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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Canada's Epic Rail Passage

Coast-to-coast Canada by Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail, 14 days Vancouver to Toronto

Illustration of Canada's Epic Rail Passage

Marvellous Escapes' Canada's Epic Rail Passage is a 14-day tailor-made journey from Vancouver to Toronto that connects two of North America's most celebrated trains. The trip opens in Vancouver with a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, then boards the Rocky Mountaineer on Day 3 for a daylight passage through the Canadian Rockies, stopping in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. A full-day guided tour of the Icefields Parkway on Day 7 includes a visit to the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk. From Jasper, travelers spend three nights aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian, a transcontinental sleeper train that crosses Alberta's golden prairies and forests to Toronto. The journey concludes with city exploration and a guided day trip to Niagara Falls. Flights from the UK, all hotels, both trains, and guided excursions are included. This itinerary suits repeat rail travelers seeking two distinctive train experiences and those who prefer a mix of independent exploration and structured guided activities with on-trip support throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price from 4,999 GBP does not include meals aboard the trains; confirm what meals and beverages are provided with Marvellous Escapes before booking.
  • Day 12 is an unguided full-day excursion to Niagara Falls; you arrange transportation and timing within the tour structure.
  • Hotel standards and exact properties are not specified in the operator's published details; confirm your accommodation tier and specific venues when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Depart the UK and arrive in Vancouver. Transfer to your hotel, settle in, and enjoy your evening exploring the city's waterfront, or relax after your flight.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Enjoy a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to discover the best of Vancouver, from Stanley Park and Granville Island to Gastown's charming cobbled streets.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Kamloops

    Board the legendary Rocky Mountaineer for your first day of daylight travel through river valleys and dramatic canyons.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Depart Kamloops and travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, where towering peaks, forests and river valleys unfold. Arrive in the iconic mountain town of Banff.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff

    A full day exploring the highlights of Banff National Park on a guided sightseeing tour, ascending by gondola for panoramic views and relaxing on a scenic cruise across Lake Minnewanka.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Travel by shuttle from Banff to the breathtaking alpine setting of Lake Louise, surrounded by towering peaks, glaciers and turquoise waters.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Travel along the legendary Icefields Parkway on a full-day guided journey from Lake Louise to Jasper, experiencing the Athabasca Glacier aboard the Ice Explorer and stepping onto the Glacier Skywalk.

  8. Day 8railovernight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    Embark VIA Rail's The Canadian for a spectacular transcontinental rail journey across Canada's heartland. Relax and enjoy the comfort and beauty of life onboard.

  9. Day 9overnight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    Watch as the dramatic Rockies give way to the vast, golden plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

  10. Day 10overnight: onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Toronto

    Continue eastward, passing through tranquil lakes and forests as you approach Toronto.

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Arrive in Toronto, Canada's largest city. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening exploring at your own pace.

  12. Day 12overnight: Toronto

    Toronto

    Take a full-day excursion to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Experience its power up close before returning to Toronto in the evening.

  13. Day 13

    Return home

    Travel from your hotel to Toronto airport for your flight back to the UK.

  14. Day 14

    Return home

    Overnight/return travel day continuing home to the UK, per the page's 'Day 13 - 14' combined itinerary heading.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Board the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver and travel through river valleys and dramatic canyons toward the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 5Day 5: Ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic mountain views and cruise across Lake Minnewanka on a guided full-day tour of Banff National Park.
  • Day 7Day 7: Travel the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, stepping onto the Athabasca Glacier via Ice Explorer and experiencing the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 8Day 8: Embark on VIA Rail's The Canadian for a transcontinental sleeper journey across Canada's heartland toward Toronto.

Included

  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Vancouver, Banff and Toronto
  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Kamloops, Lake Louise and Jasper
  • 3-nights accommodation aboard VIA Rail's, the Canadian
  • Flights from UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto
  • Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver to Banff & The Canadian Jasper to Toronto
  • Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Vancouver
  • Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour
  • Banff Gondola Tour
  • Daytrip to Niagara Falls

Questions travellers ask

Are flights included?
Yes. Round-trip flights from a UK airport to Vancouver and Toronto are included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour or independent travel?
It is an independent tailor-made journey with 24-hour on-trip support and scheduled guided excursions (Banff sightseeing, Icefields Parkway, Niagara Falls day trip).
Which trains are featured?
The Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff, and VIA Rail's The Canadian from Jasper to Toronto. The Canadian includes three nights in sleeper berths.
How long do you spend on each train?
One day on the Rocky Mountaineer (Day 3); three nights and three days aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian (Days 8, 9, 10).
What is included in the 4,999 GBP price?
Hotels in Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops, Banff (2 nights), Lake Louise, Jasper, and Toronto (2 nights); flights UK to Vancouver and Toronto to UK; both trains; Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour in Vancouver; Banff Gondola Tour; Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour; and a day trip to Niagara Falls.
How much walking is involved?
City walking tours in Vancouver and Toronto; guided sightseeing with some elevation gain (gondola ride and glacier walks in Banff and on the Icefields Parkway). Most other days involve transfers between locations.

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