 

Explore Canada's oldest Chinatown, enjoy an elegant afternoon tea, go on a whale watching tour, kayak across the Inner Harbour, and take in the city's unique ambience of old-world blended with the new. 

When to go: The spring months mark the beginning of the whale watching season and are the ideal time to discover Victoria's flowering parks and gardens. 

How to go: An excursion to Victoria can be added to most of our itineraries out of Vancouver. You can travel by float plane or on an escorted tour.  

The highlight: Stroll through the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, home to 900 plant varieties across 55 acres.