Country

Canada

First trip: pick west or east. West is Vancouver 3 + the Rockies (Banff/Jasper) 4–5 by car; east is Toronto + Montréal + Québec City by train; fly between the two halves (about 4–5 hours), never drive it.

Open Americas Plan a trip Compare in Americas

More: share, save offline, report a correction

2 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days

Every region, city and park in Canada (Atlas) →

Key facts

Best months: May–Oct by month →
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD, $)
Language: English and French
Plugs: A · B · 120 V
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−3:30 to UTC−8

Month by monthIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 3Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…

Understand in one strip

Capital: Ottawa; Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are the main gateways
Language: English and French (official); French is the main language in Québec
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD, $); prices shown before sales tax
Plugs: Types A and B; 120 V 60 Hz
Driving: Right-hand side; distances in km; home licence fine for short visits (IDP if not in English or French)
Tipping: Expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% taxis
Emergency: 911 everywhere
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−3:30 (Newfoundland) to UTC−8 (Vancouver); daylight saving March–November except most of Saskatchewan and Yukon

Canada is the second-largest country in the world and its cities sit in a thin band along the US border; Toronto to Vancouver is over 4,000 km by road. Trips break when people try both coasts in ten days or underestimate mountain driving. Most visitors flying in need an eTA or a visa, the Rockies run on a rental car and Parks Canada rules, and winter (November–March) shuts high roads and trails.

About Canada

A parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of about 41 million people, the second-largest country by area, with most people living within 200 km of the US border. Officially bilingual and multicultural, Canada has one of the highest shares of foreign-born residents in the world and an ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Where's good this month

Each region's weather and verdict, holidays, crowds

NovemberGo with a planCrowds low· Prices low

Grey shoulder season; many seasonal businesses in parks close.

Where's good: no region is at its best; pick the fair ones below

RockiesBanff, Lake Louise, Jasper, YohoFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Lakes thaw in June; Moraine Lake road and many trails open about June–October; wildfire smoke in some summers; ski season December–April.
PrairiesCalgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, SaskatoonFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Very cold winters (−30 °C (−22 °F) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.Very cold winters (−22 °F (−30 °C) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.
Ontario and Great LakesToronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, AlgonquinFair
Fairok: workable
Humid summers, snowy winters; late September–October foliage in Algonquin.
QuébecMontréal, Québec City, Laurentians, CharlevoixFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Deep snow and −20 °C (−4 °F) in winter (Québec Winter Carnival in February); festival summers.Deep snow and −4 °F (−20 °C) in winter (Québec Winter Carnival in February); festival summers.
Atlantic CanadaHalifax, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, NewfoundlandFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Cool, foggy springs; July–September is the season; icebergs off Newfoundland May–June; post-tropical storms in autumn.
The NorthWhitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, IqaluitFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −30 °C (−22 °F) from about November to March.Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −22 °F (−30 °C) from about November to March.
Pacific coastVancouver, Victoria, Tofino, Whistler (ski)Poor
Poorwet: daily rain
Mild and rainy October–April, with snow only in the mountains; dry, sunny summers.

Holidays and festivals in November

Remembrance Day · 11 Nov — Ceremonies at 11:00; closures vary by province.

Pick a route

Nights per stop, as the guide plans them

7 days10 days14 days

Eastern cities by train

Toronto, 3 nightsArrival + day plans
Montréal, 2 nightsBasic guide
Québec City, 2 nightsBasic guide

Niagara as a day trip from Toronto; fly home from Montréal or Québec City.

Vancouver and the Rockies

Vancouver, 3 nightsBasic guide
Banff, 3 nightsBasic guide
Lake Louise, 1 nightsBasic guide
Jasper, 3 nightsBasic guide

Book Moraine Lake shuttles and Jasper beds early; return Jasper – Calgary is about 5 h.

West and east

Vancouver, 3 nightsBasic guide
Banff and Lake Louise, 3 nightsNo guide yet
Jasper, 2 nightsBasic guide
Toronto, 3 nightsArrival + day plans
Montréal, 3 nightsBasic guide

One domestic flight (Calgary or Edmonton – Toronto, about 4 h).

Customize this route Explore cities

Top destinations in Canada, ranked

For a first or second trip

Pick east or west for a first trip; fly between them.

Toronto
Arrival + day plans
Largest city, food and Niagara day trip.
3 nights in Toronto · Best May–Oct
Montréal
Basic guide
French city, festivals and food.
2–3 nights in Montréal · Best Jun–Sep
Québec City
Basic guide
Walled old town.
2 nights in Québec City · Best Jun–Oct, Feb for carnival
Vancouver
Basic guide
Ocean, mountains, Asian food.
3 nights in Vancouver · Best Jun–Sep
Banff and Lake Louise
No guide yet
Rockies lakes and hikes.
3–4 nights in Banff and Lake Louise · Best Jun–Sep
Jasper
Basic guide
Quieter Rockies, wildlife and dark skies.
2 nights in Jasper · Best Jun–Sep
Niagara Falls
No guide yet
Falls and wine country.
1 night in Niagara Falls · Best May–Oct
Vancouver Island
No guide yet
Victoria and Tofino.
3–4 nights in Vancouver Island · Best Jun–Sep

Decide the trip

What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it

Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights

Understand in one stripCapital · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Tipping · Emergency · Time zone8 parts

Capital: Ottawa; Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are the main gateways
Language: English and French (official); French is the main language in Québec
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD, $); prices shown before sales tax
Plugs: Types A and B; 120 V 60 Hz
Driving: Right-hand side; distances in km; home licence fine for short visits (IDP if not in English or French)
Tipping: Expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% taxis
Emergency: 911 everywhere
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−3:30 (Newfoundland) to UTC−8 (Vancouver); daylight saving March–November except most of Saskatchewan and Yukon

Canada: open now, and what is next

3 regions planned

On this page

1 of 4 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
800 basic city guides
How to split 7, 8, 14 days
Money: cash, cards and ATMs
Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below

Coming as the guide grows

British Columbia coast — Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Whistler · 3–5 nights
Canadian Rockies — Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper by car (fly into Calgary or drive from Vancouver) · 4–6 nights
Québec — Montréal and Québec City, French-speaking · 3–5 nights

Meanwhile

At a glance

1–5, with the reason

Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.

Cost4/5 · expensive

Hotels and restaurants are pricey, especially in the Rockies and Vancouver in summer.

Cash necessity1/5 · cards everywhere

Tap-to-pay nearly everywhere.

English on the ground5/5 · widely spoken

English everywhere; in Québec, French first but English widely understood in Montréal.

Connectivity4/5 · fast everywhere

Good in cities; long gaps on mountain and northern highways. Mobile data is expensive.

Transport ease3/5 · middling

Good flights and the eastern rail corridor; the rest is car country.

Safety4/5 · very safe

Low crime; wildlife, cold, wildfires and long drives are the risks.

Heat / climate risk2/5 · mild

Cold is the issue: −20 °C (−4 °F) winters in most of the country.Cold is the issue: −4 °F (−20 °C) winters in most of the country.

