Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent tour

West Coast Expedition

13-day British Columbia circuit by ferry, VIA Rail's Skeena, and Rocky Mountaineer

West Coast Expedition, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail, at canadarail.ca, runs this 13-day, 12-night independent rail trip around Canada's west coast, from Vancouver back to Vancouver. After a ferry crossing to Victoria with a stop at Butchart Gardens and a whale watching tour, a scenic transfer covers the length of Vancouver Island to Port Hardy, followed by a 15-hour Inside Passage ferry, with a private day cabin, to Prince Rupert. From there, VIA Rail's "Skeena" train runs to Jasper via Prince George, passing Mount Robson on the way. An Icefields Parkway tour connects Jasper to Banff, and the trip closes with two full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, from Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops. Base pricing is quoted for June, July, and August departures, with 3-star hotels and SilverLeaf train service, and Superior, Deluxe, and GoldLeaf upgrades available. This suits travelers who want to combine two named train journeys with a ferry route up British Columbia's coast, rather than a shorter Rockies-only itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • Base pricing is quoted for June, July, and August departures, though the operator lists 9 departures running from May to September.
  • Only 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches are included across the 12 nights; luggage handling and several rail, ferry, and transfer connections in Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Prince George, and Jasper are not included.
  • Victoria whale watching is described as optional, with a price reduction available if it is not wanted.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Arrival

    Coastal mountains and urban beaches greet you as you arrive in Canada's third-largest city. Vancouver is a lively and diverse city with no shortage of attractions to explore including Stanley Park, Granville Island or the Vancouver Art Gallery. If your schedule permits, purchasing Hop-On, Hop-Off bus passes is a great way to see the city at your leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Victoria

    Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, Butchart Gardens and City Tour

    Enjoy a 1.5 hour ferry ride in the morning and relax to the gentle sway and sound of the ocean as you journey from Vancouver to Victoria. En route to Victoria, you'll visit the Butchart Gardens, one of the most spectacular floral displays in the world. Then you're off to Victoria, you will have a short city tour showing some of the highlights of the city.

  3. Day 3overnight: Victoria

    Victoria Whale Watching Tour

    This morning you are on a 3.5 hour whale watching tour guided by a certified marine biologist. This exhilarating round trip will have you searching for Orcas, Grey Whales, Porpoises, Seals and other marine life. You have the afternoon free to explore this beautiful city.

  4. Day 4overnight: Port Hardy

    Scenic Transfer from Victoria to Port Hardy

    Today you're on a mini bus going from the southern capital of Victoria to the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the rustic town of Port Hardy. Peaceful walking trails, potential wildlife sightings and fresh-caught seafood are just a few of the highlights of this stop.

  5. Day 5overnight: Prince Rupert

    Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

    A trip along the awe-inspiring Inside Passage awaits! You will pass evergreen covered islands and coastal mountains on this 15-hour ferry journey. Because of the length of this journey, we have you booked in a private day cabin with a bed, so that you have the opportunity to rest and have some privacy.

  6. Day 6overnight: Prince Rupert

    Free Day in Prince Rupert

    Spend a relaxing day in the rustic port city of Prince Rupert. Combining thickly wooded areas with the smells and sights of the ocean, this is a great place to relax and independently explore some walking trails. You can also talk to your vacation planner about booking a variety of other activities including a float plane tour or fishing charter.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Prince George

    VIA Rail from Prince Rupert to Prince George

    Board VIA Rail's Skeena train towards Jasper. Pass through communities rich in indigenous history and culture and enjoy the fantastic views of the lakes and forests.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Jasper

    VIA Rail from Prince George to Jasper

    Board VIA Rail's Skeena train towards Jasper. One of the highlights of today's journey will be passing by Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. The salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River will accompany you once again as you keep an eye out for wildlife in the lush expanse of forest.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Sightseeing Tour from Jasper to Banff including Columbia Icefields Excursion

    Today you're riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada, the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at the powerful Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. Arrive at the Athabasca Glacier and climb aboard the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier.

  10. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola

    Today you'll be on a 4.5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops

    Toast to your first day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer! You'll pass by the snow-peaked mountains and crystal-clear waters that our country is famous for. Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon and Rodgers Pass. A dramatic change of scenery will take place as you approach the ranchlands of the interior plateau.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver

    You're on your way back to the coast today. Get a different view of British Columbia's agricultural heartland, the Fraser Valley. Dine on locally-sourced, gourmet meals as you wind through the changing scenery and step out on the outside deck to take in that fresh mountain air.

  13. Day 13

    Vancouver Departure

    Your tour ends once you've checked out of your hotel. Thank you for traveling with us!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A ferry crossing to Victoria stops at Butchart Gardens, one of the highlighted floral displays on the route, followed by a short city tour.
  • Day 3A 3.5-hour whale watching tour, guided by a certified marine biologist, searches for orcas, grey whales, porpoises, and seals.
  • Day 5A 15-hour Inside Passage ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert includes a private day cabin with a bed for the journey past evergreen-covered islands and coastal mountains.
  • Day 8VIA Rail's "Skeena" train passes Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, on the approach to Jasper.
  • Day 11The Rocky Mountaineer's first day out of Banff passes the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Rogers Pass on the way to Kamloops.

Included

  • 2-day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service
  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches
  • 12 nights hotel accommodation
  • Complimentary Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour of Vancouver when an additional night in Vancouver is added
  • Tour of Victoria including Butchart Gardens
  • Victoria whale watching (optional, price reduction if not desired)
  • Small bus tour Port Hardy to Victoria
  • Inside Passage Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert with outboard day cabin
  • VIA Rail from Prince Rupert to Jasper
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer
  • Banff tour including gondola
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver and Banff
  • Gratuities/tip for Rocky Mountaineer train staff

Not included

  • Transportation to/from Vancouver airport (available, please ask for details)
  • Meals, other than onboard trains
  • Luggage handling and transfers in Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Prince George and Jasper
  • Rail station transfer in Jasper, Prince George, Prince Rupert
  • Ferry terminal transfer in Prince Rupert and Port Hardy
  • Gratuities/tip for VIA Rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, but only part of the route: VIA Rail's "Skeena" train from Prince Rupert to Jasper, and two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops. The rest of the route is by ferry and coach.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent tour, with a self-guided free day in Prince Rupert alongside included tours in Victoria, the Icefields Parkway, and Banff.
Which trains are used?
VIA Rail's "Skeena" train and the Rocky Mountaineer.
What is not included?
Only 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches are included across the 12 nights; airport transportation, most meals, and several rail, ferry, and transfer connections in Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Prince George, and Jasper are not included.
When does it run?
The operator lists 9 departures, from May to September, with base pricing quoted for June, July, and August travel.
Is whale watching included?
A whale watching tour in Victoria is included in the base itinerary, described as optional with a price reduction if it is not wanted.

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