Complete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
Planning a trip to Canada? Start with Vancouver for mountains, ocean and outdoor adventures; Montreal and Quebec City for French-Canadian culture, historic neighborhoods and incredible food; Calgary for western culture and access to the Canadian Rockies; and Banff and Jasper for turquoise lakes, glaciers, wildlife and spectacular mountain scenery.
This Canada travel guide will help you decide where to go, when to visit, how to get around, how much to budget, and what you need to know before you arrive. You’ll also find practical information about Canadian entry requirements, currency, transportation, weather, electrical outlets, safety, food, packing, and local travel tips.
Visiting Canada for the first time? Choose one region rather than trying to see the entire country. Explore Vancouver and Vancouver Island for a Pacific Northwest adventure, combine Montreal and Quebec City for history and French-Canadian culture, or travel through Calgary, Banff and Jasper for a Canadian Rockies road trip.
Canada is enormous, and many of its most popular destinations are thousands of miles apart. Flying is often the most practical way to travel between distant regions, while trains, rental cars and public transportation work well for specific routes and destinations.
Canada Travel Guide at a Glance
Planning your first trip to Canada? Here are the essential things to know before you go:
Capital: Ottawa
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)
Official Languages: English and French
Emergency Number: 911
Driving: Canadians drive on the right
Power Outlets: Type A and B, 120V, 60Hz
Best Time to Visit: June–September for warm-weather sightseeing and outdoor activities; September–October for fall colors; winter for skiing and other snow activities
Popular First-Time Destinations: Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Niagara Falls
Getting Around Canada: Fly between distant regions; use trains, rental cars, buses, ferries, and public transportation for regional and local travel
Entry Requirements: Requirements depend on your citizenship and how you enter Canada; U.S. citizens generally do not need a visitor visa or eTA but need acceptable travel documents
Best Known For: The Canadian Rockies, national parks, wildlife, lakes, forests, Niagara Falls, French-Canadian culture, ice hockey, maple syrup, and spectacular road trips
Don’t Miss: The Canadian Rockies, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, Quebec City, Montreal, a scenic road trip, and at least one Canadian national park
Best Places to Visit in Canada
First-time Canada travel tip: Don’t underestimate the distances. Canada is the world’s second-largest country, so focus on one region or a few nearby destinations rather than trying to cross the entire country in one vacation.
Vancouver: Best for Mountains, Ocean and Outdoor Adventures
Vancouver is located in beautiful British Columbia. The city is well known for its skyline of steel and glass skyscrapers, Stanley Park’s seawall, rainforests, waterfalls, suspension bridges, sky trains, totem poles, beaches, a famous steam clock, seaplanes, and blue-purple mountains.
READ 72 Hours in Vancouver Canada
READ 100 Things to Do in Vancouver Canada
Vancouver Island: Best for Gardens, Wildlife and Coastal Scenery
Vancouver Island is an easy day trip from Vancouver. You will find the famous Butchart Gardens, the city of Victoria’s Parliament Building, Hatley Castle, Chinatown, floating homes, whale watching, and gorgeous harbors.
READ Vancouver Island Canada Day Trip Ideas
Montreal: Best for Food, Festivals and Culture
Montreal has it all: a medieval-inspired old town with cobblestone streets, French-inspired food, an underground city, street art, spiral staircases, parks, and many festivals.
READ 100 Things to Do in Montreal Canada
Quebec City: Best for History and Old-World Charm
Quebec City is like stepping into a European town without leaving North America. It is the perfect place to wander winding cobblestone streets with hidden alleyways of brick buildings, hanging flowers, and lace curtains before relaxing on an outdoor terrace eating croissants, crepes, poutine, and maple fudge.
READ Top Things to Do in Quebec City Canada
Calgary: Best for Western Culture and a Gateway to the Canadian Rockies
Calgary Canada embraces its western heritage and is most known for the yearly Stampede rodeo. The city is a great headquarters for exploring Alberta’s National Parks, glacier lakes, and waterfall trails.
