Travel British Columbia by train and don't miss a thing
From Vancouver and Victoria to the great Canadian Rockies, vacationing in British Columbia is like nothing else - and there's no better way to explore almost every inch of it than on the train! Explore coastal cities, ancient forests, and the majestic Rocky Mountains with the comfort and convenience of VIA Rail trains.
See the sites, sight the seas!
Resting on the shores of the Pacific Coast and surrounded by lush green mountains and parks, Vancouver is the best known city in Western Canada and one of the three main entry points into the country. Tour Vancouver's museums, including the Vancouver Art Gallery and the University of BC's Museum of Anthropology, and learn about the culture and heritage of one of the most multi-cultural regions of the country.
A short ferry ride from the City of Vancouver, take a vacation on Vancouver Island and see the City of Victoria - the province's capital. Stop in at the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Maritime Museum to enjoy a taste of the culture and the history of this province. Be sure to visit the smaller towns of Nanaimo and Courtenay, as well as Cathedral Grove and the Pacific Rim National Park. Even more, go to Strathcona Park and stroll through a temperate rain forest. Everything is easily accessible from your trip along the island aboard the Malahat.
For a truly memorable Canada train trip, head east for a Canadian Rockies vacation. Stop off in Kamloops on the way, and see what effect more than 2,000 hours of sunlight per year has on the flora and fauna. Continue on your Rocky Mountains tour in comfort as lakes, rivers, and mountain vistas roll past your window. At Jasper National Park, you'll have a chance to try your hand at the most Canadian of activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and kayaking. (Even better, take your sports equipment with you on the train!)
From Jasper, take the Skeena up to Prince Rupert, an older town with a strong First Nation flavour, where you can see incredible amounts of flora and fauna living just outside the city in every direction. Most importantly, don't forget to stop off at the Railway Museum to learn about the history and technology that has made your vacation possible!
Make your British Columbia vacation a reality
Let VIA Rail and our travel partners help you plan your entire British Columbia vacation. If you're planning to travel quite a bit, then maybe a Canrailpass or a North America Rail Pass would best suit your needs. Worried about the weather? Look at our climate and weather conditions information page for help planning what to expect from Mother Nature.
To make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, take a moment to read our Canada tourism page, as well as look at our complete listing of railroad stations.
If you'd like more information about the various destinations in British Columbia, check out these links :
And there's more! See what travel packages are available at any time of year and for any type of travel interest on Trainpackages.ca : Canadian Rockies tours and other Canada vacations. Our partners will take care of everything and offer you the British Columbia vacation you've been dreaming about.
Getting there
Your British Columbia tour is one that will include a number of amazing train trips. On Vancouver Island you'll enjoy the comfort of the Malahat, which lets hop on and off at any station as often as you like. Your trip between Jasper and Prince Rupert will be on board the Skeena, where you can enjoy the amazing lavishness of Totem class. For your trip to Jasper and onward, whether you're travelling from the east or west, enjoy an incredible experience in utmost travel luxury in Silver & Blue class aboard the Canadian. You'll be so comfortable you won't want to get off!
