Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Seattle and the Canadian Rockies Winter Discovery

Independent winter rail vacation from Seattle to Calgary via the Canadian Rockies

Seattle and the Canadian Rockies Winter Discovery, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation from Seattle to Calgary, threading through Vancouver, Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies. The trip opens with a night in Seattle, taking in the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium, before the Amtrak Cascades carries travelers north to Vancouver for two nights and a hop-on-hop-off city tour. From there, the VIA Rail Canadian departs Vancouver in the evening for an overnight run into the Rockies, with the next morning spent watching the mountains pass from the observation car before arriving in Jasper. Two nights in Jasper include a guided search for winter wildlife, then the Icefields Parkway carries the trip on to Banff for two more nights, capped by a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. Because travelers make their own way between some hotels and stations, this suits independent-minded travelers comfortable handling their own arrivals, alongside included guided sightseeing in Vancouver and Jasper.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package offers 24 accommodation options across tiers and cities, from Hampton Inn and Hyatt Place to the Fairmont Pacific Rim; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier selected at booking.
  • The optional extras list an upgrade to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train, which implies the standard overnight VIA Rail leg is not booked in a sleeper cabin by default.
  • No meals are listed among the inclusions; confirm meal arrangements with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Seattle

    Your Journey Begins in Seattle

    Welcome to the great city of Seattle! Check in at your hotel for an overnight stay and begin discovering the 'Emerald City,' including the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, and the Great Wheel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Vancouver

    Seattle to Vancouver

    Board Amtrak's Cascades train for the scenic and relaxing four-hour journey to Vancouver, then travel on your own to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    A full day of sightseeing with an included hop-on, hop-off tour covering Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, and more.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight On VIA Rail

    Continue exploring Vancouver, including the Vancouver Lookout, before boarding VIA Rail this evening and heading to the observation car for views of the Canadian Rockies.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Wake up on the train and relax in the observation car through the Canadian Rockies; arrive in Jasper in the afternoon.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Explore Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and search for winter wildlife on a guided tour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff

    Depart Jasper for a scenic drive on the Icefields Parkway to Banff, one of the most beautiful towns in the Canadian Rockies.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Take a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies, taking in six different mountain ranges and Bow Valley.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Calgary

    Check out of your hotel today and transfer from Banff to Calgary to continue your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Amtrak's Cascades train carries travelers on the scenic, four-hour ride from Seattle to Vancouver.
  • Day 5Travelers wake up onboard the VIA Rail Canadian and watch the Rockies pass from the observation car before arriving in Jasper that afternoon.
  • Day 6A guided tour searches for winter wildlife in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 7The drive from Jasper to Banff follows the Icefields Parkway, arriving in Banff, described as one of the most beautiful towns in the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 8A gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff takes in six different mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.

Included

  • One-way overnight VIA Rail® from Vancouver to Jasper on the Canadian®
  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations on the Cascades® from Seattle to Vancouver
  • 1 night onboard VIA Rail
  • 7 nights' hotel accommodations
  • Transfer from Jasper to Banff and Banff to Calgary

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a one-way Amtrak Cascades ride in Coach from Seattle to Vancouver, and a one-way overnight VIA Rail Canadian journey from Vancouver to Jasper.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is billed as an independent rail vacation. On day 2 you travel on your own to your Vancouver hotel, though guided sightseeing (a hop-on-hop-off tour in Vancouver and a winter wildlife tour in Jasper) is included.
Which trains are used?
The Amtrak Cascades between Seattle and Vancouver, and the VIA Rail Canadian on the overnight leg between Vancouver and Jasper.
What hotels are included?
The package offers 24 accommodation options across tiers and cities, ranging from Hampton Inn and Hyatt Place to the Fairmont Pacific Rim; your specific hotel depends on the tier you choose.
Is there a sleeping cabin on the overnight train?
Not by default. Upgrading to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train is listed as an optional extra.

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