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The Man in Seat 61

Canada's Rockies by train

The rocky mountaineer.

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In 1990, Canada's national rail operator VIA Rail sold off it's Rockies by daylight scenic train to a private company called Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, who renamed it The Rocky Mountaineer .  It's developed into a world-class travel experience operating on 3 different routes through the spectacular Canadian Rockies, with excellent on-board service.  In 1990 the trains carried 10,000 guests, they now carry over 100,000 each year.  Rocky Mountaineer offers regular departures April-October and you can buy one-way tickets.  This page is an insider's guide to the Rocky Mountaineer .

Routes, dates, times & tickets

What are the trains like?

What's the journey like, other trains in canada, which route to choose.

Rocky Mountaineer runs on 3 different routes.  Independent travellers can buy one-way or return tickets between Vancouver and either Banff or Jasper.  You can go eastbound or westbound as each route runs in both directions.  There's no real 'better' direction, as all the trains are designed to do all scenic sections in daylight.

Vancouver - Kamloops - Banff

Branded First Passage to the West, this is the route I'd recommend.  Formerly called the Kicking Horse route after the mountain pass it takes through the Rockies, this is by far the most historically-significant of the 3 routes as it travels over Canada's first trans-continental line opened in 1885, the famous Canadian Pacific Railway .  It's Rocky Mountaineer's original route which they started running in 1990 when the last regular passenger trains on this line were discontinued.  Rocky Mountaineer is now the only passenger train over this famous & historic Canadian Pacific line. 

It's also arguably the most scenic route to choose, as the Canadian Pacific route between Vancouver & Banff has always been considered more scenic than the later Canadian National route between Vancouver & Jasper, although the two routes share the same tracks between Vancouver & Kamloops.  You'll run along the wonderfully-scenic Fraser & Thompson rivers,  pass the site of the 1885 Last Spike and the Continental Divide, cross the much-photographed Stoney Creek bridge, and pass the pretty station at Lake Louise, Morant's Curve (where countless Canadian Pacific publicity photos were taken) and Castle Mountain.  You're likely to see bald eagles, ospreys, and maybe black bears or even grizzly bears .

The Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West route runs 3 times a week in each direction from mid-April to mid-October, the journey takes 2 full days with an overnight hotel stop in Kamloops included in the fare.  The train used to run to/from Calgary, but currently only runs to/from Banff.

Vancouver - Kamloops - Jasper

Branded Journey through the Clouds, it was formerly called the Yellowhead route after the mountain pass it takes through the Rockies.  This route uses the second and later of Canada's two great trans-continental railways, the Canadian Northern line opened in 1917, nationalised in 1921 as part of Canadian National Railways.  Between Vancouver & Kamloops the Journey Through the Clouds & First Passage to the West routes are exactly the same - indeed, the two trains sometimes run coupled together.  Also note that this route and the Rainforest to Goldrush route share the few miles of line past Mount Robson and through the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper.  So if you want to make a circular tour, the best combination avoiding duplication is probably the First Passage to the West route Vancouver-Banff, then by bus between Jasper & Banff calling at the Columbia Icefields, then the Rainforest to Goldrush route between Jasper & Vancouver (you can go in either direction).  

The Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through the Clouds route runs twice a week from mid-April to mid-October, the journey takes 2 full days with an overnight hotel stop in Kamloops included in the fare.

Incidentally, Rocky Mountaineer's Journey through the Clouds train takes exactly the same route as VIA Rail's Toronto-Jasper-Vancouver Canadian which runs several times per week all year round .  If you're on a budget, an economy class seat on the Canadian between Vancouver & Jasper starts at around $164 versus over $1,000 on the Rocky Mountaineer , making it a much cheaper way to travel through the Rockies by train between Vancouver & Jasper.  However, the Canadian runs day & night (sleeping-cars are available) so it passes half the scenery in daylight, the rest in darkness.  The Rocky Mountaineer runs the whole route in daylight with an overnight hotel stop in Kamloops so you don't miss any scenery, and of course on-board food & drink is included.

Vancouver - Whistler - Quesnel - Jasper

Branded Rainforest to Goldrush , formerly the Fraser Discovery route , this journey is all about getting off the beaten track into gold-rush and timber country, rather than taking a famous trans-continental rail line.  It takes you along the mighty Fraser River over the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE), started in 1885 and only fully completed in 1952 - no wonder it was nicknamed the Prince George Eventually!  The scenery is truly wonderful, especially the Fraser River canyon, and you may see bald eagles, ospreys and black bears or even grizzly bears .  It runs roughly once a week from mid-April to mid-October, and the journey takes 3 full days with 2 overnight hotel stops at Whistler & Quesnel included in the fare.  Until 2015 this train used to start from Whistler, with passengers using the 5-days-a-week Whistler Mountaineer between North Vancouver & Whistler, but the latter train was sadly discontinued in 2016.  On the plus side, the main Rainforest to Goldrush train now runs direct to and from North Vancouver station and you still get half a day at leisure to explore Whistler, a ski resort and sort of Canadian Zermatt.

Red = Rocky Mountaineer.   Dark Blue = VIA Rail

Light blue = Amtrak .   K = Kamloops

Departures, timetable & fares

First passage to the west.

* The day of the week varies, so always check departures with www.rockymountaineer.com for your dates of travel.  The train no longer serves Calgary.

Silver Leaf starts at $1,247 inc tax, Gold Leaf starts at $1,705 inc tax.

Journey through the Clouds

* The day of the week varies, so check departures with www.rockymountaineer.com for your dates of travel.

Rainforest to Goldrush

You can check departure dates, times & fares at www.rockymountaineer.com .

Silver Leaf starts at $1,721 inc tax, Gold Leaf starts at $2,337 inc tax.

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How to buy tickets

Book it with Railbookers :  Train travel specialist Railbookers can sometimes get special rates for the Rocky Mountaineer when added to hotels at one or both ends, they can also arrange VIA Rail & Amtrak tickets.  In my opinion their package combining VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper with the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver is the ultimate trans-Canada experience.

  US call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com .

  canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com .,   uk call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk .,   australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au .,   new zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website ..

You can also book with Rocky Mountaineer at www.rockymountaineer.com .

Escorted tours

If you'd prefer to see Canada by train on an escorted tour with a convivial group of travellers rather than travelling solo or independently, there are the two UK companies which arrange escorted tours across Canada by VIA Rail's Canadian and the Rocky Mountaineer on various dates through the year.  Both companies are part of the same group.

What's the train like?

The Rocky Mountaineer offers two classes of service on each of its routes, Silver Leaf & Gold Leaf .

Which class to choose? 

The Man in Seat 61 says, "The Silver Leaf panorama cars are excellent, food & wine is included, and the scenery is exactly the same as you'd see in Gold Leaf.  The cost alone may decide for you, and you'll be very happy with your choice if you go Silver Leaf.  That said, there are three reasons to consider paying more for Gold Leaf:  First, you sit up high in the double-deck Gold Leaf cars, which can give you a better view over trees and so on.  Second, the food is more extensive, served in a restaurant rather than at your seat.  Third, there's an open air viewing platform, meaning reflection-free photos - for me the incident with the bear proved the value of that viewing platform, nothing between me and a grizzly..."  Take a virtual tour inside the Rocky Mountaineer .

Silver Leaf

Silver Leaf service was introduced in 2011, and replaced the cheaper Red Leaf service on all routes from 2016.  Silver Leaf passengers travel in a single-deck dome car with huge panoramic windows.  The fare includes breakfast and lunch with complimentary beer or wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

This is the premium option.  It's not cheap, and the scenery is the same as you'll see in Silver Leaf, but the onboard experience is excellent and more than meets expectations.  Is it worth the extra over Silver Leaf?  If you can afford it, yes, because of the food, wine, service, and not least, those upper level glass domes give the best all-round view of the Canadian Rockies you can get.

Gold Leaf passengers travel in modern purpose-built double-deck dome cars.  Upstairs under the glass roof there are 72 reclining seats with loads of legroom an drop-down tables.  Downstairs, reached by spiral staircase or wheelchair lift there are toilets, kitchens, a 36-seat restaurant for breakfast & lunch, and a small open-air viewing platform for fresh air and reflection-free photography.

A pair of attendants in each coach provide live commentary and keep the snacks and complimentary alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks flowing.  Rocky Mountaineer's excellent own-label Sumoc Ridge merlot is very easy to drink - all too easy, really.

Breakfast & lunch are served downstairs in the restaurant in two sittings, included in the fare.  There's a choice of excellent main courses freshly prepared in the kitchen and served on real china.  Lunch comes complete with Rocky Mountaineer's own-label British Columbian red or white wine.

All passengers get a copy of the 'Rocky Mountaineer newspaper', which features a route guide listing points of interest along the way (referenced by mile post), a map, and information about the train, the history of the route, and the wildlife you might see.

The fare includes a hotel room for the overnight stop, and transfers by motor coach to and from the hotel.

Virtual tour

This excellent virtual tour by Willy Kaemena shows the train in its latest form, with its latest blue and gold colour scheme.

Boarding in Vancouver

If you travel from Vancouver towards Kamloops, Jasper or Banff, see location map of the Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver station .  It is located in a former goods yard a little way behind the main Vancouver Pacific Central station used by VIA & Amtrak.  When you arrive you'll find complimentary tea & coffee available, and a row of check-in desks for Silver and Gold Leaf.  Note that the Rainforest to Goldrush route via Qesnel leaves from North Vancouver station .

This section gives you a flavour of what there is to see on each route.  The route guide in your Rocky Mountaineer newspaper on board the train lists these and other highlights, quoting the nearest milepost - the mileposts are black numbers on small white signs placed next to the track every mile.  The miles reset to zero at every railway divisional point.  Approximate times are used here to give you a better idea of the journey.

First Passage to the West :  Banff to Vancouver

This is the most historic and arguably most scenic route operated by the Rocky Mountaineer, previously known as the Kicking Horse route.  It takes the original Canadian Pacific Railway through the Rockies, opened in 1885, indeed it is now the only passenger train operating over the original Canadian Pacific trans-continental line.  You can make the journey in either direction, between Vancouver and Banff, a resort town in the Rockies.  It no longer extends to or from the big city of Calgary.  This account shows a westbound journey, note that the departure times have changed slightly since I made this trip, with an earlier departure from Banff, and that the train is shown here in its earlier colour scheme, with red leaf cars ahead of the gold leaf domes, rather than (as now) silver leave cars.

08:40  Banff station:   Originally known simply as 'siding 29' on the Canadian Pacific Railway, Lord Strathcona named it 'Banff' after his home town in Scotland in 1880.  Banff station is just a few minutes walk from the town centre and 30 minutes walk from the best place to stay in Banff, the famous Banff Springs Hotel .  The station building dates from 1910, a replacement for the original 1886 log cabin.  If you're joining the train here, you check in at the Rocky Mountaineer desk placed just outside the station waiting room, you're given your seat allocation and your luggage is taken from you - it goes by the truck seen in the photo above and will arrive at your overnight hotel in Kamloops before you do. Tea and coffee are available inside the waiting room until the train arrives.  The train left around 09:00 (current departure time is a couple of hours earlier, see the timetable above ).

09:30  Castle Mountain (above right):  On leaving Banff, the train winds through the pine trees along the Bow River, with snow-capped mountains on either side of the broad valley.  Look out for the impressive and imposing Castle Mountain to your right, around milepost 99.  It's an appropriate name!

10:10  Morant's Curve:   At milepost 113, 3 miles east of Lake Louise, the train snakes through what has become known as 'Morant's Curve', although strangely it isn't mentioned anywhere in the Rocky Mountaineer route guide or on any map.  Nicholas Morant was a photographer with the publicity department of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and this was one of his favourite spots for taking PR shots of CPR trains.  If you've ever had a 'railway encyclopaedia' or 'boys book of trains', the chances are that it has an illustration of a Canadian passenger or freight train on 'Morant's Curve', and even today, many of Rocky Mountaineer's brochure photos are taken here.  The other classic location for PR shots of Canadian trains in the Rockies is the Stoney Creek bridge, which we'll come to later.

10:15  Lake Louise:   The Rocky Mountaineer passes the beautiful 'log cabin' style station at Lake Louse, on the left on a track slightly lower than the one that westbound trains now use.  Lake Louise station was used for the station scenes in the film 'Dr Zhivago'.  The lake itself is up in the mountains, out of sight.  The train now crosses and briefly runs alongside Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway.

