Amtrak Vacations
Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound with Seattle
Independent 11-day rail vacation from Seattle to Calgary via Vancouver and Jasper
11 daysfrom $3,419
18% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies by Rail
Chicago to Calgary rail trip via Glacier National Park and the Rockies
Amtrak Vacations packages this 11-day, 10-night independent rail trip from Chicago to Calgary by way of Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies. Day 1 begins with an overnight ride on the Empire Builder from Chicago, crossing the Gassman Coulee Trestle in North Dakota on the way to Glacier National Park, where a Big Sky Circle Tour covers Going-to-the-Sun Road and Lake McDonald. The train continues to Seattle, changing there to Amtrak's Cascades for Vancouver, then to VIA Rail's Canadian for Jasper, with a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car. From Jasper, the tour drives the Icefields Parkway to Banff, stopping at the Glacier Skywalk and riding an ice explorer vehicle onto the ice fields, before a day at Lake Louise visiting Victoria Glacier and Moraine Lake. The trip suits travelers who want a multi-train journey through several distinct mountain landscapes rather than a single point-to-point ride.
What to know before you look closer
- The trip offers about 27 accommodation options across its six stops, given only as a sample from Palmer House Hilton to Waldorf Astoria Chicago, and no specific hotels are named for Jasper or Banff in the evidence beyond a mention of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the trip description.
- Arrival in Jasper on day 8 is an on-your-own transfer to the hotel, and the Icefields Parkway drive from Jasper to Banff on day 9 is described as a leisurely drive, not a rail leg, despite the trip's rail branding.
- The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise (early June to early September) and the Big Sky Circle Tour (mid-June to mid-September) both run only in summer, so this itinerary is bookable only in that window.
- The route summary lists Lake Louise, AB as the end point, but the day-by-day itinerary and inclusions both describe the trip ending in Calgary, reached by a shuttle transfer from Banff.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon make your way to Chicago's Union Station and board the Empire Builder® headed to Glacier National Park.
- Day 2overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
This morning, you will travel through the gorgeous North Dakota plains and cross over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle as you make your way to "Big Sky Country." This evening, you'll arrive in Glacier National Park, home to two different mountain ranges, 130 lakes, 1,000 species of plants, and over a million acres of pristine landscapes.
- Day 3overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Today, you will explore Glacier National Park on a Big Sky Circle tour, which features a breathtaking ride along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing and Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park. Afterward, you'll return to the Glacier Park Lodge for your final night's stay in the park.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning you'll travel to Two Medicine Valley, a hidden gem in Glacier National Park, where you'll enjoy a scenic boat cruise in this gorgeous area. Spend the afternoon relaxing at Glacier Park Lodge before taking a short walk to the East Glacier Station to board Amtrak continuing your train journey west.
- Day 5railovernight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Today, enjoy a relaxing morning on the train before you arrive in Seattle, known as the "Emerald City" for its lush evergreen forests. Change trains to board Amtrak's Cascades to Vancouver. Relish in the spectacular scenery as you travel along the Puget Sound and cross the Canadian border.
- Day 6overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Today begin exploring the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Visit Vancouver's most popular areas including Stanley Park, Chinatown, historic Gastown, Granville Island and more! The tour will feature live commentary so you'll have the opportunity to learn what makes this city so special.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Continue exploring Vancouver this morning utilizing your hop-on, hop-off pass! Later, board VIA Rail's Canadian for the journey to Jasper and the majestic Rocky Mountains. While onboard, enjoy a sparkling wine send-off in one of the train's many domed observations cars while passing through Vancouver's eastern suburbs and into British Columbia's agricultural heartland. Later in the afternoon, take in the stunning views of the Fraser Canyon as the train winds its way through the Cascade and Coast Mountains perched alongside the mighty Fraser River and past the raging rapids of Hell's Gate.
- Day 8railovernight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Enjoy a relaxing morning on the train with breathtaking scenery as you travel through the Canadian Rockies in the Region of Alberta, Canada. Later, arrive into Jasper and transfer on your own to your hotel.
- Day 9overnight: Banff
Jasper to Banff
Depart Jasper for a leisurely drive out to Banff, one of the most scenic towns in the Canadian Rockies. As you travel along the world-famous Icefields Parkway you'll see some pristine lakes, breathtaking mountain peaks and possibly some wildlife. Stop at the Glacier Skywalk to enjoy unobstructed views on a glass-floored observation platform extending out over the Sunwapta Valley. Visit the natural wonder of Columbia Icefield, one of the largest expanses of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. There, you'll board an Ice Explorer vehicle to take you onto Athabasca Glacier. Lunch is included this day.
- Day 10overnight: Banff
Lake Louise and Banff National Park
Today you will spend the day exploring the majestic Canadian Rockies. Visit Lake Louise, one of the most photographed landscapes in the Canadian Rockies. Experience this remarkable destination and take some time to explore the lake at your leisure. You'll also visit incredible sights including Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake and the magnificent Takakkaw Falls. Lunch is included with your tour.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Calgary
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3The Big Sky Circle Tour follows Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stops at Goat Lick and Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake.
- Day 6A hop-on, hop-off tour with live commentary covers Vancouver's Stanley Park, Chinatown, historic Gastown, and Granville Island.
- Day 7Boarding VIA Rail's Canadian in Vancouver includes a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car.
- Day 9The Icefields Parkway excursion from Jasper includes a ride on an ice explorer vehicle and a stop at the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk.
- Day 10The day at Lake Louise and Banff National Park visits Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake, and Takakkaw Falls, with lunch included.
Included
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights aboard Amtrak®; 1 night aboard VIA Rail®
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Glacier National Park; and Glacier National Park to Vancouver on the Empire Builder and Cascades
- One-way VIA Rail in Economy from Vancouver to Jasper on the Canadian
- Shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary
- 6 meals included (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $3,349
Questions travellers ask
- Which trains are used?
- Three: Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Glacier National Park and on to Seattle, Amtrak's Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver, and VIA Rail's Canadian in Economy class from Vancouver to Jasper.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with guided sightseeing tours and excursions included at each stop, such as the Big Sky Circle Tour, the Vancouver hop-on, hop-off tour, and the Icefields Parkway excursion.
- How many nights are spent on a train?
- Three explicit overnight legs are described: Chicago to Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park to Vancouver, and Vancouver to Jasper on VIA Rail's Canadian.
- Does the trip visit any glaciers?
- Yes. The Icefields Parkway excursion includes a ride on an ice explorer vehicle and a stop at the Glacier Skywalk, and day 10 visits Victoria Glacier near Lake Louise.
- What is not included?
- Lunch is called out as included only on the Lake Louise and Banff day; other meals beyond the 6 listed (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners) are on your own.
- Where does the trip end?
- The itinerary and included shuttle both describe the trip ending in Calgary, reached by a transfer from Banff, though the route summary separately lists Lake Louise as the endpoint.
