Two days of Vancouver seawalls, markets and rainforest, a flight to Calgary and the drive to Banff, then three days of hot springs, glacier lakes and mountain trails.
7 days, 39 stopsBalanced paceJun to SepApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 4, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown
The seawall and totem poles of Stanley Park, lunch at the Granville Island market, Kitsilano Beach, the Olympic cauldron, Gastown and dinner in Chinatown.
1
9:00 AMStanley ParkWalk part of the 10 km seawall to the totem poles at Brockton Point, then back through the forest trails.About 2 hours 15 min here
Free to visit
Bus or taxi, about 25 min
2
11:45 AMGranville Island Public MarketThe market is open 9 AM to 6 PM daily. Graze the food stalls, bakeries and produce stands for lunch.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 20 min
3
1:15 PMOptionalKitsilano BeachWalk the sand of this busy city beach. In summer, Kits Pool is the longest saltwater pool in North America.About 1 hour 15 min here
Free to visit
Bus, about 30 min
4
3:00 PMOlympic Cauldron (Jack Poole Plaza)See the cauldron from the 2010 Winter Games on Jack Poole Plaza, then stroll the Coal Harbour seawall.About 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 15 min
5
4:00 PMGastownWander the cobblestone streets to the Gastown Steam Clock on Water Street, one of few steam clocks anywhere.About 1 hour 45 min here
Free to walk
Walk about 15 min
6
6:00 PMChinatown, VancouverChoose a restaurant among the historic buildings and cultural landmarks of Chinatown for dinner.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadCapilano Suspension Bridge Park (day 2), Banff Gondola (day 4), Lake Louise Lakeshore, Lake Louise (day 5): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Set your watch ahead in AlbertaBritish Columbia runs on Pacific Time and Alberta on Mountain Time, 1 hour ahead, so you lose an hour flying to Calgary.
Buy a park pass firstVisitors to Banff National Park need a park pass. Parks Canada shuttle tickets do not include it, so you need both.
Leave the car for Moraine LakeMoraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles year-round. Go by Parks Canada shuttle, Roam and the Lake Connector, or a licensed tour.
Come between June and early OctoberShuttles to Moraine Lake ran June 1 to October 12 in 2026, and the Lake Agnes Tea House opens from June to early October.
Take the Canada Line to YVRThe Canada Line links the airport and downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes. An extra airport fare is added when you leave YVR.
Pack a rain jacketVancouver winters are mild and rainy, and spring mixes sun and rain, so bring layers and a good raincoat outside summer.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay downtown in Vancouver near Canada Place for the seawall and the Capilano shuttle, then in the town of Banff for the Roam buses to the lakes.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 4, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
