How to plan a trip to Canada?

If you’re planning a trip to Canada, get ready for an adventure of continental proportions. The second-largest country in the world, Canada offers an amalgam of modern cities and natural landscapes that will leave you speechless. From cosmopolitan Toronto to the tranquil and majestic landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, Canada is a destination that will appeal to urbanites and nature lovers alike.

Beyond the destinations to see in Canada, when planning your trip you’ll need to consider other key aspects such as the vastness of the country and the significant climatic variations between the different regions, the currency in use, the best time to travel or the language spoken. That’s why we at Passporter have prepared this post where we answer these questions and many more. And as always, we encourage you to plan ahead to make the most of the experiences in every corner of the country and find the best deals.

1. Prepare the documentation to travel to Canada

Documentation for travel to Canada for tourism purposes varies depending on the visitor’s country of origin, but there are basically three options, passport, eTA or visa application.

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents: may enter Canada simply with their passport.
• Visa-exempt foreign nationals: This category includes the vast majority of European, Commonwealth and other countries. Citizens of these countries must apply for an eTA to travel to Canada, in addition to presenting their passport. The application is made online and is usually processed immediately, although it can sometimes take a few days if extra documents are required. The application fee is $7 CAD.
• Other travellers: All other countries, including Mexico, must apply for a visa through their country’s embassy or online. The cost is about $100 CAD and the process can take up to 40 days. In some cases, if you plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you will have to go to the embassy in person for an interview and have your biometric data collected. Additional documents such as proof of financial solvency, travel itinerary and a return ticket must also be submitted for the application.

Remember that if you plan to drive in Canada you will need to apply for an international driver’s licence, which costs around €10.

We recommend that you always carry a copy of your travel documents with you when you travel, just in case. With the Passporter App you can keep it neatly organised and always at hand.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Canada

As you may already know, Canada is not a particularly warm destination. Therefore, it is important to think carefully about the date of your trip according to the activities you plan to do. In general, it is recommended to travel during the summer months, when temperatures are warmer and invite you to explore both cities and natural destinations. However, summer is also the most touristy season, which means more crowded places and higher prices for accommodation and activities.

If you prefer quieter travel and don’t mind the moderate cold, autumn and spring are also good options. And winter, despite the extreme snow and cold, has a unique charm that invites you to stroll through Christmas markets, ski and ice skate.

Bear in mind that Canada is huge, and depending on where you travel, weather conditions can vary. That’s why we recommend checking the weather for the specific place you’re visiting.

3. Find out how to get to Canada

Canada has major metropolises with excellent international connections, as well as numerous airports strategically placed in the most popular tourist and business areas. These are the country’s major international airports that receive flights from Europe and many other countries around the world:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport

To get around the cities, cars are not recommended because of traffic and parking is difficult and quite expensive. It’s best to use public transport. Large cities have metro, tram and bus networks, as well as taxis and uber or similar services. However, if you’re going to get around the wilderness, a car is essential. Just remember that you’ll need an international driving licence if yours isn’t written in English or French.

The country also has atrain network connecting all the major cities, as well as a extensive bus network run by several companies that will take you anywhere for cheap. We personally think it’s worth taking the train for the scenery, even if it’s a slightly slower method.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy Canada

When you start planning your trip to Canada, you’ll find that there’s a wide range of accommodation on offer, from luxury hotels to hostels to charming bed and breakfasts. Average prices vary considerably by city and type of accommodation. For example, Toronto and Vancouver are among the most expensive cities, while Quebec is cheaper.

If you want to save on your accommodation, we recommend you start looking in advance so you can choose the best options through the Passporter App. Another option if you’re travelling with several people is to rent a flat, which are usually cheaper, or look around the outskirts of the city.

Before you book your accommodation, it’s a good idea to be clear about your travel itinerary and mode of transport. This will help you to narrow down areas and look for accommodation with good transport links and close to the main attractions.

5. Where and what to eat in Canada?

Canada’s cuisine is as diverse as its geography, influenced by the culinary traditions of indigenous peoples and waves of European immigrants. The generous use of maple syrup and seafood, such as salmon and shellfish, is a highlight. The country is famous for its comforting dishes that combine rustic flavours with modern techniques. We’re sure you’ll be sure to eat luxuriously during your trip.