Understand

People, belief, history that matters on the ground

A parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of about 41 million people, the second-largest country by area, with most people living within 200 km (124 mi) of the US border. Officially bilingual and multicultural, Canada has one of the highest shares of foreign-born residents in the world and an ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.A parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of about 41 million people, the second-largest country by area, with most people living within 124 mi (200 km) of the US border. Officially bilingual and multicultural, Canada has one of the highest shares of foreign-born residents in the world and an ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

People: About 41 million; roughly 23% foreign-born; about 5% Indigenous.
Government: Federal parliamentary democracy; 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Land: About 10 million km²; 48 national parks and reserves.
Economy: Energy, mining, forestry, farming, finance, tech; the US is by far its largest trade partner.

History that still shows on the ground · 8 dates

When	What happened	Where you meet it today
c. 1000	Norse at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland	Earliest known European site in the Americas.
1608	Champlain founds Québec City	New France and French Canada.
1759–63	British conquest of New France	Québec City's walls and the French–English divide.
1867	Confederation	Canada Day, 1 July.
1885	Canadian Pacific Railway completed	Banff and the Rockies opened to travel.
1982	Constitution patriated with the Charter of Rights	Modern Canada.
1999	Nunavut created	Inuit-majority territory.
2015	Truth and Reconciliation Commission report	Residential school history and reconciliation.

Read or watch before you go

Margaret Atwood — Alias Grace.
Thomas King — The Inconvenient Indian.

First trip vs second trip

Which regions, and what to leave

Trip	Go to	Why	Leave for later
First trip, east (7–10 nights)	Toronto + Niagara + Montréal + Québec City by train	Four cities on one rail line, no car.	Adding the Rockies in the same trip.
First trip, west (8–12 nights)	Vancouver + Banff + Lake Louise + Jasper by car	Mountains, lakes and the Icefields Parkway.	Driving to the Rockies from Toronto.
Second trip	Vancouver Island (Victoria, Tofino) or Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, PEI, Cape Breton)	Coastlines by car and ferry.	Trying Newfoundland in a long weekend.
Third trip	Yukon, Yellowknife or Churchill (polar bears, belugas)	The North, by flight.	Winter visits without proper gear.

Good for…

Where each kind of traveller does best

Verdict is how well Canada works for that traveller.

Safe, English-speaking, well organised; distances are the trap.

1Toronto — easy start with direct flights.

Time math

How to split a stay, by total days in the country

7 days in total: East: Toronto 3 (Niagara day trip) + Montréal 2 + Québec City 2, by VIA Rail
8 days in total: West: Vancouver 3 + fly or drive to the Rockies, Banff 3 + Jasper 2 via the Icefields Parkway
14 days in total: Vancouver 3 + Rockies 5 by car + fly east, Toronto 3 + Montréal 3

Which regions fit my nights?

Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.

Regions you want to see

British Columbia coastVancouver, Vancouver Island and WhistlerPage still planned3–5 nights
Canadian RockiesBanff, Lake Louise and Jasper by car (fly into Calgary or drive from Vancouver)Page still planned4–6 nights
Southern OntarioToronto, Niagara Falls and Ottawa3–5 nights
QuébecMontréal and Québec City, French-speakingPage still planned3–5 nights

Nights you have

Tick the regions you are considering.

Cities

Regions, cities and the places between them

Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do

Regions

4 regions · 1 open

British Columbia coastplanned

Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Whistler

3–5 nights in this region

Canadian Rockiesplanned

Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper by car (fly into Calgary or drive from Vancouver)

4–6 nights in this region

Southern Ontariopublished

Toronto, Niagara Falls and Ottawa

3–5 nights in this region

Toronto

Québecplanned

Montréal and Québec City, French-speaking

3–5 nights in this region

Cities

The ones to know; each says what Voykit has for it

TorontoArrival + day plans

Largest city: neighbourhoods, CN Tower, food, gateway to Niagara.

MontréalBasic guide

French-speaking city of festivals, bagels, smoked meat and Old Montréal.

Québec CityBasic guide

Walled old town above the St Lawrence; winter carnival.

VancouverBasic guide

Mountains and ocean; Stanley Park, gateway to Whistler and Vancouver Island.

OttawaBasic guide

Capital: Parliament, national museums, Rideau Canal skating.

CalgaryBasic guide

Gateway to Banff; Stampede in July.

VictoriaNo guide yet

BC's capital on Vancouver Island; gardens and whale watching.

HalifaxBasic guide

Atlantic port; base for Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

Other destinations

Parks, bays, heritage sites, islands

Place	What	Getting there	Why go / verdict
Banff and Lake Louise	National park	1.5 h from Calgary by car or bus	Turquoise lakes and peaks; Moraine Lake by shuttle only.
Icefields Parkway and Jasper	Scenic road and national park	Lake Louise – Jasper, 230 km (143 mi)Lake Louise – Jasper, 143 mi (230 km)	Glaciers and wildlife; no phone signal most of the way.
Niagara Falls	Waterfall	1.5 h from Toronto	Boat to the base; wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Old Québec	UNESCO walled town	3.5 h by train from Montréal	Fortified French city.
Vancouver Island (Victoria, Tofino)	Island and Pacific coast	Ferry from Vancouver	Rainforest, surf, whale watching.
Whistler →	Mountain resort	2 h up the Sea-to-Sky Highway	Skiing in winter, biking and hiking in summer.
Cabot Trail	Coastal drive	Cape Breton, Nova Scotia	Cliffs and autumn colour.
Gros Morne	UNESCO national park	Newfoundland, fly to Deer Lake	Fjords and tablelands.
Algonquin Park	Provincial park	3 h from Toronto	Canoeing, moose and autumn colour.
Churchill →	Arctic town	Flight or train from Winnipeg	Polar bears in October–November, belugas in July–August.

Show all 10 placesShow fewer

See

By theme, not by list

Toronto

CN Tower · Toronto
Royal Ontario Museum · Toronto
St Lawrence Market · Toronto
Kensington Market · Toronto

Combine with a Niagara day trip by GO train or tour.

French Canada

Old Montréal and Notre-Dame Basilica · Montréal
Château Frontenac and the ramparts · Québec City
Montmorency Falls · Near Québec City

Train between Montréal and Québec City; walk the old towns.

Rockies

Moraine Lake · Banff National Park
Peyto Lake · Icefields Parkway
Maligne Canyon · Jasper

Start at dawn; book shuttles; carry bear spray.

Do

Where, when, what it costs

Activity	Where	Best months	Cost (2026 estimate)	Verdict
Hiking in the Rockies	Banff, Yoho, Jasper	Jul–Sep	Park pass	Check trail reports for bear closures and group-size rules.
Canoeing	Algonquin, Bowron Lakes, Lake Louise	Jun–Sep	CAD 50–150 (≈ US$40–110) a day rental	Portage routes need permits.
Skiing	Whistler, Banff, Mont-Tremblant	Dec–Apr	Lift tickets CAD 120–300 (≈ US$90–250)	Buy online ahead.
Whale watching	Tofino, Victoria, Tadoussac, Bay of Fundy	May–Oct	CAD 100–200 (≈ US$75–150)	Choose operators following distance rules.
Northern lights	Yellowknife, Whitehorse	Sep–Apr	Aurora tours CAD 100–200 (≈ US$75–150)	Three nights or more for good odds.
Hockey game	Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton	Oct–Apr	CAD 80–400 (≈ US$60–300)	Junior or minor-league games are cheaper and easier to get.

