PREPARING TO GO SPRING | SUMMER | AUTUMN WELCOME ABOARD Thank you for choosing Rocky Mountaineer, the all- You’ll find answers here to frequently asked questions, We hope this guide provides useful information to daylight luxury train to the Canadian Rockies. We are as well as helpful tips and details. Our website enhance your Rocky Mountaineer journey, and we excited to be part of your Canadian travel experience! rockymountaineer.com is also a valuable resource. look forward to seeing you onboard! The preparation and anticipation of a trip can be We believe that the more you know about almost as exciting as the holiday itself. So we’ve Rocky Mountaineer, the Pacific Northwest, and created a guide to help you with your planning and to the Canadian Rockies in advance of your trip, the ensure that you have a seamless journey with us. more you will appreciate your time with us. 1 1 BEFORE LEAVING HOME Remember to review all the documents we’ve sent WHAT TO PACK WHILE TRAVELLING ONBOARD you before you travel. If you have any questions, ROCKY MOUNTAINEER please call us at 1-800-665-7245 (Canada & USA) or 1-604-606-7245. For your comfort, we recommend that you bring a day pack or bag that is small enough to fit at your WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR CANADIAN ROCKIES feet onboard the train, as there is no overhead or AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST JOURNEY under-seat storage. You will not have access to your In Alberta and British Columbia, temperatures can checked luggage until you arrive at the station or vary significantly depending on location, time of hotel at the end of the day. day, and the season. Kamloops, in particular, can Please also bring all medications, medical be very warm in the summer, while in the alpine equipment, valuables, travel documents, and regions, the weather can change dramatically in personal items onboard the train. a short time. Please see below for average daily temperature ranges. Dress code onboard Rocky Mountaineer is smart We recommend that you prepare for different weather casual. We suggest you bring: conditions. Dress in layers and bring a sweater, pants/ – Comfortable, cool layers, as temperatures may trousers, and a light topcoat or raincoat, as well as fluctuate as we travel through various regions lightweight summer wear to make your time in the – A light jacket or sweater, as the air conditioning may Rockies the most comfortable. Spring and autumn feel just right for some but chilly for others weather conditions can often include cool-to-cold temperatures and even snowfall, so bring warm and – A hat/cap and sunglasses for sunny days waterproof layers if you’re visiting during these times. Due to the natural movement of the train and the Visit www.weather.gc.ca for up-to-date weather spiral staircase in our GoldLeaf Service coach, information. flat-soled shoes with grip are recommended. CONTENTS AVERAGE DAILY TEMPERATURES RANGE FAHRENHEIT CELSIUS VANCOUVER KAMLOOPS ROCKIES WHISTLER QUESNEL VANCOUVER KAMLOOPS ROCKIES WHISTLER QUESNEL BEFORE LEAVING HOME 3 APR 43 – 55 38 – 63 27 – 48 32 – 54 31 – 57 APR 6 – 13 3 – 17 -3 – 9 0 – 12 -1 – 14 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & CHECK-IN PROCEDURES 8 MAY 48 – 63 46 – 70 32 – 57 39 – 61 39 – 66 MAY 9 – 17 8 – 21 0 – 14 4 – 16 4 – 19 TRAIN STATION TRANSFERS & LOCATIONS 11 JUN 54 – 68 54 – 77 37 – 70 45 – 68 46 – 73 JUN 12 – 20 12 – 25 3 – 21 7 – 20 8 – 23 ONBOARD ROCKY MOUNTAINEER 13 JUL 57 – 72 57 – 84 45 – 75 48 – 75 50 – 77 JUL 14 – 22 14 – 29 7 – 24 9 – 24 10 – 25 KAMLOOPS, WHISTLER & QUESNEL OVERNIGHT STOPS 17 AUG 57 – 72 55 – 82 41 – 72 48 – 75 48 – 77 AUG 14 – 22 13 – 28 5 – 22 9 – 24 9 – 25 18 DESTINATIONS SEP 52 – 66 48 – 72 36 – 61 43 – 68 41 – 68 SEP 11 – 19 9 – 22 2 – 16 6 – 20 5 – 20 IMPORTANT INFORMATION 23 OCT 45 – 57 37 – 57 27 – 50 36 – 52 33 – 54 OCT 7 – 14 3 – 14 -3 – 10 2 – 11 1 – 12 WHEN YOU RETURN HOME 25 Please note that in Kamloops the temperature can rise to as high as 40°C/104°F in July and August. 2 3 You may also wish to bring a tablet, a mobile device LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES with headphones, a camera, and extra batteries. The luggage allowance is two suitcases per person. Please note that limited electrical outlets are The maximum weight for one piece is 23 kg (50 lb.) available onboard the train. WiFi internet access and the total luggage weight cannot exceed 30 kg is not available onboard, and much of the train (60 lb.). All luggage or articles are accepted and route is out of cellphone range as the train travels transported subject to Rocky Mountaineer’s luggage through remote parts of Canada. Cell service will policy. Oversized items (e.g., sports equipment) may be available in major urban centres. Please use the be subject to a surcharge. Some Rocky Mountaineer outdoor viewing platform for phone calls. packages have other luggage restrictions, due