Here are some of Canada’s most typical dishes, but depending on the region you’re travelling to, you’ll discover new ones that will surprise you:

• Poutine: French fries topped with cheese curds and drizzled with gravy.
• Tourtière: spicy meat pie, typical of Quebec, especially at Christmas time.
• Butter Tarts: small sweet tarts filled with a sticky filling of butter, sugar and eggs.
• Peameal Bacon: Pork loin cured in brine and rolled in cornmeal, typical of Toronto.
• Bannock: Indigenous flatbread, served in both sweet and savoury forms.

A drink that has become emblematic of Canadian hospitality is the Caesar, similar to the Bloody Mary but made with clamato, vodka, hot sauce and Worcestershire. This drink is often garnished with celery and lime and is usually consumed on Sunday brunch.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in Canada

There’s so much to see in Canada that you’ll need months to explore its impressive cities and spectacular natural parks. Also, due to the sheer size of the country, the distances are enormous, so our recommendation is to narrow down the area you want to visit during your trip and define an itinerary. For this, the Passporter App is the perfect tool because you will be able to get inspiration and take reference from other travellers’ itineraries.

Here are the essential things to see, but we encourage you to follow this post where we give you more details: Things to do and see in Canada

• Toronto: Canada’s largest metropolis, famous for the CN Tower. Things to do and see in Toronto Canada
• Vancouver: known for its lively arts scene and accessibility to nature. Things to do and see in Vancouver Canada
• Montreal: famous for its historic architecture and festivals. Things to do and see in Montreal Canada
• Quebec City: noted for its impressive old town, a World Heritage Site. Things to do and see in Quebec Canada
• Banff National Park, Alberta: a paradise for lovers of mountains and crystal-clear lakes. Admission is $10 CAD per day.
• Jasper National Park, Alberta: famous for its wildlife and Miette hot springs. Admission is $10 per day CAD.
• Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador: is known for its unique geology and scenery. Admission is $9.8 per day CAD.
• Yoho National Park, British Columbia: is famous for its waterfalls and Burgess Shale fossils. Admission is $10 per day CAD.
• Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia: noted for its stunning coastal views and mountain trails. Admission is $7.9 per day CAD.
• Kootenay National Park, British Columbia: known for its hot springs and spectacular scenery. Admission is $10 per day CAD.
• Prince Edward Island National Park, Prince Edward Island: noted for its sand dunes and expansive beaches. Admission is $7.9 per day CAD.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Canada

Travelling with friends is exciting and enriching, and travelling to Canada can be an unforgettable experience where you’ll share adventures in iconic places like the Rocky Mountains or Niagara Falls. However, travelling in a group can also present challenges such as planning disagreements or budget differences. The key is communication and coordination in advance, using tools such as the Passporter app to organise itineraries that take into account everyone’s interests. In this way, each member of the group can do their bit and you can all experience the trip you want.

Here we leave you with this post where we give you travel tips to organise your trip in the best way when travelling in a group: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Canada

• Be sure to bring the local currency, the Canadian dollar, although credit and debit cards are widely accepted. We recommend using international cards.
• Check that you have all your documents in order, including your passport and, depending on your country of origin, an eTA or visa.
• Bring an adapter if your electrical devices have different specifications, as Canada uses A and B type plugs, with a voltage of 120V and frequency of 60Hz.
• Prepare for variable weather depending on the region and the season; bring cold-weather clothing if you’re travelling in winter, especially to the northernmost regions or the Rocky Mountains.
• Use efficient public transportation in major cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and consider buying a local transit card for unlimited travel.
• Bear in mind that English and French are the official languages, with French predominating in Quebec and English in the rest of the country.
• A tip of 15-20% is customary in restaurants. Tipping is also common in taxis.
• Check if you need an international driver’s licence if you plan to rent a car.
• Buy an eSIM card for mobile internet access. Our favourite company is Holafly as they offer cards for Canada with unlimited data.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance, especially in high season or for popular destinations such as the Rocky Mountains.
• Remember that if you’re visiting a national park, you’ll have to pay a visitor’s fee. The fee is around $10 CAD per day.
• Although Canada is generally safe, it’s always wise to take standard precautions, especially in large cities.
• Using apps like Passporter to plan your trip to Canada is free and helps you draw inspiration from other travellers, as well as organise your itinerary efficiently.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Canada?

Download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Canada.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about travelling to Canada