11-Day Trans-Canada Train Tour with VIA Rail
from Toronto to Calgary with Jasper, Lake Louise & Banff
This 11-Day tour begins with a night in Toronto before boarding VIA Rail’s ‘The Canadian’ for a scenic three-day, three-night journey to Jasper. Watch the landscape transform from forests to prairies and the majestic Rockies. Spend two nights exploring Jasper’s stunning scenery, then head to Lake Louise for a night amidst alpine beauty. Continue to Banff for two nights of sightseeing in the heart of the Rockies. Finally, wrap up with a night in Calgary. Hotels in each destination offer comfort after days of adventure and sightseeing throughout this breathtaking journey.
Travel Dates in 2024 & 2025
2024 Start Dates - Westbound
Starting on Tuesdays.
November | 5, 12, 19, 26 |
December | 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
*For additional dates not listed, please contact us for availability.
2025 Start Dates - Westbound
Starting on Tuesdays
January | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
February | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
March | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
April | 1, 8, 15 |
– | – |
November | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
December | 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
*For additional dates not listed, please contact us for availability.
Travel Summary
- Day 1: Toronto Arrival - overnight in Toronto
- Day 2: Board "The Canadian" Train from Toronto to Jasper - overnight aboard the train
- Day 3: "The Canadian" Train - Ontario - overnight aboard the train
- Day 4: "The Canadian" Train - Manitoba and Saskatchewan - overnight aboard the train
- Day 5: "The Canadian" Train - arrival in Jasper - overnight in Jasper
- Day 6: Jasper Sightseeing Tour - overnight in Jasper
- Day 7: Jasper to Lake Louise Tour/Transfer* - overnight in Lake Louise
- Day 8: Lake Louise to Banff Tour/Transfer* - overnight in Banff
- Day 9: Banff Sightseeing Tour including Banff Gondola - overnight in Banff
- Day 10: Scenic Transfer from Banff to Calgary - overnight in Calgary
- Day 11: Calgary Departure
*Scenic transfers in place of tours from mid-October to early-May
Route Map
What's Included
- 7 nights hotel accommodation
- 3 nights private bedroom accommodation on board 'The Canadian' train in Sleeper Plus Class
- Meals while onboard the train
- Jasper Sightseeing Tour
- Icefields Parkway Tour (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
- Banff and Yoho National Park Tour (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
- Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
- Independent Tour
Not Included
- Rail station transfers in Toronto and Jasper
- Transportation to/from Toronto and Calgary airports
- Meals other than onboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian'
- Gratuities/tip for hotel, VIA Rail, and transfer staff
- Canadian 5% sales tax
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Toronto
Arrive in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the capital of Ontario. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours! If your schedule permits, purchasing Hop-On, Hop-Off bus passes is a great way to see the city at your leisure. You may also add a second night in Toronto to your vacation package and receive a complimentary Toronto City Tour and CN Tower Admission through Canada Rail Vacations!
Spend the night in your downtown Toronto hotel.
Day 2 - Board "The Canadian" Train from Toronto to Jasper
Today is the beginning of your three nights aboard VIA Rail’s The Canadian train. The train offers a truly unique experience of Canada’s diverse scenery. All meals are included and can be enjoyed in the dining car. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take in the scenery in the glass dome train car. At night, you will retire to your private cabin as the gentle sway of the train rocks you to sleep.
Day 3 - "The Canadian" Train - Ontario
The entire day is spent travelling across Canada’s second largest province, Ontario. Your route is north of the Great Lakes and the entire day can be spent watching the countryside pass by. Lakes and never ending forests are out your window throughout the day as you glide across our great country on the route the early settlers once took.
Take the time to get to know the train and all of its services. There are regular scheduled talks about local areas of interest. Or get to know all about the various personalities aboard the train, you’ll certainly meet some interesting characters during these four days of adventure. Read a book, watch a movie or catch up on some writing, as there is plenty of time for it.
