Eileen

We have 13 days for a honeymoon late June 2003. Want to do Banff/LakeLouise/Jasper and get over to Vancouver for a few days as well. (SOmeone said 2 wks is too long for just the Canadian rockies area????).<BR>The Rocky Mountaineer looks lovely but is too expensive (more that our flights from Chicago to Calgary). What are other alternative and recommendations? Bus, rental car, plane? <BR>Thank you! All advise on these areas is appreciated!

gary

All the options you mentioned are available. If you really don't enjoy driving on Mountain roads but still want to enjoy the magnificent scenery between Banff and Vancouver, then by all means take the bus. It's about a 12-13 hour trip on the Express bus and about 2 hrs longer on the milk runs. Maybe you might want to break it up with a day in the Okanogan or overnight in Kamloops.<BR><BR>There are some fairly reasonable airfares between Calgary and Vancouver, (about $75-$100CAN one way), but that's still much more than the bus and you will miss the scenery.<BR><BR>By all means leave at least 3-4 days for Vancouver. Unless you hit a stretch of lousy weather you'll be glad you did. A day trip to Victoria and/or Whistler should also be considered.

x

rent a car so you have the flexibility to stop when you want.

gary

Don't forget that if you rent a car in Calgary and drop it off in Vancouver there's a dropoff fee which could be up to $200 or more than airfare. It varies though so check it out.

traveller

Check out westjet fares at www.westjet.com. They had a seat sale on for about $133/one way, including all taxes. Don't know how long it will last but if I were you, I would fly. It is a short flight and the no frills airlines are fine for these short times in the air.