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Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies by Rail

11-day rail trip from Chicago to Calgary via Glacier and the Rockies

Illustration of Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies by Rail

Railbookers operates this 11-day independent rail vacation from Chicago to Calgary, crossing Glacier National Park, Vancouver, and the Canadian Rockies. The trip begins aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, with an overnight onboard as the train crosses North Dakota's plains and the Gassman Coulee Trestle into Montana. Two nights in Glacier National Park include the Big Sky Circle tour along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and a scenic boat cruise in Two Medicine Valley, before a second overnight train on Amtrak's Cascades reaches Vancouver for a hop-on, hop-off city tour. VIA Rail's Canadian then carries travelers overnight, with a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car, into Jasper and the Rocky Mountains. The final days follow the Icefields Parkway to Banff, riding an Ice Explorer vehicle onto Athabasca Glacier and visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, before a shuttle transfer to Calgary. Three overnight train legs, mostly in Coach or Economy seating, suit rail enthusiasts and photographers drawn to the Rockies' scenery, more than travelers wanting five-star sleeper comfort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight legs on Amtrak (Days 1 and 4) and VIA Rail (Day 7) are in Coach and Economy seating, not a private sleeper cabin.
  • The 27 listed hotels are accommodation options rather than fixed bookings; the actual hotel in each city depends on the tier and availability you choose.
  • The final leg from Banff to Calgary on Day 11 is a shuttle transfer, not a train.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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, with a sparkling wine send-off in one of the train's domed observation cars.

  8. 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.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff

    Depart Jasper for a leisurely drive out to Banff along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Glacier Skywalk, visit the Columbia Icefield, and board an Ice Explorer vehicle onto Athabasca Glacier.

  10. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise and Banff National Park

    Today you will spend the day exploring the majestic Canadian Rockies. Visit Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake and the magnificent Takakkaw Falls. Lunch is included with your tour.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Calgary

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Big Sky Circle tour of Glacier National Park, riding the Going-to-the-Sun Road with stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing and Lake McDonald.
  • Day 6A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Vancouver taking in Stanley Park, Chinatown, historic Gastown, and Granville Island.
  • Day 7Boarding VIA Rail's Canadian with a sparkling wine send-off in a domed observation car, bound overnight for Jasper and the Rocky Mountains.
  • Day 9The Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, stopping at the Glacier Skywalk and riding an Ice Explorer vehicle onto Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 10A tour of Lake Louise, 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.

Questions travellers ask

Do you sleep on the train?
Yes, two nights (Days 1 and 4) are spent aboard Amtrak and one night (Day 7) aboard VIA Rail's Canadian, though seating is Coach and Economy class rather than a private sleeper cabin.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided vacation with included sightseeing tours and transfers, such as the Big Sky Circle tour of Glacier National Park and the Icefields Parkway excursion.
Which trains does the trip use?
Amtrak's Empire Builder (Chicago to Glacier National Park) and Cascades (to Vancouver), then VIA Rail's Canadian (Vancouver to Jasper).
What is included in the price?
7 nights of hotel accommodation, 2 nights aboard Amtrak and 1 night aboard VIA Rail, a shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary, 6 meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners), and sightseeing tours including the Big Sky Circle tour, Vancouver hop-on hop-off tour, Icefields Parkway excursion, and Lake Louise and Banff tour.
How does the trip end?
The final leg from Banff to Calgary is by shuttle transfer, not train, and the journey ends in Calgary on Day 11.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 27 accommodation options across the route's cities and different tiers, including the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown in Chicago, and the historic Glacier Park Lodge in Glacier National Park.

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