Day 4 - "The Canadian" Train - Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Enter the peaceful prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. A stop in Winnipeg gives you the option of getting off the train and taking a look around. As you head further west, swaying grasslands and fields of gold stretch out before you in every direction underneath a never ending sky.
Day 5 - "The Canadian" Train - Arrival in Jasper
Enter Alberta and pass through its capital city of Edmonton before continuing west. A milestone moment has been reached. You’ve entered the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Enjoy your breakfast on board as you snake through the snow-capped mountain peaks and winding rivers our country is famous for. Welcome to the cozy little resort town of Jasper.
All your amenities here are within walking distance, and you’re nestled in between some fantastic mountain ranges. You are free to enjoy your day as you please. Spend the night in your Jasper hotel room before the adventure continues the next day.
Day 6 - Jasper Sightseeing Tour
Spend the first half of the day getting to know Jasper! First stop, Maligne Canyon, where 10,000 years of erosion have created the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Start off with a short and easy walk, admiring the Maligne River and its many waterfalls. After that, it’s over to the disappearing Medicine Lake, followed by the fairy tale-like Maligne Lake.
The afternoon and evening in Jasper will be free time to enjoy the town at your leisure.
*From late-October to early-May an alternative tour will be offered in Jasper
*An alternative Jasper tour will be provided in place of this tour from mid-October to early-May
Day 7 - Sightseeing Tour from Jasper to Lake Louise including Columbia Icefield Excursion
Today you’re riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada—the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at the powerful Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. Pose for your new profile picture at one of these breathtaking locations.
Arrive at the Athabasca Glacier and climb aboard the Ice Explorer—a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier. Relax and listen as your guide explains all about its natural wonders. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in style in your room at the picturesque Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
*A scenic transfer between Jasper and Lake Louise will be provided in place of this tour from mid-October to early-May
Day 8 - Lake Louise to Banff Sightseeing Tour - Mountains, Lakes, and Waterfalls
Your tour leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Lake Louise and Banff. Cross the Continental Divide, and pass through Yoho National Park, with sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans across the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the next two nights in your hotel in the famously friendly town of Banff.
*A scenic transfer between Lake Louise and Banff will be provided in place of this tour from mid-October to early-May
Day 9 - Banff Sightseeing Tour including Banff Gondola
Today you’ll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.
Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf or relaxing as you choose.
Day 10 - Scenic Transfer from Banff to Calgary
Enjoy a brief, scenic transfer to Calgary, Alberta’s liveliest city. Famous for its yearly stampede, this is a city that prides itself on its western charm.
Spend the rest of the day strolling through Prince’s Island Park and along the Bow River, get a great view of the city from the Calgary Tower or check out one of the many trendy neighborhoods such as Kensington or Inglewood. Spend the night in your Calgary hotel room.
Day 11 - Calgary Departure
Your tour is completed once you check out from your Calgary hotel.
11-Day Tour Pricing 2024 & 2025
2024 Pricing - Canadian Dollars
Starting on Tuesdays.
Tour Start Dates From: | Base Price | Superior Hotel Upgrade |
Deluxe Hotel Upgrade |
Prestige Class Train Upgrade |
Jan to Apr | $6124 | +$1065 | +$1796 | +$3000 |
May | $6852 | +$1316 | +$2435 | +$3000 |
Jun to Sep | $7364 | +$1442 | +$2766 | +$3000 |
Oct | $6852 | +$1316 | +$2435 | +$3000 |
Nov to Dec | $6124 | +$1065 | +$1796 | +$3000 |
- Base prices include Popular Hotels (3 stars) and a Private Sleeper Cabin.
- Upgrades to Premium hotel rooms (5 stars) and Private Tours/Transfers are also available by request. Please request a quote for these rates.
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.
Approximate Exchange Rates: |
$1.00 CAD = |
$0.74 USD |
€0.67 EUR |
£0.56 GBP |
$1.08 AUD |
Request Availability & Quote
Fill out the form below and one of our Vacation Planners will reach out to you as soon as possible to confirm availability, pricing, payment methods, and any applicable Booking Specials. Please let us know if you would like to make any customizations to your vacation plans.
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