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Great Rail Journeys · Independent rail holiday

Canada's Rocky Mountaineer

Eight-day independent Canada trip on the Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver to Banff

Illustration of Canada's Rocky Mountaineer

Great Rail Journeys offers this eight-day independent trip through western Canada, beginning with a direct flight from the UK to Vancouver and ending with a flight home from Calgary. Without a Tour Manager, travelers spend free days in Vancouver and Banff at their own pace, choosing hotels from 3 to 5-star options in each city. The centerpiece is two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service, travelling from Vancouver to Kamloops and on to Banff, passing the Fraser Valley, Craigellachie, Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse Canyon. In Banff, a sightseeing tour visits Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, with a ride on the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. The trip finishes with a night in Calgary before the flight home. It suits independent-minded travelers who want a fixed rail journey through the Rockies combined with unstructured time in Vancouver and Banff.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £190 since 4 Jul, to £3,320.

£3,320£3,1304 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel options across Vancouver, Banff and Calgary span 3-star to 5-star properties, for example the Banff Ptarmigan Inn up to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; which one you get depends on the tier you choose.
  • Several days, including Vancouver on day 2 and Banff on day 5, are unguided free time to explore at your own pace rather than escorted sightseeing.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrival in Vancouver

    A direct flight carries you from the UK to Vancouver, arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay in this maritime city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    A free day to explore Vancouver at your own pace, from the cobblestone streets of historic Gastown to dining in Yaletown, or a stroll along the Stanley Park Seawall.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Joining the Rocky Mountaineer

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops, passing the Fraser Valley, Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River, arriving at Kamloops Lake by evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Rocky Mountaineer to Banff

    Continue aboard the Rocky Mountaineer eastward through the Canadian Rockies, passing Craigellachie, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels, arriving in Banff for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff

    A free day to unwind in Banff, whether relaxing in the hot springs, exploring the town, or seeking outdoor wildlife encounters.

  6. Day 6overnight: Calgary

    Banff sightseeing & Calgary

    A sightseeing tour of Banff including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, plus a ride on the Banff Gondola, before travelling on to Calgary for the night.

  7. Day 7

    Calgary

    A leisurely day to discover Calgary's atmosphere and attractions, before transferring to Calgary airport in the afternoon for the direct overnight flight back to the UK.

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Arrive back in the UK, carrying cherished memories of adventure through the magnificent Canadian Rockies.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Rocky Mountaineer departs Vancouver for Kamloops, crossing the Fraser Valley, forests and river canyons beneath the Coast and Cascade Mountains.
  • Day 4The Rocky Mountaineer continues from Kamloops to Banff, passing Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, and climbing over Rogers Pass.
  • Day 6A sightseeing tour of Banff visits Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, with a ride on the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
  • Day 6After the Banff tour, the trip continues by coach to Calgary for the night.

Included

  • 6 nights in hotels: Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff and Calgary
  • 2 days Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
  • Direct flights from London to Vancouver and Calgary to London
  • Airport transfers in Vancouver and Calgary
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches (Eastbound)
  • National Parks Pass
  • Banff Gondola

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £3,320 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,485 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?
Yes, 2 days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service, travelling from Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent. The tourType is listed as 'Independent', with no Tour Manager mentioned; free days in Vancouver and Banff are at your own pace.
What hotels are used?
Hotels vary by tier and city, ranging from 3-star options like the Banff Ptarmigan Inn to 5-star properties like the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance.

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