Vancouver to Banff
Vancouver to Banff: A Luxury Pacific Northwest + Canadian Rockies Journey
A Rosé-Tinted Journeys guide blending ocean wildlife, world-class dining, and one of the most scenic luxury train rides in the world.
Canada is one of those places where wilderness and elegance sit side by side. A coastline filled with whales and sea mist… a mountain range carved by turquoise rivers… and a journey that moves from Pacific sapphire to Rocky Mountain gold. This itinerary links two of Canada’s most iconic destinations — Vancouver and Banff — wrapped in comfort and luxury from start to finish.
Where to Begin: Two Nights at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver
Start your journey in downtown Vancouver at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a restored 1920s icon with polished suites, refined finishes, and an indoor pool that feels like a secret hideaway. From the moment you arrive, the Rosewood sets the tone: understated elegance, immaculate service, and proximity to everything.
RTJ Tips for Your Stay:
Request a room with a city-facing view — the skyline glows beautifully at dusk.
Book dinner at Hawksworth downstairs — one of Vancouver’s top restaurants.
Enjoy a morning walk to the waterfront before your whale-watching tour.
Whale Watching in Vancouver: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Vancouver is one of the world’s best whale-watching hubs, with sightings of orcas, humpbacks, seals, eagles, and occasionally gray whales.
Most boats depart from Granville Island or Coal Harbour, both a short taxi ride from the Rosewood.
Your cruise lasts 3–5 hours, with expert naturalists on board to help you spot wildlife and understand the marine ecosystem.
RTJ Tips for Whale Watching:
Choose a covered, heated boat for maximum comfort.
Bring a light jacket — the ocean air is cooler than the city.
Morning departures tend to have calmer seas and clearer views.
Expect magical moments: breaching humpbacks, orcas slicing through still water, the sound of powerful blows echoing across the bay.
After returning to the city, stroll the seawall, stop for oysters at Fanny Bay, or enjoy a cocktail at the hotel bar before the next phase of your adventure.
The Luxury Train Ride: Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies
This is where your journey becomes cinematic.
Board the legendary Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world’s most luxurious train experiences. Glass-domed coaches, chef-prepared meals, white-glove service, and views that feel almost unreal.
The route toward Banff winds through:
Deep river canyons
Snow-dusted peaks
Massive pine forests
Glacier-carved valleys
Historic railway bridges
Turquoise rivers gleaming with glacial silt
You’ll spend one night en route (typically in Kamloops), with mid-journey stays arranged seamlessly by the Rocky Mountaineer team.
RTJ Tips for Riding in Style:
Book GoldLeaf Service for a two-level glass-domed coach and open-air viewing platform.
Afternoon light is especially beautiful — perfect for photography.
Don’t rush breakfast; the onboard dining is truly exceptional.
Keep your eyes peeled for elk, black bears, and mountain goats along the tracks.
Arrive in Banff: Check in at the Fairmont Banff Springs
Nicknamed “the Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs is grand, historic, and perfectly positioned inside Banff National Park.
Settle into mountain-view rooms with stone architecture, cozy textures, and windows framing the peaks. It’s the perfect blend of alpine magic and refined service.
RTJ Tips for Banff Springs:
Choose a room with a Bow Valley or mountain view — worth every penny.
Visit the Willow Stream Spa for mineral pools and mountain air relaxation.
Dinner at 1888 Chop House is a must for special occasions.
Explore the Canadian Rockies
With Banff as your base, every day feels like an adventure.
Top Experiences:
Lake Louise: sunrise reflections and unreal turquoise water
Moraine Lake: the Valley of the Ten Peaks at its most dramatic
Banff Gondola: panoramic views from Sulphur Mountain
Bow Falls: a short walk from Banff Springs, powerful and beautiful
Canoeing, hiking, wildlife spotting, and stargazing in a Dark Sky Preserve
The region offers endless beauty, and the pace is as relaxed or adventurous as you want it to be.
The RTJ Way to Travel Vancouver → Banff
What makes this itinerary special is the contrast:
Ocean to mountains. Whales to waterfalls. Urban elegance to alpine calm.
All connected through one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.
Stay somewhere luxurious, savor the landscapes, and let the Rocky Mountaineer do the work while you sit back, sip something sparkling, and watch the world unfold through glass domes.
If you’d like help planning this exact itinerary — hotels, train bookings, whale-watching tours, and custom pacing — we’d love to curate the full journey for you.
Luxury travel, best served chilled.
