In a country as big as this driving distances can be huge. Luckily in Western Canada there is plenty to see and so you’ll only be on the road (or rails) for a few hours before you arrive at yet another breathtaking destination. Click for Luxury, Mid-range or Budget. Here’s your Western Canada itinerary:
| Luxury |  |
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| 1 | ✈To Vancouver (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Book >) | All hotels > |
| The only thing to do today is enjoy your first meal in Canada and stay awake as long as you can to beat jetlag. | Arrange a transfer from the airport. | ||||
| 2 | For one of the best views of the city head up Vancouver Lookout, for perhaps the best view catch the cable car up Grouse Mountain. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden makes for a very serene visit, as does the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden. Take a taxi over to the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge, or to Lynn Canyon for almost the same experience but for free. | Gastown, Main Street, or Alexandra Road are good places in which to find somewhere to eat. | |||
| 3 | 🚗Vancouver to Whistler drive (Hire car >) | Dep: 09:30 | Arr: 11:00 | 🏨Four Seasons (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Not far from Vancouver is the mountain resort of Whistler. The Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas run all year except October to early November and are great for views and for starting your mountain adventure, be it on snow or track. | Like snowsports? visit Whistler between December and March. Into hiking or biking? June to August is the time to come. | ||||
| 4 | 🚗Whistler to Clearwater drive | Dep: 13:30 | Arr: 19:00 | 🏨Alpine Meadows Resort (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Make the most of the clear mountains air before the drive to Clearwater. | You may want to plan in frequent stops to take in the view along the road. | ||||
| 5 | 🚗Clearwater to Jasper drive | Dep: 15:00 | Arr: 19:00 | 🏨Alpine Village Jasper (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Wells Gray Provincial Park, adjacent to Clearwater, is a wonderful place to hike or canoe. If, like me, you’re a fan of white water rafting then this is a great place to do it. | Fill up on fuel before leaving town – distances between gas stations can be large. | ||||
| 6 | Enjoy the famously picturesque cruise on Maligne Lake, which can also be experienced by kayak. The Jasper SkyTram is an easy way to get those unforgettable mountain-top views. After a long and active day, relax in Miette Hot Springs. | You’ll need to pay a national park entry fee if you stop off and hike/bike/etc, but if you’re just driving through then you don’t need to pay. | |||
| 7 | 🚗Jasper to Banff drive | Dep: 08:00 Dep: 12:00 |
Arr: 09:30 Arr: 14:30 |
🏨Hotel Fairmont Banff Springs (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Another wonderful drive (one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveller) and another fantastic destination. On the way stop off at the magnificent Athabasca Glacier for a tour of the ice sheet and skywalk. Banff is another place where you come in winter for the snowsports or in summer for every other activity. Again, there are some lovely hot springs in which to luxuriate. | Had enough of driving? Banff has a good local bus system which can take you to many trailheads and sights. | ||||
| 8 | A full day to choose to explore the trails, the ski runs, the rivers or the lakes. Add another day here if you can’t get enough of the outdoor lifestyle. | You can also travel to and from Banff on a Rocky Mountaineer package. | |||
| 9 | 🚗Banff to Lake Louise drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 09:40 | 🏨Post Hotel & Spa (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Plenty of choice for hikes in Lake Louise, whatever your ability. I recommend, if you can, heading up as high as you can for spectacular panoramic views. | You may want to set off earlier and arrive before 9 if you want to avoid coach trippers at Lake Louise. | ||||
| 10 | 🚗Lake Louise to Field drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 09:30 | 🏨Cathedral Mountain Lodge (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Just down the road from Lake Louise, Field is in Yoho National Park and the Kicking Horse valley (which you’d have already visited if you went rafting from Banff. Points of interest include Emerald Lake, Wapta Falls, Takakkaw Falls and Lake O’Hara | Although unlikely to happen, it’s good to know what to do if you encounter a bear. Read the advice here. | ||||
| 11 | 🚗Field to Kamloops drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 14:30 | 🏨Campbell Hills Guest Ranch (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Kamloops is a great stopping off point on your way back west. Here you can enjoy horseriding, mountain biking or, at certain times of year a ride on the fantastic Kamloops Heritage Railway. Accommodation tonight is in a working ranch. | Check the weather the night before – you may need more time if it starts snowing. HERE | ||||
| 12 | Today you can ride horses, take a kayak out onto the lake, drive ATVs or hike in and around the ranch. | Your stay at the ranch includes all meals. | |||
| 13 | 🚗Kamloops to Victoria drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:30 | 🏨Abigail’s Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Continue the drive out the mountains, around Vancouver, across the ferry and on to Vancouver Island. Have a relaxed afternoon enjoying the sights of Victoria, including the famous Butchart Gardens. | Buy the car ferry ticket from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (and back) in advance here. | ||||