to accommodation or transportation inclusions. Please For Rainforest to Gold Rush Guests: Your train refer to your travel documents for more information. arrives in Whistler earlier than your hotel room is available. As we deliver your luggage directly to Firearms; flammable, hazardous, illegal, or your hotel room, you will not have access to it until radioactive materials; and some food items are prohibited onboard. Rocky Mountaineer will not be your room is ready. Therefore, we recommend that liable for any luggage containing such materials. you bring onboard anything you may need for the Please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border afternoon. If you are planning on visiting the PEAK Protection (www.cbp.gov) and the Canada Border 2 PEAK gondola during this time, we recommend Services Agency (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca) websites bringing extra layers on the train, as it can be quite for more details. chilly at the top of the mountain. Please pack your fragile or breakable items in your luggage with care. Rocky Mountaineer is not responsible for any broken items. 4 5 Entry Into the USA insurance, please contact your travel professional If you have booked an Alaska cruise as part of your or a Rocky Mountaineer Vacation Consultant. package, you will require a valid passport and/or Rocky Mountaineer assumes no liability regarding visa (depending on your citizenship). Please visit provision of medical care. You are encouraged to the USA Bureau of Consular Affairs websites check your insurance coverage prior to departure to (travel.state.gov and esta.cbp.dhs.gov) for current ensure it is adequate. entry requirements into the USA, and to see ITINERARY CHANGES if you are from an eligible country for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All international guests Please review your itinerary carefully. Our teams travelling to the USA are required to visit the work hard to ensure that every service included ESTA site and complete the form as soon as in your Rocky Mountaineer package is ready and travel is planned. If you are from an eligible waiting for you. Last-minute changes to your country that is currently enrolled in the Visa Waiver itinerary may be difficult to accommodate and may Program, you can expedite your entry through USA incur additional fees. Customs and Immigration by completing your Visa DRIVING LAWS IN CANADA LUGGAGE HANDLING PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS Waiver electronically. INCLUDING IMPAIRED DRIVING Midpoint Destinations: All visitors to Canada and/or the USA require Certain types of products are regulated or prohibited In Canada, it is illegal to drive while under the Kamloops, Quesnel, and Whistler appropriate ID, passports, and documentation for when travelling between Canada and the USA influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of all family members. (including restricted food items such as meat, fruit, Your luggage will be delivered directly to your hotel both. Drivers who are stopped by police could be room in each of the midpoint destinations. Each piece and vegetables as well as plants, soil, and products Permission to enter the USA or Canada is required to take a breathalyzer test. Penalties for must have an identification tag attached that includes made from animal or plant materials). granted solely at the discretion of Customs and impaired driving range from a mandatory fine to your name, address, and telephone number. Immigration officers. TRAVEL INSURANCE imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. Guests are responsible for adhering to all Final Destinations: Rocky Mountaineer is not responsible for guests Rocky Mountaineer strongly recommends that you applicable laws and regulations, including federal, Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise, and Vancouver who are refused entry into Canada or the USA obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including provincial, and municipal laws. Please familiarize If you have booked your accommodation through because of inadequate documentation, for other cancellation and medical coverage, while travelling yourself with the laws before driving in Canada. Rocky Mountaineer, luggage will be delivered to your causes, or for inadmissible reasons such as criminal in Canada and the USA. If you require travel hotel. If you have not booked your accommodation driving offences. through Rocky Mountaineer, you will collect your luggage at the station upon arrival. Please refer to Entry Into Canada your travel documents to confirm. Depending on your citizenship, you may require a visa to enter Canada. Some international Sightseeing Tours travellers who fly to Canada will need to apply Please refer to your travel documents for specific for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), prior details on luggage handling associated with your tour.