Connect the cities

Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities

Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities

Itineraries by length

Nights per stop (the number after each place); fly the long legs

East by train, west by car; fly between them.

7 days

Eastern cities by train

Toronto → VIA Rail → Montréal → VIA Rail → Québec City

Niagara as a day trip from Toronto; fly home from Montréal or Québec City.

10 days

Vancouver and the Rockies

Vancouver → fly Calgary → Banff → Lake Louise → Icefields Parkway → Jasper → Calgary

Book Moraine Lake shuttles and Jasper beds early; return Jasper – Calgary is about 5 h.

14 days

West and east

Vancouver → Banff → Jasper → fly east → Toronto → Montréal

Vancouver3n
Banff and Lake Louise3n
Jasper2n
Toronto3n
Montréal3n

One domestic flight (Calgary or Edmonton – Toronto, about 4 h).

Build a route

Days and interests in, cities, nights, transfers and cost out

Days in Canada

Interests (optional)

Based on: Vancouver and the Rockies (10 days, itineraries by length)

Vancouver3 nights
Flight · fly Calgary All options →
Banff3 nights
See the options All options →
Lake Louise1 night
See the options All options →
Jasper3 nights

Book Moraine Lake shuttles and Jasper beds early; return Jasper – Calgary is about 5 h.

Open the trip planner

What this route costs

StyleTravelers

Vancouver3 nightsC$1,800≈ US$1,300
Banff3 nightsC$1,800≈ US$1,300
Lake Louise1 nightC$600≈ US$450
Jasper3 nightsC$1,800≈ US$1,300
Flights inside the countryDomestic flight (one way): 1 × 2C$600≈ US$450

Total, 2 travelers

C$6,500≈ US$5,000

Per person per day: C$350≈ US$250

2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.

Getting between cities

Door to door, fastest first · 2026 estimate, check fares

Between	Fastest	Other ways
Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario	Train · about 2 hGO Transit train (seasonal), coach	Car / taxi · about 2 h	All options →
Toronto to Montreal	Train · about 5 hCAD 45–200 (≈ US$35–150)VIA Rail Corridor	—	All options →
Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake	Car / taxi · 1.5–2 hCar	—	All options →
Toronto to Vancouver	Flight · about 5 hCAD 150–600 (≈ US$110–450) one wayDomestic flight	—	All options →
Vancouver to Calgary	Flight · about 1 h 30 minCAD 150–600 (≈ US$110–450) one wayDomestic flight	—	All options →
Montreal to Quebec City	Train · about 3 h 30 minCAD 45–200 (≈ US$35–150)VIA Rail Corridor	—	All options →
Toronto to Ottawa	Train · about 4 h 30 minCAD 45–200 (≈ US$35–150)VIA Rail Corridor	—	All options →
Vancouver to Victoria, British Columbia	Ferry / boat · about 1 h 30 minCAD 20 (≈ US$15) foot passenger, more with a carBC Ferries	—	All options →

How each mode works here Any two places: A-to-B Is a rail pass worth it?

This month

Weather and crowds by month

Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate

Year at a glance

Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.

Busiest or big holidays: Jun–Aug, Dec

Jan
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- New Year's Day (medium impact)
Feb
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: medium
- Family Day (most provinces) (medium impact)
Mar
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- Good Friday and Easter Monday (medium impact)
Apr
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- Good Friday and Easter Monday (medium impact)
May
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Victoria Day (Journée nationale des patriotes in Québec) (medium impact)
Jun
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Fête nationale du Québec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) (high impact)
Jul
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Canada Day (high impact)
Aug
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Civic Holiday (most provinces) (medium impact)
Sep
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Labour Day (medium impact)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (low impact)
Oct
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Thanksgiving (medium impact)
Nov
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- Remembrance Day (low impact)
Dec
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: high
- Christmas and Boxing Day (high impact)

Climate by region and month

When each region works

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Pacific coastVancouver, Victoria, Tofino, Whistler (ski)	wet	wet	wet	ok	best	best	best	best	best	wet	wet	wet
RockiesBanff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Yoho	cool	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool
PrairiesCalgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon	cool	cool	cool	ok	ok	best	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool
Ontario and Great LakesToronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Algonquin	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	hot	hot	best	best	ok	cool
QuébecMontréal, Québec City, Laurentians, Charlevoix	cool	cool	cool	ok	ok	best	best	best	best	best	cool	cool
Atlantic CanadaHalifax, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundland	cool	cool	cool	cool	ok	ok	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool
The NorthWhitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, Iqaluit	cool	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool	cool

best: dry, mildok: workablecool: jacket, greyhot: short walking windowswet: daily rain

Pacific coast: Mild and rainy October–April, with snow only in the mountains; dry, sunny summers.
Rockies: Lakes thaw in June; Moraine Lake road and many trails open about June–October; wildfire smoke in some summers; ski season December–April.
Prairies: Very cold winters (−30 °C (−22 °F) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.Very cold winters (−22 °F (−30 °C) spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.
Ontario and Great Lakes: Humid summers, snowy winters; late September–October foliage in Algonquin.
Québec: Deep snow and −20 °C (−4 °F) in winter (Québec Winter Carnival in February); festival summers.Deep snow and −4 °F (−20 °C) in winter (Québec Winter Carnival in February); festival summers.
Atlantic Canada: Cool, foggy springs; July–September is the season; icebergs off Newfoundland May–June; post-tropical storms in autumn.
The North: Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −30 °C (−22 °F) from about November to March.Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −22 °F (−30 °C) from about November to March.

June to September suits nearly the whole country; late September and early October add autumn colour. Winter is for skiing, northern lights and Québec's winter festivals — and requires real cold-weather gear.

Cost

What a day costs, and how to pay

Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes

Money at a glance

Cash or card, ATMs, a day's spend, tipping

Currency and cash

Canadian dollar (CAD, $); prices shown before sales tax

Cards and phones almost everywhere

Cash or card

Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.

A day, per person

BackpackerCAD 110–215 (≈ US$80–160)
Mid-rangeCAD 270–510 (≈ US$200–400)
ComfortCAD 650–1,270 (≈ US$500–950)

Per person per day, bed included

What that covers ↓

Tipping

Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.
Bar: CAD 1–2 (≈ US$1–2) per drink.
Taxi: 10–15%.
Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 (≈ US$3–4) a night.

Also

Prices exclude sales tax (GST/HST plus provincial tax in some provinces), added at the till.

Money & passes Card, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to pay Tipping calculator

Budget per day, per person

2026 estimate · converted to your currency · totals include a bed

Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Flights, car hire and park passes not included. 2026 estimate, with tax and tips.

