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Trans Canada By Rail & the Rockies

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14 days From $5,143 $4,843 per person
4.7 stars(17 reviews)
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Spend 14 days on this exciting adventure across Canada and through the Canadian Rockies!

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
Save up to $300

Save up to $300 per person on select Independent Canada Vacations, offer varies by tour. Prices as marked online.

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2024 Tour code: TC-TRRE-24

About the tour

Your journey begins in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. From here travel east on VIA Rail's Canadian, admiring charming alpine towns, unspoiled natural scenery, and amazing wildlife along your route. As you travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, enjoy stops in beautiful Jasper, tranquil Lake Louise, and to the small town of Banff before continuing your journey across Canada to Toronto.

Your rail adventure across Canada and through the Canadian Rockies includes first-class train accommodations including access to the Canadian's Skyline and Park Cars, moderate, superior or deluxe hotel accommodations, sightseeing, ample time at your leisure, and more!

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver

Arrive in the coastal city of Vancouver and check-in to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, you're close to many of the city's attractions, shops, and restaurants. Take the day to explore this scenic city on your own. Included is admission to FlyOver Canada, a thrilling multisensory journey across Canada aboard the latest in flight ride technology. Discover the country's most famous sights without leaving your seat. Overnight Vancouver.

Day 2 - Depart for Jasper

Spend the day exploring Vancouver on your own. Later this afternoon, transfer on your own from your hotel to the Vancouver train station to board the Canadian. Settle into your Sleeper Plus accommodations and prepare for your trip into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Your first-class accommodations convert from a sitting room by day to comfortable upper and lower berths by night. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 3 - Enroute to Jasper

Awake this morning to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train arrives in Jasper. Upon arrival, transfer from the rail station to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Jasper on your own. You may elect to go on a hike, bike the surrounding area, or ride the Jasper Tramway. Overnight Jasper.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Jasper to Lake Louise

Enjoy a full-day scenic transfer en route to Lake Louise. Travel along the Icefield Parkway, a scenic two-lane road that parallels the Continental Divide. A highlight of the day is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you will board an Ice Explorer and journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. Arrive in Lake Louise this evening for your first of two nights. Overnight Lake Louise. 

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 5 – Lake Louise

You have a full day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Louise today. Perhaps spend the day exploring the surrounding wilderness, or visit the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the eponymous lake. Known for its turquoise waters, the glacier-fed lake is surrounded by high mountain peaks and is overlooked by the stately Chateau. Overnight Lake Louise.

Day 6 - Lake Louise to Banff

Travel east today to Banff, a resort town surrounded by the Sulphur and Cascade Mountains. The town, originally settled by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, is a veritable playground, offering an assortment of activities including hiking and biking paths and pristine ski areas. One of Banff's most popular attractions is the Banff Upper Hot Springs located in Banff National Park. Overnight Banff.

Day 7 - Banff

Today we explore the exciting town of Banff. Enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountains and a visit to Banff's National Park. Be sure to carve out time to visit the grand Banff Springs Hotel, a former railway hotel constructed in the Scottish Baronial style in 1888. Overnight Banff.

Day 8 - Banff to Jasper

The morning is yours to enjoy Banff at your leisure. Later today, transfer from Banff to Jasper. Overnight Jasper.

Day 9 – Exploring Jasper

Your last day in the Rockies is free to explore at your leisure. Take some time to stroll the quaint mountain town and its many shops and restaurants, take a wildlife tour, or venture out onto the Summit Trail at the peak of the Jasper SkyTram for unprecedented views of six mountain ranges and the Athabasca River. Overnight Jasper.

