Unforgettable Train Experience from the Rockies to Vancouver
We booked this as a way to travel from the Rockies to Vancouver after sightseeing and before our Alaskan cruise. Once on the train, everything was included, and if you're booking, definitely choose GoldLeaf over SilverLeaf. In SilverLeaf, you're mostly confined to your seat, but in GoldLeaf, you get a double-decker carriage with a glass roof. The upper floor allows freedom to move around, while the lower floor offers a dining area, lounge, restrooms, and an outdoor viewing platform.
Each carriage has four staff dedicated to educating you about the sights, serving drinks, and indulging you with food. Special commendations go to our fantastic staff—Tyler, Nathan, Colwyn, and Scarlet—as well as the incredible chefs working behind the scenes with fresh ingredients. The food was top-notch, the views were stunning, and we even made new friends along the way.
We had an overnight stop in Kamloops, where everything was seamlessly organized. Onboard, you're handed your hotel details, room key, and coach number. The train arrives in Kamloops, you step onto a coach, and you're taken to your hotel where your luggage awaits. The next morning, leave your bags in your hotel room and get back on the coach to reboard the train for Vancouver.
A note of caution: phone signal is spotty, and there’s no WiFi onboard. The coaches are climate-controlled, so jeans and a tee worked well for me, though some wore shorts and flip-flops. Be sure to bring a fleece or jacket if you plan to use the outdoor platform.
In Vancouver, a similar routine awaits, with your luggage already on your hotel coach. Overall, this was a fantastic trip, worth every penny. If Carlsberg made train journeys, this would be it!