Trains, Float Planes & Ferries: A Journey Through Western Canada’s Wild Heart
By Karen McNally | Wild North Collective
In a land where mountains meet the sea and roads don't go any further, travel becomes more than a means to an end—it becomes part of the adventure.
In British Columbia, where snow-capped peaks rise behind weathered coastlines and rivers run cold with glacial melt, some of the province's most spectacular corners can only be reached by rail, float plane, or ferry. And that’s exactly how we like it.
By Sea: Riding the Currents with BC Ferries
There’s something timeless about a ferry crossing in coastal BC. The hum of the engines, the salt air in your lungs, the chance to spot porpoises dancing alongside or a bald eagle perched on a driftwood snag.
The 90-minute hop from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay is the classic intro—but BC Ferries is much more than a connector. It’s a lifeline. A passage through fjords, between forested islands, and into remote inlets where roads won’t follow. Cruise the Sunshine Coast to find artisan enclaves in Sechelt and Gibsons. Or take the long haul north, where ferries sail the storied Inside Passage and wildlife sightings (whales, sea lions, waterfalls) feel like part of the itinerary.
In summer, with long light and calm seas, the ferry isn’t just a ride—it’s a journey.
By Air: Float Planes to the Wild
Float planes are pure West Coast soul. There’s no runway needed—just a stretch of water and a sense of adventure.
From Vancouver’s inner harbour, float planes lift off over a jigsaw of islands and sea. In minutes, you’re soaring above glacier valleys, alpine lakes, and winding coastal rivers. Some flights land at remote lodges. Others drop anglers deep into the backcountry or photographers into scenes so vast they defy lens or language.
Want the thrill without the commitment? Scenic flights are short, spectacular, and full of wow. But for something deeper, take a fly-in day to a wilderness lake or a heli-hike into alpine silence. Float planes offer more than access. They offer perspective
By Rail: The Romance of the Rockies
Western Canada’s railways weren’t built for tourists—they were built to conquer mountains and connect coastlines. But they sure make it easy to fall in love with the journey now.
The Rocky Mountaineer is luxury on rails, rolling through glacier country by daylight. Routes from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff follow dramatic river valleys and mountain passes, with glass-domed coaches that make it hard to look away. Think white-tablecloth dining, storytelling hosts, and landscapes that make you forget your phone.
For a slower, lesser-known rail trip, the Rainforest to Gold Rush route links Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel. It’s quieter, more off-the-beaten-path, and steeped in gold rush lore.
The Sea to Sky train from Vancouver to Whistler no longer runs, but don’t worry—Highway 99 delivers the same drama: Howe Sound’s turquoise waters, plunging waterfalls, and jagged peaks that demand you pull over for one more photo.
Why Choose Just One?
In a place like British Columbia, movement itself becomes the memory. So mix it up:
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Take the ferry to Vancouver Island.
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Catch a float plane into the Great Bear Rainforest.
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Board the train to the Rockies.
Each shift in rhythm changes what you see—and how you see it. One moment you’re flying above misty inlets. The next you’re gliding across them. Then you’re rolling inland, slow and steady, as peaks rise around you.
It’s not just where you go. It’s how you get there. And we know how to get you moving.
Ready to ride the rails, soar above fjords, and sail where roads can’t go? Let’s plan a journey that moves you—in every sense.