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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Best of the Canadian Rockies - Banff & Jasper

Nine-day round-trip from Vancouver through Banff and Jasper on two famous Canadian trains

Illustration of Best of the Canadian Rockies - Banff & Jasper

Vacations By Rail operates this 9-day independent rail vacation through the Canadian Rockies, beginning and ending in Vancouver. The journey combines two famous trains: VIA Rail's Canadian, which travels overnight from Vancouver to Jasper with meals and access to an observation car, and the Rocky Mountaineer, a daylight train that traverses the spine of the mountains en route back to the coast. In between, you stay in mountain towns and national park gateways, with a guided motorcoach excursion along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield and a full day touring Banff National Park's landmarks by coach. The Superior tier includes seven nights in hotels ranging from a mountain lodge in Lake Louise to a resort town base in Banff, one sleeper cabin aboard VIA Rail, all rail and coach travel, and guided tours at key stops. This package suits repeat rail travelers who want to experience Canada's two most celebrated scenic trains and independent explorers who prefer structure with local guidance at major stops rather than constant group leadership.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (USD 7,295) is for the Superior tier with SilverLeaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer; upgrade to GoldLeaf or Prestige Class costs more
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier you select
  • Flights to Vancouver and airport transfers are not included in the tour price
  • Day 4's Glacier Skywalk visit is weather dependent

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Starting your vacation on the West Coast

    Arrive in Vancouver and transfer independently to the hotel. The rest of the day and evening is free to explore the city.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

    Departing Vancouver on the Canadian

    A free morning in Vancouver before boarding VIA Rail's Canadian around midday for its eastbound overnight journey, with meals and non-alcoholic drinks included onboard and access to the Skyline Car.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Arriving into Jasper

    Breakfast is served onboard before arrival in Jasper, a resort town within Jasper National Park, with the rest of the day free to explore.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Traveling along the Icefields Parkway

    A motorcoach tour along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk (weather dependent), with a hot buffet lunch included, continuing to Lake Louise.

    Meals: Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Another look at the Rockies in Banff

    A leisurely morning in Lake Louise, then an included scenic transfer through Banff National Park to Banff for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    A day in Banff National Park

    A guided tour of Banff National Park taking in Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint, plus admission to the Banff Gondola; departures after May 11 also include a cruise on Lake Minnewanka.

    Meals: Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Kamloops

    Boarding Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

    An all-daylight journey aboard Rocky Mountaineer toward Kamloops, passing Castle Mountain, Morant's Curve, the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Pass and Shuswap Lake, with breakfast and lunch served at your seat.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8overnight: Vancouver

    Back toward the coast

    Rocky Mountaineer continues toward Vancouver along the Thompson River and Fraser Canyon, passing Hell's Gate, with breakfast and lunch served at your seat and a transfer to the hotel on arrival.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9

    Tour conclusion

    Check out of the hotel and begin travels home independently.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Vancouver aboard VIA Rail's Canadian at midday with access to the Skyline Car; dinner and non-alcoholic drinks included onboard
  • Day 4Travel the Icefields Parkway by motorcoach to the Columbia Icefield, ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and walk the Glacier Skywalk
  • Day 6A guided tour of Banff National Park includes Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint, plus a ride on the Banff Gondola
  • Day 7All-daylight journey on Rocky Mountaineer passes Castle Mountain, Morant's Curve, the Continental Divide and the Spiral Tunnels, with meals served at your seat

Included

  • 7 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in a Sleeper Plus Cabin aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • Choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service onboard Rocky Mountaineer
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included in this tour?
VIA Rail's Canadian (overnight journey from Vancouver to Jasper in a Sleeper Plus Cabin) and Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service (two daylight journeys on the route Kamloops to Banff to Vancouver), plus motorcoach transfers.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is independent; you travel on your own following a set itinerary with local guided tours and excursions included at stops such as Banff National Park, the Columbia Icefield and Lake Louise.
What meals are included?
Vacations By Rail includes 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner. Dinner is served on VIA Rail's Canadian; breakfasts and lunches are served onboard Rocky Mountaineer and at guided stops.
What hotels are included?
The Superior tier includes properties such as the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Moose Hotel & Suites (Jasper), Post Hotel (Lake Louise), The Crimson (Banff) or similar, with seven nights' accommodation in total.
How much walking is involved?
Day 4 includes an Ice Explorer ride and the Glacier Skywalk, and Day 6 offers a guided tour with walks to Bow Falls and viewpoints in Banff National Park. Other days involve hotel and town exploration at your own pace.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and any meals and activities not listed as included (though optional extras are available, such as evening wildlife safaris or suspension bridge excursions in Vancouver).

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