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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Trans-Canada and Rockies Adventure with Rocky Mountaineer

Trans-Canada rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver on two named trains

Illustration of Trans-Canada and Rockies Adventure with Rocky Mountaineer

Railbookers runs this 13-day independent rail vacation across Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver, with a Rail Expert on hand to help arrange each stage. The trip opens with two nights in Toronto and a guided day trip to Niagara Falls before travellers board The Canadian for three nights on board, sleeping in a private Sleeper Plus cabin as the train crosses rural landscapes toward Jasper. From there the days shift into Rocky Mountain territory: a stop at the Columbia Icefield includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, and Banff brings a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. The Rocky Mountaineer then carries travellers in SilverLeaf class from Banff to Kamloops and on to Vancouver, where the trip ends with a hop-on, hop-off city tour. Because each stage is pre-booked but self-guided, it suits independent travellers who want the ease of arranged rail and hotels without a group leader setting the schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 22 accommodation options across different hotel tiers and cities for this trip; the specific hotel depends on which tier and city option you choose when booking.
  • The Jasper to Lake Louise and Lake Louise to Banff legs are covered by road transfer, not rail, so the trip is not entirely on trains despite the two named rail journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Your Journey Begins in Toronto

    Begin your Canadian adventure in Toronto, where you will check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Toronto

    Niagara Day Tour from Toronto

    Today, you will experience one of the wonders of the natural world: Niagara Falls! Take a guided tour from Toronto, with transport included, and marvel at the thundering cascades of Horseshoe Falls, or speak to one of our Rail Experts about organizing trips, tours or excursions while you are there.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    This morning, make your way to the station and board VIA Rail, settling in for a thrilling and comfortable journey across Canada to Jasper in your private sleeper cabin. With your Sleeper Plus accommodation, all meals are included, and you'll enjoy fantastic courses in the dining car throughout your journey. At night during dinner, your car attendant will transform your cabin into two comfortable beds.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Spend two days on board the train! With fantastic food, gorgeous views and convivial company in the viewing car, it's the perfect way to travel. Watch glittering lakes, verdant farmland and sweeping plains roll past your window, and keep a look out for wildlife too!

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Spend two days on board the train! With fantastic food, gorgeous views and convivial company in the viewing car, it's the perfect way to travel.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    After enjoying the last leg of your rail journey through the heart of the mountains, arrive in Jasper today and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Use your admission to the Jasper Skytram for breathtaking views of the mountains.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Enjoy both of Canada's oldest and largest national parks on the way to Lake Louise today! Connected by the Icefields Parkway, Jasper and Banff National Parks are home to alpine glaciers, turquoise lakes and a variety of mountain wildlife. At the Columbia Icefield, experience an all-terrain Ice Explorer that travels onto the mighty Athabasca Glacier. Complete your adventure with a visit to the Glacier Skywalk. A hot lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Check in at the world-famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff

    Pick up your transfer and make your way from Lake Louise to beautiful Banff. Check in at your hotel and begin exploring the immense natural beauty, boutique shops and traditional restaurants of this Rocky Mountain town.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Unearth the geological and cultural secrets of Banff with an included tour today. Travel up the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain to enjoy 360-degree panoramas of no less than six mountain ranges. Wander along the summit trail before visiting Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Make your way down to Lake Minnewanka and embark on a scenic lake cruise.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Kamloops

    Board the iconic blue and gold carriages of the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic journey through Canada's breathtaking mountainous vistas. Settle into your SilverLeaf accommodations or speak to one of Rail Experts about upgrading to GoldLeaf. The journey from Banff to Kamloops will take you past snow-capped peaks and glaciers.

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops to Vancouver

    Depart Kamloops for Vancouver today, re-boarding the Rocky Mountaineer for another exquisite journey. Leave the Interior and wind past rushing rivers, dramatic canyons and evergreen forests as you make your way to the Coast and Cascade Mountains.

  12. Day 12overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Enjoy a full day at leisure in Vancouver! Use your included hop-on, hop-off tour to navigate the city with ease. Get the best views of the surrounding North Shore Mountains from Prospect Point, discover the vibrant markets of Granville Island, travel to the top of the Vancouver Lookout or unearth the treasures of Vancouver's established Chinatown.

  13. Day 13rail

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

    After any last exploring in Vancouver today, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your stay, one of our Rail Specialists would be happy to help you plan the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board VIA Rail's The Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for an overnight departure toward Jasper, with meals served in the dining car.
  • Day 7The Icefields Parkway stop at the Columbia Icefield includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a visit to the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 9The Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain for 360-degree panoramas of six mountain ranges, followed by a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
  • Day 10Board the Rocky Mountaineer's blue and gold carriages in SilverLeaf class for the daylight run past snow-capped peaks and glaciers from Banff to Kamloops.

Included

  • One-way VIA Rail® in Economy accommodations from Toronto and Jasper on The Canadian®
  • Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver in SilverLeaf Class
  • 9 nights' accommodations; 3 nights' onboard VIA Rail
  • Transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise and Lake Louise to Banff
  • 10 meals included (2 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Canadian (VIA Rail) in a Sleeper Plus cabin from Toronto to Jasper, and the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf class from Banff to Vancouver.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent. Railbookers describes it as a self-guided rail package with a Rail Expert available to help arrange details.
How many nights are spent onboard the train?
3 nights, aboard The Canadian between Toronto and Jasper.
What connects Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff?
Ground transfers, not rail. The included list specifies a transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise and Lake Louise to Banff.
What is the starting price?
$6,289 USD, which works out to about $484 per day.

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