Canada

Canada is one of those countries where the nature makes you go quiet. The Rocky Mountains, the glacial lakes, the Pacific coastline, the boreal forests that stretch further than you can comprehend. It’s the second largest country on earth and most of it is wilderness that very few people ever see.

The cities are great too. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world for good reason. Montreal has the best food scene in North America outside of New York. Toronto is the multicultural hub. Quebec City feels more European than most of Europe.

The honest caveat is that Canada is expensive. Similar to the USA but with higher taxes and a weaker dollar that doesn’t stretch as far as you’d expect. Accommodation and food are the biggest costs, especially in Vancouver, Banff, and the Rockies. But the national parks, hiking, and natural beauty are mostly free once you’re there, and that’s where Canada genuinely shines.

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When to go

June through September is the main travel season. Weather is warm (20-30C), all hiking trails and mountain roads are open, national parks are fully operational, and the days are long. July and August are peak season with higher prices and busier parks.

September and early October bring fall colours, especially in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and stunning landscapes. This is arguably the best time for Eastern Canada.

December through March is ski and winter season. Whistler (British Columbia), Banff and Lake Louise (Alberta), and Mont Tremblant (Quebec) are world-class ski destinations. Winter in the Rockies is cold (often -15 to -25C) but stunningly beautiful. The Northern Lights are visible from November through March in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern parts of Alberta and Manitoba.

Avoid the shoulder months of April, May, and late October to November unless you’re visiting cities only. Many mountain passes, hiking trails, and seasonal attractions close during this window, and the weather is unpredictable.

What it actually costs

Canada is a high-cost destination. Comparable to the USA, more expensive than most of Europe, much more expensive than Asia. All prices in USD.

Budget ($70-100 USD/day per person) Hostels ($25-40/night), grocery store meals and cheap eats ($15-25/day), Greyhound or VIA Rail for transport, camping in national parks ($15-25/night for a site), free hiking. Tight but achievable outside of Vancouver and Banff.

Mid-range ($100-220 USD/day per person) Hotel or Airbnb ($80-160/night for a double), restaurant meals ($25-40/day), rental car, national park entry, a few paid activities. Realistic for most visitors.

Comfortable ($220-400+ USD/day per person) Mountain lodges, fine dining, heli-hiking, whale watching tours, ski passes, float plane excursions. The premium experiences in Canada are expensive but spectacular.

The Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($55 USD per person or $110 for a family, valid for a year) covers entry to all national parks and historic sites. Essential if you’re visiting more than one park.

Flights from within North America are reasonable ($100-300 return on domestic or cross-border routes). From Europe expect $400-800 return. From Asia and Oceania expect $600-1,300. Vancouver and Toronto are the main international gateways.

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Where to go

Banff and the Canadian Rockies (4-5 days). Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway, Johnston Canyon. This is the Canada you see on postcards and it genuinely looks like that in person. Stay in Banff town for budget options or the Fairmont Lake Louise if you want to splurge. The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Vancouver (3-4 days). Mountains, ocean, and a proper city all in one place. Stanley Park for a walk around the seawall, Granville Island for the public market, Gastown for restaurants and bars, and Grouse Mountain or the Sea to Sky Gondola for views. The sushi here is the best in North America outside of Japan.

Toronto (2-3 days). Canada’s biggest city. The CN Tower, Kensington Market, the Distillery District, and an incredible food scene driven by immigration from everywhere. Day trip to Niagara Falls (1.5 hours by car or bus).

Montreal (2-3 days). The most European city in North America. Old Montreal is genuinely beautiful, the food is world-class (smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz’s, bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount, poutine everywhere), and the nightlife runs later than anywhere else in Canada.

Quebec City (2 days). The old walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like you’ve been dropped into France. Chateau Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, and the best French-Canadian food in the country. Stunning in both summer and winter.

Jasper (2-3 days). Banff’s quieter, less touristy neighbour. Dark sky preserve for stargazing, Maligne Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. More wildlife sightings (bears, elk, mountain goats) and fewer tour buses.

Whistler (2-3 days). World-famous ski resort in winter, hiking and mountain biking destination in summer. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola runs year-round and the views are ridiculous. 2 hours from Vancouver by the Sea to Sky Highway, which is a scenic drive in itself.