Tier	Bed	Food	Transport	Sights	Extras	Total, bed included
BackpackerHostel, supermarket and cheap eats, transit	CAD 45–90 (≈ US$35–70)	CAD 35–55 (≈ US$30–40)	CAD 10–25 (≈ US$8–19)	CAD 10–25 (≈ US$8–19)	CAD 10–20 (≈ US$8–15)	CAD 110–215 (≈ US$80–160)
Mid-rangeMid-range hotel, restaurants, trains	CAD 110–220 (≈ US$80–160)	CAD 80–120 (≈ US$60–90)	CAD 30–70 (≈ US$25–55)	CAD 30–60 (≈ US$25–45)	CAD 20–40 (≈ US$15–30)	CAD 270–510 (≈ US$200–400)
ComfortUpscale hotel or lodge, fine dining, tours	CAD 300–600 (≈ US$250–450)	CAD 160–260 (≈ US$120–190)	CAD 80–160 (≈ US$60–120)	CAD 60–150 (≈ US$45–110)	CAD 50–100 (≈ US$40–75)	CAD 650–1,270 (≈ US$500–950)

Costs per day

Per person, 2026 estimate

Backpacker

CAD 110–170 (≈ US$80–130)

Hostel dorm, supermarket and cheap eats, transit and buses.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Mid-range

CAD 250–430 (≈ US$190–350)

Mid-range hotel (shared), restaurants with tip, a car share or train.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Comfort

CAD 600 (≈ US$450)+

Upscale hotel or mountain lodge, restaurants, car, tours.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Typical price	Amount
Coffee	CAD 3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
Poutine	CAD 10–18 (≈ US$8–14)
Dinner at a casual restaurant with tax and tip	CAD 40–70 (≈ US$30–55) per person
Beer in a bar	CAD 8–12 (≈ US$6–9)
Toronto TTC fare	CAD 3.30 (≈ US$3) — check
VIA Rail Toronto – Montréal	CAD 60–150 (≈ US$45–110) economy
Parks Canada daily admission, adult	About CAD 11–12 (≈ US$8–9) — check
Parks Canada Discovery Pass (annual), adult / family	About CAD 84 (≈ US$65) / 168 — check
Rockies hotel in July	CAD 300–600 (≈ US$250–450) a night

Show all 9 rowsShow fewer

2026 estimate, per person. Prices exclude GST/HST and provincial sales tax (5–15% combined by province).

Budget calculator

DaysTravellersStyleInternal flights

Beds1 room × 10 nightsC$1,800(≈ US$1,400)
Food and drink2 × 10 daysC$2,000(≈ US$1,500)
Local transport2 × 10 daysC$1,200(≈ US$900)
Sights and tours2 × 10 daysC$800(≈ US$600)
Domestic flight (one way)2 × 1C$600(≈ US$450)

Trip total, 2 travellers

C$6,500(≈ US$5,000)

Per person per day: C$350(≈ US$250)

2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. Add car rental (CAD 80–170 a day with insurance and fuel) and park passes.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 1/5 (5 means cash for most things)

Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
Prices exclude sales tax (GST/HST plus provincial tax in some provinces), added at the till.
Tip about 15–20% at restaurants and bars, and tip taxi drivers and guides.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Getting in

Before you go, entry rules and the first day

Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours

Before you go

Dated steps for your passport

What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Canada. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.

My passportI fly on

Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.

Passport valid long enough
90 days before
Valid for the length of your stay.
Passport check
Travel insurance
30 days before
Medical cover for private rates.
Insurance check
Vaccines and medicines
30 days before
Some vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
Health Medicine rules
Driving permit (only if you drive)(optional)
30 days before
IDP if your licence is not in English or French.
Driving abroad
Apply for the online travel authorization (180 days)
3 weeks before
Cost: CAD 7. Online at canada.ca; most approved in minutes, some take days. Valid 5 years or until the passport expires. Apply for the eTA before you book a flight; not needed if you arrive by car, bus, train or boat. Lookalike sites charge far more; use only canada.ca. Apply only on the official site.
Entry rules eTA (canada.ca) ↗
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks before
Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
eSIM finder
Cards and cash
2 weeks before
Cards and phones almost everywhere (cash need 1/5). Tell your bank you are travelling, check foreign-fee-free cards and ATM limits, and carry a backup card kept apart.
Money & ATMs
Pack a plug adapter (type A or B)
7 days before
Sockets here: type A, B. UK plugs need an adapter. Mains is 120 V against 230 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.
Packing list
Arrival card or e-arrival form
3 days before
Primary inspection kiosks or eGates at major airports. The Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN is optional and free; submit it up to 72 hours before landing at a participating airport.

Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.

Arrive

YYZ

Toronto Pearson International

UP Express train to Union Station in about 25 minutes

YVR

Vancouver International

Canada Line SkyTrain to downtown in about 25 minutes

YUL

Montréal-Trudeau International

Bus 747 to downtown

YYC

Calgary International

Closest major airport to Banff (about 1.5 hours by road)

Entry: visas and borders

2026 rules — confirm on the official portal

Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada need an eTA (CAD 7, online at canada.ca only); US citizens need only a passport; arrivals by land or sea need no eTA. Most other nationalities need a visitor visa (TRV) with biometrics. Some visa-required nationals (for example Brazil, the Philippines, Argentina) can use an eTA instead if they hold a valid US visa or had a Canadian visa in the last 10 years — check.

My passport

Online authorisation180 days

Apply for the eTA before you book a flight; not needed if you arrive by car, bus, train or boat.

Cost: CAD 7
Form to fill: Online at canada.ca; most approved in minutes, some take days. Valid 5 years or until the passport expires.
Arrival card: Primary inspection kiosks or eGates at major airports. The Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN is optional and free; submit it up to 72 hours before landing at a participating airport.
Passport: Valid for the length of your stay.
Onward ticket: Officers may ask for proof of funds, accommodation and a return ticket; stays are usually up to 6 months.

Lookalike sites charge far more; use only canada.ca.

eTA (canada.ca) ↗

Who	Rule	Stay	Watch
UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and other visa-exempt nationals	eTA if flying	Up to 6 months	No eTA needed by land or sea — but you still need a passport.
US citizens	Passport only	Up to 6 months	Criminal records including impaired driving can make you inadmissible.
Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Philippines and some others	eTA only with a qualifying visa history; otherwise TRV	Up to 6 months	Check your eligibility on the IRCC tool.
Most other nationalities	Visitor visa (TRV) with biometrics	Up to 6 months	Processing times can be long; apply early.

By land and river

Crossing	To / from	Mode	Visa there	Trap
Peace Arch / Douglas (Seattle – Vancouver)	USA (Washington)	Car, bus, Amtrak Cascades	Passport; visa if required (no eTA by land)	Summer weekend queues; check CBSA wait times.
Rainbow and Peace bridges (Niagara Falls, Buffalo – Fort Erie)	USA (New York)	Car, walk, bus	Passport; visa if required	Walking across for the view still means immigration both ways.
Lacolle (New York – Montréal)	USA (New York)	Car, Amtrak Adirondack, bus	Passport; visa if required	Train customs stop is slow.
Alaska Highway (Beaver Creek) and Skagway (White Pass)	USA (Alaska)	Car, bus	Passport; visa if required	Remote posts with limited hours in winter — check.

Canada is strict about criminal records: a past drink-driving conviction can bar entry without rehabilitation.
Cannabis is legal in Canada but carrying it across any international border is a serious crime.
Declare all food, plants and animal products, and cash over CAD 10,000.

