New research from Journeyscape has analysed user reviews, social media activity, search demand and scenic highlights across multiple routes to identify Canada’s most scenic rail journeys.
*All details correct at time of publish (20 April 2026)
Canada’s Most Scenic Rail Routes (March 2025 – February 2026)
The White Pass & Yukon Route ranks as Canada’s most scenic rail journey, achieving a scenery score of 7.8/10.
Travellers frequently describe the experience as a “must-do,” highlighting its mountain-hugging tracks, sweeping views and outdoor viewing platforms designed for photography. Operating between Skagway and Whitehorse, the route attracts over 256,000 annual searches – more than five times the average across all routes analysed – and holds the highest Tripadvisor rating in the study at 4.6/5.
Reviews consistently reference the striking combination of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes.
The Canadian ranks second with a scenic score of 7.4/10. Featuring glass-domed carriages designed for uninterrupted panoramic views, the journey generates the highest level of social media engagement in the study, with over 11,000 posts. Customers regularly share imagery of Northern Ontario’s remote lakes, the Prairies and the alpine landscapes of Jasper National Park.
In third place, First Passage to the West scores 7.2/10. Travelling through the Canadian Rockies, the route passes rivers, forests and mountain peaks, alongside notable engineering features such as the Spiral Tunnels. It also includes seven natural wonders, including Glacier National Park, and records strong social media engagement with over 5,700 posts – more than double the average.
Rob Holmes, North American travel expert at Journeyscape, comments on what travellers should consider when planning the ultimate rail experience:
“Canada’s scenic rail journeys stand out because they combine scale with accessibility, but what this data really highlights is that the best experiences come from routes that layer multiple landscapes into a single trip. Travellers often underestimate just how vast the country is, so choosing a route like The Canadian or one through the Rockies lets you experience that diversity without the complexity of planning multiple stops.
“From a planning perspective, it’s worth booking well in advance, particularly for peak seasons like late spring to early autumn, and considering upgrades such as panoramic or dome carriages, which can significantly enhance the overall experience.
“Building in time to stop over in key locations like Jasper or Banff can turn a scenic journey into a more immersive, multi-stop adventure rather than simply a point-to-point trip.”
The full research is available here.
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