Canadian Rockies / Vancouver trip

[CelieandNettie]

DH and I have been invited to stay with friends on Vancouver Island summer 26. We’re thinking of having a week on the island (too long?) then a road trip from Vancouver to do the Rockies then fly back from Calgary to UK. We could have 3 weeks in total to be away
Anyone done something like this ? Should we rent a camper van for the road trip or a car ? Where to stay ? Any advice greatly appreciated

What a wonderful thread… we are planning on going early summer 2026. Someone said Victoria was awful/not worth visiting. Can you expand? I know people there and was going to visit them. Maybe we shouldn’t bother?

We really liked Victoria, although we weren't there for that long. Thought it was a lovely little place.

We loved Victoria too!

We liked Victoria as well. I think we had four days there. The BC museum is brilliant and afternoon tea at The Empress. We did Whale watching from there too.

Yes, we went for a second whale watching trip from Victoria, after not finding orcas when we went from Tofino (did see other whales, bears, otters from there). Luckily on second trip we hit the jackpot and got lots.

I've done a trip that included Vancouver, Seattle, Olympic National Park (USA) and Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands and a trip that started in Vancouver and went across to Jasper down to Banff and back. I personally think doing both Vancouver Island and the Rockies is trying to cram too much in and you'd be better doing one or the other.

@Countryfiler I’ve met quite a few people who thought the Rocky Mountaineer was overpriced. Only the expensive tickets get to move around they said. I’d check everything in detail because the ambition costs a fortune.

Wow thank you everyone ! What a lot of great ideas and plenty to keep me busy planning !
Started looking at flights from UK to Vancouver then flying back from Calgary. Coming in at £900 - is that the going rate ? Any top tips on flights would be greatly appreciated

Banff is really pricey for accommodation. Look at Canmore as an alternative.. only 20 mins to Banff. A great town.. we went this summer and rented a condo in Canmore and loved it. 😊

@CelieandNettie Not sure about prices but these flights are popular and get booked up. You won’t have much choice for direct flights. Usually Air Canada or BA from London. Not sure about regional airports. Not much difference in economy i think between the two. Price sounds about right but have you played with dates? Sometimes one day can make a big difference.