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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Rockies Escape with Rocky Mountaineer

Five-day rail journey from Vancouver to Calgary aboard Rocky Mountaineer

Illustration of Canadian Rockies Escape with Rocky Mountaineer

Vacations By Rail offers a five-day independent rail vacation combining Vancouver, the Rocky Mountaineer train, and the resort town of Banff, ending in Calgary. This package is designed for travellers who want flexibility without the burden of planning transport details. You begin with a free day in Vancouver to explore on your own, then board the Rocky Mountaineer for two full days of daytime rail travel. Day 2 takes you from the Pacific coast through the Fraser River valley and Hell's Gate Canyon into the interior of British Columbia, arriving in Kamloops. Day 3 continues eastward through the Canadian Rockies, climbing Rogers Pass and descending through the Kicking Horse Canyon and famous Spiral Tunnels before reaching Banff. Here you spend two nights with a guided day tour taking in Sulphur Mountain via the Banff Gondola, Bow Falls, and the Hoodoos, with the option to add a Yoho National Park excursion. The trip concludes on day 5 with a transfer to Calgary Airport. The itinerary suits first-time rail travellers, couples seeking a mountain getaway, photographers drawn to the Canadian Rockies, and independent explorers who prefer guided logistics and free time in equal measure.

What to know before you look closer

  • Rail fares are included, but flights to Vancouver and from Calgary are not; the package covers the train and hotel-based portion only.
  • Hotel accommodations in Kamloops and Banff are noted as 'or similar' and one Kamloops property is 'confirmed upon check-in', meaning the final hotel may differ from the named examples.
  • Meals are limited to two breakfasts and two lunches; other meals are your responsibility.
  • Day 5 ends with a transfer to Calgary Airport; flights home must depart after 11:00 AM.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kamloops

    Vancouver to Kamloops

    Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia's interior, seeing the lush green fields of the Fraser River valley, forests and winding river canyons, and the desert-like interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. The Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff

    Continue eastwards to the Canadian Rockies and Alberta, traveling across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through historic tunnels. Highlights include Craigellachie (site of the Canadian Pacific Railway's last spike), the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels, and the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. The rail journey ends in Banff this evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff

    A day for exploring Banff and its surrounding areas, with a tour taking in Sulphur Mountain, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos, plus a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola for panoramic views of the Bow Valley. Optional sightseeing tour of Yoho National Park available, including Lake Louise, Spiral Tunnels, and lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge.

  5. Day 5

    Banff to Calgary

    The excursion through the Canadian Rockies comes to an end today with a transfer to Calgary Airport for the flight home. Flights must be scheduled for after 11:00 AM.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer travels from Vancouver through the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and along the Thompson River, passing through winding river canyons and British Columbia's interior.
  • Day 3Day 3: The train climbs over Rogers Pass, descends through the Kicking Horse Canyon and Spiral Tunnels, and enters Banff with views of glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
  • Day 4Day 4: A guided tour of Banff includes the Banff Gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views over six mountain ranges, plus stops at Bow Falls and the Hoodoos.

Included

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation
  • 2 days of scenic rail travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes two days of Rocky Mountaineer rail travel from Vancouver to Kamloops to Banff, plus rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, and Banff. International flights and flights from Calgary home are not included.
Is this tour guided or independent?
This is an independent rail vacation. Vacations By Rail describes it as independent travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Day 4 in Banff includes a guided tour, and there is an optional sightseeing tour of Yoho National Park available.
What class of train service is offered?
The Rocky Mountaineer operates in SilverLeaf (Superior tier) or GoldLeaf (Deluxe and Deluxe Plus tiers). The standard package includes one of these; Gold Leaf Service is available as an upgrade.
What meals are included?
Two breakfasts and two lunches are included. The package does not include dinners or other meals.
How many nights will I spend in Banff?
Two nights. Day 4 is a free day in Banff with a guided sightseeing tour and optional activities; the Banff Gondola and other attractions are included.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers to and from Vancouver and Calgary, travel insurance, and dinners are not included. Optional extras such as Gold Leaf Service upgrade and Yoho National Park sightseeing are available for an additional cost.

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