Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Canadian Rockies by Rail

8-day independent Canadian Rockies trip with one VIA Rail night

Canadian Rockies by Rail, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys runs this 8-day independent trip through the Canadian Rockies, from Vancouver to Calgary. After a free morning in Vancouver, you board VIA Rail's Canadian in the afternoon for one night on board, with Sleeper Plus access to the Skyline and Park Cars and a choice of semi-private berths or private cabins. You wake to Rockies scenery and disembark in Jasper, then travel by coach along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier. Two nights in Banff include a guided 90-minute tour by vintage-inspired drop-top vehicle past Surprise Corner and Tunnel Mountain, plus free time to explore. The trip ends with a transfer to Calgary for the flight home. It suits travellers who want one classic overnight train journey through the Rockies combined with free time in mountain towns, rather than a fully escorted schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as tiered options in each town, from the 3-star Banff Ptarmigan Inn to the 5-star Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, so the exact hotel depends on the tier you choose.
  • The Banff vintage vehicle tour is not open-top before late May, and its itinerary varies by season.
  • The trip includes overnight flights both ways, London to Vancouver at the start and Calgary to London at the end, in addition to the one night on the train.

Day by day

  1. Day 0overnight: On flight

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Vancouver

    Your epic journey begins today with your overnight flight from London to Vancouver.

  2. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrival in Vancouver

    When you arrive in Vancouver today, you'll be transferred to your hotel.

  3. Day 2railovernight: On train (VIA Rail The Canadian)

    Vancouver and VIA Rail

    Enjoy a free morning exploring Vancouver. Staying in the heart of the city, you're centrally located to many of Vancouver's attractions, shops, and restaurants. Spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. You have the option to add a multisensory experience with the Flyover Canada Admission. This afternoon make your way from your hotel to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station to join VIA Rail's Canadian train. Once onboard you can get comfortable in your sleeper Plus accommodation. Cabins are comfortable, and you can reserve a private cabin if you wish. In the dining car you can enjoy something special from the three course menu, plus there's a selection of local wines and beers available. Dietary requirements are accommodated, and you can order special meals ahead of travelling. Dinner is served onboard, after which you can get comfortable for your first night on the train.

    Meals: Dinner

  4. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    The Rocky Mountains

    Breakfast is served onboard this morning as you awake to stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy panoramic views from the observation dome of the Skyline Car, or relax in one of the salons of the Park Car and watch the scenery drift by. When you arrive in Jasper transfer to your hotel. You can relax in your hotel or head out to explore the town at your own pace. Optional excursion: Jasper Skytrain and Shuttle – a breathtaking aerial tram ride to the top of Whistlers Mountain with narrated ride, views, meals and walking trails.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    You'll travel by coach from Jasper to Lake Louise today, enjoying some incredible scenery as you journey along the Icefield Parkway. You'll make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you'll travel by Ice Explorer onto the majestic Athabasca Glacier. Then you'll return to the coach to make the journey to Lake Louise. When you arrive at Lake Louise the landscape is breathtaking and you'll have time to take some photos before you transfer to your hotel for the night.

  6. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff

    This morning you'll take a scenic transfer to the town of Banff, where you can explore the town at your own pace. Have a wander and check out the local shops, stop for a coffee and watch the local life go by, and try some of the regional dishes in one of the restaurants. You'll then have the option to visit the Banff hot springs, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try these local natural springs. Relax in the hot springs with views of the magical mountain range. Or, you can choose to take an atmospheric evening safari ride.

  7. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Discovering Banff

    This morning you'll take a guided tour of Banff, taking a ride in a vintage inspired drop-top vehicle through the pretty mountain town. You'll pass Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain, and Mount Norquay Viewpoint, on this 90-minute tour. Please note that touring before late May is not open-top and varies in its itinerary. This afternoon you can choose to visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs for an optional dip in the natural waters, or book an evening wildlife safari ride.

  8. Day 7overnight: On flight

    Calgary to the UK

    Your incredible adventure comes to an end today when you're transferred to Calgary airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

  9. Day 8

    Arrival in the UK

    Arrive back in the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Breakfast is served onboard as you wake to views of the Canadian Rockies, with panoramic views from the observation dome of the Skyline Car.
  • Day 4A stop at the Columbia Icefield lets you ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier on the way to Lake Louise.
  • Day 6A guided 90-minute tour of Banff in a vintage-inspired drop-top vehicle passes Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain, and the Mount Norquay Viewpoint.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 5 nights
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail's Canadian in first-class accommodations (1 night on train)
  • Choice of train accommodations ranging from semi-private berths to private cabins
  • Flights from London to Vancouver and Calgary to London
  • Airport transfers in Canada on arrival and departure
  • Selected resort transfers
  • 3 meals
  • Guided tour of Banff in vintage inspired drop-top vehicle
  • Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier
  • Transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise along the Icefield Parkway

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, one night aboard VIA Rail's Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper is included, in first-class Sleeper Plus accommodation with a choice of semi-private berths or private cabins.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an independent trip; you have free time to explore Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff at your own pace, with one guided tour of Banff.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail's Canadian, from Vancouver to Jasper, in Sleeper Plus class.
What hotels are used?
Hotel options vary by star rating and town, from the 3-star Banff Ptarmigan Inn to the 5-star Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, plus properties in Vancouver, Jasper and Lake Louise.
How much walking is involved?
The Banff tour is a 90-minute vintage vehicle ride rather than a walking tour, and other days are free time to explore towns at your own pace.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance.

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