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Rail travel has been a popular mode of transportation in BC since the first cross-country rail link was completed in 1886. A national passenger rail service, VIA Rail, offers regularly scheduled trips to a wide range of destinations year round. Two sightseeing rail services, The Whistler Mountaineer and The Rocky Mountaineer, operate mainly between May and October.
Regional Rail Services
VIA Rail
Via Rail, Canada's national passenger rail service, offers three routes in BC. "The Canadian" is a three-day journey between Vancouver and Toronto, via Kamloops, Clearwater, Valemount and Jasper, Alberta. "The Skeena" is a two-day, all-daylight journey between Jasper and Prince Rupert, via Prince George, Smithers and Terrace. You can get off at any point along either route -even where there is no scheduled stop - as long as you request a "special stop" in advance. "The Malahat" is a Vancouver Island route between Victoria and Courtenay via Chemainus, Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. It takes three and a half hours one-way.
> VIA Rail website
The Whistler Mountaineer
The Whistler Mountaineer is a three-hour, sightseeing rail tour from Vancouver to Whistler via Howe Sound, Squamish and Cheakamus Canyon. Extend your journey through the Rockies by connecting to the Rocky Mountaineer rail tour (Fraser Discovery Route) in Whistler.
> Whistler Mountaineer website
The Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer rail service runs three, two-day, all-daylight sightseeing tours through BC and beyond, to points in the neighbouring province of Alberta. The "Yellowhead Route" runs between Vancouver and Jasper, Alberta. The "Fraser Discovery Route" runs from Whistler to Jasper, Alberta. The "Kicking Horse Route" runs between Vancouver and either Banff or Calgary, Alberta.
> Rocky Mountaineer website
Amtrak
Amtrak provides connecting passenger service to Vancouver from points across the US, via Washington State. Daily, direct services are offered between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver.
> Amtrak website
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