READ Top Things to Do in Calgary Canada
Best National Parks in Canada
Banff National Park: Best for Turquoise Lakes and Iconic Rocky Mountain Scenery
Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park. It is well known for its snow-covered mountain peaks, charming resort town, distant glaciers, brilliant turquoise lakes, a castle in the sky, and the widely photographed Lake Louise.
READ Banff National Park, Alberta Canada Road Trip
Jasper National Park: Best for Wildlife, Glaciers and Scenic Drives
Jasper National Park is known for the Columbia Icefield and its abundance of wildlife. You will also find snowcapped mountain peaks, waterfalls, turquoise glacier-fed lakes, hot springs, and red Adirondack chairs.
READ Jasper National Park Travel Guide
Waterton Lakes National Park: Best for Hiking and a Quieter Rockies Experience
Waterton Lakes National Park sits in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is full of glaciers, waterfalls, evergreen forests, trickling streams, scenic pullovers, picnic spots, red Adirondack chairs, and more. Popular park activities include hiking, horseback riding, biking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
READ Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide
Planning a Trip to Canada: What You Need to Know
Where Is Canada?
Canada has a population of 38 million people and is located in North America bordering the USA. It is the largest country in the Western hemisphere, the second-largest country in the world, and has the longest international border (5,525 miles). Ottawa is Canada’s fourth-largest city and capital city.
What Languages Are Spoken in Canada?
Canada has two official languages. Most of Canada speaks English but French is spoken in the province of Quebec. Gwich’in, Chipewyan/Dené, Inuinnaqtun, Tłįchǫ Inuktitut, Cree, North Slavey, South Slavey, Inuvialuktun are also recognized. Be sure to learn a few key French phrases if you will be visiting Quebec. FluentU offers a helpful list of common words and phrases to learn before you travel.
Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa for Canada?
U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist visits of less than 180 days. Other travelers to Canada will need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel. All adult travelers will need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a passport upon entry. Check COVID restrictions before arrival.
What Currency Does Canada Use?
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the official currency of Canada. Don’t be fooled by ‘0 commission’ money exchangers because the ‘service fee’ is high. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can You Use Credit Cards in Canada?
Debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted across Canada. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Canada and google its location before you travel. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and make purchases in CAD. Cash is needed in rural towns and campgrounds.
How Much Does a Trip to Canada Cost?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Canada is $146. Expect to pay $2,000 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Canada?
Canada experiences four seasons. Winter is cold but brings the Northern Lights and ice castles. Be prepared, the coldest temperature on record is −81 °F in Snag, Yukon. Coastal areas are warmer. April is the rainy season. May and June are off-season; temperatures are warm and prices are moderate. July and August are high season, expect crowds and increased prices. Summer temperatures range from 65 – 75 F. Autumn is a great time to visit Canada to see the leaves change colors. Fall temperatures range from 50 – 65 F.
How Do You Get Around Canada?
Canada is enormous, so the best way to get around depends on your itinerary. Flying is usually the fastest option for traveling between distant regions and major cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. Trains are useful on certain routes, particularly between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. VIA Rail also operates long-distance routes across the country, including The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver.
Rental cars are ideal for road trips and exploring national parks, the Canadian Rockies, smaller towns, and rural areas where public transportation is limited. A car is especially useful for destinations such as Banff, Jasper, and the Icefields Parkway. Public transportation is widely available in major cities, with combinations of buses, subways, light rail, trains, and ferries depending on the destination. Ferries are an important part of transportation in coastal areas, particularly when traveling between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Canada travel tip: Don’t underestimate travel distances. Check driving times before building your itinerary and consider flying when traveling between regions on opposite sides of the country.
What Should I Pack for Canada?
Summer: Pack lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and a light rain jacket. Bring an extra layer for cooler evenings.
Spring and fall: Dress in layers and pack a waterproof jacket, sweaters, and comfortable walking shoes. Temperatures vary considerably by region.
Winter: Pack an insulated winter coat, warm layers, a hat, gloves, scarf, and insulated, waterproof boots. Winter clothing needs vary depending on your destination.
