Canada travel guide

Take in the Views at Banff

It’s no secret that Banff and Lake Louise offer the most stunning views you’ll experience on any Canada trip. 

Hike up and see waterfalls at Bow Falls and Johnston Canyon, photograph Lake Louise from the famous Fairview Lookout, or take the Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain for some epic vistas.

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Another unique experience when you travel to Canada that starts in Banff is driving the Icefields Parkway.

Begin the long drive through frozen tundra at Lake Louise where you’ll need to stop to see the blue-green Peyto Lake and to see the Athabasca Glacier from the Toe of the Glacier Trail.

Spend a Long Weekend in Vancouver

Deciding how to plan a trip to Canada? Vancouver is a popular starting point for adventure trips to Whistler and Victoria. But there is so much to do in the city, too.

Hang out at Kits Beach, stroll through Stanley Park, and check out the hedge maze at VanDusen Botanical Garden before indulging in some excellent food and drink.

Eating Your Way Through Montreal

Exploring the cobbled streets of Montreal over an afternoon is one of my favourite ideas when travelling to Canada. When you start getting hungry, you’re in for a treat. 

Choose from Portuguese chicken at Restaurant Jano, the best bagels this side of the border at St-Viateur (or Fairmount), or dinner at the laid-back neighbourhood joint Le Pégase. I’m already getting hungry.

Tap Into Outdoor Adventure in Jasper

The Canadian Rockies are so spectacular they earned a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jasper National Park is among the most famous, and when you take a guided tour to see Maligne Lake and Canyon and wildlife like bears and moose, it’s no surprise. 

Visit Niagara Falls

If you’re travelling to Canada from the East Coast USA, Niagara Falls is a wonderful introduction to the incredible nature this country offers. 

See the towering Horseshoe Falls, walk behind Bridal Veil Falls in the Cave of the Winds, or take a guided tour on the Maid of the Mist.

Experience the Culture and Cuisine of Toronto

Looking for the best museums, restaurants, and architecture in your travel guide Canada? Toronto is the place to be.

Stop by Brookfield Place for shopping, dining, and the Hockey Hall of Fame, take a river cruise for epic views of the CN Tower, and tour the Gothic Revival masterpiece, Casa Loma. 

Take a Stroll on the Capilano Suspension Bridge 

What’s a travel guide to Canada without a bit of adrenaline-inducing fun in the great outdoors? 

No longer a well-kept secret, this very photo-friendly landmark near Vancouver is perfect for testing your fear of heights. Trek the long and towering bridge over the Capilano River for a memorable time.

Calgary to Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks

2 Weeks

Calgary – Canmore – Banff Town – Banff National Park – Lake Louise – Jasper – Yoho

Read about this 10-day Canadian Rockies road trip here.

Niagara Falls to Algonquin Provincial Park

10 days

Niagara Falls – Toronto – Ottawa – Algonquin Provincial Park

Start in Niagara falls before visiting Toronto and Ottawa. Then make your way to the underrated Algonquin Provincial Park for incredible wildlife viewing and hiking.

Montreal to New Brunswick

1 Week

Montreal – Quebec City – Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park

Go on a whale watching adventure tour in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park via Montreal and Quebec City. 

Prince Edward Island to the Bay of Fundy

5 – 7 Days

Prince Edward Island – Joggins Fossil Cliffs – Annapolis Valley

Have a culinary and historical road trip where you can eat mussels from PEI, go fossil hunting near the Bay of Fundy, and sample wines at Domaine de Grand Pré.

Explore the Shores at the Bay of Fundy

If you find yourself near the dramatic coastal landscape and lighthouses in New Brunswick, head to the Bay of Fundy.

Head to Joggins Fossil Cliffs at low tide, where you can explore the fabled shores for evidence of dinosaurs. Book a guided tour here.

Take the Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Driving along the Icefields Parkway, make a stop at Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Jasper to walk across the glass-bottomed glacial lookout towering almost 300 metres off the frozen floor.

Hiking in Canmore

Many Canada travel guides overlook Canmore when mentioning where to go in the Canadian Rockies. Don’t make that mistake.

Hiking near Grassi Lakes, Ha Ling Peak, and Heart Mountain Horseshoe are some of my favourite places to experience the Rockies. Read more about the best hikes in Canmore here.

Annapolis Valley

Head to Nova Scotia, Canada, where you can sample wines from the historic Domaine de Grand Pré, check out Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, and head to the Bay of Fundy to see the famous high tides.

