Early summer is prime time in the Canadian Rockies, when snowmelt fuels roaring waterfalls and the first wildflowers appear across the valleys. And this year (and this year only), Rocky Mountaineer, the luxury train company known for its glass-domed coaches and slow-travel ethos, will have a service between the gateway towns of two of Canada’s most celebrated national parks: Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. Dubbed “Passage to the Peaks,” the forthcoming route will run between Banff and Jasper in Alberta, Canada, in June and July 2026.
The train experience
Unlike Rocky Mountaineer’s other offerings that typically start in Jasper or Banff and end in Vancouver (or vice versa), this new itinerary stays almost entirely within the Canadian Rockies region, offering travelers a deep dive into one of North America’s most dramatic alpine landscapes.
The train will trace a historic stretch of rail climbing past glacial lakes, hanging valleys, and the jagged summits of the Continental Divide. Among the highlights visible from the train: the thunderous, multi-tiered Pyramid Falls and the towering face of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at nearly 13,000 feet.
Although the itinerary was announced last August, there are still tickets available. Travelers can opt to book the two-day train journey on its own, which includes an overnight stop in Kamloops, a riverside town on the rail line between Banff and Jasper. As with Rocky Mountaineer’s other routes, the overnight is more about breaking up the journey than a destination experience.
Exploring beyond the region
For those looking to turn the trip into a longer Rockies itinerary, there are several extended packages (up to 10 days) that include hotel stays and excursions in Banff and Jasper, as well as in Calgary and Lake Louise, the famous turquoise glacial lake within Banff National Park.
The longer options add experiences such as cruising Lake Minnewanka, hiking on the Columbia Icefield (one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle), and riding the Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram. The extended itineraries will operate as motor-coach tours (apart from the two days on the train).
What’s included in each ticket
Aboard the train, guests can choose between two classes of service, the SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf. The former, offered on a single-level coach with oversize glass-dome windows, includes breakfast and lunch served at your seat. The latter is aboard a two-level coach with a glass-domed upper level and has an exclusive outdoor viewing platform. GoldLeaf guests are served slightly more elevated meals in a dining room on the lower level.
Both classes of service include snacks, beverages (including alcohol), and overnight accommodations with baggage delivery. (GoldLeaf service does, however, have premium room categories at the hotels, whereas SilverLeaf rooms are standard level.) Onboard hosts will share stories about historic sites, scenery, and wildlife.
Why now?
While the route was designed to offer a slower, more immersive look at this corner of the Rockies, it’s also strategically timed. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada is cohosting alongside the United States and Mexico, will bring an influx of international visitors to Vancouver, which is Rocky Mountaineer’s traditional starting and ending point. This itinerary effectively offers travelers a way to sidestep the crowds while still delivering marquee scenery.
“With the city expected to welcome a significant number of visitors, we’re excited to offer an alternative route for those seeking a quieter experience,” the website states, adding that for those who still want to travel to or from Vancouver, the “First Passage to the West,” “Journey Through the Clouds,” and “Rainforest to Gold Rush” routes remain available during that time.
How to book the Banff to Jasper train
You can book the “Passage to the Peaks” itinerary on Rocky Mountaineer’s website, with prices for the two-day train journey starting at $2,141 for SilverLeaf tickets or at $2,949 for GoldLeaf.
Related: 4 Days in the Canadian Rockies: Dogsledding, Cave Tours, and Indigenous Campfire Stories