| 14 | Drive the two hours over to Port Renfrew and enjoy the incredible scenery in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Or head out to sea from Victoria on a whale watching trip. | If you want to extend your trip then a visit to the Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is an experience you won’t forget. | |||
| 15 | 🚗Victoria to Vancouver drive ✈Vancouver to home (Book >) |
Dep: 08:30 Dep: Afternoon |
Arr: 11:30 Arr: Morning (next day) |
Connect this Western Canada itinerary with the USA (California & Nevada) itinerary | |
| Check the ferry times before driving back to Vancouver. | |||||
| Mid-range |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Vancouver (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨O Canada House (Book >) | All hotels > |
| The only thing to do today is enjoy your first meal in Canada and stay awake as long as you can to beat jetlag. | Arrange a transfer from the airport. | ||||
| 2 | For one of the best views of the city head up Vancouver Lookout, for perhaps the best view catch the cable car up Grouse Mountain. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden makes for a very serene visit, as does the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden. Take a taxi over to the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge, or to Lynn Canyon for almost the same experience but for free. | Gastown, Main Street, or Alexandra Road are good places in which to find somewhere to eat. | |||
| 3 | 🚗Vancouver to Whistler drive (Hire car >) | Dep: 09:30 | Arr: 11:00 | 🏨First Tracks Lodge (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Not far from Vancouver is the mountain resort of Whistler. The Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas run all year except October to early November and are great for views and for starting your mountain adventure, be it on snow or track. | Like snowsports? visit Whistler between December and March. Into hiking or biking? June to August is the time to come. | ||||
| 4 | 🚗Whistler to Clearwater drive | Dep: 13:30 | Arr: 19:00 | 🏨Alpine Meadows Resort (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Make the most of the clear mountains air before the drive to Clearwater. | You may want to plan in frequent stops to take in the view along the road. | ||||
| 5 | 🚗Clearwater to Jasper drive | Dep: 15:00 | Arr: 19:00 | 🏨Alpine Village Jasper (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Wells Gray Provincial Park, adjacent to Clearwater, is a wonderful place to hike or canoe. If, like me, you’re a fan of white water rafting then this is a great place to do it. | Fill up on fuel before leaving town – distances between gas stations can be large. | ||||
| 6 | Enjoy the famously picturesque cruise on Maligne Lake, which can also be experienced by kayak. The Jasper SkyTram is an easy way to get those unforgettable mountain-top views. After a long and active day, relax in Miette Hot Springs. | You’ll need to pay a national park entry fee if you stop off and hike/bike/etc, but if you’re just driving through then you don’t need to pay. | |||
| 7 | 🚗Jasper to Banff drive | Dep: 08:00 Dep: 12:00 |
Arr: 09:30 Arr: 14:30 |
🏨The Rimrock Resort (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Another wonderful drive (one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveller) and another fantastic destination. On the way stop off at the magnificent Athabasca Glacier for a tour of the ice sheet and skywalk. Banff is another place where you come in winter for the snowsports or in summer for every other activity. Again, there are some lovely hot springs in which to luxuriate. | Had enough of driving? Banff has a good local bus system which can take you to many trailheads and sights. | ||||
| 8 | A full day to choose to explore the trails, the ski runs, the rivers or the lakes. Add another day here if you can’t get enough of the outdoor lifestyle. | You can also travel to and from Banff on a Rocky Mountaineer package. | |||
| 9 | 🚗Banff to Lake Louise drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 09:40 | 🏨Baker Creek Mountain Resort (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Plenty of choice for hikes in Lake Louise, whatever your ability. I recommend, if you can, heading up as high as you can for spectacular panoramic views. | You may want to set off earlier and arrive before 9 if you want to avoid coach trippers at Lake Louise. | ||||
| 10 | 🚗Lake Louise to Field drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 09:30 | 🏨Emerald Lake Lodge (Book >) |
All hotels > |
| Just down the road from Lake Louise, Field is in Yoho National Park and the Kicking Horse valley (which you’d have already visited if you went rafting from Banff. Points of interest include Emerald Lake, Wapta Falls, Takakkaw Falls and Lake O’Hara | Although unlikely to happen, it’s good to know what to do if you encounter a bear. Read the advice here. | ||||
| 11 | 🚗Field to Kamloops drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Wingate By Wyndham Kamloops (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Kamloops is a great stopping off point on your way back west. Here you can enjoy horseriding, mountain biking or, at certain times of year a ride on the fantastic Kamloops Heritage Railway. | Check the weather the night before – you may need more time if it starts snowing. | ||||
| 12 | 🚗Kamloops to Victoria drive | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:30 | 🏨The Oswego Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Continue the drive out the mountains, around Vancouver, across the ferry and on to Vancouver Island. Have a relaxed afternoon enjoying the sights of Victoria, including the famous Butchart Gardens. | Buy the car ferry ticket from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (and back) in advance here. | ||||
| 13 | Drive the two hours over to Port Renfrew and enjoy the incredible scenery in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Or head out to sea from Victoria on a whale watching trip. | If you go on a whale watching trip then you may want to take motion sickness tablets as the sea can be rough. | |||