10:25  Continental Divide (above left):  A small monument and wooden sign on the left mark the Continental Divide, and the boundary between Alberta & British Columbia.  Rainwater falling east of the divide flows to the Atlantic, rainwater falling to the west makes its way to the Pacific.  It's the highest point on the trip, 5,332 feet above sea level.  Travelling west, you now put your watch back an hour, as BC is an hour behind Alberta.

09:40 (BC time)  Spiral Tunnels:   The train passes Wapta Lake and enters the first of the two famous 'Spiral Tunnels'.  Inside the Upper Spiral Tunnel, the train describes a complete spiral and emerges further down the mountainside, facing the opposite way.  The train then crosses the deep wooded valley and plunges into the Lower Spiral Tunnel to descend even further.  Long freight trains can even cross over themselves here!  There's a cut-away diagram of the spiral tunnels in your route guide, and the commentary from your carriage attendant will explain it, but it's still disorientating.  The spiral tunnels were built in 1907, replacing a dangerously steep section of line known as the 'Big Hill', where many CPR trains and staff came to grief.

10:15  Kicking Horse Canyon:   The train calls at Field, an important operating centre for the Canadian Pacific Railway, then heads through the Kicking Horse canyon, crossing and re-crossing the Kicking Horse river several times.  The river is narrow, fast running, and blue with meltwater sediment.  The train follows the Kicking Horse river for 30 scenic miles, with many bridges and tunnels.

11:40  Rocky Mountain Trench:   The train now runs through a wide flat valley full of pines - the Rocky Mountain Trench.  The Columbia River is on the left.

13:00  Stoney Creek bridge:   This is the other classic location for illustrations of trains crossing Canada.  It's a beautiful arched steel girder bridge at milepost 76.2, 484 feet long and 325 feet above the creek bed below, built in 1929.  It's the latest of three bridges built on this spot.  The approach to the bridge is dead straight, so there's little opportunity to see or photograph the bridge, and although the line curves sharply to the left immediately afterwards there are so many trees in the way that it's still difficult to get a clear view of the bridge.  A new tunnel (the 9-mile long MacDonald Tunnel) was built in 1988 to increase capacity by by-passing both the Stoney Creek Bridge and the shorter 1916-built Connaught Tunnel, but the Rocky Mountaineer deliberately takes the original route.

15:55  The Last Spike:   The train passes Craigellachie, where on 7 November 1885 the last ceremonial rail spike was driven in, completing the Canadian Pacific Railway and linking Montreal to Vancouver by rail.  Here there's a monument and small museum by the tracks, on the right hand side.

16:20  Lake Shuswap & Osprey Alley:   The train passes Sicamous, 'The houseboat capital of the world' and for some miles runs along the shore of the huge and beautiful Lake Shuswap.  It passes 'Osprey alley', a long line of osprey nests in the tops of telegraph poles and trees by the lake.  Watch out for bald eagles, too.  After Lake Shuswap comes Lake Mara.

18:50.  The mountain give way to gentle hills along the South Thompson River.  The hills are volcanic, but at their feet lie sandstone mounds or 'hoodoos', which are the moraines left by ancient glaciers.  The country is more arid here, rocky and sandy with fewer trees, very different from the morning's scenery.

19:55 Kamloops:   The train pulls into Kamloops for its overnight stop.  Motor coaches meet the train and transfer passengers to their hotels.  There is a choice of two evening entertainment shows (with food) whilst in Kamloops, both bookable through Rocky Mountaineer, but don't overestimate how sprightly you'll feel on arrival at your hotel at 8pm after a day travelling with so much to take in.  Banff to Kamloops is 309 miles.

----- day 2 -----

07:20  Kamloops: Motor coaches pick you up from the hotel and transfer passengers to the station.  You may find a longer train than the one you left last night, as the Journey through the Clouds train from Jasper is usually coupled up to the First Passage to the West train between Kamloops & Vancouver.  This is the main Kamloops station, VIA Rail's Toronto-Kamloops-Vancouver Canadian uses the smaller Kamloops North.  263 miles to Vancouver, says the station sign.

07:55  The Rocky Mountaineer leaves Kamloops, combined with the Jasper-Vancouver train.  It veers right and crosses the Thompson River onto Indian ('first nation') territory, passing a small wooden church on the left that was allegedly used in the film 'Unforgiven' with Clint Eastwood.

Canadian National or Canadian Pacific?   Between Kamloops & Vancouver, the 1885 Canadian Pacific (CP) and the later 1917 Canadian National (CN) trans-continental routes run parallel, usually on opposite sides of the river.  For the first 58 miles west of Kamloops, the Rocky Mountaineer uses CN tracks in both directions, but between Basque and Vancouver there is 'directional running' where CN & CP co-operate, sending all westbound trains including the westbound Rocky Mountaineer down CN tracks on one side of the river, and all eastbound trains including the eastbound Rocky Mountaineer down the CP tracks on the other side.  You see the same scenery, of course, from a slightly different angle, but if you really want to travel on the original 1885 CP tracks (almost) all the way between Vancouver and Banff, you'll need to take an eastbound Rocky Mountaineer.

08:40 Kamloops Lake:   The train runs along the shore of Kamloops Lake - watch out for more bald eagles, and for the coloured rocks at 'Painted Bluff' on the right.

09:25  The train reaches the end of the lake and runs alongside the Thompson River.  The countryside here is even more arid than before - indeed, it passes Ashcroft, the driest town in Canada.

10:35  Black Canyon:   The train passes 'Black Canyon', a section of black lava cliff on the right, with the Thompson river on the left.  After Black Canyon Tunnel, the Rocky Mountaineer crosses the Thompson on a steel girder bridge.

11:30  The scenery now changes again, from dry & sandy back to rocky with pine trees.  The train enters the Thompson River canyon, with CP tracks one side of the river, CN tracks on the other side.

11:55  Avalanche alley (above right) :  The Rocky Mountaineer travels at the very edge of the river under a sheer cliff wall with avalanche protection sheds in several places.  One section of the rock wall is attractively coloured, known as 'rainbow canyon'.

12:05  Confluence of Thompson & Fraser Rivers:   Just after Lytton the train curves to the left over a bridge across the Fraser River.  The confluence of Thompson & Fraser rivers is now on the right.

12:15 Cisco crossing:   At Cisco, CP and CN tracks swap sides of the river.  The CN line crosses first on an distinctive orange-painted girder bridge (above right), the CP tracks then crossing in the opposite direction on a squared-off black steel bridge lower down (above left, lower picture).  Being the first, the CP engineers built their line down whichever was the easier side of the canyon, the later CN engineers had to made do with the opposite, trickier side.

13:35 Hell's Gate:   This is the narrowest and fastest-flowing point of the Fraser River.  On the right on the far bank is the Hell's Gate cafe, with a suspension footbridge across the river below the train and a cable car over the river and up the mountain.

15:15:  We're no longer right next to the Fraser River, which has become very broad.  The train is in a wide flat valley, with farms and greenhouses starting to appear.  The historic site of Fort Langley is just visible through the trees on the left.

16:50  Approaching Vancouver:   The train slows through the freight cars in Thornton Yard, finally curving right over a very long, low steel bridge across the Fraser River with a much higher arched road bridge on the left, which also carries the Vancouver 'Skytrain' metro.  Once across the river the Rocky Mountaineer curves sharply right again, weaving its way through the Vancouver suburbs.

17:40  Arrival at Vancouver:   We've travelled 594 miles from Banff.  Pictured above, the Rocky Mountaineer rolls past the Rocky Mountaineer terminal (on the right, with the buses parked outside).  It then slowly reverses back into it.  The Rocky Mountaineer terminal is a block away from the Pacific Central station where VIA Rail's Canadian arrives.  Rocky Mountaineer's impressive and spacious terminal building was once a diesel locomotive maintenance shed.

Journey through the Clouds :  Jasper to Vancouver via Kamloops

This train travels over the second trans-continental line built across Canada, the Canadian National route between Jasper (in Jasper National Park) and Vancouver, opened in 1917.    Originally known as the Yellowhead route , it's been marketed as the Journey through the Clouds since 2010.

The Rocky Mountaineer leaves Jasper station around 8am, and heads up through the Yellowhead Pass.  This is the easiest pass through the Rockies (in other words the lowest, at 3,718 feet above sea level).  The Canadian Pacific chose a more difficult route through the Kicking Horse pass to the south because of political tensions between Canada and the USA at the time, and a desire to safeguard Canadian territory.

Look out for the highlight of the trip, views of snow-capped Mount Robson to the right of the train.  At 12,972 feet it's the highest mountain in the Rockies.

After running alongside Moose Lake, the train crosses the Fraser River.

For almost 20 miles, the train passes some of Canada's most magnificent mountains in the Premier range, named after early Canadian prime ministers.

The train passes the site marked by a small cairn, where 12 members of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery were killed when two CN trains collided.

The train passes Pyramid Falls (see photo above), where water cascades 300 feet beside the tracks.

The train arrives at Kamloops and passengers stay overnight in a hotel, included in the fare.

Between Jasper & Kamloops the Journey through the Clouds takes exactly the same route as VIA Rail's Canadian , which also (if it's on time, of course...) does this section in daylight, before continuing through the night to Vancouver.  So see the Jasper-Kamloops photos on the Toronto-Vancouver Canadian page .

On day 2 the Journey through the Clouds travels from Kamloops to Vancouver coupled to the First Passage West , see the Kamloops-Vancouver photos above .

Rainforest to Goldrush:   North Vancouver - Whistler -Quesnel - Jasper

This is a less well-known but remarkable route, through the gold rush & timber country of the Cariboo.  Until 2010 this route was marketed as the Fraser Discovery route and until 2015 it started at Whistler and you had to take Rocky Mountaineer's Sea to Sky Climb train between North Vancouver & Whistler, which was also useful for local journeys as it ran 5 times a week and could be used by people just going to Whistler.  Unfortunately, Rocky Mountaineer have discontinued their Vancouver-Whistler train, instead from 2016 the main Rainforest to Goldrush train will start from North Vancouver.

06:15 - 07:15:  Passengers are collected by motor coach from central Vancouver hotels, and driven through Stanley Park and across the Lion's Gate Bridge to the North Vancouver station, a simple siding a block or two away from the original BC Rail passenger station.  BC Rail stopped normal passenger service on his route in 1999.

07:30 Leaving Vancouver:   After leaving North Vancouver, the train passes right under the Lion's Gate Bridge and over a girder bridge across the Capilano River (Vancouver's famous Capilano footbridge, www.capbridge.com , is out of sight further up the valley).  Breakfast is served.

The train runs alongside the sea (on left hand side) until it heads off into the mountains.  It passes through the mile-long Horseshoe Bay Tunnel, built to eliminate a difficult section of line around the headland, emerging onto the banks of Howe Sound.  For some miles the train run along the banks of this beautiful sound (also on left hand side) past the BC Ferries terminal serving the islands.  The trains passes waterfalls and an old copper mine, once the largest copper mine in the British Empire and now a museum.

09:50 Cheakamus Canyon:   The train starts to climb, away from Howe Sound up into the hills.  This is the most scenic part of the journey, as the train passes over several high trestle bridges along the Cheakamus canyon (pictured, above) with the narrow fast-flowing river way down below. 

The train passes over the top of 195-feet-high Brandywine Falls.

11:30 Whistler:   The train arrives at Whistler station.  This is in the Creekside area of Whistler, near Nita Lake.  A fleet of buses meets the train and transfers passengers to their hotels in Whistler Village a mile or two away.  You now have the afternoon and evening free to explore Whistler, and you stay there in a hotel overnight.  Whistler is one of Canada's biggest ski resorts, a sort of North American Zermatt.  Cable cars run up the mountains, seaplanes run scenic flights, and there are many outdoor activities in both summer and winter.  The centre of Whistler village is pedestrianised, with many bars and restaurants.

07:30 Leaving Whistler:   The Rocky Mountaineer train leaves Whistler at 07:30 on day 1.  Whistler station is in the Creekside area of Whistler between Alta and Nita lakes, a few minutes' taxi or motor coach transfer from Whistler village itself.  Check-in opens at 06:30, you hand over your luggage (which travels by road) and you are given a boarding card with seat allocation.

08:10 Green River, Birkenhead River:   Breakfast is served as you pass through snow-capped mountains and run alongside the Green River.  The scenery is beautiful, although there are still houses and occasional timber yards here, not to mention a few power pylons!  The Green River soon gives way to the Birkenhead River, also on the right, but flowing in the opposite direction.

08:35 Nairn Falls:   The train crosses a low bridge just above the top of a waterfall in the pine trees, Nairn Falls.

10:00 Anderson Lake:   The train skirts the blue waters of Anderson Lake right by the water along the cliffs.  The tracks follow the shore for 15 miles, with many photo opportunities.

