How do you visit Jasper by train?

Rocky Mountaineer’s Journey Through the Clouds is a two-day daylight train journey between Vancouver and Jasper, with an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops. The route follows the Fraser and North Thompson rivers before reaching the Canadian Rockies. Highlights include Fraser Canyon, Hell’s Gate, Pyramid Falls, Yellowhead Pass and Mount Robson.

Guests travel in glass-dome coaches, with meals, beverages and onboard commentary included in both SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. GoldLeaf features a bi-level coach with upper-level seating, a lower-level dining room and a large outdoor viewing platform, while SilverLeaf offers a single-level coach and meals served at your seat.

Rocky Mountaineer operates from April to October. Personalized trips start from $7,130 CAD per person and can include hotels, transfers and sightseeing tailored to your interests.

There is no regular direct passenger train operating between Jasper and Banff.

Rocky Mountaineer operated Passage to the Peaks as a limited-run route between Jasper and Banff/Lake Louise during June and July 2026. It included two rail days and an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops, but the route was only available for 2026.

The way most people travel between Jasper and Banff is by road along the Icefields Parkway. The 230-kilometre mountain route passes glaciers, waterfalls, turquoise lakes and the Columbia Icefield. The Columbia Icefield sits near the Continental Divide, and the Athabasca Glacier is one of its best-known features.

Canadian Train Vacations can arrange transportation and sightseeing between Jasper and Banff as part of a personalized itinerary, allowing you to combine your rail journey with one of the most scenic road trips in the Canadian Rockies.

The best time to visit Jasper depends on the scenery and experiences you want, but June through September offers warmer weather and the widest choice of sightseeing activities.

• Summer (June to August): Summer brings long daylight hours, warmer temperatures and access to many of Jasper National Park’s seasonal attractions. Maligne Lake cruises, hiking tours, water activities, and a wide variety of guided sightseeing experiences are available during this period. July and August are also the busiest months, so popular hotels and experiences can book well in advance.

• September: September is one of the most popular times to visit Jasper, with cooler temperatures and early fall colours appearing across the valleys. Most sightseeing experiences are still operating, and it’s an excellent time for wildlife viewing. The elk rut season starts late August or early September and continues through October.

• Shoulder months (May and October): May and October are quieter shoulder-season months. Weather can be more variable and some seasonal excursions have reduced operating dates, but these months can suit travellers looking for a quieter stay. October is also when Jasper hosts its annual Dark Sky Festival, celebrating astronomy and the park’s dark skies.

• Winter (November to April): Winter offers a quieter side of Jasper, with snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes and opportunities for winter activities and wildlife viewing. VIA Rail’s The Canadian operates year-round, making it possible to visit Jasper by train even when Rocky Mountaineer is not running.

Yes. Jasper town and Jasper National Park are open and welcoming visitors. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has reopened, rail services are operating normally, and Parks Canada continues to manage recovery in affected areas. Our local experts can advise on current conditions, tour options, and help plan your personalized Jasper itinerary.