Canada
Canada is built for road trips and big landscapes: the turquoise lakes of Banff and Jasper, the thunder of Niagara Falls, French-speaking Québec City and the cliff roads of Cape Breton. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are easy, multicultural cities, but the country is enormous, so internal flights and long scenic drives shape most itineraries.
Overview
Canada is the world's second-largest country, and the first rule of planning is not to try to see it all. Most first trips pick one region: the Rockies (fly into Calgary or Vancouver, then drive Banff, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway to Jasper); Ontario and Québec (Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa, Montreal and Québec City, linked by VIA Rail); or the Atlantic provinces, with Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail and Newfoundland's fjords. Popular add-ons include polar bears at Churchill, whale-watching at Tadoussac or off Vancouver Island, and the northern lights in Yukon.
Travel is straightforward and English-speaking outside Québec, where French dominates and a few phrases are appreciated. It is not cheap: summer hotel rates in Banff and Vancouver are among the highest in North America, displayed prices exclude sales tax, and restaurants expect a 15–20% tip on top. The summer season is short and busy in the national parks, so book accommodation and car hire months ahead. People are often surprised by the distances (Toronto to Vancouver is a flight of four to five hours) and by how quickly wilderness begins outside the cities. It suits road-trippers, hikers, skiers and families.
Map of Canada
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Banff National Park's two most famous lakes glow turquoise from glacial rock flour. Moraine Lake is reached only by shuttle or tour bus, so book Parks Canada seats early, and hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House above Lake Louise.
- 2Nature
Niagara Falls
The Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side carry most of the river's flow. Take the boat into the spray at the base, walk the tunnels behind the falls, then escape the neon strip to Niagara-on-the-Lake's wineries.
- 3History
Old Québec
The only walled city in North America north of Mexico, a UNESCO site of ramparts, stone houses and steep stairways below the turreted Château Frontenac. It is at its most atmospheric in winter, during Carnaval.
- 4Wildlife
Churchill's polar bears
Each October and November, polar bears gather on the Hudson Bay shore at Churchill, Manitoba, waiting for the sea ice to form. Tundra-vehicle tours get you close; in summer, thousands of beluga whales fill the river estuary.
- 5Nature
Cabot Trail
A roughly 300 km loop around Cape Breton Island through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with cliff-top roads, the Skyline Trail boardwalk above the Gulf of St Lawrence, whale-watching and Gaelic fiddle music. Glorious in early October.
Biggest cities
Toronto
Canada's largest city: lakefront neighbourhoods, the CN Tower, food from every corner of the world, and the obvious base for Niagara Falls, about 90 minutes' drive away.
Montreal
A French-speaking city with a bilingual edge: cobbled Old Montreal, Mount Royal, bagels and smoked meat, a packed summer festival calendar and an underground city for winter.
Vancouver
Mountains meet the Pacific: Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's market and quick escapes to Whistler or Vancouver Island. A common starting point for road trips into the Rockies.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Canada
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in Toronto
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebCarnaval de Québec
Québec City's winter carnival, presided over by the snowman Bonhomme, brings an ice palace, night parades, canoe races across the frozen St Lawrence and snow baths for the brave.
- Jun–JulMontreal International Jazz Festival
From late June into early July, hundreds of free outdoor concerts fill the Quartier des Spectacles alongside ticketed shows by international names.
- JulCalgary Stampede
Ten days in July of rodeo, chuckwagon races, free pancake breakfasts and cowboy hats across Calgary; a lively start to a road trip into the Rockies.
How much does Canada cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Poutine
Québec's late-night classic: chips topped with squeaky fresh cheese curds and hot gravy. Try it at a roadside casse-croûte or a Montreal institution such as La Banquise.
Montreal smoked meat
Spice-cured, smoked beef brisket sliced thick and piled high on rye with yellow mustard; Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent Boulevard has served it since 1928.
Butter tarts
Small pastry cases filled with a runny butter, sugar and egg mixture, sometimes with raisins or pecans; an Ontario bakery staple and a fierce subject of debate.
Getting around
Domestic flights with Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Flair are the practical way to cover long distances. VIA Rail serves the Québec City–Windsor corridor well and runs the scenic Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver, but trains elsewhere are sparse. Car hire is essential for the Rockies, the Maritimes and most national parks. Cities have good public transport, Uber and Lyft operate widely, and BC Ferries serves Vancouver Island.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB120V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
- Coastguard maritime emergencies: Telephone: 1 800 463 4393
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +1
- Time zones
- UTC-3:30, UTC-4, UTC-5, UTC-6, UTC-7, UTC-8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Tip 15–20% in restaurants and bars, usually calculated on the pre-tax total, and around 10–15% for taxis, hairdressers and tour guides.
- Etiquette
- Canadians queue patiently, apologise often and value politeness. In Québec, open with 'Bonjour' before switching to English. Respect Indigenous cultural sites, and never feed or approach wildlife in national parks.
- Main airports
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto; Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver; Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Montreal
Visas & entry for Canada
Shown for a British passport.
Apply online before you go (travel authorisation)
To enter or transit through Canada, most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – not both.
Check if you need a visa or an eTA online.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Rabies
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Canada
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Thu 1 Jul 2027 | Canada Day |
| Mon 6 Sep 2027 | Labour Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in French
| English | French | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-kew-zay MWAH |
| How much is this? | Combien ça coûte? | kom-BYAN sa KOOT |
Know before you go
- Displayed prices exclude sales tax, which adds roughly 5–15% depending on the province, so budget for the till total and then a tip on top.
- The Moraine Lake road is closed to private cars and Lake Louise's car parks fill early in summer: book the Parks Canada shuttle, and buy a Discovery Pass if visiting several parks.
- Carry bear spray when hiking in the Rockies and British Columbia, make noise on the trail and hike in groups. It cannot go in hold or cabin luggage, so buy it locally.
Canada travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Canada?
The best time to visit Canada is generally Jun–Sep. Peak months are June, July, August and September. Average highs in Toronto range from -1°C to 27°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Canada cost per day?
Roughly £75 a day on a tight budget, £170 mid-range and £340+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Canada?
Canadian dollar (CAD).
What plug type does Canada use?
Type A and B sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Canada?
Traffic drives on the right in Canada, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Canada?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Canada?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: To enter or transit through Canada, most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – not both. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Canada before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Canada?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