10:30 Seton Lake:   The train passes the end of Anderson Lake and crosses the spit of land known as Seton Portage separating it from another lake, Lake Seton.  Originally one big lake, lakes Anderson and Seton were separated by a landslide over 1,000 years ago.  Lake Seton is a luminous turquoise colour, an effect caused by the sediment washed down by meltwater from the mountains.  The train passes the BC Hydro Bridge River hydro electric plant and a timber yard.

11:20 Lillooet:   Lillooet is a major railway town, and there's a 10-minute locomotive crew rest stop here in the freight yards.

11:35 Fraser River Canyon:   After leaving Lillooet, the train crosses the wide and brown Fraser River on a massive and dramatic girder bridge, 800 feet long and 190 feet above the river.  Immediately after the bridge the train snakes left onto the Fraser's left bank and starts climbing a steep 2.2% gradient for the next 30 miles.  It's one of the longest sustained 2.2% rail gradients in America.  This 30 mile stretch is the highlight of the trip:  The train follows the Fraser River canyon, high up on the mountainside with the river far below.  The sheer scale of the canyon is spectacular.  There are few trees, the landscape is arid an sandy here.

13:00 Cariboo Plateau:   The train finally leaves the Fraser River canyon.  It's now on the Cariboo plateau, and pine trees make a welcome reappearance.  These are the gentle rolling hills of cattle country.

16:00-17:00:  Still on the Cariboo plateau, this is also timber country.  You can smell the sawdust from the many lumber yards.  You pass Lac La Hache and Williams Lake.

18:00 Deep Creek Bridge:   1,194 feet long, 312 feet high, one of the highest rail bridges in North America (in fact, only the Stoney Creek bridge on the Banff-Vancouver route is higher).  You pass many cattle ranches, and can spot many deer in the wooded areas.

20:00 Quesnel:   The train passes lumber yards and the occasional osprey nesting in telegraph poles or tall trees, and arrives at Quesnel (pronounced 'kwanell') for the overnight hotel stop.  Quesnel is the local centre for the Cariboo, and if you've never seen small-town Canada it's well worth an evening wander.  This is easier to do if you're at a town centre hotel such as the Best Western, less easy if you're in a hotel a few miles out (Gold Leaf passengers are currently bussed a few miles out to the Sandman's hotel in an industrial/retail area).  Personally, I'd suggest requesting the town-centre Best Western even if you're in Gold Leaf.  In Quesnel you'll find the longest wooden truss footbridge in the world across the wide and fast-flowing Fraser River, pictured above right - check out the steak house & pub on the hill the other side!  There's also a Greek restaurant, a casino built to look like an old paddle steamer, and a gift shop by the river that's often open in the evenings when the train arrives.  There's a town museum (complete with allegedly haunted doll 'Mandy') which you may or may not find open when the train comes in.

----- day 3 -----

07:40 Leaving Quesnel:   Motor coaches transfer you from the hotel around 06:45, and the Rocky Mountaineer leaves Quesnel around 07:40 when everyone is on board.

08:00 Cottonwood Bridge:   The train crosses the dramatic Cottonwood bridge, 1,023 feet long and 236 feet high, over a valley full of pine trees with a river racing beneath.  The bridge was only completed in 1952, the last major link in the railway from Vancouver to Prince George and Prince Rupert.  The 'last spike' was driven in 8 miles further on, at the slightly smaller Abhau Creek bridge, on 31 October 1952.  Since they started building the line in 1912, it was no wonder the Pacific Great Eastern Railway became known locally as the 'Prince George Eventually'!

09:10:  The Fraser River is sighted again, on the left.  Endless pines and birch trees, and the odd sawmill including a fully automated one at Dunkly.

10:20  Prince George (almost!):   The Rocky Mountaineer makes slow progress through the yards approaching Prince George.  The train heads for a long low steel bridge across the Fraser into Prince George, which is the route passengers trains (when there were any) would normally take.  But immediately before the bridge the train turns right at a triangular junction onto the line leading out of Prince George towards Jasper.  The train is no longer on the Pacific Great Eastern but on the Grand Trunk Pacific.  The GTP is Canada's third trans-continental line, built from Jasper through Prince George to the pacific ocean at the port of Prince Rupert.  Although not in the same league as Vancouver, much freight is still shipped overseas via Prince Rupert.  The GTP was nationalised after its bankruptcy in 1921 and is now part of Canadian National Railways.

12:30:  Lunch is served as the train enters the Rocky Mountain trench, a wide valley between the mountains.  The train follows the meandering brown river through the pines and birches.

16:00:  The train passes McBride, with agriculture now in evidence across the valley.

17:50 Mount Robson:   Another highlight of the trip, the train passes Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Rockies at 12,972 feet.  The Rocky Mountaineer Journey through the Clouds route also passes this spot, so gets this same view of Mt Robson, as does VIA Rail's Toronto-Vancouver Canadian .

18:10:  The Fraser river is now narrower, cleaner and greener.  The valley narrows, with snow-capped mountains on each side. 

18:50 Yellowhead Pass:   The train joins the Jasper-Kamloops-Vancouver main line, and passes through the Yellowhead Pass.  This is the easiest and lowest pass through the Rockies at 3,718 feet above sea level.  The train crosses from British Columbia into Alberta, and the clocks go forward an hour.

20:30 (19:30 BC time) Jasper:   The train arrives at Jasper, at the heart of Jasper National Park.  The station is right at the front of this small town, which grew up around the railway.  Jasper station is used by two Rocky Mountaineer routes and VIA Rail's Toronto-Jasper-Vancouver Canadian .

Bear! bear! bear !

You may see ospreys, bald eagles and deer from the train, and if you're lucky maybe a bear or two.  There are two sorts of bear, black bears are more common, grizzly bears less so.  Keep your eyes peeled!  In Jasper, you'll see many elk just wandering about the outskirts of the town.  Below, the best bear sighting they've had for several years on the Rainforest to Goldrush route, approaching Jasper near Mt Robson.

G uidebooks

Buy Rough Guide from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Or buy direct from the Lonely Planet website , with shipping worldwide.

The Trans-Canada Rail Guide

Trailblazer's Trans-Canada Rail Guide is well worth buying if you're planning a trans-Canada train trip.  It will help you plan your journey, and best of all it includes mile-by-mile lineside route guides showing what to see from the train on all the main VIA Rail & Rocky Mountaineer services.  Buy in the UK from Amazon.co.uk .  Buy in the USA from Amazon.com

Recommended hotels

In vancouver:  fairmont vancouver hotel.

In the centre of downtown Vancouver, next to Christ Church Cathedral and only a few blocks from the Waterfront, the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel is a former railway hotel.  It was started by Canadian National Railways but completed in partnership with rival Canadian Pacific, opened in 1939 by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  It's another iconic Canadian chateau-style hotel, a true Vancouver landmark.  And if your budget will stretch, Fairmont won't disappoint.

If you want something cheaper, try the St Regis Hotel , also excellently located downtown and also a historic Vancouver landmark, opened in 1913.

In Jasper:  Fairmont Jasper Lodge

First established in 1915 in association with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad, it became a Canadian National Railway hotel in the 1920s.  Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe, and members of the British Royal family including King George IV and the Queen have stayed here.  It's on Lake Beauvert, a 9 minute drive from Jasper station.

In Banff:  Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Another famous classic hotel, originally built & owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and designed in the style of a Scottish castle.  If your budget will stretch, it's the most celebrated hotel in Banff and an experience in itself.

Flights to Canada

Overland travel around Canada by train & bus is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground!  But a long-haul flight might be unavoidable to reach Canada in the first place.  To compare prices for flights to Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, check Skyscanner .

Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think!  See www.loungepass.com .

Back to home page

Rockies Southern Rail Excursion

5 days, 4 nights rocky mountaineer rail & coach tour.

Vancouver → Kamloops  → Lake Louise →Banff →  Calgary

Embark on a rail journey from Vancouver to Calgary aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, traversing the Canadian Pacific Railway’s historic paths. Witness the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels, and the natural splendour of Rogers Pass. Once in the Rockies, a guided coach tour offers an immersive experience in the stunning landscapes of Banff and Lake Louise. Every moment aboard this trip from Vancouver to Calgary is a luxurious adventure you’ll never forget.

Book Early And Save Up to $500 Per Couple

• Tour Features
• Day 1 – 2: Rocky Mountaineer 2-day train trip from Vancouver to Lake Louise
• Day 3 – 4: Sightseeing in Banff and Jasper National Parks
• Day 5: Banff to Calgary by motorcoach
• Hotel:  4 nights of hotel accommodation
• Meals:  5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
• Luggage handling: Kamloops
• Rail station transfers:  Lake Louise and Kamloops
• Excursions/Activities**:  Banff Gondola ride, Ice Explorer tour, Glacier Skywalk, Johnston Canyon (some departures)
• Other: Toll fee & Park Pass
• Rail Service: GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf
• Departure Year

2024                   2025

2024 SILVERLEAF SERVICE

2024 GOLDLEAF SERVICE

*All Prices are in Canadian Dollars

• Hotels included
• Banff (2 nights):  Aspen Lodge or similar
• Lake Louise:  Lake Louise Inn or Post Hotel (upgrade to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise available for an additional cost – subject to availability)
• Kamloops : Hotels are assigned by Rocky Mountaineer
• Banff (2 nights):  The Rimrock Resort Hotel (Deluxe View Room)
• Lake Louise:  Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Fairmont Lakeview Room)
• Tour Schedule

2025 SILVERLEAF SERVICE

2025 GOLDLEAF SERVICE

• Tour Itinerary

Departure : 7:30  am Arrival : 6:30 – 7:30 p m

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC Interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.  [B] [L]

Departure : 6:25  am Arrival : 6:00 – 7:30  pm

Your journey continues eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again, you will experience ever-changing scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in Lake Louise. Overnight in Lake Louise. [B] [L]

Today, you have two options to choose from. You can join our guided Icefield Parkway excursion, which includes an exciting interpretive Ice Explorer tour on Athabasca Glacier and a visit to the breathtaking Glacier Skywalk. Alternatively, you can spend the day at your leisure, exploring the charming town of Lake Louise. Overnight in Banff [B]

Departure : 8:30  a m Arrival : 6:00 – 7:00  p m

Get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing and activities in Banff National Park. We will start the day with a hike (optional) to the beautiful waterfalls of Johnston Canyon. At Lake Louise, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to capture stunning photos of Victoria Glacier and the lake as you stroll along the shores. In the afternoon, we will explore other highlights of the Rockies, including Moraine Lake, Banff Springs Hotel, and Bow Falls. Don’t forget to take advantage of the gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view of Banff town and its surrounding beauty Overnight in Banff. [B]

Departure :  Starting from 6:30 am (many departures)  Arrival : Approximately 2 and a half hours

Leaving Banff, you’ll head east on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), bidding farewell to the majestic peaks and alpine scenery. Calgary showcases the transition from the mountainous terrain to the rolling foothills and eventually the open prairies. The landscape becomes more expansive, with wide-open spaces and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. [B]

Enjoy free time in the heart of downtown Calgary.

Tour Variations for Day 5: 1. Extend your stay in Lake Louise/Banff. Extra accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost. Flexible departure to Calgary.

2. Fly to your  next destination from Calgary. 

*  Optional activities

★★ Included in the tour package for bookings made after July 1st, 2023 ★ Departure and arrival times may vary [B]  = Breakfast [L]  = Lunch [D]  = Dinner 

Premium Accommodation

• Banff (2 nights): The Rimrock Resort Hotel (Deluxe View Room)
• Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Fairmont Lakeview Room)
• Kamloops : Hotels are assigned by Rocky Mountaineer

Standard Accommodation

• Banff (2 nights): Aspen Lodge or similar
• Lake Louise: Lake Louise Inn (upgrade to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise available for an additional cost – subject to availability)

While you are on the tour, you have the chance to experience the unique beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Although optional, our mountain tour guides recommend following activities to enhance your Canadian Rockies experience:

– Columbia Ice Explorer Tour – Glacier Skywalk – Sulphur Mountain (Banff) Gondola Ride – Canoeing on Lake Louise – Upper Hot Springs

For more information on above activities (and their costs), click  HERE .

Relax and enjoy unparalleled panoramic views from a custom-designed, two level, glass-domed GoldLeaf coach. Included is an outdoor viewing area and premium dining options prepared by on-board chefs.

Take in the awe-inspiring scenery through the windows of a custom-designed, single-level dome coach. Dinner will be served at your seat and complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided to you throughout the journey.

