Need info about Glacier-Banff

[Mira!]

I'm planning to ride from Glacier to Jasper this September.  When I finish, I'd like to take the shuttle back to Banff, and take Amtrak out of West Glacier.  I can't find any public ground transportation between Banff and Glacier, though.  Does anyone know if there is any, or should I just rent a car for that piece?  Thanks!

[Mira!]

Second thoughts - the Adventure Cycling group tour goes north to south; others go south to north.  Anyone have experience enough to say which is better?

And - going home via train - Viarail's Canada?  or Amtrak?

[Turk]

I rode this route in about 1980. I drove out from Minnesota with three others but the fifth person in our group drove to Winnipeg and took the Canadian train from there to Banff, I believe. He claimed that the Canadian train is better than Amtrack. You don't say where you are travelling from but if it were me I'd probably take the Canadian train. Watch out for snow, though. I did that route in mid-August and we got snowed on one day, though it didn't accumulate on the ground. You might have trouble in September.

As far as transportation between Banff and Glacier, have you checked the Glacier hotels or called Amtrack? I would think you could find something.

I checked the Empire Builder schedule. There is nothing listed there.

[Mira!]

Thanks, Turk.  Since I posted, I've done some more checking.  Talked to a travel agent and talked with myself.  Decided to save Glacier for another trip and just do Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay.  Time is really short, and it just seems more manageable.  Viarail looks really good, but is twice what airfare is - and that will get me an extra day of cycling.  Plus - I just couldn't find a good way home from Canada, once I got off the train.  Windsor-Detroit was the closest, but it's just easier to fly from Calgary to Indianapolis (where I live).