Train from Banff to Vancouver?
Jul 9th, 2003, 12:09 PM
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Train from Banff to Vancouver?
We're considering taking a train from Banff to Vancouver during the last week of July. Does anyone know details of the train trips? (how long does it take? cost?) For a one week trip total to Calgary/Banff and Vancouver, is it more worth it to fly than take the train? Any help would be appreciated. Perhaps we are trying to do too much in seven days.
Also, this is our first visit to the area so any tips on lodging, logistics, things to do, etc. would be appreciated. We like to hike, raft, horseback ride, shop, etc.
Thank you.
Also, this is our first visit to the area so any tips on lodging, logistics, things to do, etc. would be appreciated. We like to hike, raft, horseback ride, shop, etc.
Thank you.
Jul 9th, 2003, 12:42 PM
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There are two train options. VIARail's Canadian makes a stop in Banff on its way to Vancouver. This would be the least expensive of the two but it travels through the night so you would miss some of the majestic scenery along the way.
The Rocky Mountaineer is a private excursion train that runs daily through the summer and less grequently in winter. It makes an overnight stop in Kamloops where passengers spend the night in a hotel/motel and continue the trip in the morning. The benefit, of course, is that you travel the Rockies and canyons in daylight, however, it is significantly more expensive.
I don't have the web site address at hand for the latter but you can find it with a google searchy. VIARail's address is www.viarail.com
The Rocky Mountaineer is a private excursion train that runs daily through the summer and less grequently in winter. It makes an overnight stop in Kamloops where passengers spend the night in a hotel/motel and continue the trip in the morning. The benefit, of course, is that you travel the Rockies and canyons in daylight, however, it is significantly more expensive.
I don't have the web site address at hand for the latter but you can find it with a google searchy. VIARail's address is www.viarail.com
Jul 9th, 2003, 01:28 PM
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i don't believe that via stops in banff - it goes from edmonton to jasper to vancouver. personally, if i only had seven days, i'd cut out vancouver and just stick to the lake louise, jasper, banff, yohoo areas. more relaxing trip.
if you flew you'd miss the beautiful scenary between the rockies & vancouver. but, if you like driving holidays, do banff/lake louise for 3 days and then spend two driving or taking the train to vancouver.
if you flew you'd miss the beautiful scenary between the rockies & vancouver. but, if you like driving holidays, do banff/lake louise for 3 days and then spend two driving or taking the train to vancouver.
Jul 10th, 2003, 04:37 AM
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Flying will be a lot better only about 1.5 hours from vancouver to calgary, train will take you two long days, but if you have the time, take rocky mountaineer, visit their website www.rockymountaineer.com , if your going one way take the train to banff and fly back home to vancouver, rather than the other way around.
Jul 10th, 2003, 04:38 AM
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Flying will be a lot better only about 1.5 hours from vancouver to calgary, train will take you two long days, but if you have the time, take rocky mountaineer, visit their website www.rockymountaineer.com , if your going one way take the train to banff and fly back home to vancouver, rather than the other way around. In banff, stay at Mount Royal hotel, its in the center along Banff Avenue, and lake louise stay at Chateau Lake Louise or Deer Lodge.
Jul 10th, 2003, 11:32 AM
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I have done the train trip both ways through the Rockies and I still think it is one of the nicest trips you can take. Via Rail is nice, but you do go through part at night which is a minus. You might check their website to see the timing aspect night vs day. The Rocky Mountaineer travels solely in the daytime so may be woth checking out (www.rockmountaineer.com). Sure flying is faster, but train travel is woth considering. Have a good visit.
Jul 12th, 2003, 08:18 PM
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I just happen to have the Rocky Mountaineer brochure handy. In July the two-day train trip Goldleaf Service from Banff to Vancouver is $1299 per person. Redleaf service is $669. That includes two breakfasts, two lunches and one night's accommodation in Kamloops.
Jul 13th, 2003, 07:44 AM
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OC --
I took the Rocky Mountaineer, Red Leaf service, between Banff and Vancouver and was very happy with the trip and services. It was with family, eight of us in all, and we had an entire car to ourselves on one of the two days, so we were able to move freely between seats. We also were able to get great scenic photos, as the rear of the car opened onto a small open-air area between cars. We were well-fed, but I believe the food was not as "gourmet" as in the Gold Leaf service (domed cars).
Also, Rocky Mountaineer will also coordinate your return flight between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary, if necessary. The price was competitive. Check their web site.
I took the Rocky Mountaineer, Red Leaf service, between Banff and Vancouver and was very happy with the trip and services. It was with family, eight of us in all, and we had an entire car to ourselves on one of the two days, so we were able to move freely between seats. We also were able to get great scenic photos, as the rear of the car opened onto a small open-air area between cars. We were well-fed, but I believe the food was not as "gourmet" as in the Gold Leaf service (domed cars).
Also, Rocky Mountaineer will also coordinate your return flight between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary, if necessary. The price was competitive. Check their web site.