Documents checklist

Tick as you go; saved in this browser

0/6 ready

Passportbefore bookingValid for your stay. Official site ↗
eTA or visitor visabefore booking flightseTA CAD 7 online at canada.ca; TRV weeks to months ahead. Official site ↗
US entry (if combining)before flyingESTA or US visa for trips over the border.
Travel insurancebefore flyingMedical cover for private rates.
Driving licence (+ IDP)if rentingIDP if your licence is not in English or French.
Parks Canada pass and shuttle bookingsweeks ahead for summerPass for all stops in national parks; Moraine Lake by shuttle only. Official site ↗

First 24 hours

Tick these before you leave the airport

Do these on arrival.

Immigration: Use the kiosk or eGate; have your eTA passport and address ready.
The eTA is linked to the passport you applied with.
Getting in: UP Express (Toronto), Canada Line (Vancouver), bus 747 (Montréal).
Cheaper than taxis.
Data: Activate an eSIM; Canadian SIM data is costly.
Maps and apps.
Parks: Buy the Parks Canada pass online and book shuttles.
Needed for every stop in national parks.
Weather: Check WeatherCAN and road reports before driving.
Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Getting around

Modes, times and the clock

Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time

Get around

Door-to-door, 2026 estimate

Mode	Toronto → Vancouver	Cost	Use it when	What breaks
Domestic flight	Toronto – Vancouver about 5 h; Vancouver – Calgary about 1.5 h	CAD 150–600 (≈ US$110–450) one way	The only sensible way between east and west.	Air Canada, WestJet and Porter dominate; bags cost extra on basic fares.
VIA Rail Corridor	Toronto – Montréal about 5 h; Montréal – Québec City about 3.5 h; Toronto – Ottawa about 4.5 h	CAD 45–200 (≈ US$35–150)	City centre to city centre in the Québec City – Windsor corridor.	Delays when freight trains take priority; book Escape fares early.
VIA Rail 'The Canadian'	Toronto – Vancouver 4 nights	Economy seat about CAD 500 (≈ US$400)+; sleepers CAD 2,000 (≈ US$1,500)+ — check	A scenic trip in itself through lakes, prairies and mountains.	Can run 12+ hours late; not a way to save time.
Rental car	Rockies, Maritimes, road trips	CAD 60–130 (≈ US$45–95) a day plus insurance and fuel	Essential in the Rockies, BC interior, Atlantic Canada.	Winter tyres needed on many BC routes 1 Oct – 30 Apr; one-way fees between provinces can be large.
Intercity bus	Regional routes	CAD 20–100 (≈ US$15–75)	FlixBus, Rider Express and regional lines; Brewster/Pursuit shuttles for Banff.	Greyhound Canada ended in 2021; the Prairies and north have gaps.
BC Ferries	Vancouver – Victoria about 1.5 h sailing	CAD 20 (≈ US$15) foot passenger, more with a car	The link to Vancouver Island.	Reserve car space on summer weekends.
City transit	Subway, SkyTrain, LRT	CAD 3–4 (≈ US$3) a ride; tap a credit card in Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal (check)	Good in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver.	Parks shuttles (Moraine Lake, Lake Louise) need reservations in summer.

Local time

What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.

Toronto
…
Checking your clock…America/Toronto

Practical

Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases

Open PracticalClose Practical14 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope · Who travels

Holidays in the next 90 days

What closes, sells out or costs more

Nov 11
in 8 days
Remembrance DayMinor
Nov 11
Ceremonies at 11:00; closures vary by province.
Dec 25
in 52 days
Christmas and Boxing DayBig impact
Dec 25–Dec 26
Most businesses closed on the 25th; Boxing Day sales.
Jan 1
in 59 days
New Year's DaySome impact
Jan 1
Most businesses closed.
Feb
date varies
Family Day (most provinces)Some impact
February · exact day moves, check
Long weekend; ski resorts busy.

The full holiday list Holidays on your dates Festivals by month

Holidays and festivals

Operational effect, not a calendar

When	What	Impact	What it does to a trip
1 Jan	New Year's Day	medium	Most businesses closed.
3rd Monday of February	Family Day (most provinces)	medium	Long weekend; ski resorts busy.
Mar–Apr (varies)	Good Friday and Easter Monday	medium	Good Friday is a statutory holiday; shops close.
Monday before 25 May	Victoria Day (Journée nationale des patriotes in Québec)	medium	Unofficial start of summer; campsites full.
24 Jun	Fête nationale du Québec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste)	high	Québec's national holiday; concerts and closures.
1 Jul	Canada Day	high	Fireworks in Ottawa and cities; Québec's moving day is the same date.
1st Monday of August	Civic Holiday (most provinces)	medium	Long weekend; cottages and parks busy.
1st Monday of September	Labour Day	medium	End of the summer season.
30 Sep	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	low	Federal holiday; Orange Shirt Day events.
2nd Monday of October	Thanksgiving	medium	Long weekend at peak foliage.
11 Nov	Remembrance Day	low	Ceremonies at 11:00; closures vary by province.Ceremonies at 11:00 AM; closures vary by province.
25–26 Dec	Christmas and Boxing Day	high	Most businesses closed on the 25th; Boxing Day sales.

Show all 12 datesShow fewer

Safety and health at a glance

Advice, risky areas, water, shots, numbers, scams

Emergency numbers

Where to take care

4/5 for a careful visitor · Low crime; wildlife, cold, wildfires and long drives are the risks.

medium Rockies · Bears, avalanches, wildfire smoke, mountain driving.
medium The North · Extreme cold, remote travel, polar bears in Churchill and the Arctic.

Tap water

Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia). Tap water by country

Health

Main risks: Bears, Cold and frostbite, Wildfire smoke, Blackflies and mosquitoes.

Top scams

1. Fake eTA sites · Only canada.ca; the real fee is CAD 7.
2. Phone calls claiming to be the CRA or immigration · Government agencies do not demand gift cards or crypto; hang up.
3. Moraine Lake 'shuttle' resellers · Book Parks Canada shuttles or licensed operators directly.

Safety Stay healthy Emergency card Scam spotter Health check

Safety

Emergency: 911.
Driving is on the right. Mountain roads close for avalanche control and snow in winter; check DriveBC or 511 Alberta before setting out.
Wildfire season (roughly July–September) can close highways and parks and bring heavy smoke: check provincial alerts daily.
Bears are common in the Rockies and BC: hike in groups, make noise, carry bear spray, and never feed wildlife.
Cold: winter temperatures in the Prairies and East can drop below −20 °C (−4 °F); dress in layers and plan short outdoor stretches.Cold: winter temperatures in the Prairies and East can drop below −4 °F (−20 °C); dress in layers and plan short outdoor stretches.

Canada links to the US by land and short flights; Vancouver and Toronto are the main long-haul gateways.

What four governments say

Comparison not available yet for this country

Read each government's own advice: US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice.

Strikes and disruptions

Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.

No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days

That is not a promise that nothing is planned. This calendar lists only what a government or a public authority has published. Check US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice and the transport operator for your dates.

Safety by region

Risk to a careful visitor, not a crime index

Crime is low; nature, cold and distance are the risks.