FAQ’S

Pent-up demand for 2023 Canadian vacations has been extremely high, and we highly recommend that you book your seats as early as possible

Hotel pick-up is available from select downtown hotels to the Rocky Mountaineer train station.

Standard hotels are mountain lodge-style while deluxe hotels are resort-style. The majority of our guests choose standard accommodation as these hotels are very clean and comfortable, and travellers will get their own private room and washroom. Travellers who book deluxe accommodation often do so because they want to stay at Chateau Lake Louise. If you want to book deluxe accommodation, be sure to book early as these hotels sell out quickly – availability is limited within 6 months of departure!

Gratuities are not included in the prices, except for onboard the Rocky Mountaineer. It is customary to tip for excellent service in Canada.

This depends on the day. If you are travelling from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff, it will be a minimum of 10 hours. However, every 2-3 hours, you get out of the bus for mini breaks. During the sightseeing days, you will spend little time on the bus as you will be walking/sightseeing/hiking & etc.

“Excellent tour and saw amazing places and experienced lovely things. It met our needs of visiting the Rockies and was well priced for what it had offered. Well worth the money. Brad was very well spoken and knowledgeable with all the information he provided. He knew his information/history and provided us with all necessary information. Len was very friendly and professional one of the best drivers from a tour company we have experienced .”

 Ronald & Amanda Mallia Swansea,  NSW, Australia

• Photo Gallery
• Testimonials & Reviews
• News & Blog Posts
• Work With Us
• – Rocky Mountaineer Train Information –
• Rocky Mountaineer: Journey Through The Clouds
• Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West
• Rocky Mountaineer – Rainforest to Gold Rush
• – VIA Rail Train Information –
• VIA Rail ‘The Canadian’ Train
• Hotel Information
• Rocky Mountaineer Trains
• VIA Rail Trains
• Private Tours
• Custom Tours
• Tour Add-Ons
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Current Travel Updates
• Travel Insurance
• 4 Day Tour: Rockies Passage
• 5 Day Tour: Rockies Passage Plus
• 6 Day Tour: Rockies Essentials
• 7 Day Tour: Lake Louise Explorer
• 7 Day Tour: Rockies Nostalgic
• 7 Day Return Tour: Lake Louise Escape
• 8 Day Tour: Rockies Adventurer
• 9 Day Return Tour: Rockies Circle Essentials
• 9 Day Return Tour: Train Lover’s Dream
• 10 Day Tour: Rockies Relaxer
• 12 Day Return Tour: Rockies Circle Adventurer
• 13 Day Tour: Rockies Glaciers & Gardens
• – View All –
• 7 Day Canadian Nostalgic: Vancouver to Toronto
• 7 Day Canadian Nostalgic: Toronto to Vancouver
• 7 Day Canadian Prestige: Vancouver to Toronto
• 7 Day Canadian Prestige: Toronto to Vancouver
• 12 Day Canadian Adventurer: Vancouver to Toronto
• 12 Day Canadian Adventurer: Toronto to Vancouver
• 16 Day Canadian Trip of a Lifetime: Vancouver to Halifax
• 16 Day Canadian Trip of a Lifetime: Halifax to Vancouver
• Canadian Rockies Winter Tours
• Eastern Canada Tours
• Rockies Golf Tours
• Southwest USA Tours
• – Rocky Mountaineer Train Tickets –
• Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Banff Train
• Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver to Jasper Train
• Rocky Mountaineer: Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper Train
• Rocky Mountaineer: Banff to Vancouver Train
• Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper to Vancouver Train
• Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper, Whistler, Vancouver Train
• Submit Booking Request
• Request a Quote

Rockies Passage: Westbound

4 day rocky mountaineer train trip.

from Calgary/Banff to Vancouver

This quick 4-day tour takes you aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for two full days along the historic Canadian Pacific Railway route from Banff National Park to Vancouver. While enjoying world-class service you will see the most iconic of Canada’s landscapes: mountains, lakes, and waterfalls through the domed glass windows of the train. Included on either end of the trip is a hotel stay in Banff and Vancouver, as well as a complimentary shuttle service from Calgary to Banff at the start of the tour.

Travel Dates in 2024 & 2025

2024 start dates - westbound.

Starting on Sundays and Thursdays with occasional Mondays

2025 Start Dates - Westbound

Travel summary.

• Day 1: Arrival in Calgary and Scenic Transfer to Banff - overnight in Banff
• Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops - overnight in Kamloops
• Day 3 : Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver - overnight in Vancouver
• Day 4 : Vancouver Departure

What's Included

• 2 day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches onboard train
• 3 nights hotel accommodation
• Transfer from Calgary airport or downtown to Banff
• Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (select hotels in Vancouver and Banff only)
• Gratuities/tip for onboard train staff
• Independent Tour

Not Included

• Transportation to Vancouver airport (available, please ask for details)
• Meals, other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
• Gratuities/tip for hotel and transfer staff
• Canadian sales tax

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - arrival in calgary and scenic transfer to banff.

Arrive in Calgary and enjoy the scenery as you leave the city and transfer out to the mountains. The transfer to Banff takes approximately two hours. The resort town of Banff is located within Banff National Park, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll have some time to explore before spending the night in this charming mountain town.

Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops

Today your spectacular train journey commences. After a short transfer to the Banff Station, board the Rocky Mountaineer train. Toast a breathtaking trip through the Rockies with your hosts and enjoy an uncompromised view of the untouched landscapes our country is famous for.

Learning about landmarks like the Spiral Tunnels and Glacier National Park as you view them from your dome car will add a sense of awe to your ride. After a full day of mountain peaks, fine dining, and awe-inspiring views, a dramatic change of scenery will take place as you approach the drier environment of the city of Kamloops, your home for the night.

Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver

Today the mountains return and combine with thick fir forests and the Fraser River to create a spectacular setting for your second day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Today, one of the highlights will be passing by Hell’s Gate, a narrow canyon that transforms the Fraser River into a powerful surge of water rapids.

Arrive in Vancouver in the late afternoon and after checking into your hotel, take the time to wander through this incredible city on the west coast of Canada. Overnight in your hotel located in downtown Vancouver.

Day 4 - Vancouver Departure

Your tour ends once you’ve checked out of your hotel. Another incredible bucket list item has been added to your list of world travels. Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations!

4 Day Tour Pricing 2024 & 2025

• 2024 Prices
• 2025 Prices

2024 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

2025 pricing - canadian dollars.

*Book your 2025 Canada Rail Vacation now and receive 2024 pricing for 2025 travel **You’ll also receive complimentary hotel room upgrades where available

Please contact us for additional details

Pricing Details:

• Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars and are subject to an additional 5% Canadian sales tax.
• Prices are based on double occupancy. For single and triple sharing, please request a quote .
• To qualify for any current Specials , please request a quote .
• Upgrades to Premium hotel rooms (5 stars) and Private Tours/Transfers are available. Please  request a quote .

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APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Via Railway Experience｜5-Day Vancouver to Rockies Railway Full Experience Tour Departure

• Fully Guided
• Train & Rail
• Personalized

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Vancouver — VIA Rail
• Day 2 VIA Rail – Jasper – Maligne Lake – Maligne Canyon
• Day 3 Jasper — Athabasca Falls — Columbia Icefield (ice Explorer/ Glacier Skywalk) — Bow Lake — Peyto Lake
• Day 4 Lake Louise — Moraine Lake — Yoho — Spiral Tunnel — Emerald Lake — Natural Bridge
• Day 5 Banff Gondola — Johnston Canyon Walk — Bow Falls — Surprise Corner — Hoodoos — Banff Town

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Adventure Type

• Group of 50 travelers max.
• Fast booking confirmation
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Travel with like-minded people
• Travel with your own group of min. 1 travelers
• Choose your preferred dates and duration
• Upgrade your accommodation
• Customize the itineraries

Operated by Calgary Tours

Enriching your vacation with top-class service. Our professional and caring service teams are devoted to delivery the best trip experience. It is our goal to create remarkable memories for each customer.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Good 3.5
• Itinerary Excellent 4.5
• Guide Good 4.0
• Transport Excellent 4.5
• Accommodation Excellent 4.5
• Food Excellent 4.5
• Tour Operator Calgary Tours 4.2

• PJ Pamela · 11th August 2023 We enjoyed our tour very much, the sights were beautiful, staff we well informed. A highlight for us was the optional evening photographic tour. The only thing stopping me from giving five stars was the last day felt very rushed, especially at the Banff... Show more Trip date: July 2023

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• Friday 24 May, 2024 Tuesday 28 May, 2024 English, Chinese Multiple Room Types €973 Confirm Dates
• -5% Friday 31 May, 2024 Tuesday 4 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Multiple Room Types €973 €924 Confirm Dates
• Friday 7 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 11 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Sold Out €973 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 10 Jun, 2024 Friday 14 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Sold Out €1,006 Only Pay 10% Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 1 Other Unavailable Departure
• Friday 14 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 18 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Multiple Room Types €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates
• Monday 17 Jun, 2024 Friday 21 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Sold Out €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Friday 21 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 25 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Multiple Room Types €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates
• Monday 24 Jun, 2024 Friday 28 Jun, 2024 English, Chinese Multiple Room Types €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates
• Friday 28 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 2 Jul, 2024 English, Chinese Sold Out €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 1 Jul, 2024 Friday 5 Jul, 2024 English, Chinese Sold Out €973 Only Pay 10% Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency $ Canadian Dollar Canada

As a traveller from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 7th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 7th June 2024, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Calgary Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 40 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Calgary Tours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
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• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Everything you need to know about the train from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies

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Travellers who want to explore Canada's Rocky Mountains by train have several options from Vancouver. 

Three train companies offer service out of Pacific Central Station through the bucket-list destination, including Amtrak, the Rocky Mountaineer, and Via Rail.

While Amtrak has routes across North America, it uses Via Rail's trains through the Rockies. However, it packages them with other things, such as accommodations, cruises, activities, and more, to offer complete vacations. 

Travellers who prefer to create personalized itineraries without pre-selected lodging and activities may wish to book directly through Via Rail. 

The Rocky Mountaineer is considered one of the world's leading luxury scenic rail operators, offering multiple tours through the Rockies featuring panoramic views, gourmet food, and knowledgeable guides. 

Amtrak also provides low-cost train rides to Seattle and other U.S. destinations, while Via Rail offers cross-Canada trips from the city.

Here's a look at planning a train trip from Vancouver through the majestic Canadian Rockies on Via Rail, Amtrak, or the Rocky Mountaineer.

Travellers can experience several routes on a Via Rail journey across Canada.

The train from Vancouver to Toronto , known as the Canadian, can be broken down into segments if travellers want to explore some select cities. However, the train won't come through those cities daily, meaning they must stay there for at least a couple of nights before they can resume their journey. 

To book a multi-stop itinerary, travellers can call VIA Rail and make arrangements with a representative. If they only wish to make one or two stops, it may be possible to keep the price they'd pay for booking "The Canadian" minus the stops. However, they should arrange this as the booking is made rather than after in case space fills up. 

A one-way economy class ticket from Vancouver to Toronto may cost $500 to $700 based on availability. This class of service has lots of legroom and "comfortable reclinable seats." 

Travellers hoping to catch a decent night's sleep may want to book Sleeper Plus tickets. These tickets are in upper or lower areas where travellers can fully stretch out in a "semi-private" bed. There is a curtain to close at night but the area is communal. During the day, they may be seated across from other people but also have access to other carts, including the  Skyline car , the  Park car , the  Renaissance car  and the  Dining car , based on route and season. 

Sleeper Plus tickets include onboard accommodations for one or two people. Passengers have access to common showers. 

Folks who want to travel across the country in ultimate comfort should opt for Prestige Class cabins. These private accommodations feature "a modular leather sofa that can be transformed into a double bed" and a personal concierge. Guests can enjoy gourmet, three-course meals and watch movies from their cabin on a large flatscreen TV. Each cabin also has a private bathroom.  

The Prestige options offer an "unparalleled level of elegance, comfort and privileged service," with prices starting at $2,500 (see slide two).

Passengers in Sleeper class or higher can relax in the  Business lounge  and enjoy free beverages, newspapers and Wi-Fi.

Amtrak Vacations 

The Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle is a popular option but the company also partners with other Canadian travel providers for holiday voyages.

• Related: Is it cheaper to take the bus or train from Vancouver to Seattle in 2024?

Amtrak Vacations include hotels and day trips with the Canadian by Via Rail for travellers who want to savour their time in the Rockies.

The Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound trip includes a seven-day journey through the Rocky Mountains that kicks off with a couple of days in Vancouver (see slide three). On a Hop On Hop Off tour, tourists will visit the city's most popular attractions, such as Stanely Park, Granville Island, and many others. They'll also stop to get a bird's eye view of the city from the Vancouver Lookout. 

The Hampton Inn & Suites Vancouver is included in the price but guests can upgrade to another accommodation.

On day three, guests will journey from Downtown Vancouver to Victoria via BC Ferries to discover some Vancouver Island highlights before heading to the Rockies (see slide four).

Guests who live in Vancouver and want to skip the local highlights can call Amtrak Vacations to start with one night's hotel or simply begin on the train. This may reduce the cost of total package price, too.

On day four, passengers will board VIA Rail’s The Canadian from Vancouver's Pacific Central Station en route to Jasper. The journey begins with a "sparkling wine send-off in one of the train’s many domed observation cars while passing through Vancouver’s eastern suburbs and into British Columbia’s agricultural heartland." 

Guests spend two days in Jasper and then enjoy a leisurely drive to scenic Banff, home to "wildlife, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountain peaks along the world-famous Icefields Parkway."

The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest stretches of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. Guests can step out on a glass-floored observation platform to view some of the frozen wonderland. They can hop on the Ice Explorer for an interactive ride where they will get "up close and personal with massive glaciers."

After an overnight in Banff, travellers head will soak in the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Louise. They can relax at the historical Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or enjoy activities like canoeing, camping, or wildlife viewing in the area.

Passengers are transported to Alberta's largest city, Calgary, on day nine and the trip ends the following day. 

The packages start at US$1,449 per person before taxes or roughly C$1,979.81 based on the current exchange rate.

Several other Amtrak Vacations options include the Canadian Rocky Mountains but add in some other cities south of the border. However, these packages are longer and more costly but travellers get to see some U.S. highlights, too.

Rocky Mountaineer

Western Canada's popular Rocky Mountaineer is praised for its massive picture windows and glass-dome ceilings. The luxury rail tour operator takes guests on awe-inspiring trips through the Rocky Mountains, connecting Vancouver to Banff and Jasper in Alberta. 

Since it was founded in 1990, the Canadian rail tour company has transported over two million guests, "making it the largest privately-owned premium tourist train in the world."

In its Goldeaf category , guests can enjoy "elegantly plated meals" made with local ingredients in the dining car, including mains like Alberta Striploin Steak, Crispy Skin Lake Louise Steelhead, and Fraser Valley Chicken Paillard. 

There is also an outdoor viewing platform to enjoy the scenery "closer to the action."

Passengers can ride the train by day and then sleep in one of the company's Goldleaf hotels by night. For example, guests travelling to Vancouver stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, considered a landmark in the downtown core. In Jasper, they stay at the Fairmont Jasper Lake Lodge in the wooden chalet or heritage cabin on the shores of Lac Beauvert.

The company's Silverleaf  menu also includes gourmet food and well-reviewed hotels. However, they aren't quite as flashy as the top-tier selection. Also, the Silverleaf menu has several entrees to choose from at dinner, while the Silverleaf only has a couple. The menu changes changes each night, though. 

Short Journeys include one or two days on board the train and one or two nights in a mid-point hotel; they end in a different place than they start. 

Rockies Highlights include two or three days on any route, one or two nights in a mid-point hotel, one to two nights in Vancouver, two to seven nights in the Rockies, and "extra days to explore in the Canadian Rockies or American Southwest." These journeys also end in a different place than they begin. 

Circle Journeys include four or five days onboard on any two routes, two or three nights in a mid-point hotel, one to two nights in Vancouver, two to six nights in the Rockies, and also have extra days in the Rockies or American Southwest. Unlike the other options, these tours return to the same location where they began (see slide five). 

Travellers should prepare to pay more for an experience on the Rocky Mountaineer than with Amtrak Vacations or Via Rail. Since it is considered a luxury operator, the company charges a premium.

For example, a 10-day Canadian Rockies Circle Journey also includes stops in Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise and a visit to the Columbia Icefields. It starts and ends in Vancouver and also includes stops in Kamloops and costs around $6,590 to $12,053 per guest.

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Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Rockies Train Tour

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INTRODUCTION

Combine Calgary Stampede with a Canadian Rockies train tour for the ultimate summer vacation in Canada.

Witness 'the greatest outdoor show on earth,' stay in the rocky mountain resort towns of banff, lake louise & jasper and travel by train in a cozy sleeper berth onboard via rail between vancouver and jasper., this best selling 10 day canadian rockies train itinerary departs from either calgary or vancouver. .

Itinerary at a Glance

DETAILED ITINERARY

The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.

Departing Vancouver | Departing Calgary

Day 1 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous rail journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Pass through the rich fields of the Fraser Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes as you enjoy dinner (included), then retreat to your private quarters that have been converted into a bedroom.

Day 2 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail Rise to the snowy peaks of the Canadian Rockies today as you arrive in Jasper and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to explore this unique alpine community. (breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 3 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake. Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight. Option 3. Gentle Raft Float on the Athabasca River Experience Jasper National Park's natural beauty with a small group float trip on the Athabasca River. Cover several miles on Class II rapids, offering mild excitement with a few splashes. Enjoy your guide's engaging storytelling about local history and wildlife throughout this gentle adventure. Option 4. Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour Embark on a stunning hike in Jasper National Park, exploring the deepest accessible canyon in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of rushing rapids and waterfalls along the canyon's five bridges. An added bonus is the shuttle service back to the top, saving you from a steep uphill hike. Option 5. Upgrade Option: Maligne Valley Sightseeing + Boat Cruise This Jasper tour starts with a brief town overview before crossing the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. Discover the majestic Maligne Canyon's waterfalls and the enigmatic "disappearing" Medicine Lake. The highlight is a trip to stunning Maligne Lake, including an interpretative boat cruise to Spirit Island. Experience firsthand the beauty that captured adventurer Mary Schaeffer's heart a century ago, and has since become world-renowned.

Day 4 Jasper to Lake Louise | Sightseeing with picnic lunch Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (Picnic lunch included today)

Day 5 Lake Louise to Banff | Coach This morning is at leisure to explore Lake Louise before a mid-day transfer to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley highway, arriving mid-afternoon.

Day 6 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola Discover Banff's natural wonders on this half-day, small-group tour. Marvel at sights like Bow Falls, Hoodoos rock formation, and Lake Minnewanka. Conclude your exploration with a relaxing gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain's peak, maximizing your views of Banff National Park effortlessly. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of these landmarks with minimum exertion. Option 2. Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Join this small group tour for a curated experience of Banff National Park's highlights, with the added chance to spot wildlife through expert local guidance. Enjoy unhindered access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, spending over 11/2 hours at each, discovering hidden gems and serene trails. The final phase of the tour is tailor-made in Banff by your guide, considering recent wildlife sightings and your interests, ensuring the day concludes on a high note. Option 3. Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Avoid the crowds with this full-day adventure in the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, featuring picturesque waterfalls and Canadian Rockies views. Start with a relaxing stroll in Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, marveling at turquoise glacial waters and striking canyon walls. Enjoy Emerald Lake's neon blue waters, where optional canoe rentals, hiking trails, and lakeside picnics are available. The day concludes with a visit to Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, accessible through backroads offering mountain vistas and wildlife sightings. Option 4. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. Option 5. Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch Experience the best of Rocky Mountain National Parks' backcountry with our curated hiking tours. Revel in spring's wildflowers, summer's clear glacier views, and the golden hues of fall's larch trees. Our passionate local guides will lead you on classic hikes in the Banff and Lake Louise area, including Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Kootenay National Park Trails, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty across seasons in the Rockies.

Day 7 Banff to Calgary | Coach Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. Follow the Trans Canada Highway and leave the Rocky Mountains to the Great Central Plains that roll to the east for 2000 kilometres and extend as far south as Mexico. This is ‘cattle ranching country’ and the breadbasket of Canada. Arrive Calgary mid afternoon

Day 8 Calgary Stampede | Rodeo Event The morning is yours to continue your explorations of Calgary. This afternoon, we make our way to the Stampede Grounds for the worldrenowned Stampede Rodeo. Take in the sights and sounds of the rodeo, shop at the many vendors, sample the food and experience the amazing events. Traditional rodeo events, such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping, keep the excitement going all throughout the day and into the evening

Day 9 Calgary Stampede | Chuckwagon Races + Evening Grandstand Show Today is at leisure to enjoy the Calgary Stampede. Tonight we meet at Stampede Park for a special dinner in the Clubhouse, located on the fourth level of the Grandstand, before the main event, the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. The Chuckwagon Races are an event to remember, as 36 wagon drivers compete for over $1 million in prize money. Feel the excitement build over each of the nine heats, as sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth fill the air. When the winner crosses the finish line, the Grandstand Show begins. Acrobats, musicians, dancers and other talented performers entertain us all night before the evening concludes with a colorful fireworks display

Day 10 Calgary | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel your package ends.

Day 1 Calgary | Arrival Upon arrival in Calgary transfer (own cost) to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights.

Day 2 Calgary Stampede | Rodeo Event The morning is yours to continue your explorations of Calgary. This afternoon, we make our way to the Stampede Grounds for the worldrenowned Stampede Rodeo. Take in the sights and sounds of the rodeo, shop at the many vendors, sample the food and experience the amazing events. Traditional rodeo events, such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping, keep the excitement going all throughout the day and into the evening

Day 3 Calgary Stampede | Chuckwagon Race | Evening Grandstand Show Today is at leisure to enjoy the Calgary Stampede. Tonight we meet at Stampede Park for a special dinner in the Clubhouse, located on the fourth level of the Grandstand, before the main event, the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. The Chuckwagon Races are an event to remember, as 36 wagon drivers compete for over $1 million in prize money. Feel the excitement build over each of the nine heats, as sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth fill the air. When the winner crosses the finish line, the Grandstand Show begins. Acrobats, musicians, dancers and other talented performers entertain us all night before the evening concludes with a colorful fireworks display

Day 4 Calgary to Banff | Coach Leave the Stampede City of Calgary on the express service to Banff, where you’ll arrive to a picturesque resort town surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Located within Banff National Park, Banff is renown for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 5 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola Discover Banff's natural wonders on this half-day, small-group tour. Marvel at sights like Bow Falls, Hoodoos rock formation, and Lake Minnewanka. Conclude your exploration with a relaxing gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain's peak, maximizing your views of Banff National Park effortlessly. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of these landmarks with minimum exertion. Option 2. Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Join this small group tour for a curated experience of Banff National Park's highlights, with the added chance to spot wildlife through expert local guidance. Enjoy unhindered access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, spending over 11/2 hours at each, discovering hidden gems and serene trails. The final phase of the tour is tailor-made in Banff by your guide, considering recent wildlife sightings and your interests, ensuring the day concludes on a high note. Option 3. Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Avoid the crowds with this full-day adventure in the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, featuring picturesque waterfalls and Canadian Rockies views. Start with a relaxing stroll in Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, marveling at turquoise glacial waters and striking canyon walls. Enjoy Emerald Lake's neon blue waters, where optional canoe rentals, hiking trails, and lakeside picnics are available. The day concludes with a visit to Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, accessible through backroads offering mountain vistas and wildlife sightings. Option 4. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. Option 5. Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch Experience the best of Rocky Mountain National Parks' backcountry with our curated hiking tours. Revel in spring's wildflowers, summer's clear glacier views, and the golden hues of fall's larch trees. Our passionate local guides will lead you on classic hikes in the Banff and Lake Louise area, including Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Kootenay National Park Trails, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty across seasons in the Rockies.

Day 6 Banff to Lake Louise | Coach Depart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Jasper | Sightseeing with picnic lunch Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (Picnic lunch included today)

Day 8 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake. Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight. Option 3. Gentle Raft Float on the Athabasca River Experience Jasper National Park's natural beauty with a small group float trip on the Athabasca River. Cover several miles on Class II rapids, offering mild excitement with a few splashes. Enjoy your guide's engaging storytelling about local history and wildlife throughout this gentle adventure. Option 4. Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour Embark on a stunning hike in Jasper National Park, exploring the deepest accessible canyon in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of rushing rapids and waterfalls along the canyon's five bridges. An added bonus is the shuttle service back to the top, saving you from a steep uphill hike. Option 5. Upgrade Option: Maligne Valley Sightseeing + Boat Cruise This Jasper tour starts with a brief town overview before crossing the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. Discover the majestic Maligne Canyon's waterfalls and the enigmatic "disappearing" Medicine Lake. The highlight is a trip to stunning Maligne Lake, including an interpretative boat cruise to Spirit Island. Experience firsthand the beauty that captured adventurer Mary Schaeffer's heart a century ago, and has since become world-renowned.

