Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Canada - Rockies to the Niagara Falls feat Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail cross-Canada rail journey to Niagara Falls

Canada - Rockies to the Niagara Falls feat Rocky Mountaineer, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys runs this 13-day independent trip across Canada, from Vancouver to Niagara-on-the-Lake, using two named trains. The Rocky Mountaineer carries you by daylight through the Coast Mountains and Hell's Gate to Kamloops, then on through Kicking Horse Pass and the Spiral Tunnels to the alpine town of Banff, where a guided tour includes the Banff Gondola. After Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, where the Columbia Icefield stop includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, you board VIA Rail's Canadian in Jasper for three nights aboard, with Skyline and Park Car access across the Great Central Plains to Toronto. The trip ends with a full day at Niagara Falls, including a Hornblower boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls. It suits travellers who want two distinct rail journeys, mountain scenery, and a guided day out at the falls, without a full-time tour escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as options in several cities (for example the Rimrock Resort or the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, and Hotel le Germain or the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto), so the exact hotel depends on which option you choose.
  • Optional excursions such as the Discover Banff and Wildlife Tour, the Continental Divide Helicopter Tour, the Grizzly Bears tour, and Banff Hot Springs admission cost extra and are not included in the price.
  • The trip includes an overnight flight from Toronto back to the UK in addition to the rail journey.

Day by day

  1. Day 0

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Vancouver

    Your big adventure begins today when you take your flight from London to Vancouver.

  2. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrival in Vancouver

    When you arrive in Vancouver today you'll make your own way to your centrally located hotel, where you can relax after your flight. The rest of the day is your free time to do as you please. Take it easy and wander the streets, getting to know the city. Stop for a coffee and watch the city go by and delve into the city's food scene when you try out some local dishes at one of the many restaurants.

  3. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer

    It's an early start this morning as you're transferred from your hotel to the station where you'll board the all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train. As you familiarise yourself with your surroundings onboard, you'll travel through the Coast Mountains and Hell's Gate as you make your way to Kamloops. Enjoy a lavish lunch onboard while your onboard storytellers give you the low-down on the areas you're passing through. On arrival in Kamloops you'll be transferred to your hotel for the night. Your hotel will be selected from a range of hotels by the Rocky Mountaineer, depending on your choice of Silverleaf Service or Goldleaf Service.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Rocky Mountaineer to Banff

    This morning you'll be transferred back to the train station at Kamloops to reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and continue with your journey. As you travel through the Canadian Rockies you'll see the South Thompson River area, Kicking Horse Pass, and the Spiral Tunnels. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, served at your seat, while you watch the stunning scenery drift by your window. You'll arrive in the alpine resort town of Banff, where you'll be transferred to your hotel for the night.

    Meals: Lunch

  5. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Enjoy a guided tour of Banff this morning and get to know the town. On your tour you'll explore Banff town, Surprise Corner, and the Tunnel Mountain. Lastly, you'll take the Banff Gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for some incredible views of the town and surrounding area. Optional excursions available: half day Discover Banff and its Wildlife Tour (includes gondola ride), Continental Divide Helicopter Tour, or Full day Discover Grizzly Bears tour (10 hours). Spend the rest of the day exploring Banff on your own. Optional: Admission to the Banff Hot Springs or an evening wildlife safari.

  6. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Today your journey continues, taking in the sights as you continue on to Lake Louise. You'll pass the Vermillion Lakes and as you travel along the Bow Valley Parkway, you'll see Johnston Canyon. You'll make a stop here to walk to the lower falls, where you'll be gifted views of Castle Mountain. Next, you'll cross the Continental Divide and enter Yoho National Park. Here you'll visit Emerald Lake before you arrive at Lake Louise where you'll be transferred to your hotel for the night.

  7. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    The Icefields Parkway

    Today you'll continue your journey on towards Jasper. As you travel along the Icefields Parkway, you'll see the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, tumbling waterfalls and vast valleys, and the still and calm lakes. You'll make a stop at the Columbia Icefield where you'll ride an Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier. From there you'll pass more breathtaking scenery before arriving in Jasper.

