So, you’ve booked your trip to Canada. That’s very exciting! No doubt you can’t wait to witness the thunderous cascade of Niagara Falls up close and personal, hike through the Canadian Rockies, explore the beautiful cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Quebec, and consume as much maple syrup as is humanly possible.

But, while it’s easy to be seduced by the prospect of the many wonderful travel experiences you are about to enjoy, you are going to have to get organised. Especially if you are a first-time visitor.

Geographically, Canada is the second-largest country in the world, with a total area of approximately 3,855,100 square miles or 9,984,670 km². That means you’ll have to get your head around travelling long distances and sorting out the logistics of visiting the country. In fact, if you don’t fly, it can take several days of constant driving to travel from one side to the other. You may also be unfamiliar with their culture, lifestyle, and what exactly you see and do when you get there. That is why we’ve put together this guide. Hopefully, you’ll find it a useful resource as you prepare for your trip around “The True North”.

Why Visit Canada for Your First International Trip?

Canada should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. This beautiful North American country is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, including Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, the Yukon, and Banff and Jasper National Parks. All of which, no doubt, regularly pop up in your Instagram and TikTok feeds.

It also has world-class cities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, an excellent food scene that blends multiple international culinary influences, incredible skiing at Whistler Blackcomb, Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, and iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower and Canada Place. If that is not enough, you can also hike the Trans Canada Trail, which spans some 27,000km, enjoy whale watching in British Columbia, Newfoundland, or Nova Scotia, or take in the majesty of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

If it’s your first time travelling to another country, Canada is a great choice because it’s easy to get around, people are friendly, and most speak English and/or French. It’s modern, convenient, safe, and easy… while offering plenty of amazing things to see and do along the way.

What Are The Entry Requirements and Travel Essentials Needed for Visiting Canada?

If you’re from the U.S., entering Canada is quite easy, as you’re allowed to visit without a visa (but you’ll need your passport) for up to 180 days. You can drive your personal car across the border, and most rental car companies also allow you to take a rental car, too.

If you intend to travel from Australia or Europe to Canada, you’ll usually need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). This approval is digitally linked to your passport and can be applied for online. You also need a valid passport, may be required to show proof of funds, and intent to leave (usually by showing a purchased ticket for a future date). Additionally, you may need to meet specific health standards depending on your home country.

When travelling anywhere, it is wise to have travel insurance, and Canada is no different. While their healthcare system is very good, it is not something you will want to pay for in the event of injury or illness. Therefore, having insurance should give you good peace of mind.

Given how big Canada is, it is worth setting up a Canada travel eSIM before you leave. This will ensure you are connected during your entire stay at a reasonable price without crazy high roaming fees. You should also consider bringing some Canadian dollars with you, although most places in the country now accept card payments.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Canada?

Canada is a country you can visit year-round, so the time of year you go should depend on your budget and the activities you want to do on your trip.

If you want to go skiing, winter is obviously your best bet, because the ski resorts will be in full swing. The frozen landscapes are pretty amazing to see, too. That said, you might find driving conditions to be tough in snowy conditions, and the weather, of course, will be cold. On the plus side, accommodation costs are likely to be cheaper.

Summer is a popular time to head to Canada, especially for a first trip. The weather should be warm enough to let you explore the cities and nature without worrying too much about the conditions. You might even get a suntan on the beach! However, the crowds are larger at this time of year, and, being high season, you’ll pay a premium for most holiday costs, especially in the premier tourist areas such as Banff, Quebec City, and around Vancouver.

If you head to Canada in spring, you’ll get to see much of the country in bloom, while in Autumn, the changing colours of the leaves are a stunning sight to behold. These seasons are also usually cheaper for hotel bookings and other activities.

How to Get Around Canada as a Tourist

We are going to assume you know where you want to go during your time in Canada, which raises the question of how you’ll get there. Well, the great thing about the country is that it is very easy to get around thanks to its excellent transportation links, which include flights, trains, buses, and rental cars. 

Given how vast the country is, flights are the fastest way to move between cities. Even then, you’ll be spending a few hours on a plane (Vancouver to Toronto takes about 4.5 hours). Most major airlines can get you to pretty much all major cities in Canada. However, once there, Flair Airlines, Lynx Air, and Porter Airlines are the budget airlines you’ll want to book with.

If you have a bit more time on your hands, trains are a great option. The luxury Rocky Mountaineer, for example, takes you from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper, while VIA Rail’s iconic “The Canadian” runs between Toronto and Vancouver. The evocatively named Ocean Train takes you from Montreal to Halifax in Nova Scotia. All of these routes showcase tremendous scenery you might otherwise not see.

If your budget can stretch to it, you can always hire a car. Most major rental companies operate from airports and the central business districts of all major cities. Doing this gives you the flexibility and freedom to explore where you want, when you want. The roads in Canada are very well maintained, the cars are new and modern, and the countryside is gorgeous.

Up until 2021, Greyhound Canada could take you on the bus to hundreds of destinations in Canada. However, since they have stopped trading, you’ll have to rely on regional operators, such as Megabus and Flixbus in Ontario and Quebec. You can find bus connections on BusBud or Omio.

Whilst you are in most cities or some regional areas, the public transport is fairly reliable and very affordable. Major cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver offer easy and efficient bus and metro systems which make exploring the cities more fun.

What to Pack for Your Canada Trip

What you’ll need to pack for your Canadian trip will depend on where you are going and what time of year it is. Either way, it is a good idea to bring clothes with you that can be worn in layers. Even in summer, temperatures can shift notably from day to late evening. So, it pays to bring options you can add or remove as needed. 

If you intend to go hiking or do plenty of walking, it is worth bringing good, appropriate footwear. You are also recommended to bring a hat, gloves, and a scarf for skiing in winter, and a rain mac for all other seasons.

So, research the weather ahead of time. Then, pack appropriately depending on how you’ll be traveling (by car or plane) and you’ll prevent some headaches later on the trip.

Happy Travels!