Day 9 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA Rail This morning, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the journey from Jasper to Vancouver. Using the original steel railcars from the 1950s, sit back and relax in the dome car to enjoy a dramatic change in scenery as you travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson. Watch the landscape transition from mountains to desert as you follow the Thompson River into central British Columbia. Brunch and dinner is included onboard VIA Rail, and your private quarters will once again be transformed into a bedroom for the overnight journey.

Day 10 Arrive Vancouver | VIA Rail Waking to the coastal city of Vancouver today, your tour ends upon arrival. (continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Package Includes:

• Sleeping berth onboard VIA Rail Sleeper Touring service for 1 night
• 2 nights accommodation in Jasper
• 1 night accommodation in Lake Louise
• 2 nights accommodation in Banff
• 3 nights accommodation in Calgary
• Transfer between rail depot and hotel in Jasper
• Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour
• Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife
• Gentle Raft Float on the Athabasca River
• Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour
• Upgrade Option: Maligne Valley Sightseeing + Boat Cruise
• Full day tour between Jasper and Lake Louise with picnic lunch included
• Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk
• Scheduled transfer between Lake Louise and Banff
• Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola
• Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
• Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
• Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner
• Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch
• Scheduled coach transfer between Banff hotel and Calgary
• Reserved seating for the Chuckwagon Races & Grandstand Show
• Reserved Seating for one afternoon’s Rodeo events
• Meals as per itinerary
• National Park fees

Hotel & Rail Information | Moderate Grade

• Calgary – Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre | Standard Room
• Banff - Elk+Avenue Hotel | Standard Room
• Lake Louise - Lake Louise Inn | Summit Deluxe Queen Room
• Jasper - Moderate Hotel | Standard Room
• VIA Rail | Semi Private Sleeper Berth

Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade

• Calgary – Delta Calgary Hotel | Guest Room
• Banff - Banff Caribou Lodge | Superior Room
• Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Fairmont Room
• Jasper - Forest Park Hotel | Woodland Balcony or Alpine Room
• VIA Rail | Cabin

Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Grade

• Calgary – Fairmont Palliser Hotel | Fairmont Room
• Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Deluxe Room
• Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Fairmont Lakeview Room
• Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge | Deluxe Room

Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Plus Grade

• Calgary – Fairmont Palliser Hotel | Signature Room
• Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Deluxe Mountain View Room
• Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Deluxe Lakeview Room
• Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge | Premier Deluxe Room

Not Included

• Activities other than specified
• Meals other than specified
• Portage fees

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Arrange a call with a Canada Travel Designer and bring your vacation one step closer!

DATES & PRICING

Departs from Vancouver: Monday & Friday (Tour Code: TR194) Jul 1, 5 Departs from Calgary: Tuesday & Friday (Tour Code: TR195) Jul 5, 9, 12

STAY AT THESE HOTELS ON THIS RAIL VACATION

The Fairmont Palliser Hotel

Days / Nights

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Banff Caribou Lodge

Lake Louise Inn

Delta Calgary Hotel

Forest Park Hotel Jasper

Elk Avenue Hotel

Lobstick Lodge

Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre

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We have just come back from our tour Canada. We had a great time. Thanks Canada Rail Vacations, especially to Karen for putting together and planning such a trouble free, smooth running package to make our visit even more unforgettable. Every place we have been to have been carved very deeply in our memories. We fell in love with the Rockies, its wild life, ice fields, beautiful towns and the friendly people. We definitely want to come back and we know who to contact.

Lutfu Istanbul

Thanks for a great holiday. The Rockies and Eastern Canada - awesome, Victoria- beautiful. Whistler- magic. All the itinerary was excellent. Well done team!!

Mark Sydney, Australia

I booked a Rail Tour from Vancouver to Calgary, departing in August to celebrate my 75th Birthday and the the weather was gorgeous. The train was wonderful. Sleeping compartment small but very adequate. Bed extremely comfortable with private washroom . Food was excellent and nice variety of choices. Everyone was extremely accommodating. The bus tours were amazing. The tour bus has plush leather seats that recline to almost a bed. It only holds 30 people and there were only 11 on our trip. It stops many times to let us off and take pictures. One of the highlights that many people would not see if they drive themselves is the Athabasca Falls. It is not visible from the highway so you would really have to watch for signs or miss it. It was only a block from the highway. The driver was excellent and provided a lot of information. The highway was #93 also called the Icefelds Parkway. The driver said it is the 7th in the world known for its beautiful scenery. I believe it. The Glacier ride was fun, cool, and a little slippery, but I would not miss it. The Sky Walk was very exciting, but made me a little dizzy if I looked down while walking. No problem, just look ahead. Ha ha.We walked from our Hotel to the Fairmont Chateau Lake louise and had dinner overlooking the Lake. Beautiful. The full day in Banff was fun and relaxing. We saw one Elk on the wildlife tour plus the beautiful Banff Springs Hotel. We ate at St. James Gate Pub on main street in Banff. It is a pub from Ireland they dis-assembled and brought to Banff and re-assembled. The Yorkshire Pudding appetizer was to die for. It was a very memorable trip and I highly recommend to all.

Cherie Arizona, United States

My planner this year was Mandy. I was very happy with her from start to finish. I did the same type of trip last year to Vancouver Sunshine Coast and Island and was very happy with the travel designer I had then too. Same with another trip earlier was to the Atlantic provinces.Being a repeat customer attests to the quality.Thank you Mandy - I appreciate the extra care you took.

Annabelle Delaware, United States

We had a wonderful time, everything was perfect. We would recommend trips organized by Canada Rail Vacations to anyone who is interested in actively exploring parts of the country. Many thanks for an outstanding job.

Astrid Ottawa, Canada

We would like to express our appreciation for a wonderful trip arranged through Kris, Canada Rail Vacations. From start to finish it was an ideal trip for us to enjoy Canada scenery, atmosphere and hospitality. We were afforded the right amount of activity for the trip yet relaxing. The suggested route from Calgary to Jasper was just spectacular. The hotels we stayed in are in town. And of course the train ride is A plus. Again Thank you.

Manuel United States

Paulina booked an amazing Canada for my family. This was so easy to arrange. I just told her what we wanted to do and the time frame we had. She got back to me within a day with an outline of what she had arranged and shortly after that, I had a finalized tour. The price was very reasonable for the tour. This was an A++ experience and I'll definitely use Canada Rail Vacations for our next trip to Canada.

Kathleen Texas, United States

Worked with Jennifer planning a road trip from the Calgary Stampede through Lake, Louise, Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks and finishing in Vancouver. We worked together using some of my ideas and many of her ideas. She booked most of our hotels, sight seeing venues and train. We had a marvelous trip. Everything fell into place and each hotel she selected was great and a little different from the one before. Thank you Jennifer for all your help. Will never forget this trip.

Anne New Jersey, United States

We are leaving Calgary today to return to Vancouver after our week trip that you organized for us. Just want to thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The train and the places we stayed were great. Everything was so easy with transport and accommodation. We will be recommending you to others and will use you again when we return for more adventure.

Kay New Zealand

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Calgary Train Vacations

Known as "Stampede City," Calgary rises proudly from the Alberta prairie. It’s a vibrant city with an intriguing art and culture scene, superb dining and some of the region's best museums. In July it hosts the legendary Calgary Stampede, a celebration of the region's western heritage. Along with this urban centre, you’ll see mountains, dense pine forests, shimmering lakes and lots of nature during as a Calgary to Vancouver train vacation.

Table of contents

Popular calgary to vancouver trips, things to do in calgary, places to visit on a calgary train vacation, calgary train experiences, frequently asked questions.

Although no trains depart directly from Calgary, the city acts as the starting and ending point for many Canadian rail vacations, known as Calgary to Vancouver train tours . Flights into Calgary give you an easy access point to Banff, a major stop for the Rocky Mountaineer. VIA Rail’s route goes through Jasper, a beautiful  drive from Calgary over the Icefields Parkway. Some travellers choose to fly into either Vancouver or Calgary, then fly out of the other city if they don’t want to do the return journey on the train or do a circle tour.  

The travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations know all of Calgary's hidden gems. They can help you create your ideal trip itinerary. Check out the Calgary Stampede, explore Heritage Park and dine at one of the city's gourmet restaurants. We take care of all the details, finding the best excursions and accommodations for your Calgary to Vancouver train vacation. 

Speak to a Canadian Train Vacation Advisor to discuss all your options.

Keep reading or chat with one of our local travel experts. We’re passionate about Canada and can help you at any stage of your vacation planning.

Complete Canadian Rockies by Rail  

One of the most popular Calgary train routes, the eight-day Complete Canadian Rockies by Rail itinerary begins in Vancouver, a coastal city filled with museums, restaurants and historical sites. Once you finish exploring the coast, you'll climb on board the Rocky Mountaineer for stops in Kamloops and Jasper. Explore Lake Louise and Banff before ending the trip of a lifetime in Calgary. Like most of our itineraries, this trip can also be done in reverse.  

Miles covered on train : 559 Miles  Days on train : 2  Nights on train : 0 

Essential Rockies by Train  

The six-day Essential Rockies by Train trip takes you through the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia. It offers plenty of opportunities to see lakes, glaciers and local wildlife. After exploring Vancouver, you'll ride the Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops and Lake Louise. This itinerary also includes time in Banff, a stunning mountain town within the world-famous national park.  

Miles covered on train : 594 Miles  Days on train : 2  Nights on train : 0

Canadian Rockies Voyage by Train  

Traverse one of the most beautiful routes in the world—Icefields Parkway—on a trip that starts in Calgary and ends in Vancouver. You'll see the prairies of Alberta, enjoy the fresh air of Canada's most popular mountain towns and have a chance to explore coastal Vancouver. Like other train trips from Calgary, this itinerary includes several excursion options to suit your unique needs. 

Miles covered on train : 332 Miles  Days on train : 1  Nights on train : 1 

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Get inspired with sample itineraries, train information, route maps, and travel advice from our local experts.

Calgary Stampede 

Many of our train-vacation itineraries begin or end in Calgary, giving you a chance to see the Calgary Stampede. This celebration of Calgary's western heritage takes place every July. Take in a rodeo competition, listen to live country music or watch the dog show, an annual event featuring pooches playing frisbee, dancing and diving off docks. 

#1 Travel tip: Calgary Stampede

Add some extra time in Calgary if you want to attend the Calgary Stampede! This famous event is full of fun activities and is best enjoyed over a few days.

Downtown Walking Tour 

A walking tour is the perfect way to discover Calgary's past and find out how it transformed into a bustling city. Led by a local guide, each tour takes you past some of Calgary's most important landmarks, from modern skyscrapers to a sawmill used in the late 1800s. Don't worry if it's cold or rainy—Downtown Calgary has a network of skywalks to keep you warm while you explore. 

Calgary Tower 

Before you leave on a tourist train to Vancouver, climb to the top of Calgary Tower for stunning views of Eighth Avenue Place, The Edison, Bankers Hall and other local landmarks. The freestanding observation tower is home to Sky 360 Restaurant and Lounge, which revolves once per hour to give diners the most stunning panoramic views imaginable. 

Heritage Tour 

If you're a history buff, no visit to Calgary is complete without a heritage tour, which helps you understand how Calgary's past connects to its present. While on board a comfortable motor coach, you'll hear an expert guide provide background information on some of the exhibits at Heritage Park Historical Village, a complex featuring 180 attractions. Enjoy historical artifacts, amusement rides, restaurants and more before returning to Downtown Calgary. 

Segway Tour 

Feeling adventurous? Hop on a Segway and explore Calgary in style. Beginner tours include instruction in how to operate a Segway safely, ensuring you can focus on taking in the sights and sounds of Calgary's river valley once you get moving. 

Download our Brochures and Mini Guides

Banff  .

Banff is one of the most popular destinations for anyone interested in train travel from Calgary to Vancouver. After transferring to Banff from Calgary, tourists can take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver. Located in Alberta, the resort town of Banff has a little something for everyone, from boutiques and restaurants to spas and outdoor activities. Its crown jewel is Banff National Park, home to black bears, grizzlies, cougars, wolves, moose and elk. Bighorn sheep have even been known to hide among the park's rocky outcroppings. 

If you love the outdoors, consider a visit to nearby Lake Minnewanka, which has lake cruises, SCUBA excursions and a scenic drive that leads you back toward Banff and its soaring mountain peaks. Ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you'll find some of the best views of the town below. Finish off your visit with a trip to Banff's natural mineral water springs, which offer pristine views of the valley below. 