Mountains: Pack layers regardless of the season. Weather and temperatures can change quickly at higher elevations, even during summer. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, rain protection, and sunscreen.
Cities: Comfortable walking shoes are essential for long sightseeing days. Pack according to the season and your destination, as Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary experience very different weather.
Canada travel tip: Check the forecast for every destination on your itinerary. Canada’s enormous size means you can experience dramatically different weather conditions during the same trip.
What Power Adapter Do You Need in Canada?
The plugs in Canada are type A and B. Canada operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz. This is the same as the United States.
Is Canada Safe for Solo Travelers?
According to Travel Safe Abroad, Canada is considered one of the safest destinations for travelers. Risk is low for pickpockets, scams, mugging, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. Canada’s emergency number is 911. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What Canadian Food Should You Try?
Canadian classics: poutine, tourtière, peameal bacon, bannock
Regional favorites: Montreal bagels, Montreal smoked meat, Saskatoon berry pie
Sweets: butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, maple taffy, BeaverTails, Timbits
Snacks: ketchup chips
Drinks: Caesar, ice wine, Canadian whisky, London Fog
Tips for Traveling in Canada
Temperatures vary across the country, be sure to check the weather in each area you will be visiting.
The drinking age in Canada ranges from 18 to 19 years old.
Tipping 15-20% is standard in Canada.
Canada uses a blend of the imperial and the metric system of measurement, download a converter just in case.
Learn bear safety if you plan to hike in the national parks.
Canadians are known to be polite and apologize often.
Mobile phones must be used hands-free when driving in Canada.
It is illegal to smoke in a car if you are with a minor.
Be prepared for black flies and mosquitos if you plan to hike. Take vitamin B complex and use repellant.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Canada
- See Niagara Falls from the Canadian side and walk through the tunnels behind the falls at Journey Behind the Falls.
- Visit the world’s largest underground shopping center in Toronto
- Drive along Icefields Parkway from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park
- Attend the Calgary Stampede rodeo in July
- Stay at the ice hotel in Québec
- Attend the Montreal Jazz Festival in July
- See why Vancouver is named the City of Glass
- Relax in Whistler’s alpine village
- Visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria
- Search for polar bears and beluga whales in Churchill
Check the Canada Tourism Office website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Interesting Facts About Canada
- 80% of Canada’s population lives within 100 miles of the US border.
- There are over 3 million lakes in Canada; Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake are two of the biggest lakes in the world.
- Canada has the longest coastline in the world, it is 125,567 miles.
- Wood Buffalo National Park is the second-largest national park on earth.
- Baffin Islands, Victoria Island, and Ellesmere Island Canada are 3 of the 10 biggest islands in the world.
- The Trans-Canada Highway is the longest national highway in the world.
- Canada has the longest street in the world, Yonge Street is 1,178 miles and is located in Ontario.
- Toronto has the world’s biggest underground shopping complex.
- The Bay of Fundi has the highest tides in the world and waves over 42 ft high.
- Manitoba has the world’s largest concentration of snakes and 70k come out of hibernation in May.
- Quebec City is the only walled city in North America.
- Canada has the largest population growth of industrialized countries from immigration.
- Canada is the most educated country in the world.
- Canada produces 80% of the world’s maple syrup.
- Montreal Canada is the second-largest city in the world with a French-speaking population.
- There are over 2,800 hockey rinks in Canada yet lacrosse is the national sport.
- The maple leaf is the symbol of Canada and Canadians eat 1 billion donuts annually.
- Canada is considered the polar bear capital of the world but the national animal is the beaver.
- Schitt’s Creek was set and filmed in Canada.
- Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, Donald and Kieffer Sutherland, Jim Carey, Mike Meyers, Howie Mandel, Martin Short, Dan Akroyd, and Pamela Anderson are all Canadian.
- Winnie the Pooh was named after a bear from Canada.
- Canadians love mac n cheese and call it Kraft Dinner.
Bookmark and Pin Complete Canada Travel Guide
My Favorite Booking Resources
- Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
- Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
- Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
- Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
- Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
- Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
- Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
- Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
- Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
- Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
- Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
- Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home.