Amtrak Vacations
Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria Roundtrip from Milwaukee
Independent 11-day rail loop from Milwaukee to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria
11 daysfrom $1,489
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound with Seattle
Independent 11-day rail vacation from Seattle to Calgary via Vancouver and Jasper
Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night independent rail vacation from Seattle to Calgary, crossing the U.S.-Canada border twice by train and ferry. After a day in Seattle taking in the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, an Amtrak Cascades ride in Coach class carries the trip to Vancouver for three nights, including a hop-on, hop-off city tour and a ferry crossing to Victoria for Butchart Gardens. The trip's centerpiece is an overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey to Jasper, opening with a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car and views of the Fraser Canyon past Hell's Gate; the itinerary describes opening your bedroom blinds the next morning to see Mt. Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, outside your window. Two nights in Jasper cover Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, before the Icefields Parkway carries the trip to Banff for the Columbia Icefield's Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk, and a Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon tour, ending with a transfer to Calgary. This suits travelers who want one longer rail vacation linking the Pacific Northwest to the Canadian Rockies.
What to know before you look closer
- The 28 accommodation options span several tiers and cities, from the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown to the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle, and the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver; your actual hotel depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 2 meals, both lunches, are included across the 11-day trip; other meals are on your own.
- Day 2 combines Seattle sightseeing with the transfer to King Street Station and the Amtrak Cascades ride to Vancouver, arriving in the evening; it is a fuller travel day than most others on the itinerary.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! Travel on your own to your centrally-located hotel and start exploring the Emerald City on your own!
- Day 2overnight: Vancouver, BC
Seattle to Vancouver
Spend the morning discovering all Seattle has to offer, including the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. This afternoon, transfer on your own to Seattle's King Street Station and board Amtrak® for your scenic ride through the Cascades up into Canada. Arrive in Vancouver this evening and transfer on your own to your hotel.
- Day 3overnight: Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, BC
Today's full day of sightseeing will start with a hop-on, hop-off city tour that takes you to Vancouver's most popular areas: Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, and more!
- Day 4overnight: Vancouver, BC
Vancouver to Victoria to Vancouver
Travel to the Vancouver Bus Station, where a motorcoach will take you to the Victoria Ferry service for a stunning ride to Victoria. During your time in Victoria you will visit the famous Butchart Gardens. Afterwards, take the ferry back to Vancouver.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail (Canadian®)
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Board VIA Rail's the Canadian for your departure to Jasper and the majestic Rocky Mountains. While onboard, enjoy a sparkling wine send-off in one of the train's domed observation cars while passing into British Columbia's agricultural heartland, and later take in the stunning views of the Fraser Canyon past Hell's Gate.
- Day 6overnight: Jasper, AB
Jasper, AB
Open your bedroom blinds to find the towering Rocky Mountains outside your window. Take in Mt. Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Moose Lake before arriving into Jasper. Travel on your own to your hotel.
- Day 7overnight: Jasper, AB
Jasper, AB
Explore the spectacular natural treasures of the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, including Athabasca Viewpoint, Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake, and stroll the tranquil shores of Maligne Lake.
- Day 8overnight: Banff, AB
Jasper to Banff
Depart Jasper for a scenic drive out to Banff along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield and step onboard an Ice Explorer for an adventure of the Athabasca Glacier. At the Glacier Skywalk, enjoy views on a glass-floored observation platform. Check into your hotel in Banff for the evening.
- Day 9overnight: Banff, AB
Lake Louse and Banff National Park
Today you'll explore Lake Louise, one of the most photographed landscapes in the Canadian Rockies, with plenty of time to enjoy lunch and explore the lake at your leisure. This tour also highlights Johnston Canyon. Lunch is included today on the tour.
- Day 10overnight: Calgary, AB
Banff to Calgary
Today, take your included shuttle transfer from Banff to your hotel in Calgary, the largest city in Alberta. The evening is yours to enjoy this amazing city on your own.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Calgary
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2An Amtrak Cascades ride from Seattle to Vancouver, after visiting the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.
- Day 4A ferry crossing to Victoria to visit Butchart Gardens.
- Day 5An overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey to Jasper, opening with a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car and views of the Fraser Canyon past Hell's Gate.
- Day 6Opening your bedroom blinds to see Mt. Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Moose Lake before arriving in Jasper.
- Day 8An Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, followed by the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk.
Included
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations; One-way overnight VIA Rail® from Vancouver to Jasper
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach from Seattle to Vancouver onboard the Cascades®
- Round-trip ferry service from Vancouver to Victoria
- Tour transfer from Jasper to Banff and shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary
- 2 meals included (2 lunches)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $2,699
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, two segments: an Amtrak Cascades ride in Coach class from Seattle to Vancouver, and an overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey from Vancouver to Jasper.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail vacation; Seattle arrival on day 1 and the Jasper hotel transfer on day 6 are made on your own, while sightseeing on the other days is pre-arranged.
- Which trains are used?
- Amtrak's Cascades in Coach class from Seattle to Vancouver, and VIA Rail's Canadian overnight from Vancouver to Jasper.
- Is there a sleeper cabin on the train?
- The itinerary describes opening 'your bedroom blinds' the morning after boarding, which implies a private sleeping compartment, though the evidence does not name a specific class.
- What hotels are used?
- 28 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown, Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle, and the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.
- What else is included besides rail and hotels?
- Round-trip ferry service between Vancouver and Victoria, tour transfers, 2 lunches, and sightseeing including the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, a Vancouver hop-on, hop-off tour, Butchart Gardens, a Jasper National Park tour, the Icefields Parkway, and a Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon tour.