#2 Travel tip: Travel to the Rockies

Travel to the Rockies Calgary is a great starting point for many Canadian Rockies trips. You can head straight to Banff National Park from Calgary Airport — the drive takes less than two hours.

Jasper 

Many Calgary to Vancouver tours include a stop in Jasper, the perfect place for wilderness enthusiasts. The alpine town has shimmering lakes, natural hot springs, hiking trails and more, providing almost limitless opportunities to stay active on your vacation. While you're in town, don't miss Jasper National Park, home to ancient glaciers, tranquil forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. 

As you explore the park, don't be surprised if you encounter elk, moose, wolves and other wildlife. Jasper National Park is also a popular place for birdwatching, so keep an eye out for ravens, eagles, geese, ducks, owls and other winged friends. After exploring the outdoors, head into town for a bite to eat. Jasper has everything from hole-in-the-wall cafés to Michelin-rated restaurants. 

Lake Louise 

A highlight of Banff National Park is world-renown Lake Louise. This glacier-fed lake is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. During the summer, popular activities include fishing and canoeing. Lake Louise is also known for its extensive trail system, which includes Lake Agnes Trail, Plain of Six Glaciers Trail and the Big Beehive. 

When colder temperatures set in, Lake Louise transforms into a popular ski resort. Due to its location, Lake Louise has a longer ski season than any other place in Canada. It’s the ideal destination for anyone who loves whooshing down the slopes on a mound of fresh powder. If you're interested in something a little more low-key, check out Samson Mall or the upscale shops at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel. 

Emerald Lake 

Nestled in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake stands as one of the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies. The lake doesn't thaw out until around June, so July and August are the most popular times to visit. If you visit during the summer, you can expect to see turquoise waters dotted with boats, kayaks and canoes. As the summer season comes to a close, the water becomes less colourful due to the addition of sediment from the melting glacier. 

During the winter, Emerald Lake has excellent skiing and snowshoeing, but many travellers prefer to relax inside a comfortable lodge while the snow falls around them. The area is home to several restaurants, including a bistro and two casual cafés, ensuring everyone in your group can find something they enjoy. While you're in town, don't forget to visit nearby Lake Louise.

These are some suggested train experiences for your Canadian adventure

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer connects British Columbia and Alberta, with stops in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel and Kamloops. The train runs from mid-April until mid-October. The Rocky Mountaineer is a daylight only train designed so that passengers can experience the most spectacular views and optimal photo opportunities.

The VIA Rail trains connect Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, with four different train routes. Major city stops include Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Jasper, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax. The trains run year round. Depending on the route, they offer daylight or overnight sleeper train experiences.

Alaska Cruise

The rail portion of your trip can come before or after your Alaska cruise. There are two types of cruise ships to choose from: a larger, more luxurious vessel or a smaller ship that allows you to visit more coves and inlets. Each type of ship has its advantages and it depends on your style of travel and what you want to get out of your Alaska cruise adventure.

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How much is a train ticket from Calgary to Vancouver?

Your Calgary to Vancouver train ticket price depends on which rail line you use, how many stops are on your itinerary and what time of year you travel. You will also have to take the train to Banff, Jasper or Edmonton and take a coach or private transfer to Calgary. To travel from Vancouver to Banff via the Rocky Mountaineer,itineraries start at $3,076 USD per person, and include hotels, meals on the train, and some excursions. You also have the option of travelling to Jasper or Edmonton on VIA Rail and transferring to Calgary. VIA Rail offers several levels of service. An itinerary including this train route starts at $2,690 USD per person with standard accommodations.

How long is the train ride from Calgary to Vancouver?

There is no tourist train from Calgary to Vancouver, but many train-vacation itineraries start or end in Calgary. If your trip starts in Calgary and ends in Vancouver, you'll need to transfer from Calgary to Banff or Jasper before boarding a train. On this type of trip, the train ride from Banff or Jasper to Vancouver takes an average of 20 hours, but you won't be on the train the whole time.

How long is the train ride from Calgary to Lake Louise?

There's no train from Calgary to Lake Louise. For trips beginning in Vancouver, you'll spend a total of 13.5 to 20 hours on the train, depending on the route, but you'll have to travel to Calgary by bus or private transfer.

Can you take a train from Calgary to Banff?

You can't take a train directly from Calgary to Banff. If your trip begins in Vancouver, however, you can take a train from Vancouver to Banff. It is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Calgary to Banff.

Is there a passenger train from Calgary to Vancouver?

There's no passenger train from Calgary to Vancouver. Some itineraries begin in Calgary, but you'll have to use some other type of transportation to get from Calgary to the first train station on your tour.

When are trains from Calgary most crowded?

VIA Rail and the Rocky Mountaineer don't serve Calgary, but Canadian train routes are typically most crowded during the summer, which is when many tourists flock to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park and other local highlights.

About the author: Katherine is Product Manager with Fresh Tracks Canada. Having worked in the Canadian travel industry for almost 20 years, she enjoys sharing her local expertise with visitors. She is based in Calgary and one of her favourite Canadian destination is the...   Read more

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10 Scenic Train Trips Across Canada

• Train trips have become popular among travelers in Canada as a more sustainable and enjoyable way to explore the country's natural wonders.
• From coast to coast, Canada offers scenic train journeys that allow passengers to experience breathtaking landscapes, French culture, and stunning architecture.
• Whether it's admiring polar bears in Churchill, witnessing fall foliage in Nova Scotia, or cycling through the Niagara region, there are many unique train trips in Canada for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

The world is slowly adopting the green economy as a way of saving the planet from destruction. Even travelers haven’t been left behind. Most of them have recognized that airplanes and vehicles are not sustainable ways of traveling and are exploring other options. For this reason, train trips have become more common and appealing.

Canada is a large country with many beautiful natural wonders and top destinations to visit . And seeing them through a window is the best way to experience the country. Besides phenomenal views, train passengers enjoy comfortable, stress-free, and relaxing trips. They only need to occupy their seat and enjoy the ride. Here are 10 scenic train trips across Canada.

16 Thrilling Sleeper Train Journeys In Europe To Add To Your Bucket List

Canada coast to coast by train, see niagara falls, lake louise, and peggy's cove.

Coast-to-coast by train is one of the best train trips in Canada. It is a chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, including Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, and Peggy’s Cove. Travelers are offered time on VIA Rail and travel in a sleeper company. The journey starts in Halifax and ends in Vancouver. Taking this ride lets one enjoy the French culture in Canada, stunning architecture, and scenic landscapes.

• Trip distance from Halifax to Vancouver: 4,466 kilometers
• Trip length: 4 days and 4 nights
• Cost : Around $11,380

Vancouver To Toronto On The Canadian

Traveling through forests, mountain peaks, and waterfalls.

The Canadian is a flagship train that offers three classes: economy, sleeper plus, and prestige. Unlike planes, it has large reclining seats with plenty of legroom. The trip includes presenters, musicians, and wine-tasting sessions. The train leaves Vancouver for Toronto, and visitors can see forests, mountain peaks, waterfalls, valleys, and wildlife along the way. It passes through Jasper National Park, stops for some time, and continues to Toronto.

• Trip distance from Vancouver to Toronto: 4,466 kilometers
• Trip length: Almost 4 days
• Cost: Varies between routes and towns, but around CAD 2,500 per person during winter (Approximately $1,850 USD)

Lord Of The Wilderness Bear Viewing In The Canadian

See grizzlies in a wilderness lodge and polar bears up north.

Here is something for wildlife lovers. The train drives passengers across Canada, from Vancouver to Winnipeg. The adventure begins on the West Coast, where passengers go to a wilderness lodge to see grizzly bears. Then, they board The Canadian train in Vancouver, which takes them across the Canadian Rockies before arriving in Winnipeg. After the journey ends, passengers are recommended to fly to Northern Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the world, to explore the arctic tundra and look for polar bears before returning to Winnipeg.

• Trip distance from Vancouver to Winnipeg: Approximately 1,866 kilometers
• Trip length: 3 days and 2 nights
• Cost: $13,430

Winnipeg To Churchill VIA Rail

Admire lush prairie land, huge boreal forests, & hudson bay's polar bears.

Regardless of the time of the year someone is traveling, they are guaranteed things to wow about every step of this trip. From Winnipeg, passengers can admire the lush land at Rivière Rouge and Rivière Assiniboine confluence. As they travel, they can see the waters of Lake near The Pas, the huge boreal forest encompassing the Thompson, and finally, the rocky shores of Hudson Bay in Churchill, where they can see polar bears and belugas in their habitat. For those who’ve never seen the Prairies, this VIA Rail trip will bring them up close.

• Trip distance from Winnipeg to Churchill: 1,710 kilometers
• Trip length : 44 hours 55 minutes
• Cost: From $199

Montreal To Halifax On The Ocean

See whales in the gulf, clear miramichi river, and sugarloaf mountain.

The Ocean journey runs on the Gulf of St Lawrence and passes through New Brunswick before the train heads to Nova Scotia. This is the oldest route in North America and has been operating since 1904. Passengers are rewarded with phenomenal views of the Gulf of Lawrence, where they can spot whales. From there, they can see clear waters as the train crosses the Miramichi River, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Acadian communities. Fall is the perfect time for this trip as travelers see the leaves turn into shades of yellow, red, and gold.

• Trip distance from Montreal to Halifax: 1,346 kilometers
• Trip length: 21+ hours
• Cost: $210 on Economy

Jasper To Prince George On The Rupert Rocket

Tour glassy lakes and charming agricultural towns in central british columbia.

This trip across central British Columbia isn’t popular, especially among the international community. But, it is a very scenic journey to consider. The Rupert Rocket goes over several days to allow travelers to check out daylight vistas. But, passengers organize their accommodation. Along the way, they see glassy lakes and charming and historic towns filled with agricultural produce and wildlife. Some drives include meals and drinks. Others don’t. But regardless of the ride, guests are assured of phenomenal views.

• Trip distance from Jasper to Prince: 1,160 kilometers
• Trip length : 2 days
• Cost: Around $260

Getting From New York City To Niagara Falls: 16 Things To Know

White pass & yukon route railway, see trestles, gorges, and glaciers on a historic railway climbing 3,000 feet with views of skagway harbor.

The White Pass and Yukon Route is a great ride for those who want to learn about the history of Alaska. It leaves Skagway and offers scenic views while allowing ample time to enjoy the area’s other charms. The train goes through Shyster and climbs almost 3,000 feet above sea level. Passengers pass through an inspiration point that looks down on the Skagway Harbor. Dead Horse Gulch with bleached bones of perished animals can be seen. Before reaching the White Pass Summit, travelers have a chance to see the headwaters of the Yukon River.

• Trip distance from Skagway to Whitehorse is: 172 kilometers
• Trip length: 2-2.75 hours
• Cost: $140 for adults, $70 for children

Banff To Calgary On Royal Canadian Experience

Fine dining and canadian rockies views through the alberta prairies.

Fine dining and luxurious accommodations are why people book this trip. On top of that, passengers are rewarded with exceptional views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The Royal Canadian Experience is a charming and delightful trip, starting in Calgary and traversing through the Alberta Prairies. There is an off-train experience that allows travelers to visit historical attractions such as Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. They can also see Banff and Lake Louise’s cinematic views along the way.

• Trip distance from Banff to Calgary : Around 127 kilometers
• Trip length : 4 nights, 5 days
• Cost: From $14,000 CAD per person ( Approximately $10,360 USD)

16 Beautiful Towns In Alberta That Give Banff A Run For Its Money

Quebec city to la malbaie on the train de charlevoix, stop at beaches, cliffs, and charming villages.

The Train de Charlevoix travels from the old Quebec City to La Malbaie while making several stops. It is a fun journey with opportunities to hike, cycle, and admire picturesque villages. Passengers can enjoy the beach at Saint-Irenee and later get history lessons at Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, or soak up the beauty of the charming towns and cliffs from the comfort of the train. There are different packages, allowing travelers to choose one they like.

• Trip distance from Quebec City to La Malbaie: 125 kilometers
• Trip length: Under 4 miles
• Cost: From $248

Toronto To Niagara Falls On The Greenbelt Express

Perfect for cyclists to stop at waterfalls and wineries.

Nature lovers and cyclists should take this trip on the Greenbelt Express . It is a seasonal train operating around the Niagara region, designed for those who want to experience nature on a two-wheeler. The train is designed with special bike cars that come with in-built racks. From waterfalls to wineries, there are many sights to visit, and the good thing is that the train makes several stops throughout the entire route, allowing passengers to enjoy many cycling trails.

