Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent Tour

Rockies Passage Plus: Eastbound

5-day Rocky Mountaineer rail trip from Vancouver to Calgary

Rockies Passage Plus: Eastbound, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail Vacations runs this 5-day independent tour eastbound from Vancouver to Calgary. Day one is free time in Vancouver, and day two boards the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service for the run to Kamloops, passing the Fraser River and the rapids of Hell's Gate. Day three continues aboard the train into the Canadian Rockies, through Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels, arriving in Banff for a two-night stay. Day four adds a guided tour of Banff's surrounding mountains and a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, past wind-shaped hoodoos and Surprise Corner. The trip closes with a transfer from Banff to Calgary. The evidence does not name the hotels used in Vancouver, Kamloops or Banff. It suits travelers who want a short rail crossing of the Rockies plus a single day of guided sightseeing in Banff, rather than a longer multi-city circuit.

What to know before you look closer

  • No hotels are named anywhere in the evidence for this package.
  • Beyond the Banff sightseeing tour, there are no other guided excursions in the itinerary; Vancouver and Kamloops are unguided free time.
  • Gratuities for hotel and transfer staff and Canadian sales tax are listed as not included.
  • The CAD 3,466 (about USD 2,441) from-price is the lowest of 149 listed departures; other dates run up to CAD 4,778.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Arrival

    Arrive in Vancouver, known for its cultural and linguistic diversity. This city is very lively and home to a bustling arts scene so you will find that there is no shortage of things to do and places to explore. When you add a second night in Vancouver to your vacation package you will receive a complimentary Vancouver city tour through Canada Rail Vacations! Popular sites in Vancouver include the urban jungle of Stanley Park, Canada’s largest Chinatown, and the Robson Street Shopping District. Spend tonight in your downtown Vancouver hotel room.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops

    Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and raise your glass as the train heads northeast out of Vancouver. Your journey across Canada has officially begun! Travel alongside the mighty waters of the salmon-rich Fraser River and pass the powerful rapids of Hell’s Gate. Towards the end of today, you’ll approach the drier grasslands of Kamloops, where you will be spending the night in your hotel room.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Banff

    As you travel east towards the province of Alberta, you are greeted by the Canadian Rockies. Rocky lakeshores, snow-capped mountain peaks, and crisp glacial streams accompany you as you dine on locally-sourced, gourmet meals. Learn about points of interest such as the astoundingly high Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels. End off today in the friendly mountain resort town of Banff where you will spend the next two nights in your hotel room.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola

    Today you’ll be on a 4.5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade, and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks, and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf, or relaxing as you choose.

  5. Day 5rail

    Banff to Calgary Scenic Transfer

    Enjoy a two hours scenic transfer to Calgary, Alberta’s liveliest city. Famous for its yearly stampede, this is a city that prides itself on its Western charm. We’d like to thank you for travelling with Canada Rail Vacations and look forward to hosting you again in the future.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Rocky Mountaineer passes the salmon-rich Fraser River and the rapids of Hell's Gate on the way to Kamloops.
  • Day 3The train crosses into the Canadian Rockies via Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels on the way to Banff.
  • Day 4The Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain past wind-shaped hoodoos and Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Included

  • 2-day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches onboard train
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation
  • Complimentary Vancouver tour provided when an additional night in Vancouver is added to your vacation package
  • Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
  • Transfer from Banff to Calgary airport or downtown
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (select hotels in Vancouver and Banff only)
  • Gratuities/tip for onboard train staff

Not included

  • Transportation from Vancouver airport (available, please ask for details)
  • Meals, other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
  • Gratuities/tip for hotel and transfer staff
  • Canadian sales tax

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 2 days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, from Vancouver to Kamloops to Banff.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is listed as an Independent Tour. The only scheduled guided day is the Banff sightseeing tour; Vancouver and Kamloops are free time.
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service.
What hotels are included?
The evidence does not name specific hotels for this package.
When does it run?
149 departures are listed from April through October in both 2026 and 2027, priced from CAD 3,466 to CAD 4,778.
What is not included?
Transportation from the Vancouver airport, meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, gratuities for hotel and transfer staff, and Canadian sales tax.

Similar journeys, different answers