Rocky Mountaineer is ideal for travelers seeking a luxurious, scenic experience through the Rockies, while Deutsche Bahn ICE 4 is better suited for efficient travel within Germany and neighboring countries with a focus on accessibility and environmental impact.
| Attribute | Rocky Mountaineer | Deutsche Bahn ICE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Destinations served | Canadian Rockies routes connect British Columbia and Alberta, with stops in Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Whistler, Quesnel, and Kamloops. The "Rockies to the Red Rocks" route runs between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, with a stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It may also expand to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2026. | Major cities within Germany and international routes to Austria (Vienna, Linz), Belgium (Brussels, Li\[\]ge), France (Paris, Strasbourg), Netherlands (Arnhem, Utrecht, Amsterdam), Switzerland (Z\[\]rich, Basel, Interlaken) |
| Class options | GoldLeaf Service: Features bi-level coaches with seating on the upper level under a glass dome and a dining room on the lower level. It includes gourmet meals, premium beverages, and enhanced amenities. SilverLeaf Service: Offers single-level coaches with oversized windows. Meals are served at your seat, and complimentary beverages and snacks are provided. SilverLeaf Plus: This service is exclusively available on the "Rockies to the Red Rocks" route (Denver to Moab) and includes access to a newly renovated lounge car with signature cocktails. | First Class: Leather seats, more space, unlimited Wi-Fi data, DB Lounges access. Second Class: Standard 2+2 seating. |
| Onboard dining experience | GoldLeaf Service: Guests enjoy \[\] la carte meals in a dedicated dining car with multi-course options prepared by onboard chefs using local ingredients. SilverLeaf Service: Meals are served at your seat and feature regionally-inspired cuisine. Both classes include complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the day. | Restaurant car with varied menu (hot, cold, vegan options). 'Am Platz' service in First Class. |
| Scenery and views | The Rocky Mountaineer travels through diverse landscapes, including mountain peaks, glacial lakes, forests, and canyons. GoldLeaf Service offers panoramic views from the upper level of the bi-level dome coach. SilverLeaf Service features oversized windows for scenic viewing. | Frankfurt to Leipzig route is considered fairly boring. |
| Seat comfort and legroom | Both GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf offer comfortable, reclining seats with ample legroom. GoldLeaf seats may have additional features like adjustable temperature and lumbar support. | Adjustable headrests. Subjective comfort (some find seats too hard). Good legroom. More space in First Class. |
| Ticket pricing and value | Ticket prices vary depending on the route, service level, and time of year. April and October are typically the least expensive months to travel. Booking multi-day tour packages can offer better value than booking rail-only tickets. | Second class Frankfurt to Basel: \[\]49.90. Super Sparpreis first class Cologne to Hamburg: \[\]22.87. First class can be slightly more expensive than second class. |
| Punctuality and reliability | Rocky Mountaineer aims to provide reliable service, but delays can occur. | German trains are known to be often late. |
| Onboard amenities | Wi-Fi: Information on Wi-Fi availability is inconsistent. It's best to confirm directly with Rocky Mountaineer. Entertainment: Onboard hosts provide commentary and storytelling about the passing scenery. | Free Wi-Fi (unlimited data in first class). Power sockets (sometimes limited). Real-time journey updates on monitors. |
| Customer service quality | Onboard hosts are available to assist guests with their needs and provide information. GoldLeaf Service typically has more hosts per coach compared to SilverLeaf Service. | First class attendant can be overwhelmed but is friendly. |
| Environmental impact | Rocky Mountaineer utilizes modern locomotives with technologies to minimize emissions. They use reusable tableware and have implemented energy-efficient enhancements in newer rail cars. The company partners with organizations that protect nature and wildlife and plants a tree for each employee anniversary. | 30% less energy consumption. Saves up to 400,000 tons of CO2. Made of recyclable materials. |
| Accessibility for passengers with disabilities | Rocky Mountaineer can accommodate guests who use wheelchairs, with certain restrictions. They offer hydraulic lifts or ramps for boarding and have wheelchairs available for use on board. ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the train. | Four wheelchair spaces, two onboard hoists, tactile guidance systems. |
| Luggage allowance and handling | Each guest is allowed two checked pieces of luggage, with a total weight not exceeding 30 kg (66 lbs). Checked luggage travels separately from the train and is delivered to your accommodation. | Generous, easily accessible luggage racks. One additional larger piece of luggage free of charge. |