So this is a reasonably priced trip for all that you get in return. VIA Rail is Canada's Amtrak.

Took a train trip on "The Skeena" and thought it was pretty scenic.

Flew into Calgary and rented a car at the Calgary Airport (Hertz is best....reason later).

It was a two hour drive from there to Banff, which I liked the hotel there but found one at Lake Louise that was cheaper. Lake Louise was a 20 min drive from the Hotel in downtown Lake Louise but worth it....





Then drove via the IceFields Parkway to Jasper allow 5 hours for stops (I think it is a 3-3.5 hour trip). Turned car in at the train station in Jasper (Hertz again, thats why I rented from them above). The train for the next two days, "The Skeena" left at 12:30 p.m. from Jasper.

The Skeena


We went with "Totem Deluxe" Car because it included meals brought to your seat.....The cheaper "Totem" class also gets you a dome car view BUT you get full run of the train dome car and panorama car with "Totem Deluxe" class.

The Skeena is a unique train in that it stops for a overnight in Prince George instead of towing a sleeper car. The crew was very nice and the train stopped in the Middle of Nowhere in several places when the train crew could spare the track time (dwindle on the mainline track). The whole train crew locks up the train at Prince George and stays usually at a local hotel in town there.....which is where I stayed as well because they know the best deal.

The next day you get on the train for the next days trip to Prince Rupert.


Prince Rupert Tourism site


In Prince Rupert I stayed at the Crest Hotel which looks expensive but is actually a good deal for the price and their restraunt has really good steaks and burgers. There were Bald Eagles nesting above my window which overlooked the harbor. It was neat to have the shades open and you could see them fly towards the window and then start to land above it...

Crest Hotel

It was a great trip and not too expensive for what I got, IMO. Exchange rates have dropped quite a bit since we took the trip though so it might be more expensive now. It's always best to travel with a Passport to Canada as well. Very Good Trip.

View from the Dome Car as the train approaches Prince Rupert. Many of the views were just phenomenonal from the train. Thats a Wi-Fi dish on the roof of the car.....there is internet access on the train.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ErichG2,

Sounds good, I'll check it out!

Thank you for the information.

In my view, train travel is the way to go and The Skeena - Jasper to Prince Rupert would be the way to go.

I also favour First Class, where the meals are included in the cost.

Ah, train travel, rail adventures; I think I'll go and pack.