The Dreamiest Train Trip Across North America

Rocky Mountaineer

Start in Vancouver

Your luxury rail journey begins in Vancouver. Before you board, soak up three of the city's must-sees: the Stanley Park Seawall for gardens, totem poles and ocean vistas; Granville Island for souvenirs from local artisans; and the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge. There's even whale watching tours from March to November, the perfect time to book your train travel too.

Stay or stop by the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, a Rocky Mountaineer partner that offers a cozy and luxe night’s rest before your Rocky Mountaineer journey begins. Tucked behind a secret bookcase is a cozy hideaway that serves up afternoon tea with a playful twist — definitely something to book before your rail trip. The Notch8 Restaurant & Bar honors the hotel’s railroad legacy (and name) with cocktails and delicious regional fare like steelhead trout and beef carpaccio. Don't miss a speakeasy-inspired pop-up downstairs with a holiday day theme too.

Day One

A morning shuttle will whisk you away to the Rocky Mountaineer terminal for your luxe train journey from Vancouver to Banff. Rocky Mountaineer was designed to offer an elevated, all-daylight experience, so you never miss a thing while it’s nighttime. GoldLeaf Service features bi-level glass-domed coaches, with panoramic views up top and a full-service and fine dining room below. Lunch menu items by Chef Tyronne Garcia include Alberta Striploin Steak, Fraser Valley Chicken Paillard, and Kuterra Steelhead Salad — you can't go wrong with any pick, they are all so good! SilverLeaf offers single-level dome coaches with meals served right to your seat.

During the ride, onboard hosts like the lovely and entertaining Kristi Van Tine and Robert Walker keep spirits high, narrating the passing landscapes, pouring regional wines, and making sure you capture those IG-worthy moments. The drinks keep flowing, the snacks (hello, chocolate-peanut butter pretzels) are addictive, and the scenery as you traverse the lush Fraser Valley is truly unforgettable.

Day Two

After a restful night in Kamloops, you'll head to Lake Louise. Climb aboard through the scenic Thompson and Columbia River valleys, cross the Continental Divide via the famed Spiral Tunnels, and enter the heart of the Rockies, passing iconic peaks like Castle Mountain and Mount Rundle. Enjoy breakfast like Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast or Lemon Honey Buttermilk Pancakes on either day with coffee and juice, or sparkling mimosas.

Wildlife sightings are common: keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, we saw so many eagles, and even the occasional bear. Make sure to step out onto the open-air observation deck for a breath of crisp alpine air and a chance to stretch your legs while capturing stunning mountain vistas.

Day 3: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

When you picture postcard-perfect alpine scenery, Lake Louise is the one on front — turquoise waters framed by towering peaks and a glacier that feeds the lake. (Fun fact: its vibrant color comes from “rock flour,” fine mineral particles suspended in the water.)

Right on the lake’s edge sits the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, originally built in the 1890s as a railway chalet. Today, it’s the only hotel located directly on the lake — grandfathered in when the area became a national park — and offers dreamy lake-view rooms, guided hikes to a remote mountain teahouse, serene canoeing in its signature red boats, and meditative nature walks followed by invigorating cold plunges in the glacial water (I didn't dare, but many of my travel mates took the plunge and lived to rave about it).

Start your morning at Louiza with a fresh breakfast buffet, and later unwind with a cocktail at the lake-facing Fairview Bar & Restaurant. Known for art deco elegance and a focus on local ingredients; its decadent lobster roll is a must-try.

This fall, the hotel opened BASIN Glacial Waters, a stunning Nordic-style spa bordering the lake. With cold plunges, mineral pools, and glacial-water therapies in a modern Scandi-designed spa, it’s a true sensory reset in the middle of the wilderness. If you love the heat, try the Aufguss ceremony, a multi-sensory sauna experience that combines heat, essential oils, and music. For those who love heat, this treatment is for you.

Day 4: Banff: Canada's Mountain Town

Just an hour away lies Banff, a lively alpine town inside Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay at or definitely visit the grand Fairmont Banff Springs, often called the “Castle in the Rockies” with easy access to hiking, skiing, golfing and a world-class spa. It's also walking distance to the lively downtown.

Grab a bite at the Fairmont's French-inspired Vermillion Room for a croque madame or steak frites and take a tour of the grand hotel. In Banff, don’t miss a ride up the Banff Gondola, a visit to the Whyte Museum, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, and the charming shops along Banff Avenue, or take a glacier tour or horseback ride. Depending on the season, you can of course ski too. It's a year-round destination you won't want to miss.

More North American Train Routes Not To Miss!

California Zephyr

Often ranked among the most scenic train journeys in the U.S., the California Zephyr takes you from Chicago to San Francisco with jaw-dropping views along the way. Glide through the sweeping plains of Nebraska, the dramatic peaks of the Rockies, and the awe-inspiring Glenwood Canyons before rolling past Reno and Sacramento and into the Bay Area. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime ride that every train lover should experience.

Grand Canyon Railway

Looking to experience Grand Canyon National Park without the traffic headache? Head about 30 miles west of Flagstaff to Williams, Arizona and hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. This historic route has entertained millions of people since it was first run in 1901, and it now tickles train-goers with exciting Wild West characters en route to their final destination. But this train ride isn’t just about dusty landscapes — whether it’s the Ponderosa pine forest, the wide-open prairie, or the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon, you’ll be stunned by the variety of landscapes you’ll discover during this Instagram-perfect adventure.

Empire Builder

The Empire Builder offers one of the most iconic long-distance train journeys in the U.S., connecting Chicago to the Pacific Northwest in a 46-hour adventure that captures the rugged beauty of the American West. Departing from Chicago, you’ll watch the skyline fade behind you as the train hugs the Mississippi River and rolls into the Twin Cities. By morning, you’re crossing North Dakota’s wide-open plains, through Montana’s Big Sky Country, where you’ll skirt Glacier National Park—one of the route’s most jaw-dropping highlights. In Spokane, you’ll choose between two stunning final legs: head north to Seattle through evergreen valleys and mountain passes, or curve south along the Columbia River Gorge toward Portland, with views of Mt. Hood and Beacon Rock that feel like a dream.

White Pass and Yukon Route

Whether you're docking from a cruise or planning a summer trip through Alaska, the White Pass and Yukon Route is a can't-miss adventure that blends frontier history with jaw-dropping scenery. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this stunning train route was literally blasted through coastal mountains. Now passengers get to experience some of the most scenic views in all of North America with stunning panoramas of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. We know it’s a cliché, but you really do have to see it with your own two eyes to comprehend just how beautiful it is.