This is a collaborative post.
Since watching Race Around the World, set in Canada last year, we have been researching travel tips for our first time in Canada. We enlisted the help of a couple of good friends who have visited family in various areas in Canada many times. I thought I would share these tips for anyone else planning their first trip to Canada.
When is the best time to visit Canada?
Canada is great all year round. For a more cost effective holiday, look to go out of school holidays so around September to November (before the really cold weather arrives) or earlier in the year, April to June.
Did you see our review of the year 2023? For more travel tips and a recap of the adventures we went on last year, read our roundup.
Where to go in Canada?
Everyone talks about how stunning the Rockies are, and they are right. Ultimately, it depends what you are looking to get out of your trip to Canada. If you are looking for a busy, bustling environment then Toronto is your place. If you are looking for somewhere to go off the beaten track and indulge in the spectacular views and scenery, then the National Parks ( Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton Lakes and Jasper) are ideal places.
For beach lovers, you will find the most spectacular beaches on Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
Is Canada expensive to visit?
Canada is not the cheapest place on earth to visit but there are ways of making your visit more cost effective. Being a resident in Canada can be expensive (buying properly is very costly) but for a short visit or holiday, you will be able to find bargains. Canadians are very welcoming to visitors and welcome tourism in most areas.
A lot of public exhibitions, tourist areas and parks are free in Canada, so if you do your research, your trip needn’t be too expensive.
Are flights to Canada expensive?
They can be but you can really drop on with bargains. If you are willing to travel from any airport in the UK and out of school holidays, you can get flights for only a couple of hundred points. Our friend often gets upgraded on boarding the flights too, so always ask!
I am travelling along, is Canada safe?
Definitely! I know of a couple of people who have travelled far and wide in Canada alone. People are nearly always super friendly and hospitable, so you might not end up alone for long! To make sure you can keep in contact with home, you can buy a range of phone packages including the best vpn for iPhone use abroad.
What is the best way to travel around Canada?
Many people hire cars to get them around Canada. Car hire in Vancouver and surrounding areas is plentiful and fairly priced. Canada is a huge country so best to prepare in advance activities like this online chess game to keep you and the family occupied.
Do I need a visa for entering Canada?
You should not need a visa if you are visiting Canada for less than six months but always best to check the entry requirements on the Government website.
What are the temperatures like in Canada?
It is such a vast country that you can find extremes from one side to another. A rough guide is to think of the UK seasons but the temperatures are a little more extreme than ours. If it is cold, it is likely to be REALLY cold and if it is hot, VERY hot!
What sport can I do in Canada?
The number one sport is Ice Hockey so all ice related sports are very popular with all ages. Soccer (UK Football) is also rapidly growing in popularity with young people.
What is the food and drink like in Canada?
Well, you will find maple syrup everywhere you go! In addition, seafood and fish dishes are fantastic near the coast.
Canada is considered a fairly healthy country and so entertainment involving alcohol is not as widespread as in the UK (They still have bars though, so don’t worry). One thing to be aware of is that the legal drinking age is 19.
Is it Canadian Dollars or US Dollars in Canada?
It is predominantly Canadian dollars but most retailers will also accept US Dollars.
I hope you find this whirlwind tour of travel tips for your first time in Canada useful. Please feel free to let me know how your trip to Canada went!
