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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Canada and Rockies Westbound

Independent transcontinental Canada rail vacation, Toronto to Vancouver via the Rockies

Illustration of Grand Canada and Rockies Westbound

Railbookers runs this sixteen-day, fifteen-night independent rail vacation westbound across Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver. After two nights in Toronto, including CN Tower admission and a full-day Niagara Falls tour with a boat cruise and winery tasting, travelers board an overnight VIA Rail train on day 3 for a three-night journey to Jasper, passing through the Canadian Rockies. Jasper brings a national park sightseeing tour before a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway on day 8, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a walk on the Glacier Skywalk. Lake Louise and Banff follow, with the Banff Gondola climbing Sulphur Mountain on day 10, before a return to Jasper for the Jasper Skytram on day 12. A final overnight VIA Rail journey on day 13 passes Mount Robson en route to two days of sightseeing in Vancouver. The trip suits independent travelers who want a wide-ranging look at the Rockies without arranging trains or excursions themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight VIA Rail segments are in Economy accommodations, not a private sleeper cabin.
  • Only two meals (two lunches) are included across the 16-day trip; other meals are on your own.
  • The listed hotels are a set of 29 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city choice, not a single fixed stay.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Welcome to Toronto! Start exploring the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour pass. Admission to the CN Tower is included.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls

    Enjoy a full day touring Niagara Falls, including a meal overlooking the falls, a scenic boat cruise, and a winery tour and tasting.

    Meals: L

  3. Day 3railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Travel to the VIA Rail train station and board your overnight train west to the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue on the VIA Rail westbound to Jasper. Relax in the observation car and take in the breathtaking landscapes.

  5. Day 5railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your sightseeing journey across Canada on the VIA Rail.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Welcome to Jasper and the stunning Canadian Rockies! Transfer on your own to your hotel.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Explore Jasper National Park on a sightseeing tour, visiting Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.

    Meals: L

  8. Day 8overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefield with an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk. Includes a hot buffet lunch.

    Meals: L

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff

    Depart Lake Louise for a scenic drive to the charming town of Banff.

  10. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Sightseeing tour of Banff, riding the Banff Gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges.

  11. Day 11overnight: Jasper

    Banff to Jasper

    Included afternoon shuttle back to Jasper.

  12. Day 12overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Flight onboard the Jasper Skytram, touching down at an elevation of 7,470 feet at the Upper Station.

  13. Day 13railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Board VIA Rail headed west to Vancouver, passing Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

  14. Day 14overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Arrive in Vancouver and start sightseeing with a hop-on, hop-off tour taking in Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island and more.

  15. Day 15overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Continue using your hop-on, hop-off pass and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

  16. Day 16

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A full day touring Niagara Falls includes a scenic boat cruise and a winery tour and tasting.
  • Day 3Travelers board an overnight VIA Rail train west toward the Canadian Rockies, beginning a three-night rail journey to Jasper.
  • Day 8The Columbia Icefield stop includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a walk on the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 10The Banff Gondola climbs to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges.
  • Day 12The Jasper Skytram touches down at an elevation of 7,470 feet at the Upper Station.

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.

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations is included from Toronto to Jasper and from Jasper to Vancouver, including four nights spent onboard.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Travelers arrange some of their own transfers, such as the day 6 arrival in Jasper, alongside included sightseeing tours at each stop.
Is the overnight train a private sleeper cabin?
The included VIA Rail travel is in Economy accommodations, not a private sleeper cabin.
What is included besides the trains and hotels?
Hop-on hop-off tours and CN Tower admission in Toronto, a full-day Niagara Falls tour with a boat cruise and winery tasting, a Jasper National Park sightseeing tour, the Columbia Icefield with an Ice Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk, the Banff Gondola, the Jasper Skytram, transportation between Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, and a Vancouver hop-on hop-off tour with Capilano Suspension Bridge Park admission.
How many meals are included?
Two lunches are included across the 16-day trip; other meals are on your own.
How much walking or altitude is involved?
The Jasper Skytram reaches an elevation of 7,470 feet, and the Columbia Icefield stop includes a walk on the Glacier Skywalk, so some days involve altitude and uneven terrain.

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