Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
USA and Canadian Rockies Rail Experience
Independent 16-day rail loop from Chicago through the Canadian Rockies
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 16-day rail journey that begins and ends in Chicago, crossing the northern United States and Canada by train. The Empire Builder opens the trip with two nights onboard past Glacier National Park to Seattle, where a CityPASS covers two days that include the Space Needle. A short Cascades ride reaches Vancouver, then VIA Rail carries travelers on to Jasper for the first of two stays in the Canadian Rockies, including the Jasper Skytram up Whistlers Mountain, then a drive along the Icefields Parkway to two nights in Banff, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk, before a final night back in Jasper. VIA Rail then continues east to Toronto, where a hop-on, hop-off tour and CN Tower admission are included, before an overnight Amtrak ride returns travelers to Chicago. With 7 of the 15 nights spent onboard trains, this suits travelers who want a long rail journey built around the Rockies.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are chosen from a list of 36 options across the six cities and towns on the route (for example the Waldorf Astoria Chicago or the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown), so which property you get depends on what you book.
- This is an independent trip: most stops other than Seattle and Banff are just 1 night, and days outside the Jasper, Banff and Icefields Parkway touring are left for travelers to explore on their own.
- The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Welcome to Chicago, the Windy City! Check into your hotel for a one-night stay. Use your included admission to the Skydeck Chicago, located on the 103rd floor of the former Sears Tower.
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak's famous Empire Builder, traveling along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail. Relax in the observation car taking in the Missouri River, North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park.
- Day 4overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Your first day in Seattle includes a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, a ride to the top of the Space Needle and admission to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, plus a visit to Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Seattle's Waterfront, and Pier 66.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Continue using your CityPASS to see more of the 'Emerald City' - perhaps the Great Wheel, the waterfront, or more time at Pike's Place Market.
- Day 6overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Travel to the Amtrak station and journey to Vancouver. Check in to your hotel for an afternoon of sightseeing on your own, with included admission to the Vancouver Lookout.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Travel to the train station on your own for your departure onboard VIA Rail toward beautiful Jasper.
- Day 8overnight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Travel on the Jasper Skytram up Whistlers Mountain, taking in panoramic views from 2,263 meters above.
- Day 9overnight: Banff
Banff, AB
Travel from Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefield, an Ice Explorer adventure onto the Athabasca Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk. Highlights include Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield, Icefields Parkway, and admission to Glacier Adventure and Glacier Skywalk.
- Day 10overnight: Banff
Banff, AB
Spend today strolling through the quaint shops and cafes in downtown Banff, before riding up the famous Banff Gondola for views over six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.
- Day 11overnight: Jasper
Jasper, AB
Enjoy the morning at your leisure before your included transfer this afternoon to Jasper, for your final night's stay in the Canadian Rockies.
- Day 12railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Overnight Onboard VIA Rail
Continue your cross-Canada journey on VIA Rail today, taking in a variety of landscapes and sights only accessible by train.
- Day 15overnight: Toronto
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
When you arrive in Toronto, you'll quickly discover that there's plenty to see and do! Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit the city's top attractions and sights, plus included CN Tower admission.
- Day 16railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Toronto, ON
Continue exploring Toronto during the day and in the evening, take a taxi to the Amtrak station in Buffalo, NY. Board the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago and enjoy your final train ride.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The Empire Builder departs Chicago, tracing the Missouri River, North Dakota plains and Glacier National Park.
- Day 8The Jasper Skytram climbs Whistlers Mountain to 2,263 meters above Jasper National Park.
- Day 9The Icefields Parkway drive from Jasper to Banff stops at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.
- Day 10The Banff Gondola climbs for views over six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.
- Day 15Arrival in Toronto includes a hop-on, hop-off tour and CN Tower admission.
Included
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations; 3 nights aboard Amtrak®; 4 nights aboard VIA Rail®
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Seattle; Seattle to Vancouver; Buffalo to Chicago on the Empire Builder®; Cascades® and Lake Shore Limited®
- One-way VIA Rail in Economy from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian®
- One-way transfer from the hotel in Toronto to the train station in Buffalo
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $4,399
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak's Empire Builder, Cascades and Lake Shore Limited in Coach, plus VIA Rail's the Canadian in Economy for two separate legs, Vancouver to Jasper and Jasper to Toronto.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- Independent; CityPASS admissions and hop-on, hop-off tours are included in Seattle and Toronto, along with guided touring in Jasper and along the Icefields Parkway, but there is no single tour escort for the whole trip.
- How many nights are on the train?
- 7 of the 15 nights: 3 aboard Amtrak and 4 aboard VIA Rail's the Canadian.
- What happens in the Canadian Rockies?
- 4 nights split between Jasper and Banff, including the Jasper Skytram, a Maligne Lake boat cruise, the Icefields Parkway with the Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk, and the Banff Gondola.
- How much walking or altitude is involved?
- The Jasper Skytram reaches 2,263 meters, and the Columbia Icefield stop includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk, both involving noticeable altitude gain.
