PREPARING TO GO
CANADIAN ROCKIES | AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
WELCOME ABOARD
Now that you’ve booked your rail journey, you’re one step closer to untouched landscapes, exceptional service, and miles and miles of memories. To help you prepare for the adventure ahead, we’ve created this guide that includes everything you need to know to prior to travel to ensure a seamless journey.
For even more helpful tips and information, visit the Preparing to Go section of our website, or scan the QR code below.
Adventure awaits, and we can’t wait to welcome you onboard!
Your Rocky Mountaineer team
Once you’ve booked your journey, visit our Guest Portal (https://www.rockymountaineer.com/your-booking), or scan the QR code here to view your booking details, make dietary requests, book optional add-ons, and more.
AFTER BOOKING
PROVIDE YOUR IN-TRAVEL CONTACT INFORMATION
Log in to our Guest Portal to ensure your in-travel contact information is up-to-date, so we may contact you in the unlikely event of an emergency or update to your itinerary.
CONFIRM YOUR TRAIN TRANSFER LOCATIONS
Transfers to and from the train are included with your booking. If you booked your accommodation through Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll be picked-up and dropped-off at your hotel. If you did not book your accommodation through Rocky Mountaineer, please select your preferred pick-up/drop-off location from our list of locations found in our Guest Portal.
ADVISE US OF SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS OR ALLERGIES
While our menus do cater to a variety of dietary needs and preferences, if you have a special dietary requirement or allergy, simply advise us at least 60 days in advance of travel or fill out our Food Allergy Form.
ADVISE US OF MOBILITY & ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS
If you require additional assistance at anytime while boarding, onboard, or deboarding, please advise us at the time of booking and fill out our Mobility Requirements Form. Advise us at least 60 days prior to travel if there are any changes to your mobility or accessibility needs since booking. Click here for more information.
BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance that provides coverage for trip cancellation, trip delays or interruptions, medical emergencies, or unexpected crises, depending on your needs. For more information on travel insurance options available to you, click here.
PLAN YOUR TRAVELS TO/FROM OUR DESTINATIONS
Our rail journeys begin and end in some of the most incredible destinations in North America. To learn more about how to get to and from these destinations, click here.
BOOK AIRPORT TRANSFERS (OPTIONAL)
We can arrange for airport transfers at the start or end of your rail journey with advance notice. If you would like to pre-purchase an airport transfer, please advise us at least 60 days prior to travel. Contact your travel professional or Rocky Mountaineer Vacation Consultant to book.
BOOK TOURS & ADD-ONS (OPTIONAL)
Extend your journey in our iconic destinations with our optional add-ons. If your package doesn’t already include tours or transfers, or you have free time in your itinerary, you have the option to pick from our curated list of add‑ons, before or after your Rocky Mountaineer journey. Tours are very popular, so we strongly recommend booking early to secure your preferred tour(s) and time(s).
Banff Gondola, Banff
Arches National Park, Moab
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
PRINT OR SAVE YOUR FINAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Your final travel documents will be emailed to you, or to your travel professional you booked through, 30 days prior to your travel date. Once they are available, you may also access them through our Guest Portal.
Please print or save your final travel documents and keep them with you at all times. They include important and detailed information about your itinerary including your hotels, transfer details, and expected arrival times. Please note, these documents are not the same as your confirmation document you received at the time of booking.
REVIEW OUR PACKING TIPS & LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES
Click here to learn more about our packing tips and luggage allowance information. We’ve included tips on what to pack for onboard the train in your day bag, as well as a detailed packing list for our Canadian and US routes.
PRIOR TO BOARDING
CHECK IN ONLINE FOR YOUR TRAIN JOURNEY
Within 7 days of your train departure date, please check in online for your train journey in our Guest Portal.
COLLECT YOUR WELCOME PACKAGE
Collect your Welcome Package, including your boarding passes and luggage tags, one of the following ways:
• Advance Check In: visit one of our Guest Centres in person during the times listed here. We recommend this option if you have any questions about your journey and would like to collect your luggage tags and boarding passes in advance.
OR
• Express Check In: collect your luggage tags and boarding passes from a Rocky Mountaineer representative at your pick-up location, prior to your morning motorcoach transfer time, as listed in your final travel documents. We suggest this option if you don’t have questions about your journey and only need to collect your Welcome Package.
For more information on how to Check In and our Guest Centre hours and locations, click here.
HAVE QUESTIONS WHILE IN ONE OF OUR DESTINATIONS?
Visit our team at one of our Guest Centres.
TRAIN SCHEDULE & TRANSFERS
TRAIN SCHEDULE
Click here to view our estimated train arrival and departure times.
Please note, train arrival and departure times are approximate. Rail travel in North America is occasionally subject to unforeseen delays. While Rocky Mountaineer is treated as a priority on the train tracks it uses, occasional delays do occur, and we cannot guarantee our arrival times. Because of this, we strongly recommend you book overnight accommodation at the end of your rail journey if it’s not already included in your package, before connecting to domestic or international transportation, such as flights.
TRAIN TRANSFERS
All guests have a complimentary motorcoach transfer to/from the train in each destination.