Region	Risk	What to watch
Southern Ontario (Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa)	low	Pickpockets at busy sights; winter roads.
Québec	low	Winter cold; language on road signs.
Vancouver and BC coast	low	Car break-ins; visible drug use in parts of the Downtown Eastside.
Rockies	medium	Bears, avalanches, wildfire smoke, mountain driving.
The North	medium	Extreme cold, remote travel, polar bears in Churchill and the Arctic.

Stay healthy

Risk	Where / when	Do this
Bears	Rockies, BC, Yukon, northern Ontario	Carry bear spray, make noise, hike in groups of four where required, never leave food out.
Cold and frostbite	Nov–Mar, Prairies, Québec, North	Layers, covered skin, winter boots; check wind chill.
Wildfire smoke	BC, Alberta, north, Jul–Sep	Check AQHI and BC Wildfire / Alberta Wildfire maps.
Blackflies and mosquitoes	Ontario, Québec, North, May–Jul	Repellent and head nets.
Ticks and Lyme disease	Southern Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia	Tick checks after hikes.
Medical costs	Everywhere	Visitors pay full private rates (hospital nights CAD 3,000+); insurance essential.

Scams and overcharges

Trap	Where	Defence
Fake eTA sites	Search ads	Only canada.ca; the real fee is CAD 7.
Phone calls claiming to be the CRA or immigration	Phone, text	Government agencies do not demand gift cards or crypto; hang up.
Moraine Lake 'shuttle' resellers	Online	Book Parks Canada shuttles or licensed operators directly.
Car break-ins	Vancouver, trailheads	Leave nothing visible in the car.
Rental scams	Short-term apartments	Pay only through the booking platform.

Emergency card

Numbers, disasters, who to call

Canada emergency numbers — screenshot this card

911

Police, fire, ambulance

Everywhere

811

Health advice line

Most provinces; nurse advice

1-844-764-7669 (Ontario) — check other provinces

Poison control

Provincial centres

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Hazard	When / where	Do this
Wildfires	Jun–Sep, BC, Alberta, north	Follow evacuation alerts; check DriveBC and 511 Alberta.
Avalanches	Nov–May in the mountains	Check Avalanche Canada before backcountry trips.
Winter storms	Nov–Mar	Winter tyres, emergency kit, check road reports.
Bear encounters	Apr–Nov	Bear spray within reach, never run.

Alerts and apps

WeatherCAN (alerts).
Parks Canada app.

Police, embassies, paperwork

Hospitals treat visitors and bill at high private rates.
Lost passport: police report, then your embassy in Ottawa or a consulate.

Insurer and 24-hour linePolicy numberWhere I'm staying

Kept only in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Emergency card · Canada

My passport: — · find my embassy
Insurance: —
Staying at: —

Hospitals with emergency care

Toronto General Hospital · University Avenue, near Queen Street, Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital · University Avenue, Toronto

Emergency numbers, every country

Practical

Plugs, water, tips, hours

AtypeBtype

120 V · 60 Hz

Same as the US.

Tap water: Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
Toilets: Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
Weekly closing days: Statutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).

Tipping by situation

Situation	What locals do
Restaurant	15–20% of the pre-tax bill.
Bar	CAD 1–2 per drink.
Taxi	10–15%.
Housekeeping	CAD 3–5 a night.
Guide	10–20% of the tour price.

Opening hours

What	Typical hours	Watch
Shops	10:00–18:00 or 21:00; Sunday shorter10:00 AM–6:00 PM or 9:00 PM; Sunday shorter	Québec has limits on late grocery hours.
Liquor stores	Government stores (LCBO, SAQ, BC Liquor) about 10:00–21:00Government stores (LCBO, SAQ, BC Liquor) about 10:00 AM–9:00 PM	Beer and wine in some grocery stores — rules by province.
Restaurants	Dinner 17:00–22:00Dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM	Rural kitchens close early.
Parks Canada visitor centres	About 09:00–17:00 in seasonAbout 9:00 AM–5:00 PM in season	Winter hours reduced.

Connect

Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
US SIMs usually roam in Canada — check your plan.

Google MapsUber (in larger cities)Parks Canada appAccuWeather or Environment Canada weather (WeatherCAN)

Numbers: Country code +1; ten-digit numbers.
Wi-Fi: Free in cafés, libraries and most hotels.
Payments: Tap-to-pay; Interac debit for locals; foreign cards widely accepted.

Talk

English is the working language in most of Canada; French dominates Québec and parts of New Brunswick and Ontario. Québec's language law (Bill 96) makes French the language of signs, menus and services; a 'Bonjour' first earns goodwill, and in Montréal most people switch to English easily.

Where	Lingua franca	English	Note
Québec	French (Québécois)	Common in Montréal, less in Québec City and rural areas	Road signs are French only: arrêt means stop.
New Brunswick, eastern Ontario, Manitoba pockets	English and French	Universal	New Brunswick is officially bilingual.
The North	English, Inuktitut, Dene and other Indigenous languages	Universal	Nunavut signs use Inuktitut syllabics.

Metric system: km, °C, litres — but people often give heights in feet.
'Eh', 'toque' (winter hat), 'loonie' and 'toonie' (CAD 1 and 2 coins), 'double-double' (coffee with two cream, two sugar).

Survival phrases

6 phrases · tap one to show it full screen

Translate a sign or menu Diet and allergy card

Cope

Embassies, laundry, lockers, media, lost things

Embassies: In Ottawa; consulates in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary.
Laundry: Laundromats CAD 3–6 a load.
Pharmacies: Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs; walk-in clinics for minor issues.
Sales tax: GST 5% federally; HST 13–15% in Ontario and Atlantic provinces; Québec adds QST (about 10%); Alberta has GST only.

Travellers with specific needs

Short and factual

Traveller	On the ground	Do this
Solo women	Common and generally safe.	Share hiking plans; hitchhiking on remote highways is not advised.
LGBTQ+	Same-sex marriage legal since 2005; large scenes in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver.	Toronto Pride (June) and Montréal Fierté (August).
Families	Easy: parks, museums, kid-friendly restaurants.	Distances are long; plan short driving days in the Rockies.
Wheelchair users	Good in cities and newer transit; older Montréal métro stations lack lifts.	Parks Canada lists accessible trails and facilities.
Older travellers	Comfortable and safe; insurance is costly.	Senior discounts on VIA Rail and Parks Canada.

Culture and food

Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy

Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy

Country rules

Inherited by every page below

Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Etiquette

In Québec, French is the main language: start with Bonjour before switching to English.
Tip for service at restaurants and bars; it is expected.
Keep to marked trails in parks and leave no trace.

July–August: Peak season in the Rockies and on the coast; lodging and park shuttles sell out.
Canada Day (July 1): Celebrations and crowds in Ottawa and major cities.
Winter (November–March): Snow closes high roads and many trails; ski season in Whistler and the Rockies.
Wildfire season (summer): Smoke and highway closures in BC and Alberta can force detours.

