Anderson Vacations
17 Day Scenic Lodges of the West with a Canadian Rockies Rail Experience
Self-drive lodge tour through the Rockies and Vancouver Island plus rail
17 daysfrom $3,694
12% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canada and Rockies Westbound
16-day VIA Rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver via the Rockies
Amtrak Vacations runs this 16-day, 15-night rail vacation across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver, with two overnight legs on VIA Rail in Economy class carrying travelers first to Jasper and later on to Vancouver. The itinerary describes several transfers 'on your own' to hotels, suggesting an independent style of travel between the included sightseeing stops. After two nights in Toronto and a day trip to Niagara Falls, the train carries travelers into the Canadian Rockies for stays in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, with included stops at the Columbia Icefield, the Glacier Skywalk and the Jasper Skytram, which climbs to 7,470 feet. The trip closes with two nights in Vancouver, including the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Only 2 lunches are included across the 16 days. This suits travelers who want an extended, multi-stop rail crossing of Canada with sightseeing built in at each destination.
What to know before you look closer
- The 29 hotel options span multiple tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre to the Fairmont Royal York; which specific hotel is used depends on the tier and city selected at booking.
- Only 2 meals are included across 16 days (2 lunches), so most meals are on travelers' own budget.
- The overnight legs on VIA Rail are in Economy class, which is a seat rather than a sleeper cabin or berth.
- No current departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm availability with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Toronto
Toronto, ON
Welcome to Toronto! Transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel and start exploring the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour pass. This tour allows you to hop on and off the bus as many times as you'd like. It also features top Toronto sights, like the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Harbor, Eaton Centre, and Chinatown. Your admission to the CN Tower is also included. Enjoy the beautifully sweeping views of Toronto from over 533 meters above the ground!
- Day 2overnight: Toronto
Toronto to Niagara Falls
This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the mighty Niagara Falls! Enjoy a full day touring this natural wonder and discover all Niagara Falls has to offer. Highlights of your day include a meal overlooking the falls, a scenic boat cruise, and a winery tour and tasting. You'll also have some free time to check out any other sites at the Falls that strike your fancy. After your full day of touring around Niagara, your bus will drop you back off at your hotel for a relaxing evening.
- Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
This morning, travel to the VIA Rail train station and board your overnight train west to the Canadian Rockies.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Continue on the VIA Rail westbound to Jasper. Relax in the observation car and take in the beautiful views and breathtaking landscapes along the way!
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Continue your breathtaking sightseeing journey across Canada on the VIA Rail. This train route offers stunning views and legendary scenery and is often regarded as one of the most renowned long-distance train journeys in the world!
- Day 6railovernight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Welcome to Jasper and the stunning Canadian Rockies! Your train will arrive this morning, and you will transfer on your own to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start getting to know Jasper.
- Day 7overnight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Explore the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies on an exhilarating sightseeing tour. Stand above the massive walls of Maligne Canyon for stunning views of rushing waterfalls. Discover the mystery of the disappearing water at Medicine Lake. Stroll the tranquil shores of Maligne Lake.
- Day 8overnight: Lake Louise
Jasper to Lake Louise
This morning, you'll depart Jasper for a scenic drive out to Lake Louise. Enjoy the wildlife, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountain peaks along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. Visit the natural wonder that is Columbia Icefield. Step onboard an Ice Explorer for an interpretive adventure of the Athabasca Glacier. At the Glacier Skywalk, enjoy the unobstructed view on a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 meters out over the Sunwapta Valley. Your day also includes a hot buffet lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.
- Day 9overnight: Banff
Lake Louise to Banff
Depart Lake Louise for a scenic drive to the charming town of Banff. Spend the day strolling through the shops and enjoying the cuisine with the snowcapped mountains in the background.
- Day 10overnight: Banff
Banff, AB
Learn about culture, geology and wildlife while exploring the spectacular sights of the renowned mountain town of Banff. Soar up the Banff Gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges.
- Day 11overnight: Jasper
Banff to Jasper
Spend your free time exploring Banff this morning before your included afternoon shuttle back to Jasper.
- Day 12overnight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Enjoy your final full day in the Rockies by taking a flight onboard the Jasper Skytram featuring a fully-trained and knowledgeable guide. As the tram gently touches down at an elevation of 7,470 feet, you'll step out onto the Upper Station and get a whole new perspective of the Canadian Rockies.
- Day 13railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Transfer to the train station this morning and board VIA Rail headed west to Vancouver. Kick back and relax as you enjoy the scenery of the Rockies along the ride. Be sure to take a picture of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies!
- Day 14overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
You'll arrive in Vancouver this morning and then start sightseeing with a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to this city's most popular landmarks, including Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, and more!
- Day 15overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Continue using your hop-on, hop-off pass to explore more of Vancouver's top sights at your own pace. Take time this afternoon to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
- Day 16
Your Journey Ends in Vancouver
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1A hop-on, hop-off pass gives access to Toronto sights including the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma and the CN Tower.
- Day 8The Icefields Parkway drive stops at the Columbia Icefield for a ride on the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier, and at the Glacier Skywalk's glass-floored observation platform.
- Day 10The Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges.
- Day 12The Jasper Skytram rises to the Upper Station at 7,470 feet for a new perspective on the Canadian Rockies.
- Day 13VIA Rail's overnight run west to Vancouver passes Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Included
- 11 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard VIA Rail®
- One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations from Toronto to Jasper and Jasper to Vancouver
- Transportation between Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff
- 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 $4,799
Questions travellers ask
- Is rail travel included?
- Yes, one-way VIA Rail in Economy class from Toronto to Jasper and Jasper to Vancouver, including 4 nights onboard the train.
- Is the overnight train ride a sleeper?
- The evidence lists the onboard class as Economy; it does not describe a sleeper cabin or berth.
- Which cities does the trip visit?
- Toronto, Niagara Falls, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and Vancouver.
- What hotels are used?
- The package lists 29 accommodation options across tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre to the Fairmont Royal York; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city chosen.
- How many meals are included?
- 2 lunches across the 16-day trip.
- What sightseeing is included?
- Admissions and tours including the CN Tower, a Niagara Falls sightseeing tour, Jasper National Park sightseeing, the Jasper Skytram, the Icefields Parkway, the Glacier Skywalk, the Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
