The most popular Canadian Rockies train trip

The full vacation is 8 days. You spend 2 of those days on the Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver → Kamloops → Jasper), and the remaining 6 days exploring Vancouver, Jasper National Park, the Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, and Banff National Park. Rocky Mountaineer is a daylight-only train, so each rail day ends with an overnight hotel stay.

Yes. The Complete Canadian Rockies by Train can be booked in either direction — Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver. Both versions follow the same 8-day structure and feature the the same Rocky Mountaineer route. The Calgary-first direction works well for travellers connecting from Eastern Canada or starting their trip at the Calgary Stampede in July.

The Complete Canadian Rockies by Train includes 7 hotel nights, 2 days on the Rocky Mountaineer (with all onboard meals and beverages), airport transfers timed to your flights, train-station transfers, your choice of guided activities in Jasper and Banff, a feature dinner in Vancouver, and dedicated Canadian Insider support before and during your trip.

The 8-day Complete Rockies itinerary includes 2 nights in Jasper, 1 night at Lake Louise, and 2 nights in Banff — plus 1 night each in Vancouver and Kamloops. That's 7 hotel nights across 5 destinations, with the longest stays in the two national parks where most guided activities and photography stops are concentrated.

Yes. Popular extensions include 2 nights in Victoria (home to the iconic Fairmont Empress hotel and the world-famous Butchart Gardens), 1 to 2 nights in Whistler, a visit to a bear viewing lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest, or a 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver. Your Canadian Insider can build these add-on experiences onto the 8-day Complete Canadian Rockies by Train.

The 8-day Complete Canadian Rockies trip features 2 extra nights and a journey down the Icefields Parkway compared with the 6-day Essential Rockies by Train trip. For first-time visitors who are flexible with their vacation days, we recommend the 8-day version — it includes Jasper National Park, which shorter 6-day trips skip. Your Canadian Insider can help you compare both so you can choose the trip that best fits your interests, travel dates, and budget.

Transfers and luggage handling are included throughout the Complete Canadian Rockies trip, making it easy to travel between Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary. What's included:

• Train stations transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, and Jasper
• Airport transfers at the beginning and end of your trip
• Small-group sightseeing transfers between Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff
• Depending on your accommodation level, the transfer between Banff and Calgary is provided by bus or private vehicle

Your larger luggage is transferred between hotels and major travel connections, so you only need to keep essential items with you during the day.

Yes. Around 1 in 5 of our travellers requests mobility-friendly arrangements. We can arrange accessible hotel rooms, wheelchair seating options on the Rocky Mountaineer, and low-impact activities such as lake cruises, scenic drives, and gondola rides. Share specifics with your Canadian Insider — they'll match the right options to your needs.

No, you do not sleep on the Rocky Mountaineer train. The train travels during the day, and an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops is included.

SilverLeaf includes assigned seating in a single-level glass-dome coach, in-seat meal service, and access to a small outdoor viewing area. GoldLeaf features a bi-level glass-dome coach with a dedicated dining room and an outdoor viewing platform on the lower level. Assigned seating is on the upper level of a GoldLeaf coach. Both services are available on the Journey Through the Clouds route, with GoldLeaf offering more space, a premium dining experience, and a higher vantage point.

Yes. Rocky Mountaineer offers accessible travel options, and we recommend discussing any mobility requirements with one of our Canadian Insiders when booking. Some SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf coaches are suitable for wheelchair users. GoldLeaf coaches include elevators to access the lower-level dining room. SilverLeaf guests enjoy meals served at their seats, reducing the need to move around the train. Rocky Mountaineer also transfers larger luggage between hotels, so you only need to carry a small day bag onboard. Accessible hotel rooms may be available throughout the Complete Canadian Rockies trip, subject to availability and advance request.

This trip showcases some of the Canadian Rockies' most spectacular scenery, including towering mountain peaks, glacier-fed rivers, deep canyons, and pristine wilderness. Highlights along the Rocky Mountaineer route include the Fraser Canyon, Thompson River valley, Pyramid Falls, Yellowhead Pass, and Mount Robson. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but you may spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bears, and bald eagles along the way.