  8. Day 7railovernight: On board VIA Rail's The Canadian

    VIA Rail's The Canadian – Day 1

    This morning you'll transfer to Jasper train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian train. As you settle into your surroundings and meet your crew, you'll begin your journey to Toronto. With your Sleeper Plus package you'll have access to the Skyline and Park Cars where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the scenery as you travel across the Great Central Plains of Canada. Relax and settle in for your first night aboard.

  9. Day 8railovernight: On board VIA Rail's The Canadian

    VIA Rail's The Canadian – Day 2

    Enjoy your first breakfast onboard the train, served to you in the dining car. Relax and watch the scenery drift by as you travel through Winnipeg to Ontario. Lunch is served at your seat in the dining car. Curl up with a good book and enjoy a drink as you travel on past breathtaking landscapes. Dinner is served in the dining car, and you can relax and enjoy your second night onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 9railovernight: On board VIA Rail's The Canadian

    VIA Rail's The Canadian – Day 3

    Watch the vistas of Canada go by your window as you enjoy your breakfast in your own time. Get to know your fellow passengers better and have your camera ready for the stunning scenes that pass by. Lunch is served at your seat in the dining car. Relax in your private cabin this afternoon, and dinner is served at your seat in the dining car. After dinner, take advantage of access to the Park Car for excellent views of the evening sky and scenery. Relax in your private cabin for your last night onboard the Canadian.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 10railovernight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Following breakfast and lunch onboard the train, you'll arrive into Toronto this afternoon, when you can check into your hotel. Spend the rest of your day as you please. Head out and explore Toronto's shops and restaurants, check out a museum, or simply sit with a coffee and watch local life go by.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    You'll leave early this morning for a full day excursion to the majestic Niagara Falls. You'll travel through orchards along the Niagara Peninsula before reaching Niagara Falls itself, where you'll enjoy a very special buffet lunch overlooking the waterfall. You'll take a thrilling trip on the famous Hornblower to the base of Horseshoe Falls, and you'll journey along River Road on the Niagara Gorge. You'll stop along the way at the Floral Clock and Niagara-on-the-Lake, a beautiful quaint old town, before you return to Toronto.

    Meals: Lunch

  13. Day 12overnight: On board flight

    Toronto to UK (Overnight Flight)

    Today your incredible adventure comes to its end when you're transferred from your hotel to Pearson International Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

  14. Day 13

    Arrival in UK

    You'll arrive back in the UK the following day, full of inspiring memories and tales to tell family and friends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer travels through the Coast Mountains and Hell's Gate on the way to Kamloops, with a lavish lunch onboard.
  • Day 6The Icefields Parkway stops at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 7You board VIA Rail's Canadian in Jasper, with Sleeper Plus access to the Skyline and Park Cars for views across the Great Central Plains.
  • Day 11A full day excursion to Niagara Falls includes a buffet lunch overlooking the waterfall and a ride on the Hornblower to the base of Horseshoe Falls.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
  • 2 days of scenic travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail Canada (3 nights on train, Sleeper Plus package)
  • Flights from London to Vancouver and Toronto to London
  • Airport transfers in Canada
  • 16 meals
  • Guided tour of Banff including Banff Gondola
  • Full day excursion to Niagara Falls including Hornblower boat ride and buffet lunch
  • Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier at Columbia Icefield
  • Transfer from hotel to Rocky Mountaineer station
  • Transfer from Rocky Mountaineer to hotel in Kamloops
  • Transfer from Kamloops hotel to Rocky Mountaineer station
  • Transfer from Rocky Mountaineer to hotel in Banff
  • Transfer to Jasper train station

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes 2 days of scenic travel on the Rocky Mountaineer and 3 nights on VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus class.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent trip; you travel largely at your own pace between named stops, with a guided tour of Banff and a full day guided excursion to Niagara Falls included.
Which trains are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops, in Silverleaf or Goldleaf service) and VIA Rail's The Canadian (Jasper to Toronto, Sleeper Plus).
What hotels are used?
Hotels vary by city and include choices such as the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the Rimrock Resort or Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, the Post Hotel & Spa or Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Hotel le Germain or the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.
How much walking is involved?
There is a guided walking tour of Banff and a stop to walk to the lower falls at Johnston Canyon; nothing more strenuous is described.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, plus optional excursions such as the Banff Hot Springs, helicopter tours, and wildlife safaris.

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