Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Rockies and Seattle Winter Discovery

Winter rail vacation from Calgary to Seattle via Banff, Jasper and Vancouver

Canadian Rockies and Seattle Winter Discovery, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day, 8-night independent winter rail vacation from Calgary to Seattle, crossing the Canadian Rockies and finishing on the U.S. Pacific coast. A transfer from Calgary opens two nights in Banff, where a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain shows six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley. A scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway carries the trip to Jasper for two nights, including a guided winter wildlife tour of Jasper National Park in search of elk, deer, goats and moose. From Jasper, an overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey to Vancouver includes a sleeping accommodation onboard and observation-car views of the winter Rockies. Two nights in Vancouver add a guided city tour and the Vancouver Lookout before a daytime Amtrak Cascades ride in Coach class carries travelers on to Seattle, where the trip ends with sightseeing including the Space Needle. This suits travelers who want one rail vacation covering both the Canadian Rockies in winter and a Pacific Northwest city finish.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 24 accommodation options span several tiers and cities, from the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa to the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper; your actual hotel depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The included list for this package does not mention any meals; confirm meal arrangements with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
  • Only the VIA Rail leg from Jasper to Vancouver is described as including a sleeping accommodation onboard; the Amtrak Cascades leg from Vancouver to Seattle is a daytime ride in Coach class.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff, AB

    Calgary to Banff

    Arrive in Calgary today and take the included transfer to Banff and the beginning of your Canadian Rockies adventure! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and begin exploring this gorgeous mountain town nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff, AB

    Banff

    Today, you'll take a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies, with snowy mountain vistas of six different mountain ranges, Bow Valley and more!

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper, AB

    Banff to Jasper

    This morning, depart Banff for a scenic drive on the Icefields Parkway which connects Banff to Jasper, one of the most beautiful towns in the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper, AB

    Jasper

    Explore the spectacular Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and search for winter wildlife on your guided tour today, elk, deer, goats, moose and more!

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail (Canadian®)

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Travel to the train station for an overnight journey to Vancouver on VIA Rail. Spend time in the observation car taking in the beautiful winter wonderland scenery as you travel through the Canadian Rockies, and later, settle into your sleeping accommodation for a comfortable night's sleep onboard the train.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver, BC

    Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver! Travel on your own to your hotel and then begin exploring this unique city where the serene coast meets the soaring mountains.

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver, BC

    Vancouver

    This morning, enjoy a guided city tour showcasing the best of Vancouver's vibrant neighborhoods and scenic highlights, including the Vancouver Lookout for panoramic 360-degree views.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Seattle, WA

    Vancouver to Seattle

    Make your way to the train station in Vancouver for your scenic journey on Amtrak's Cascades line to Seattle. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and begin discovering the 'Emerald City', the Space Needle, Elliott Bay, Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, the Great Wheel and more.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Seattle

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain with views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.
  • Day 4A guided winter wildlife tour of Jasper National Park in search of elk, deer, goats and moose.
  • Day 5An overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey from Jasper to Vancouver, with a sleeping accommodation onboard and observation-car views of the winter Rockies.
  • Day 8A daytime Amtrak Cascades ride from Vancouver to Seattle, arriving to sightseeing that includes the Space Needle.

Included

  • One-way overnight VIA Rail® from Jasper to Vancouver on the Canadian®
  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations on the Cascades® from Vancouver to Seattle
  • 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard VIA Rail
  • Transfer from Calgary to Banff and Banff to Jasper

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, two segments: an overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey from Jasper to Vancouver, and a daytime Amtrak Cascades ride in Coach from Vancouver to Seattle.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is sold as an independent rail vacation, with transfers between Calgary, Banff and Jasper pre-arranged and Vancouver arrival made on your own.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's Canadian overnight from Jasper to Vancouver, and Amtrak's Cascades in Coach class from Vancouver to Seattle.
Is there a sleeper cabin on the train?
The evidence describes settling into 'your sleeping accommodation' for the night on the VIA Rail leg; the Amtrak Cascades segment to Seattle is Coach class only.
What hotels are used?
24 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, Fairmont Banff Springs, Forest Park Hotel, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Are meals included?
The included list in the evidence does not mention any meals for this package.

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