| 14 | 🚗Victoria to Vancouver drive ✈Vancouver to home (Book >) |
Dep: 08:30 Dep: Afternoon |
Arr: 11:30 Arr: Morning (next day) |
Connect this Western Canada itinerary with the USA (California & Nevada) itinerary | |
| Check the ferry times before driving back to Vancouver. | |||||
| Budget |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Vancouver (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨SameSun Vancouver (Book >) | All hostels > |
| The only thing to do today is enjoy your first meal in Canada and stay awake as long as you can to beat jetlag. | Take the Canada Line from the airport to Yaletown-Roundhouse station. | ||||
| 2 | For one of the best views of the city head up Vancouver Lookout, for perhaps the best view catch the cable car up Grouse Mountain. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden makes for a very serene visit, as does the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden. Take a taxi over to the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge, or to Lynn Canyon for almost the same experience but for free. | Gastown, Main Street, or Alexandra Road are good places in which to find somewhere to eat. | |||
| 3 | 🚌Vancouver to Whistler bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 11:00 | 🏨Pangea Pod Hotel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Not far from Vancouver is the mountain resort of Whistler. The Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas run all year except October to early November and are great for views and for starting your mountain adventure, be it on snow or track. | Like snowsports? visit Whistler between December and March. Into hiking or biking? June to August is the time to come. | ||||
| 4 | 🚌Whistler to Vancouver bus (Book >) Vancouver to Jasper train (Book >) |
Dep: 12:00 Dep: 15:00 |
Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Train | |
| A couple more hours this morning to enjoy Whistler before departing for Vancouver and your train to Jasper. You are in for a treat; the views on your train journey are spectacular! | This bus departure time is only available Fri-Sun, if travelling on other days then take the 10:00. | ||||
| 5 | Vancouver to Jasper train (Book >) |
Arr: 11:00 | 🏨HI Jasper (Book >) | All hostels > | |
| Wells Gray Provincial Park, adjacent to Clearwater, is a wonderful place to hike or canoe. If, like me, you’re a fan of white water rafting then this is a great place to do it. | Jasper is one hour ahead of Vancouver. | ||||
| 6 | Enjoy the famously picturesque cruise on Maligne Lake, which can also be experienced by kayak. The Jasper SkyTram is an easy way to get those unforgettable mountain-top views. After a long and active day, relax in Miette Hot Springs. | You’ll need to pay a national park entry fee if you stop off and hike/bike/etc, but if you’re just passing through then you don’t need to pay. | |||
| 7 | 🚌Jasper to Lake Louise bus (Book >) | Dep: 07:00 | Arr: 10:45 | 🏨HI Lake Louise (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Journey along the famous Icefield Parkway. There is plenty of choice for hikes in Lake Louise, whatever your ability. I recommend, if you can, heading up as high as you can for spectacular panoramic views. | You can also travel to Lake Louise via the Athabasca Glacier on a tour (which is much more expensive!) | ||||
| 8 | Another day for hiking in the Lake Louise area. | Consider a Hostelling International membership if you plan to frequently stay in their hostels (it also gets you a discount on the bus from Jasper). | |||
| 9 | 🚌Lake Louise to Banff bus (Info >) | Dep: 09:35 | Arr: 10:20 | 🏨Samesun Banff (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Take the bus to the transport hub in Banff, which is another place where you come in winter for the snowsports or in summer for every other activity. Again, there are some lovely hot springs in which to luxuriate. | Although unlikely to happen, it’s good to know what to do if you encounter a bear. Read the advice here. HERE | ||||
| 10 | A full day to choose to explore the trails, the ski runs, the rivers or the lakes. Add another day here if you can’t get enough of the outdoor lifestyle. | You can also travel to and from Banff on a Rocky Mountaineer package. | |||
| 11 | 🚌Banff to Kamloops bus (Book >) | Dep: 10:05 | Arr: 16:15 | 🏨Pacific Inn & Suites (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Kamloops is a great stopping off point on your way back west. At certain times of year a ride on the fantastic Kamloops Heritage Railway. | Consider adding another day here if you enjoy horse riding – Kamloops has excellent ranches. | ||||
| 12 | 🚌Kamloops to Vancouver bus (Book >) 🚌Vancouver to Victoria bus (Book >) |
Dep: 08:15 Dep: 13:30 |
Arr: 12:45 Arr: 17:20 |
🏨Ocean Island Inn (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Continue the drive out the mountains, around Vancouver, across the ferry and on to Vancouver Island. Enjoy the sights of Victoria, including the famous Butchart Gardens. | Buy the car ferry ticket from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (and back) in advance here. | ||||
| 13 | Get up early for the 06:45 bus to Port Renfrew and visit Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (returning at 17:45). Or head out to sea from Victoria on a whale watching trip. | If you go on a whale watching trip then you may want to take motion sickness tablets as the sea can be rough. | |||
| 14 | 🚌Victoria to Vancouver Airport bus (Book >) ✈Vancouver to home (Book >) |
Dep: 07:45 Dep: Afternoon |
Arr: 11:25 Arr: Morning (next day) |
Connect this Western Canada itinerary with the USA (California & Nevada) itinerary | |
| Check the ferry times before driving back to Vancouver. | |||||
A Plan To Go 