Day 10 - VIA Rail Jasper to Toronto

Transfer to the rail station this afternoon to board VIA Rail's Canadian for your departure east. Tonight, the train travels through Alberta's capital city of Edmonton as you head toward Toronto. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 11 - En Route to Toronto

Today's travels take you through Saskatoon, Canada's leader in the high technology and mining industries, and Melville, named after Charles Melville Hays, President of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company. Spend the day chatting with your fellow travelers and enjoying panoramic views from the Skyline Car. This evening stop in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba and once the hub of the Canadian fur trade. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - VIA Rail to Toronto

A highlight of today's scenic trip includes Longlac, which, located at the northern tip of Long Lake, played an important role as part of the historic canoe route for fur traders. Spend time in the Park Car enjoying its three salons and observation deck as well as the Skyline Car with an observation dome offering 360-degree views of the ever-changing landscape. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Toronto

The Canadian is scheduled to arrive in Toronto this afternoon. After you disembark, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel, and spend the remainder of the day exploring this cosmopolitan city as you like. Overnight Toronto.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14 - Depart Toronto

Your trans-Canada journey ends this today. You may wish to extend your stay in Toronto in order to better explore this cosmopolitan city. Or, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate Accommodations
Hotels include the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, Whistler's Inn, Lake Louise Inn, Banff Ptarmigan Inn, and Chelsea Hotel. VIA Rail accommodations are Sleeper Plus Class in a semi-private berth. Meals are included onboard the train along with access to the Park Car with its lounges and 360-degree panoramic views.

Superior Accommodations
Hotels include the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Sawridge Inn & Conference Center, Post Hotel, Rimrock Resort, and Hotel Le Germain Toronto. VIA Rail accommodations are Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin. Meals are included onboard the train along with access to the Park Car with its lounges and 360-degree panoramic views.

Deluxe Accommodations
Hotels include Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and Fairmont Royal York. VIA Rail accommodations are Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin. Meals are included onboard the train along with access to the Park Car with its lounges and 360-degree panoramic views. 

Please note

Explore Banff and the Ice Explorer Tours onto the Columbia Icefields are subject to seasonal operations.

Cabins purchased on VIA rail for a single traveler are Cabins for 1. For upgrade options, ask your rail specialist for details.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 17 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (12)
  2. 4 stars
    (5)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

ROBERT LUMLEY-SAPANSKI

5 stars

Submitted 05 Nov 2023

Excellent trip and well planned by vacations by rail. Pre trip communications we’re great and all schedules worked well. Accommodations were terrific in the Rockies and the train was cool as well

Collected by Trustpilot

ROBERT LUMLEY-SAPANSKI
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maggi hall

5 stars

Submitted 22 Oct 2023

The best vacation ever. Very organized. Comfy sleeping arrangements. Quality food prep and tasty. Lovely presentation. Great choices. Field trips and hotels exceptional.

Collected by Trustpilot

maggi hall
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JAMES FLYNN

5 stars

Submitted 28 May 2023

Best trip ever! We had our first celebration of 50 years married (51st) and both the trip and the reason ars tops

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Mary Stock

5 stars

Submitted 09 Oct 2022

Excellent vacation with the "moderate" package. I had to contact them once because of a schedule delay (train tracks washed out) and they were immediately responsive and helpful. No other problems.

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EDWARD

4 stars

Submitted 30 Jul 2019

Good service. Good tours. Good food. Good hotels. Many gaps in schedule (getting in at noon and not being able to check in until 4 or equivalent, repeatedly)

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Mary Beth G, Harshaw, WI

5 stars

Submitted 03 Dec 2018

We began our train tour of Canada last May in Toronto. Oh, what an absolutely wonderful train trip and Canada was BEAUTIFUL ! Our compartment on the train was cozy and perfectly comfortable. All our needs were met. The beds were perfect for sleeping. They were made up for us at night while we were in the dome car. By the time we finished breakfast the beds were made up and put into the wall. We never missed a meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can't believe we ate everything since we didn't burn a lot of calories on the train. Eating on the train was like going to a 4 or 5 star restaurant. The food was delicious and many choices, and of course we always had dessert ! We also met many nice people as we shared a table for our meals. Always delightful ! We have sooooo many happy memories of our train trip through Canada. Thank you for helping us plan our trip.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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