Tofino (2-3 days). Remote surf town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Old-growth rainforest, wild beaches, hot springs, bear watching, and storm watching in winter. One of the most unique places in Canada. Accessible by ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, then a 3-hour drive.

What to skip

Niagara Falls for more than a few hours. The falls are impressive. Everything around them is a tourist trap. See the falls, take a Hornblower boat tour, leave. Don’t stay in the Niagara tourist strip unless you enjoy overpriced attractions and wax museums.

Driving across the country unless you have weeks. Canada is 7,000 km from coast to coast. Driving from Toronto to Vancouver takes 4-5 days of solid driving. Fly between the coasts and do road trips within a region.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake without booking parking. In peak season (July-August) you cannot drive to these lakes without a shuttle reservation or arriving before 6am. The parks service introduced a reservation system because traffic was gridlocked. Check the Parks Canada website and book your shuttle in advance.

Eating out for every meal in Vancouver or Banff. Both cities are expensive. A restaurant meal for two with drinks can easily hit $80-100 USD. Grocery stores and cooking in your Airbnb kitchen can cut your food budget in half.

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Must-do experiences

Drive the Icefields Parkway. The 230 km highway between Lake Louise and Jasper through the heart of the Rockies. Glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and mountain peaks on both sides. One of the most spectacular drives on earth. Allow a full day with stops.

See Moraine Lake at sunrise. The lake with the impossibly turquoise water surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Book the early shuttle to arrive at sunrise when the light hits the water and the crowds haven’t arrived. Free.

Walk the seawall in Stanley Park, Vancouver. An 8.8 km paved path around the park’s waterfront with views of the mountains, ocean, and city skyline. Free, flat, and one of the best urban walks anywhere. Rent a bike if you prefer cycling.

Eat a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s in Montreal. Open since 1928, cash only, and the best smoked meat in the world. The queue moves fast. Order “medium” fat for the classic experience. $10 for a sandwich that you’ll think about for years.

See the Northern Lights in the Yukon or Jasper. Jasper National Park is a dark sky preserve, one of the best places in the world for aurora viewing. Best chances are September to March on clear nights away from the full moon.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Cards are accepted everywhere. Contactless (tap) payment is universal.

Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and most Western countries need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for $7 CAD before flying in. Apply online at canada.ca/eta. Takes minutes to get approved.

Tipping culture is the same as the USA. 15-20% on restaurant meals, bartenders, taxis, hotel housekeeping. Not tipping is considered rude.

Taxes are not included in listed prices. Federal GST is 5%, plus provincial taxes that vary (total 12-15% in most provinces).

Rent a car for the Rockies, Vancouver Island, and road trips. Public transit works in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. VIA Rail connects major cities but is slow and not always cheaper than flying.

Cell coverage disappears quickly outside cities and highways. If you’re driving remote areas in BC, Alberta, or the Maritimes, download offline maps. National parks have limited to no cell service.

Winter temperatures in the Rockies and Prairies regularly drop below -20C (-4F). Pack serious layers if visiting between November and March. The west coast (Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino) is milder with rain instead of snow.

Healthcare is expensive for visitors. Travel insurance is essential. An ER visit can cost $1,000+ without coverage.

Planning your trip

1 week Canadian Rockies: Calgary (1 night), Banff (3 nights), Icefields Parkway drive, Jasper (2 nights), fly home from Edmonton

1 week Eastern Canada: Toronto (2 nights), Niagara Falls day trip, Montreal (2 nights), Quebec City (2 nights)

2 weeks coast to coast highlights: Toronto (2), fly to Montreal (2), Quebec City (1), fly to Calgary (1), Banff (3), Icefields Parkway, Jasper (2), fly to Vancouver (2)

10 days Pacific Coast: Vancouver (3), Whistler (2), ferry to Vancouver Island, Tofino (3), Victoria (2)

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, tours, and rental cars across Canada.

More destinations from travlperks: For North American travel at a different pace, see our USA guide. For mountain and adventure travel alternatives, check out New Zealand. For cheaper trips with similar natural beauty, see our Vietnam or Sri Lanka guides (coming soon).