Dishes to try

Beaver Tails – Think fried dough with fruit, Nutella, cinnamon sugar, and anything sweet.

Poutine – French fries smothered in cheese curds and beef gravy.

Montreal Smoked Meat – Beef brisket seasoned and smoked for deli-style sandwiches.

Ketchup Chips  – Popular junk food snack of ketchup-flavoured potato chips.

Drinks to try

Caesar – Popular brunch cocktail with vodka, clam broth, tomato juice, and spices.

Expect to spend between £195 and £353 ($250 and $450) per day in Canada on a mid-range basis, including lodging. Add £295 to £588 ($375 to $750) if you’re travelling on a luxury basis.

Average Daily Costs 

• Hotel 
  • Mid-Range – £98 to £137 ($125 to $175) per night.
  • Luxury – £176 to £391 ($225 to $500) per night.
• Food – £6.25 to £39 ($8 to $50) per meal.
• Public Transport – £1.75 to £2.15 ($2.25 to $2.75) per ticket.
• Attractions – £4.90 to £19.50 ($5 to $30) per ticket.
• Tours – £39 to £157 and ($50 to $200) per tour.

Safety

Canada travel is generally very safe in big cities and small towns. There are low crime rates overall.

You will need to exercise caution when visiting national parks and taking longer hiking treks, as bears, moose, and other wildlife can pose real threats to visitors in remote areas.

Health

Travelling in Canada is generally safe for most people health-wise. You can drink the water just about everywhere, and you’ll just need basic vaccines like hepatitis, polio, Tdap, and flu shots.

Hiking and outdoor sports are popular choices when Canada vacation planning, so discuss your physical fitness with your physician if you have any concerns.

Tipping

Generally people tip similarly to other North America destinations in Canada. 15-20% is typical for restaurant service, while 10 – 15% is generally sufficient for taxis.

Tips for travelling

• Many restaurants in Montreal have a BYOB policy (bring your own bottle) where you pay a small corkage fee, usually $10-15.
• You may want to brush up on your French in Quebec, especially in smaller towns and Quebec City.
• Canada has more coastline than any other country, and whale watching at Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park is an excellent opportunity to see it.
• Yoho National Park and Canmore are two underrated places to see the Canadian Rockies.
• The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Find a bank near your hotel (not the airport) for the best exchange rates.

How to see the best for free

Taking a walk or bike ride at Stanley Park in Vancouver, exploring Indigenous art at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and walking the aisles of the bustling St. Lawrence Market in Toronto are all great things to do for free. 

Self-guided ghost tours through Free Tours by Foot are a really fun idea when visiting Toronto. 

Packing

Packing for your Canada trip? Don’t forget… 

• Tropicfeel Geysers – Waterproof hiking trainers that are perfect for Canada hikes.
• Warm Clothes – Sure, summertime is beautiful, but even then, you may want to layer up with a fleece
• Hydro Flask – Bring water, especially on long hikes and treks.
• Passport – Carry your passport when travelling or going to bars.
• Thermal Leggings – Excellent outdoor leggings for cooler hikes in Canada.

Travel insurance

Canada travel often involves setting out for an afternoon of enjoying the great outdoors. Adding activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, or cycling to your holiday isn’t without risk.

Add medical coverage and trip cancellation protection with a plan like AXA Travel Insurance to offset financial risk on your Canada trips.

Suggested guidebooks

• Moon Travel Guides: Canada
• Lonely Planet Guidebooks: Canada
• Canada Travel Guide 2023: A Guide to the Ultimate Urban Adventure In 2023

Interesting facts

• Canada has the most coastal land of any nation in the world.
• Kanata is considered the Indigenous word that Canada came from. 
• Yonge Street in Ontario is the longest street anywhere on the planet.
• Loonies and Toonies are what locals call $1 and $2 coins.

Handy phrases

English and French are the two official languages in Canada. Here are a few helpful words and expressions if you visit Quebec.

Hello – Bonjour 

Yes – Oui

No – Non

Please – S’il te plaît

Thank You – Merci

How Much Is – Combien coûte 

I’d Like to Order – J’aimerais commander

Time zone

Pacific Time (UTC – 7, UTC – 8)

Mountain Time (UTC – 6, UTC – 7)

Central Time (UTC – 5, UTC – 6)

Atlantic Time (UTC – 3, UTC – 4)

Newfoundland Time (UTC – 2:30, UTC – 3:30)

Electricity and adapters

When you plan a trip to Canada, bring a universal travel adaptor if visiting outside of North America. Type A and Type B plugs are everywhere.