Respect and laws that surprise

What gets visitors fined, refused or arrested

Topic	The rule	What happens
Indigenous peoples	First Nations, Inuit and Métis are distinct peoples; say their names, not generic terms. Many events open with a land acknowledgement.	Offence; some sites need permission to visit.
French in Québec	Start in French ('Bonjour, hi' is common in Montréal); do not assume Québécois speak English.	Cooler service.
Cannabis	Legal for adults (18–21 by province) from licensed stores; illegal to take across the border either way.	Arrest at the border.
Wildlife	Stay 100 m from bears and wolves, 30 m from elk; do not stop on highways to photograph animals.	Fines up to CAD 25,000 for feeding wildlife in national parks.
Drink-driving	0.08% criminal limit; provinces set 0.05% administrative limits with roadside suspensions.	Criminal record; later entry bans in other countries.
Tipping	15–20% at sit-down restaurants.	Not tipping reads as a complaint.

Everyday manners

Situation	Do	Avoid
Greeting	Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec	Assuming everyone speaks English
Queues	Line up and wait your turn	Pushing in
Apologising	'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault	Loud confrontation
Canada vs US	Treat Canada as its own country	Calling Canadians American
Indigenous culture	Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies	Wearing headdresses as costume

Eat

Regional food, diets, allergy card

Canadian food mixes French, British and Indigenous roots with strong immigrant cooking in the big cities. Québec has the most distinct kitchen; the coasts are about seafood; the Prairies about beef and grain; and Toronto and Vancouver are among the best places in North America for Asian food.

Region	Style	Order this
Québec	French-rooted comfort food and maple	Poutine, tourtière, smoked meat, sugar-shack meals
Atlantic	Seafood	Lobster, mussels, Digby scallops, donair
Prairies	Beef and berries	Alberta steak, Saskatoon berry pie
BC	Pacific salmon and Asian influence	Candied salmon, sushi, dim sum

Dish finder

Region

Diet

12 of 12 dishes

PoutineQuébec, nationwide
Poutine
Fries with cheese curds and gravy.
Any time, late night · Usually has milk, beef · vegetarian version exists — ask
Montreal smoked meatMontréal
Viande fumée
Spiced, smoked beef brisket on rye with mustard.
Lunch · Usually has beef
Montreal bagelMontréal
Bagel de Montréal
Small, dense, honey-water boiled, wood-fired bagel.
Breakfast · Usually has egg · vegetarian version common
TourtièreQuébec
Tourtière
Spiced meat pie, a Christmas tradition.
Winter · Usually has pork, beef
Butter tartOntario
Butter tart
Small pastry with a runny butter-sugar-egg filling.
Snack · Usually has milk, egg · vegetarian version common
Nanaimo barBC
Nanaimo bar
No-bake bar of crumb base, custard icing and chocolate.
Snack · Usually has milk, egg · vegetarian version common
Peameal bacon sandwichToronto
Peameal bacon on a bun
Cornmeal-rolled back bacon in a bun.
Breakfast · Usually has pork
Lobster supperPEI, Nova Scotia
Lobster supper
Boiled lobster with mussels, chowder and potato salad.
Summer · Usually has fish/seafood, milk
Halifax donairNova Scotia
Donair
Spiced beef in pita with a sweet garlic sauce.
Late night · Usually has beef, milk
BannockIndigenous, nationwide
Bannock
Pan-fried or baked bread, sometimes served as 'Indian tacos'.
Any time · Usually has milk · vegetarian version common
Candied salmonBC
Candied salmon
Salmon cured and smoked with maple or brown sugar.
Snack · Usually has fish/seafood
Maple taffyQuébec
Tire d'érable
Hot syrup poured on snow and rolled on a stick.
Spring sugar shacks · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common

Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.

Table manners

Wait to be seated in sit-down restaurants; tip on the pre-tax total.
In Québec, greet staff in French first.

Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it

Je suis allergique à ___. Est-ce que ce plat contient ___ ? (I am allergic to ___. Does this dish contain ___?)

“French for Québec; English is understood elsewhere.”

Peanuts: arachides / cacahuètes
Tree nuts: noix
Shellfish: fruits de mer / crustacés
Fish: poisson
Milk: lait / produits laitiers
Egg: œufs
Wheat / gluten: blé / gluten
Soy: soya
Sesame: sésame
Mustard: moutarde

Diets: the reality

Diet	On the ground	Do this
Vegetarian / vegan	Easy in cities; ask about beef gravy on poutine.	Many places offer vegetarian gravy.
Halal	Widely available in Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, Calgary.	Mississauga and Scarborough have large halal food scenes.
Gluten-free	Well understood.	Mention celiac disease.
Allergies	Staff trained; labels list priority allergens.	Tell your server before ordering.

Drink

Laws, what to order, what it costs

Legal age: 19 in most provinces; 18 in Québec, Alberta and Manitoba.
Sales: Spirits in government or licensed stores; rules differ by province.
Public drinking: Generally illegal; some cities allow it in designated parks — check.
Drink-driving: 0.08% criminal limit, 0.05% provincial limits.

Drink	What it is	Typical price
Canadian beerBeer / bière	Craft breweries everywhere; Québec microbreweries are strong.	CAD 8–12 (≈ US$6–9) a pint
CaesarCaesar	Vodka, clam-tomato juice, spices; the national cocktail.	CAD 10–16 (≈ US$8–12)
Ice wineIcewine	Sweet wine from frozen grapes, Niagara and Okanagan.	CAD 30–80 (≈ US$25–60) a bottle (small)
Tim Hortons coffeeDouble-double	Coffee with two cream, two sugar.	CAD 2–3 (≈ US$2–3)

Cheers: 'Santé' in Québec.

Sleep

Types, registration, booking

Type	Price (2026 estimate)	Use it for	Watch
Hostel dorm	CAD 45–90 (≈ US$35–70)	Cities, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise (HI hostels)	Rockies hostels book out in summer.
Motel / chain hotel	CAD 130–250 (≈ US$95–190)	Road trips	Prices double in July–August in the Rockies.
Mid-range hotel	CAD 180–350 (≈ US$140–300)	Cities	Taxes and parking extra.
Mountain lodge	CAD 350–900 (≈ US$300–700)	Lake Louise, Jasper	Book up to a year ahead.
Campground	CAD 25–45 (≈ US$19–35) a site	National and provincial parks	Parks Canada reservations open in January–February and sell out in minutes.

Registration and the law

Credit card required at check-in; check-in 15:00–16:00.Credit card required at check-in; check-in 3:00 PM–4:00 PM.

Booking reality

Book Rockies beds as soon as flights are set; Canada Day and long weekends fill everywhere.

Buy

Tax-free, bargaining, customs

Prices before tax; no VAT refund for tourists.

Prices and bargaining

Not done in shops.

What to bring home

Item	Where	Watch
Maple syrup	Québec, anywhere	Grade A amber or dark; check import rules at home.
Indigenous art	Galleries and co-ops	Look for Inuit art's igloo tag certification.
Ice wine	Niagara, Okanagan	Sweet dessert wine.

Customs allowances on arrival

What	Limit or rule
Cash	Declare CAD 10,000 (≈ US$7,500) or more
Alcohol	1.5 L wine or 1.14 L spirits or 8.5 L beer duty-free — check

Deep dive

Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources

Go next

Southern Ontario

Toronto base

Region page with Niagara and Ottawa.

United States

Short flights, Amtrak from Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, land borders

US preclearance at major Canadian airports.

Greenland

Flights via Iceland or Copenhagen; check any direct Canada routes

Arctic combination.

