Anderson Vacations · Independent self-drive, rail & air journey

Alberta and BC by Car, Train and Air

Self-drive Alberta to BC road trip with a VIA Rail transfer

Alberta and BC by Car, Train and Air, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations offers this 8-day independent journey across Alberta and British Columbia by rental car, train and air, starting in Banff and ending in Vancouver. Travellers pick up a rental car at Calgary International Airport and drive themselves along the Icefields Parkway, stopping for a Lake Minnewanka cruise, the Banff Gondola, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre and an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, and the Jasper SkyTram to the alpine tundra of Whistlers Mountain. On day 5 the rental car is returned in Jasper and the journey continues by VIA Rail on a 9-hour trip to Kamloops through the Canadian Rockies. A flight (not included) then connects Kamloops to Vancouver for two final days of city sightseeing, including a hop-on-hop-off tour and the FlyOver Canada experience. It suits travellers who want to combine self-drive freedom in the Rockies with one train journey, rather than a fully guided or fully rail-based trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary is self-drive for the first four days; travelers return the rental car in Jasper before the single VIA Rail segment to Kamloops on day 5.
  • The flight from Kamloops to Vancouver on day 6 is not included in the tour price.
  • Gratuities for local guides, tour managers and bus drivers, and travel insurance, are listed as not included in the price.
  • The evidence does not list current departure dates or availability; confirm directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Drive to Banff

    Pick up a rental car at Calgary International Airport and drive to Banff as the Canadian Rockies come into view; check into a centrally located hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Lake Cruise & Gondola Ride

    A cruise on Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park's largest lake, then ascend Sulphur Mountain via the Banff Gondola for panoramic views and the summit facility's restaurants, exhibits and rooftop observation deck.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Drive to Jasper

    Drive the Bow Valley Parkway via Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre for an Ice Explorer tour onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, arriving in Jasper.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper SkyTram and Maligne Cruise

    Ride the Jasper SkyTram to the alpine tundra of Whistlers Mountain, then a 14km cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Kamloops

    Train to Kamloops

    Return the rental car and board a VIA Rail train for a 9-hour journey from Jasper to Kamloops through the Canadian Rockies, with access to the Skyline Car.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Fly to Vancouver

    A flight from Kamloops to Vancouver International Airport (flight not included), with the rest of the day at leisure in Vancouver.

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver

    Hop On Hop Off Tour & FlyOver Canada

    Explore Vancouver's top attractions including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown and Robson Street via hop-on-hop-off tour, then the FlyOver Canada experience in the evening.

  8. Day 8

    Depart Vancouver

    Journey ends upon check-out from the Vancouver hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A cruise on Lake Minnewanka is followed by the Banff Gondola's ascent of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views from the summit's rooftop observation deck.
  • Day 3The Icefields Parkway leads to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre, where an Ice Explorer vehicle drives onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk extends over the valley.
  • Day 4The Jasper SkyTram climbs to the alpine tundra of Whistlers Mountain, and a 14km cruise on Maligne Lake reaches Spirit Island.
  • Day 5Travelers return their rental car and board a VIA Rail train for a 9-hour journey from Jasper to Kamloops through the Canadian Rockies, with access to the Skyline Car.
  • Day 7A hop-on-hop-off tour covers Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown and Robson Street, followed by the FlyOver Canada experience.

Included

  • Accommodation in the listed pre-selected hotels as agreed
  • All attractions as listed specifically within the itinerary
  • Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as listed within the tour itinerary
  • All travel between locations as detailed

Not included

  • Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
  • Taxes as applicable (separately mentioned)
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended)
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers and/or Bus Drivers
  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, one VIA Rail journey is included: a 9-hour trip from Jasper to Kamloops with access to the Skyline Car. The connecting flight from Kamloops to Vancouver on day 6 is not included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent. Travelers drive their own rental car for the first four days and make their own way between destinations.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail, for a single 9-hour daytime journey from Jasper to Kamloops.
What is not included?
Airfare (including the Kamloops to Vancouver flight), taxes, travel insurance, gratuities for guides and drivers, meals not specifically mentioned, and attractions or entrance fees not listed in the itinerary.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the tour as having a low level of physical demand, though travelers walk onto the Athabasca Glacier and around the Jasper SkyTram's alpine summit.

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