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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | VIA Rail
INTRODUCTION
The Alpine Canadian Train Trip to the Rockies is one of the best Rocky Mountain train trips from Vancouver or Calgary.
Stay in the small alpine towns of Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper, witness breathtaking scenery and travel overnight on VIA Rail in your own cozy sleeper cabin.
Enjoy an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier between Jasper and Lake Louise, and in Banff select your choice of tours from wildlife viewing to a horseback cowboy cookout.
This 6-day train trip is the perfect introduction to the beauty of Canada's Rocky Mountains.
Itinerary at a Glance
MAP

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 RailThis afternoon, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous rail journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Step back in time to the days of classic rail travel, riding in the original steel ‘streamliner’ railcars made famous by the ‘Canadian’ in the 1950s. Each car has been lovingly restored with air conditioning, a dining car, lounge car, and dome car. 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 RailRise 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 to Lake Louise | Sightseeing with picnic lunchYour sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice at the Glacier Adventure (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 4 Lake Louise to Banff | CoachThis 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 5 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursionsOption 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff GondolaExplore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.Option 2. Discover the Grizzly Bears, Lake & WaterfallsPursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub.Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or DinnerSaddle 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
Day 6 Banff to Calgary | CoachToday you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. We will schedule a transfer to bring you to downtown Calgary, or to the Calgary Airport to connect with your flight home.
Day 1 Calgary to Banff | CoachLeave 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 renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.
Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursionsOption 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff GondolaExplore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.Option 2. Discover the Grizzly Bears, Lake & WaterfallsPursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub.Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or DinnerSaddle 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
Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise | CoachDepart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise.
Day 4 Lake Louise to Jasper | Sightseeing with picnic lunchYour sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice at the Glacier Adventure (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 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA RailThis 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 6 Arrive Vancouver | VIA RailWaking to the coastal city of Vancouver today, your tour ends upon arrival. (continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)
INCLUDED
Package Includes:
- Sleeping berth onboard VIA Rail Sleeper Touring service for 1 night
- 1 night accommodation in Jasper
- 1 night accommodation in Lake Louise
- 2 nights accommodation in Banff
- Transfer between rail depot and hotel in Jasper
- Full day tour between Jasper and Lake Louise with picnic lunch included
- Ice Explorer ride on to Athabasca Glacier
- Glacier Skywalk
- Scheduled coach transfer between Lake Louise and Banff hotels
- Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
- Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola
- Discover Grizzly Bears, Lakes & Waterfalls
- Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner
- Scheduled coach transfer between Banff hotel and Calgary
- Meals as per itinerary
- National Park fees
Hotel & Rail Information | Moderate Grade
- VIA Rail | Semi Private Sleeper Berth
- Jasper - Moderate Hotel | Standard Room
- Lake Louise - Lake Louise Inn | Summit Deluxe Queen Room
- Banff - Elk+Avenue Hotel | Standard Room
Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade
- VIA Rail | Private Cabin
- Jasper - Forest Park Hotel | Woodland Balcony or Alpine Room
- Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Fairmont Room
- Banff - Banff Caribou Lodge | Superior Room
Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Grade
- VIA Rail | Private Cabin
- Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge | Deluxe Room
- Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Fairmont Lakeview Room
- Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Deluxe Room
Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Plus Grade
- VIA Rail | Private Cabin
- Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge | Premier Deluxe Room
- Lake Louise - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Deluxe Lakeview Room
- Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Deluxe Mountainview Room
Not Included
- Gratuities
- 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: Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays(Tour Code: TR25)Departs from Calgary: Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays(Tour Code: TR26)
Date | Twin | Single | Triple | Child |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moderate Grade with Semi-Private Berth on-board VIA Rail | ||||
01 May 23 - 13 May 23 14 May 23 - 30 Sep 23 01 Oct 23 - 10 Oct 23 Upgrade available to a Private bedroom onboard VIA Rail | $2,793 $3,751 $3,642
| $3,401 $4,986 $4,770
| $2,643 $3,392 $3,319
| $1,619 $1,940 $1,940
|
Superior Grade with Private Bedroom on-board VIA Rail | ||||
01 May 23 - 13 May 23 14 May 23 - 30 Sep 23 01 Oct 23 - 10 Oct 23 Upgrade available to Prestige Class onboard VIA Rail | $3,934 $5,174 $5,047
| $4,972 $6,885 $6,630
| $3,660 $4,675 $4,591
| $2,330 $2,889 $2,889
|
Deluxe Grade with Private Bedroom on-board VIA Rail | ||||
01 May 23 - 13 May 23 14 May 23 - 30 Sep 23 01 Oct 23 - 10 Oct 23 Upgrade available to Prestige Class onboard VIA Rail | $4,888 $6,515 $6,339
| $6,880 $9,566 $9,390
| $4,354 $5,628 $5,452
| $2,330 $2,889 $2,889
|
Deluxe Plus Grade with Private Cabin on-board VIA Rail | ||||
01 May 23 - 13 May 23 14 May 23 - 30 Sep 23 01 Oct 23 - 10 Oct 23 Upgrade available to Prestige Class onboard VIA Rail | $5,133 $6,760 $6,584
| $7,370 $10,057 $9,881
| $4,518 $5,792 $5,616
| $2,330 $2,889 $2,889
|
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REVIEWS
1 of 4
"Everything that you and the team at Canada by Design organised for us was top class"
Everything that you and the team at Canada by Design organised for us was top class. From day one we felt comfortable that everything was going to be special. From the driver that met us at Seattle Airport, to the staff at Alexis hotel, everyone made us feel welcome. The Via Rail trip was great and once we picked up the vehicle in Jasper we could not believe that the sights of the Rockies could get any better, but they did!
Mark Australia
2 of 4
"Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation that created memories for our lifetime! You did a great job!"
Dale and I just returned from our "Ice Field Discovery" trip. Our vacation could not have been better! Everything was taken care of so we did not have to worry about anything! The train trip was a throw back in time to the 1950's and reminded me of the Zephyr that I rode as a child. Of course, there were many upgrades but the ambiance was so romantic! The bus trip from Jasper to Lake Louise was great. It was an intimate charter bus so we made friends with the other passengers. We made several stops on our journey for pictures and points of interest. Our driver was fantastic. Lake Louise and Banff were the highlights! Our hotel accommodations were upgraded so we got to stay in the "gold" area of the hotel. It was very special.Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation that created memories for our lifetime! You did a great job!
Pam Illinois, United States
3 of 4
"It was a very memorable trip and I highly recommend to all."
I took the “ALPINE CANADIAN†tour from Vancouver to Calgary, departing on August 1, 2017 to celebrate my 75th Birthday. The weather was gorgeous. Some smoke from fires while on the train in BC but nothing to bother. The train was wonderful. Sleeping compartment small but very adequate. Bed extremely comfortable but covered the private “potty†when it pulled down. Even though I have to get up several times a night it was no problem as there is a public restroom down the hall. It was very large and great to dress and do makeup in the morning. Food was excellent and nice variety of choices. Everyone was extremely accommodating. The bus tours by “SUN DOG TOURS†is 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 Fallsâ€. 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 “ICE FIELDS PARKWAYâ€. 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 “CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE†hotel 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 HOTELâ€. (The locals call it “The Springsâ€). We ate at “St. James's 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
4 of 4
"I can not imagine having had a more enjoyable adventure! Thank you to Jennifer and the rest of the crew at Canada by Design for making it happen. "
I can not imagine having had a more enjoyable adventure! Thank you to Jennifer and the rest of the crew at Canada by Design for making it happen. The entire vacation was seamless. From the overnight train to Jasper, through the ice fields to Lake Louise and on to Banff, the accommodations could not have been better. The Banff Springs Hotel was breathtaking.
Joseph Moore Terrebonne, OR, United States
Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | VIA Rail
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