If you booked your accommodation through Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. If you did not book your accommodation through Rocky Mountaineer, please select your preferred pick-up/drop-off location from our list of locations found in our Guest Portal.
Your pick-up and drop-off times to and from the train will be confirmed in your final travel documents. These documents will be emailed to you or your travel professional, 30 days prior to your travel date and can also be found in our Guest Portal.
ONBOARD ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
WHAT TO WEAR ONBOARD
Dress onboard Rocky Mountaineer is casual. Here are some recommendations on what you may want to wear onboard the train:
• Comfortable, cool layers as there are expansive windows
• A light jacket or sweater as the air conditioning may feel just right for some, but chilly for others
• Flat-soled shoes with grip to help keep you steady with the natural movement of the train
• A hat and sunglasses for sunny days
WHAT TO BRING ONBOARD
We recommend that you bring a day pack or bag which is small enough to fit at your feet onboard the train as there is no overhead or under seat storage, and you will not have access to your checked luggage while onboard.
Things to pack in your day bag for onboard the train:
• Medications
• Valuables (purse, wallet, passports, jewelry)
• Personal items (sweater, sunglasses, a book, headphones)
• Medical machines and devices
• Your final travel documents sent via email 30 days prior to travel and accessible through our Guest Portal
• Electronic devices, extra batteries, charging cords and converter (if required)
BOARDING ASSISTANCE
Pre-boarding and de-boarding for guests requiring special assistance is provided at all stations. If you require assistance, please advise us at the time of booking and fill out our Mobility Requirements Form. Advise us at least 60 days prior to travel if there are any changes to your mobility or accessibility needs since booking. Click here for more information.
DIETARY NEEDS OR ALLERGIES
While our menus do cater to a variety of dietary needs and preferences, if you have a special dietary requirement or allergy, simply advise us at least 60 days in advance of travel or fill out our Food Allergy Form.
GRATUITIES AND ONBOARD PURCHASES
To make your journey seamless, gratuities for your Onboard Hosts and culinary team members have already been included in your package price. Onboard the train, we have a selection of Rocky Mountaineer merchandise items for you to purchase. We accept VISA, Mastercard, and American Express.
WI-FI
There is no Wi-Fi internet access onboard and much of the rail route is out of cell phone range due to the train travelling through remote areas. If you need to make a phone call while onboard, please use the outdoor viewing area. Your Hosts can advise on the best areas along the route where reception will be available.
SMOKING
To ensure the preservation of the fragile environment of the areas in which we travel and for the comfort of all guests, there is no smoking of any kind including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and cannabis onboard Rocky Mountaineer, including vestibules, restrooms or at the stations and sidings, or while on motorcoach transfers. Smoking is not permitted until you reach your accommodation each day. We recommend that you prepare for the journey accordingly.
TRAIN DELAYS
Rail travel in North America is occasionally subject to unforeseen delays. While Rocky Mountaineer is treated as a priority on the train tracks it uses, occasional delays do occur, and we cannot guarantee our arrival times. If a delay does happen, our onboard Hosts will do everything they can to make sure you are comfortable and that service is seamless.
IN OUR DESTINATIONS
LUGGAGE HANDLING
All rail journeys include complimentary luggage handling between destinations. Please refer to your final travel documents, which will be emailed to you or your travel professional, 30 days prior to your travel date and can also be found in our Guest Portal, for specific details on luggage handling in each destination.
DINNER RESERVATIONS
To ensure you’re able to enjoy the incredible dining experiences offered in our destinations, we highly recommend making dinner reservations in advance of travel for the towns of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Contact the restaurant(s) directly to make reservations. Please note, as rail travel in North America is occasionally subject to unforeseen delays, we do not recommend making dinner reservations on rail travel days.
TOURS & TRANSFERS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE
Depending on your package booked, it may include sightseeing or direct transfers, tours, or activities. Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding tours & transfers included in your Rocky Mountaineer package.
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
If you chose to customize your journey with our optional add-ons booked separately from your Rocky Mountaineer package, please visit our travel partner’s site or reach out to them directly with any questions you may have about your tours and activities.
TIME ZONES
Vancouver, Kamloops, Quesnel, Whistler, and Las Vegas are in the Pacific Time Zone. Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Calgary, Moab, Glenwood Springs, Denver, and Salt Lake City are in the Mountain Time Zone (MT), one hour ahead of Pacific Time (PT). Please note: 7:00 am PT is 8:00 am MT.
CONTACT US
ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO TRAVEL
Our Vacation Consultants are available to help answer any questions you may have prior to travel.
(Canada & USA)
ASSISTANCE DURING TRAVEL
The Rocky Mountaineer Guest Experience Centre is here to help. Should you require assistance while travelling or after your trip, please email guestexperience@rockymountaineer.com or call toll-free:
Our Guest Experience Centre is open 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm (PDT), including statutory holidays during our train operating season (mid‑April to mid November), and Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (PDT), excluding statutory holidays during our non‑operating season (mid November to mid April).
For more information visit www.rockymountaineer.com/preparing to go