Bermuda

Direct flights from Toronto

About 3 h.

North America

Subregion

Combine with the US or Mexico.

Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Canada · Wikitravel — Canada. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.

Deep dive

4 min read · 6 chapters

This deep dive is for the traveller who wants to know why Canada is organised the way it is: a thin strip of cities along the US border, a French-speaking nation within the nation, a railway that made the Rockies a destination, and a long reckoning with the peoples who were here first.

1First Nations, New France and the British conquest1 min

Indigenous peoples have lived across what is now Canada for at least 12,000 years: Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe farmers and traders around the Great Lakes, Pacific coast nations with cedar longhouses and totem poles, Plains nations following bison, and Inuit in the Arctic. Norse sailors briefly settled at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland around the year 1000.

Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City in 1608, and New France grew along the St Lawrence on the fur trade, Catholic missions and alliances with Indigenous nations. Britain took the colony after the battle on the Plains of Abraham in 1759. The Quebec Act of 1774 let French Canadians keep their language, religion and civil law — the root of Québec's distinct society today.

Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution settled Ontario and the Maritimes, and the War of 1812 against the US fixed a sense of separateness from the republic to the south.

L'Anse aux Meadows: Norse site, about 1000 CE
Québec City founded: 1608
Plains of Abraham: 1759

See itOld Québec and the Plains of AbrahamL'Anse aux Meadows, NewfoundlandRoyal Ontario Museum, Toronto →

2Confederation and the railway to the Pacific1 min

Confederation on 1 July 1867 joined Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as the Dominion of Canada. British Columbia joined in 1871 on the promise of a railway, and the Canadian Pacific line was completed in 1885, pushed through the Rockies with the labour of thousands of Chinese workers.

The railway built the West: towns along the line, wheat farms on the Prairies, and grand hotels such as the Banff Springs and Château Lake Louise, which made the Rockies a tourist destination. Banff became Canada's first national park in 1885 around its hot springs.

The same expansion displaced Plains nations. The treaties of the 1870s moved them onto reserves, and the Métis resistance led by Louis Riel ended in his execution in 1885.

Confederation: 1 July 1867
CPR completed: 1885
First national park: Banff, 1885

See itBanff Springs Hotel and the Cave and Basin siteCN Tower, Toronto →

3Two languages and many peoples1 min

Canada is officially bilingual. About a fifth of Canadians speak French first, most of them in Québec, where the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s turned a Catholic, rural society into a modern, secular and assertive one. Referendums on independence failed narrowly in 1980 and 1995; language laws, most recently Bill 96 (2022), keep French first on signs and in services.

Since the 1970s multiculturalism has been official policy. About 23% of residents were born abroad, and Toronto and Vancouver are among the most diverse cities in the world, with large South Asian, Chinese, Filipino and Caribbean communities.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015) documented the residential school system that removed Indigenous children from their families for over a century. Visitors now meet land acknowledgements, Indigenous-led tourism and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on 30 September.

French speakers: About 20% first language
Foreign-born: About 23%
Indigenous population: About 1.8 million (2021 census)

See itKensington Market, Toronto →Museum of Anthropology, VancouverOld Montréal

4Food: from poutine to dim sum1 min

Québec's kitchen is the most distinct: poutine, tourtière, pea soup, sugar-shack feasts in maple season and Montréal's smoked meat and bagels, both brought by Jewish immigrants. The Atlantic provinces eat lobster, mussels and scallops; the Prairies grow wheat and raise beef.

Indigenous foods — bannock, wild rice, bison, salmon and berries — are coming back in Indigenous-owned restaurants. The big cities eat globally: Richmond near Vancouver is known for Cantonese food, Toronto for almost everything.

Canada produces most of the world's maple syrup, mainly in Québec, where a strategic reserve keeps prices steady.

Maple syrup: About 70% of world output, mostly Québec
Poutine: Rural Québec, 1950s

See itSt Lawrence Market, Toronto →Jean-Talon Market, Montréal

5Landscape: mountains, lakes and the North1 min

Canada covers about 10 million km², most of it the Canadian Shield of rock, forest and lakes; the country holds a large share of the world's lakes. The Rockies and Coast Mountains rise in the west; the Arctic archipelago stretches toward the pole.

National parks protect about 3% of the country. Banff and Jasper are the most visited; Moraine Lake is now reached only by shuttle or tour. Wildfire seasons have grown longer — Jasper lost part of its townsite in 2024 — so summer trips need flexible plans.

Wildlife is part of the trip: black and grizzly bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, whales on both coasts and polar bears on Hudson Bay. The rules are simple: keep your distance, never feed animals, and carry bear spray in bear country.

Area: About 10 million km²
Highest peak: Mount Logan, 5,959 m
Parks Canada Discovery Pass: About CAD 84 adult, CAD 168 family — check

See itMoraine Lake and Lake LouiseIcefields ParkwayNiagara Falls

6Travelling Canada today1 min

Visa-exempt air travellers need an eTA (CAD 7, canada.ca only); US citizens need only a passport, and nobody needs an eTA arriving by land or sea. Some visa-required nationals can use an eTA if they hold a US visa — check.

Distances decide the trip. Toronto to Vancouver is over 4,000 km, so pick east or west, fly between them, and use VIA Rail in the Québec City – Windsor corridor. The Canadian, from Toronto to Vancouver, is a four-night experience rather than a way to save time.

Budget for tax (5–15% by province) and tips (15–20%), book Rockies beds early for July–August, and pack for cold at any time of year in the mountains. The emergency number is 911 everywhere.

eTA: CAD 7, valid 5 years
Emergency: 911
Toronto – Vancouver: About 4,400 km (2,734 mi) by roadAbout 2,734 mi (4,400 km) by road

See itUnion Station and UP Express, Toronto →

Read, watch, wordsReading · Watching · Glossary · Sources4 parts

Reading

Alias Grace — Margaret AtwoodA 19th-century Ontario murder case as fiction.
The Inconvenient Indian — Thomas KingIndigenous history told with wit.
Two Solitudes — Hugh MacLennanThe English–French divide in Montréal.
Indian Horse — Richard WagameseResidential schools and hockey.

Watching

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner — Zacharias Kunuk, 2001Inuit legend filmed in Inuktitut.
Incendies — Denis Villeneuve, 2010Québec cinema at its strongest.

Glossary

Term	Local	Meaning
eTA		Electronic Travel Authorization for visa-exempt air travellers.
First Nations		Indigenous peoples other than Inuit and Métis.
Métis		Distinct people of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry.
Inuit		Indigenous people of the Arctic.
dépanneur	dépanneur	Corner shop in Québec.
cabane à sucre	cabane à sucre	Sugar shack serving maple meals in spring.
loonie / toonie		CAD 1 and CAD 2 coins.
toque		Knitted winter hat.
HST		Harmonized sales tax (federal plus provincial).

Read for this deep dive

Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.

Sources

officialElectronic Travel Authorization (eTA), Government of Canada
officialParks Canada
officialUK FCDO travel advice: Canada
secondaryWikivoyage — Canada
officialIRCC — find out if you need a visa or eTA
officialVIA Rail Canada
officialParks Canada — passes and fees

Open Americas Up to North America

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