Search

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Ultimate Canada and Rockies Westbound

Cross-Canada rail journey Toronto to Vancouver via Jasper and Banff

Illustration of Ultimate Canada and Rockies Westbound

Railbookers runs this 13-day independent rail vacation westbound across Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver, with a Rail Expert on hand to help arrange each stage. The trip opens with two days in Toronto, including a hop-on, hop-off city tour and a full-day trip to Niagara Falls with a winery tasting. Travellers then board VIA Rail's The Canadian for the westbound journey to Jasper, arriving to explore Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon, and Maligne Lake, with admission to the Jasper Skytram included. A scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway reaches Banff, where an Ice Explorer ride crosses the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk offers a glass-floored view of the Sunwapta Valley, before a shuttle returns travellers to Jasper to rejoin VIA Rail. The final rail leg heads west to Vancouver, passing Mount Robson, and closes with two days of Vancouver sightseeing, including the Vancouver Lookout. It suits independent travellers who want structured rail and sightseeing without a group leader.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 20 accommodation options across Toronto and Jasper; the specific hotel depends on which tier and city option you choose when booking.
  • The published itinerary has a gap: it lists day 4 and then jumps to day 6, so no activity is documented for day 5 of the onboard VIA Rail journey to Jasper. The included list states 4 nights onboard VIA Rail in total, one more than the three onboard nights documented on days 3, 4, and 10; confirm the full day-by-day schedule with Railbookers.
  • The Jasper to Banff and Banff to Jasper legs are a shuttle transfer, not rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Welcome to Toronto, where so many great landmarks and amazing sites await! Travel to your hotel and start exploring the city with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour featuring top Toronto spots like the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Toronto Harbour, Eaton Centre, and Chinatown.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Toronto to Niagara Falls

    This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a fun-filled day at Niagara Falls. Highlights of your day will include a meal overlooking the Falls, a ride on the lake, and a winery tour and tasting.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today, board VIA Rail for your journey onboard the Canadian to Jasper.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today, you'll enjoy a relaxing day on the train as you continue your journey on the VIA Rail westbound to Jasper. Enjoy the breathtaking landscape along the way; head over to the observation car for even more amazing views.

  5. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Welcome to Jasper, a serene town located high in the magnificent Canadian Rockies! Your train will arrive this morning, and you will travel on your own to your hotel. Enjoy exploring the local restaurants and shops in the quaint downtown area.

  6. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Explore the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper National Park. Stand above the massive walls of Maligne Canyon for stunning views of rushing waterfalls. Discover the mystery of the disappearing water at Medicine Lake. Stroll the shores of Maligne Lake.

  7. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff

    This morning, you will depart Jasper for a scenic drive out to Banff along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield and step onboard an Ice Explorer for an interpretive adventure on the Athabasca Glacier. At the Glacier Skywalk, you'll be treated to an unobstructed view on a glass-floored observation platform.

  8. Day 9overnight: Jasper

    Banff to Jasper

    Spend your free time this morning exploring Banff before your included afternoon shuttle back to Jasper.

  9. Day 10railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    This morning, you'll travel to the VIA Rail station and board the train for your journey west to Vancouver. Be sure to take a picture of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies!

  10. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    This morning, you'll arrive in Vancouver and start your day with a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to Vancouver's most popular landmarks, including Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, and many more.

  11. Day 12overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Start your day with a guided city tour that highlights Vancouver's most iconic neighborhoods and attractions, including admission to the Vancouver Lookout. In the afternoon, consider a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

  12. Day 13

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board VIA Rail's The Canadian for the westbound journey from Toronto toward Jasper.
  • Day 7Explore Jasper National Park, standing above the walls of Maligne Canyon and strolling the shores of Maligne Lake.
  • Day 8Visit the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, then walk the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk platform.
  • Day 10Board VIA Rail again for the final leg west to Vancouver, watching for a view of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Included

  • 8 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard VIA Rail®
  • One-way VIA Rail in economy accommodations from Toronto to Jasper; Jasper to Vancouver on The Canadian®
  • Roundtrip shared transfers between Jasper and Banff
  • 2 meals (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

Which train is included?
VIA Rail's The Canadian in Economy class, from Toronto to Jasper and then Jasper 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?
The included list states 4 nights onboard VIA Rail; the published itinerary documents onboard nights on days 3, 4, and 10, with a gap in the day-5 description.
How do you get from Jasper to Banff?
By an included roundtrip shuttle transfer, not by train.
What is the starting price?
$4,969 USD, or about $382 per day.

Similar journeys