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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Great Western Canadian Rail Journey

11-day VIA Rail journey across western Canada, Winnipeg to Vancouver

Illustration of Great Western Canadian Rail Journey

Railbookers operates this 11-day, 10-night independent rail vacation across western Canada, from Winnipeg to Vancouver, with the operator's Rail Expert support rather than a fixed escorted group. After a day in Winnipeg, VIA Rail carries travelers overnight past golden prairie fields and sparkling lakes to the mountain town of Jasper. From there, a sightseeing day along the Icefields Parkway to Banff stops at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk, followed by a guided Banff tour and a Banff Gondola ascent of Sulphur Mountain. After returning to Jasper, VIA Rail's Canadian departs overnight, passing Moose Lake and Mt. Robson, arriving in Vancouver for a final two nights that include a hop-on, hop-off city tour past Gastown and Granville Island. With 3 nights onboard the train and hotels chosen from a list of options at each stop, this trip suits travelers who want a long rail circuit through the Canadian Rockies broken up by guided sightseeing at each major stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists several hotel options for each stop, for example in Banff the Elk + Avenue Hotel, Buffalo Mountain Lodge, and Fairmont Banff Springs among others, without specifying which one is booked.
  • The included list states VIA Rail travel is in Economy class, though the day 8 description refers to 'private accommodations' for that overnight leg; confirm the exact cabin class with Railbookers.
  • The Lake Minnewanka Cruise listed among the Banff highlights is seasonal and runs from June to September only.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Winnipeg

    Your Journey Begins in Winnipeg

    Welcome to the "City of Opportunity," the capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg! Take a peek at the local rivers and explore the 20th century architecture in the Exchange District on your first day of your journey.

  2. Day 2rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Enjoy the day exploring Winnipeg before you travel on your own to the VIA Rail station and hop aboard your train for a relaxing and scenic overnight journey to Jasper! (Overnight on VIA Rail)

  3. Day 3rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Glide past golden prairie fields, picturesque small towns, sparkling lakes, and finally, the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy delicious chef-prepared meals on board, and relax in the spacious seating of one of the elegant lounges. Later on, retire to your comfortable accommodation as you wind-down for the night. (Overnight on VIA Rail)

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Travel through the majestic snow-covered Canadian Rockies today, arriving in the mountain town of Jasper this afternoon. Take the afternoon to explore the local restaurants and shops in the picturesque downtown area.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff

    Today, enjoy a sightseeing adventure along the Icefields Parkways through the Canadian Rockies as you head to Banff. Stop at the Columbia Icefield and board an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. You'll also visit the Glacier Skywalk, with a glass-floored observation platform jetting out over the Sunwapta Valley. Have your camera ready for some amazing views of the valley, glaciers, lakes and mountains!

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Enjoy some of the best sights of the Canadian Rockies on your guided tour. Learn about the region's culture, geology and wildlife while exploring the spectacular sights of the renowned mountain town of Banff. Then soar up on the Banff Gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Banff to Jasper

    Transfer back to Jasper today as you prepare to continue on your journey in Canada.

  8. Day 8rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue to explore the beauty of Jasper on your own today. This evening, board VIA Rail's Canadian to continue your journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies reliving train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep tonight in your private accommodations. Enjoy dinner as the train whisks you past Moose Lake and the peaks of Mt. Robson and the Monashee Mountains. Relax in the dome car and experience stunning 360-degree views of the mountain scenery all around you. (Overnight onboard VIA Rail)

  9. Day 9railovernight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    This morning, wake up on the train and head to the dining car for a freshly prepared breakfast while enjoying the stunning views of central British Columbia out your window. A bit later, as the train winds its way along the walls of the Fraser Canyon and through the Cascade and Coastal mountains, enjoy lunch as you look down to the Fraser River and catch a glimpse of the raging rapids of Hell's Gate. Prior to arriving in Vancouver, take in the agricultural heartland of the Fraser Valley as it approaches the mighty Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival in the city, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and begin discovering the many sites and attractions.

  10. Day 10overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Today your hop-on, hop-off tour will take you to all of Vancouver's most popular attractions and allow you to hop off at any site you wish to explore more. With live commentary on board, you'll learn about the city and history of places like Gastown, Granville Island, and more!

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The overnight VIA Rail journey glides past golden prairie fields, picturesque small towns, sparkling lakes, and the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, with chef-prepared meals served onboard.
  • Day 5A sightseeing day along the Icefields Parkway stops at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and continues to the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk over the Sunwapta Valley.
  • Day 6The Banff Gondola climbs to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.
  • Day 8VIA Rail's Canadian departs Jasper overnight, with dinner served as the train passes Moose Lake and the peaks of Mt. Robson and the Monashee Mountains.
  • Day 9The train winds along the walls of the Fraser Canyon and through the Cascade and Coastal mountains, with lunch served while passing the Fraser River and the rapids of Hell's Gate.

Included

  • One-way VIA Rail® in Economy from Winnipeg to Jasper; Jasper to Vancouver on The Canadian® 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights’ onboard VIA Rail One-way transfer from Banff to Jasper

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. VIA Rail in Economy class is included from Winnipeg to Jasper and, on The Canadian, from Jasper to Vancouver, with 3 nights spent onboard.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with Rail Expert support, though several guided sightseeing tours are included along the way.
Which trains are used on this trip?
VIA Rail, including The Canadian for the Jasper to Vancouver leg.
Is overnight sleeper accommodation included?
The trip includes 3 nights onboard VIA Rail. The included list specifies Economy class, though the itinerary describes 'private accommodations' for one leg, so it is worth confirming the exact class with Railbookers.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
A sightseeing tour of the Icefields Parkway with a Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk, a Banff sightseeing tour with Banff Gondola admission, a hop-on, hop-off Vancouver city tour, and a one-way transfer from Banff to Jasper.
How much does this trip cost?
Railbookers prices this trip from $3,379 per person, in USD.

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