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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

USA and Canadian Rockies Rail Experience

16-day rail trip linking Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, and Toronto

Illustration of USA and Canadian Rockies Rail Experience

Railbookers runs this 16-day independent rail trip across the United States and Canada, from Chicago to Seattle, Vancouver, the Canadian Rockies, and on to Toronto. Amtrak's Empire Builder carries the trip out of Chicago overnight, following the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park toward Seattle, where a CityPASS covers days of sightseeing including the Space Needle and Pike's Place Market. Amtrak's Cascades continues on to Vancouver for an afternoon with the Vancouver Lookout, before an overnight VIA Rail departure toward the Canadian Rockies. In Jasper and Banff, included touring covers the Columbia Icefield, an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk, and the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. The trip continues on VIA Rail's The Canadian to Toronto, with Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited completing the return to Chicago via Buffalo. The evidence's day-by-day detail has gaps, so it suits independent travelers comfortable confirming exact stops and hotels with Railbookers before booking.

What to know before you look closer

  • The day-by-day itinerary in the evidence only covers days 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 of this 16-day trip; several days, including 3, 4, and 8, and the days after day 11, are not detailed, so confirm the full route and the Toronto stay with Railbookers before booking.
  • The evidence gives the trip's length as 16 days in its structured data but describes it elsewhere as a '17-day adventure'; confirm the exact length with Railbookers.
  • No hotel names or tiers are listed for this trip; the evidence only states 9 total nights of hotel accommodation.
  • The Amtrak and VIA Rail legs are booked in Coach and Economy accommodations; the evidence does not describe a sleeper cabin for the overnight legs on day 2 or day 7.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Welcome to Chicago, the Windy City! When you arrive, check into your hotel for a one-night stay and then start exploring this exciting city! Why not use your included admission to the Skydeck Chicago? Located on the 103rd floor of the former Sears Tower, this is one experience in the city that you can't pass up! the views from the top are incredible. Once back down on the ground, discover some iconic sights and other attractions on your own.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Seattle

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Today, you'll board Amtrak's famous Empire Builder. As you head west, you'll travel along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail following the footsteps of early pioneers. Relax onboard in the observation car while you take in the stunning views of the Missouri River, the beautiful North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park in "Big Sky Country" as the train travels toward Seattle. (Overnight onboard Amtrak) Day 4 Seattle, WA View Details Your first day in Seattle includes a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, a ride to the top of the world-famous Space Needle and admission to the famous Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. During your city tour of Seattle, you will get to visit all the top attractions, like Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Seattle's Waterfront, and Pier 66 to name a few.

  3. Day 5overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Continue using your CityPASS to see more of the shining 'Emerald City.' Perhaps visit the Great Wheel, walk the waterfront, or spend more time touring Pike's Place Market and enjoy some delicious, fresh seafood.

  4. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Today, travel to the Amtrak station and journey to Vancouver, British Columbia. Sit back and relax on the scenic ride through the northwest! Pull into Vancouver and travel to your hotel to check-in and drop your luggage for an afternoon of sightseeing on your own. Experience stunning 360-degree views from your included admission to the Vancouver Lookout.

  5. Day 7railovernight: Jasper

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Today, travel to the train station on your own for your departure onboard VIA Rail toward beautiful Jasper! During this scenic journey, you'll have the opportunity to take in some incredible landscapes and memorable onboard experiences. (Overnight on VIA Rail) Day 8 Jasper, AB View Details Are you ready to discover just how amazing Jasper is?! Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Afterwards you may want to take a stroll through downtown Jasper and dine at one of the amazing restaurants or cafes! Then travel on the Jasper Skytram up Whistlers Mountain, taking in panoramic views from 2,263 meters above.

  6. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    This morning, travel from Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway! Visit the natural wonder of the Columbia Icefield - one of the largest expanses of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. Step onboard an Ice Explorer for an interpretive adventure onto the Athabasca Glacier. At the Glacier Skywalk, enjoy the unobstructed view on a glass-floored observation platform extending out over the Sunwapta Valley. Highlights include: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield, Icefields Parkway, admission to Glacier Adventure and Glacier Skywalk. Your tour will bring you to your hotel in Banff.

    Meals: L

  7. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Spend today strolling through the quaint shops and cafes in downtown Banff, before riding up the famous Banff Gondola! the view from Sulphur Mountain's summit is incredible, looking over six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.

  8. 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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Included admission to the Chicago Skydeck, on the 103rd floor of the former Sears Tower.
  • Day 2Amtrak's Empire Builder follows the Lewis and Clark trail past the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Glacier National Park on the way to Seattle.
  • Day 6Included admission to the Vancouver Lookout gives 360-degree views of the city.
  • Day 9An Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, followed by the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk over the Sunwapta Valley.
  • Day 10The Banff Gondola rises to Sulphur Mountain's summit for views over six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.

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

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The trip includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Seattle, Seattle to Vancouver, and Buffalo to Chicago on the Empire Builder, Cascades, and Lake Shore Limited, plus one-way VIA Rail in Economy from Vancouver to Toronto on The Canadian, with a stop in the Canadian Rockies.
Which trains does the trip use?
Amtrak's Empire Builder, Cascades, and Lake Shore Limited, and VIA Rail's The Canadian.
Are there overnight train legs?
Yes. The evidence lists 3 nights aboard Amtrak and 4 nights aboard VIA Rail, including overnight legs on day 2 (Amtrak, Chicago to Seattle) and day 7 (VIA Rail, Vancouver toward Jasper).
What does the trip include in the Canadian Rockies?
A sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park, a Maligne Lake boat cruise, an Icefields Parkway tour with an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk, plus the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain's summit.
What cities does the trip visit?
Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, and Toronto.

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