• Trip distance from Toronto to Niagara Falls: 50 kilometers
• Cost: Around $399 for two cyclists

Train Vancouver - Calgary

• Train Vancouver to Calgary

Travel information

• Bus Vancouver - Calgary

Information about train from Vancouver to Calgary . The great state of railways and its reliability make the train one of the safest transportation systems to travel the distance that separates in train Vancouver and Calgary.

During the travel by train from Vancouver to Calgary passengers can relax. Other reason for choosing train to travel from Vancouver to Calgary is the price, because the price of the train ticket is only $63 CAD. This price is approximated and the train company could change it. Ask to the train company in order to get the oficial information.

According to our database, there is a direct train route between Vancouver and Calgary . Don't miss it! Take a look to the available schedules and use the calendar to choose the day that suits you better.

Tickets and schedules

Vancouver Station

Calgary Station

Frequently asked questions

How can i get cheap train tickets to go from vancouver to calgary.

If you want to get cheap train tickets from Vancouver to Calgary we recommend that you book in advance as the best Greyhound Canada tickets sell out fast.The cheapest ticket is usually $63 CAD and the most expensive one to go to Calgary is approximately $75 CAD. .

What time is the first train from Vancouver?

The first train leaves at 00:15 from Vancouver and costs $63 CAD while the last one arriving at Calgary costs $75 CAD and it is at 10:10.

What companies can help me on my trip?

The companies that can help you are: Greyhound Canada.

How can I get ticket refund on Greyhound Canada?

Each company has its rules and depending on the ticket, price, and offer different refund policies apply. We recommend that you contact the company where you bought the ticket to get a solution.

How far is Vancouver from Calgary?

The approximate distance between the two places is 781 km. With the route we propose, it will take approximately 12h 5m.

Trains from Vancouver

• Train Vancouver to Merritt
• Train Vancouver to Kelowna
• Train Vancouver to 100 Mile House
• Train Vancouver to Pemberton
• Train Vancouver to Cornwall
• Train Vancouver to Medicine Hat
• Train Vancouver to Vernon
• Train Vancouver to Southey
• Train Vancouver to Edmonton
• Train Vancouver to Temagami
• Train Vancouver to Fort Erie
• Train Vancouver to Prince Rupert
• Train Vancouver to Florenceville Bristol
• Train Vancouver to Oliver
• Train Vancouver to Melfort
• Train Vancouver to Timmins

Trains to Calgary

• Train Kelowna to Calgary
• Train Montreal to Calgary
• Train Thunder Bay to Calgary
• Train Campbell River to Calgary
• Train Alsask to Calgary
• Train MacGregor to Calgary
• Train Gleichen to Calgary
• Train St. Gregor to Calgary
• Train La Pocatière to Calgary
• Train Quesnel to Calgary
• Train Fort Macleod to Calgary
• Train Fredericton to Calgary
• Train Kerrobert to Calgary
• Train Valemount to Calgary
• Train Brandon to Calgary
• Train Warman to Calgary

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Thanks in advance

Have a nice weekend

6 replies to this topic

A classic half way, hotel on the highway on the edge of a city option, would be Kamloops, lots of options in all budget ranges there.

Another popular option would be Revelstoke, an excellent quaint mountain town to walk, views, great restaurants. This isn't quite half way.

A 3rd option I would probably do if I needed a half way point, would be to leave early from Canmore, stop in Revelstoke for a few hours, have lunch, and continue to Sicamous. Stop at D-Duchman for an ice cream and take in the petting zoo and food vendors, and then stay near the harbour, or continue onwards to Salmon Arm for the night.

How many nights in total do you have? Are you planning on any time in Vancouver ?

The problem with all 5 nights in Canmore you are limiting yourself and not seeing Jasper?

Personally I’d forget the drive to Vancouver, add those 2 nights into your time in the Rockies.

3 nights Canmore for Banff National Park, 3 nights Jasper, 1 night Lake Louise and fly to Vancouver from Calgary .

5 days we are staying in. Canmore because of family event.

Would not want to miss Jasper but it seems it’s not on the way to Vancouver .

Maybe as suggested we go to jasper and then fly to Vancouver from Calgary ? As we are flying from all the way from Africa it’s once in lifetime chance and don’t want to miss. We have to be in Vancouver by 1st July as we have booked Alaska cruise on 2nd July

We have booked Canmore from 23rd June to 28th june. So we have 2 days , 3 days max , am really confused how to go about it

To be able to make most of our stay around Banff area.

From jasper to Vancouver it’s 8 and half hour, acc to google but it could be more dep on road traffic etc

Not sure if that’s feasible considering the short amount of time

Appreciate all the advice

Need help to make the most of this trip

Also the road conditions, we don’t really know whether highways or single lanes, I realize it will be mointaneous

I hope we p,an wisely to make most of the area as it’s once in lifetime experience

You are coming over an extremely busy weekend. July 1st is Canada Day and highways will be busy, you also might have trouble finding accommodation.

Visitors to Canada often underestimate the distance involved and the time required to travel it.

Canada Day weekend will have very busy highways.

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News & Reviews News Wire CP 2816 begins Final Spike tour

CP 2816 begins Final Spike tour

Locomotive and CP business train begin three-nation trip

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CALGARY, Alberta — After its first public display on Wednesday, Canadian Pacific No. 2816 begins the CPKC “Final Spike Steam Tour” today, traveling from Calgary to Medicine Hat, Alta., on the first leg of a two-day trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where its next display event is scheduled.

The first U.S. display date is April 30 in Minot, N.D.; the display and travel schedule is available here ; details of display locations and times were covered in this News Wire article .

CPKC is now offering a Train Tracker on the Steam Tour portion of the railroad’s website , utilizing the page’s route map. There is no detailed schedule with arrival and departure times, however.

The website also offers information on the locomotive’s restoration, photos and videos, and a series of Frequently Asked Questions about the trip.

For reasons of access from remote locations, most day-to-day Trains Magazine coverage of the tour will be available on our Facebook page.

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CPKC steam train to set off from Calgary on first-of-its-kind transcontinental trek

Steam locomotive Empress 2816's Canada-U.S.-Mexico journey will begin with a public event at CPKC's Ogden Railyard in Calgary on April 24.

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History will be made by a historic locomotive when the first steam-powered passenger train to traverse Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in a single trip departs from Calgary next week.

The Final Spike Steam Tour is celebrating Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.’s US$31-billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern in a friendly merger, becoming Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

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Leading the journey will be newly restored steam locomotive Empress 2816, which was built for Canadian Pacific’s passenger and fast freight services by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930 and operated until 1960. The original cost to build the 4-6-4 Hudson-type steam locomotive was $116,555.

“It’s really the most beautiful steam locomotive on rails,” said CPKC corporate historian Adam Meeks.

Although it’s not the largest or most powerful locomotive by North American standards, Meeks said, “The esthetics of it, and the elegance of it, are unmatched.”

Capable of a whopping 3,800 horsepower and reaching speeds of up to 145 km/h, Meeks estimates the locomotive ran about 12.9 million kilometres before it was retired.

These days, Meeks said they will travel 80 to 100 km/h due to the age of some of the equipment the locomotive pulls.

Terry Cunha, a representative from CPKC, said the tour is also a way of celebrating the steam locomotive and history of rail.

“There’s been a lot of anticipation by members of the community, enthusiasts, to see this locomotive come out, and we’re really excited that it’s finally here,” he said.

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Restoration of Empress 2816 took two years of intensive labour, requiring expertise from current and past CPKC employees, said Cunha.

Meeks helped with the restoration process, along with Jonathan Morris and Justin Tracy. The three are on the crew of about a dozen taking the more than 12,000-kilometre trip to Mexico.

“There’s nothing easy on a steam locomotive, everything’s heavy duty, tough work,” said Morris.

Meeks said there’s some incredible technology they’ve added to the locomotive that was not required in 1930. “We’ve had to figure out a way to dovetail nearly 100-year-old steam era technology with modern operating requirements.”

The Empress was previously restored in the late 1990s, becoming part of CPKC’s corporate steam program from around 2001 to 2012. The locomotive was originally run on coal, then oil after its first restoration, and now it burns biodiesel.

“We’re excited, this is a big, big trip. It’s really something that’s never been done before,” said Morris.

“There’s two years’ worth of blood, sweat and tears into this, so we are all looking forward to just hitting the road.”

Sitting in the cab of the Empress prepped for a demonstration at CPKC’s Ogden rail yard Thursday, Tracy said there’s nothing like controlling the locomotive.

“The inputs you put into it — you turn a valve, you pull a lever — that has a direct impact on how this engine runs. There is nothing between you and the machine.

“Some people will say it’s almost like an extension of your arm,” said Tracy.

The transcontinental trip will begin with a public event at the Ogden rail yard in Calgary on April 24 at 3 p.m. and depart Calgary two days later, making a total of 11 stops across the CPKC network.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Empress as it leaves the city, it departs at 9 a.m. on April 26, heading east from the Ogden yard.

The stops throughout April and into June will be: Moose Jaw, Sask.; Minot, N.D.; St. Paul, Minn.; Franklin Park, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Shreveport, La.; Laredo, Texas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mexico City on the final day, June 4.

Although the train won’t carry any passengers, each stop will have a public event where community members will have the opportunity to see Empress 2816 up close and learn more about it and CPKC’s history.

“For those individuals that are big train fans, it’s just being able to see a 100-year-old steam locomotive back in operation,” Cunha said.

A map will be available online for people to track the locomotive during the journey .

— With files from Chris Varcoe and Postmedia

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SUPERTRAIN 2024 has thousands of Calgarians climbing on board

SUPERTRAIN is one of the most popular weekend events in the city and it’s also the largest model train show in Canada.

It’s taking over the Genesis Centre at 7555 Falconridge Blvd N.E with nearly 5,400 square metres of operating model railroad layouts.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and features Lego trains, Thomas and Friends, garden railroads and photo exhibits as well as live demonstrations.

The first model train show to use the name SUPERTRAIN was held in March 1995 at Mewata Amouries; by 1999 it was so popular it moved to the Big Four Building at Stampede Park before eventually relocating to the Genesis Centre.

SUPERTRAIN 2024 is presented by the Calgary Model Railway Society which has about 300 members from Calgary and area who share an interest in the hobby of model railroading, and to share that hobby with the public. 

Organized model railroading in Calgary goes back to 1938, when the first club, Calgary Model Trainmen, was started.

This year, SUPERTRAIN is supporting the Calgary Food Bank and encouraging attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to donate in one of the collection boxes set up at the Genesis Centre.

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Shopping Trends

The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.  Read about us.

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Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole

A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for “prolific offenders and mass murderers.”

Delta Mayor George Harvie and 11 other municipal leaders say in a letter sent Wednesday to Virani that allowing Pickton to apply for parole would “undermine the integrity of our justice system.”

The letter says Pickton's lack of remorse and the depravity of his crimes make him “irredeemable,” and granting him parole would be a “chilling message” for crime victims.

The mayors say Pickton's parole eligibility would retraumatize victims' families, especially Indigenous families and communities who are still undergoing a “collective healing process.”

The letter says Virani should do everything in his power to make sure Pickton stays behind bars if he applies for parole, and the federal government should urgently reassess the parole and sentencing system.

The letter says the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a law in 2022 allowing consecutive sentences with stacked parole ineligibility periods as unconstitutional, effectively ending “life imprisonment” in Canada.

“It is crucial that our laws not only respect the Charter but also uphold the principles of justice, ensuring that penalties for heinous crimes are just and maintain public confidence in our criminal justice system,” the letter says.

“Such legislative review is essential to balance the need for public safety, the rights of the accused, and the necessity of a sentencing framework that genuinely reflects the gravity of the offences committed.”

In February, family members of Pickton's victims spoke out after he became eligible to apply for parole, but it's not known if he ever made an application.

Pickton was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder in December 2007, and automatically sentenced to life in prison, the judge giving him the maximum ineligibility period for parole of 25 years.

At the time, Jason Gratl, a lawyer for several family members of Pickton's victims in a pending civil lawsuit, said the serial killer has a “snowball's chance in hell” of ever being released on parole.

Gratl said Pickton is in a supermax prison in Quebec, “as far in the universe from parole as a man can be.”

The mayors who signed the letter were Harvie, Ken Sim of Vancouver, John McEwen of Anmore, Jamie Ross of Belcarra, Mike Hurley of Burnaby, Ken Berry of Lions Bay, Nicole MacDonald of Pitt Meadows, Brad West of Port Coquitlam, Malcolm Brodie of Richmond, Mark Sager of West Vancouver, Megan Knight of White Rock and Meghan Lahti of Port Moody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2024.

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