Canada travel guide

Canada · North America

Canada

From the turquoise lakes of the Rockies to the whale-watching coastlines of Québec and the maple-tinted lanes of the Maritimes, Canada is a country built for slow, scenic travel.

Top Experiences

Top experiences in Canada

Live experience inventory from our Viator partnership - real ratings, real reviews, real prices.

Explore Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw & 3 National Parks Live

Explore Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw & 3 National Parks

5.0(143)·9 hr

From

$78

Book
12 Iconic Stops: Banff & Yoho Premium Small Group Guided Tour Live

12 Iconic Stops: Banff & Yoho Premium Small Group Guided Tour

5.0(85)·10 hr

From

$154

Book
Banff National Park and Lake Louise Small Group Tour Live

Banff National Park and Lake Louise Small Group Tour

5.0(73)·8 hr

From

$73

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

Browse all experiences

Top Cities

Where to go in Canada

The cities and regions travellers plan their Canada trips around.

City

Vancouver

Ocean-meets-mountains west coast hub - perfect base for Whistler and Vancouver Island.

Tours in Vancouver
City

Toronto

Canada's biggest city - CN Tower, world-class dining and a launchpad for Niagara Falls.

Tours in Toronto
City

Banff

The postcard heart of the Canadian Rockies - Lake Louise, Moraine, and endless hiking.

City

Montréal

Bilingual, food-obsessed and endlessly creative - Canada's cultural capital.

Tours in Montréal
City

Whistler

North America's most famous ski resort, and a summer mountain-biking mecca.

Hotels

Stays in Canada

Live hotel inventory powered by our Booking.com partnership - every booking supports TourBookings.

Prices, availability and reviews are shown live on Booking.com · affiliate partner · anchor city: Banff

Road Trips

Iconic drives in Canada

Self-drive routes that turn a trip into the story of a lifetime.

Icefields Parkway

Banff → Jasper · 3–5 days

232 km of glaciers, waterfalls and mountain lakes - arguably the most scenic drive on Earth.

Cabot Trail

Nova Scotia loop · 3–4 days

Cape Breton's coastal loop through highlands, fishing villages and Acadian culture.

Sea-to-Sky Highway

Vancouver → Whistler · 1–2 days

Fjords, waterfalls and Squamish granite between the coast and the mountains.

Travel Guide

Practical tips for Canada

What every first-time visitor should know before they go.

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Language

English & French

Power / Plug

Type A / B, 120 V

Visa

eTA required for most visa-exempt travellers; US citizens do not need one.

Top tips

  • Tipping is expected - 15–20% in restaurants.
  • Distances are huge. Fly between regions rather than driving coast-to-coast.
  • National parks require a Parks Canada day pass - buy online before you go.

Weather

Canada at a glance

Cold, snowy winters and warm, mild summers. Coastal BC and southern Ontario are the mildest regions.

Jan

-10° / -2°

Peak ski season

Apr

2° / 12°

Shoulder - shifting seasons

Jul

15° / 26°

Peak summer, best hiking

Oct

4° / 14°

Fall colours peak

Best Time to Visit

When to travel to Canada

Late June to early September for the Rockies; February for ski trips; late September for New England-style fall foliage in the east.

Peak

Jun – Aug (summer hiking) · Dec – Mar (ski season)

Shoulder

May & Sep – Oct (fewer crowds, fall colours)

Off-season

Nov & Apr (limited alpine access)

Featured Tours

Hand-picked tours in Canada

A curated selection of tours travellers rate most highly right now.

Private Premium Custom Banff Tour Moraine Lake Louise 10 Spots Live

Private Premium Custom Banff Tour Moraine Lake Louise 10 Spots

5.0(68)·10 hr

From

$812

Book
Sunrise Views / Relaxed Day Shuttle to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Live

Sunrise Views / Relaxed Day Shuttle to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise

5.0(67)·4 hr

From

$110

Book
Icefields Parkway and Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure Live

Icefields Parkway and Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure

5.0(66)·8 hr

From

$214

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

Browse all experiences

FAQs

Canada travel questions

Real answers to the questions our travellers ask most.

Do I need a visa to visit Canada?+

Most European, UK and Australian passport holders need an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - it's approved online in minutes. US citizens do not need one.

When is the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies?+

Late June to mid-September for hiking and turquoise lakes; December to March for skiing at Banff, Lake Louise and Whistler.

Is Canada expensive to travel in?+

Mid-range: expect CAD $180–260 per night for a comfortable hotel outside peak season, and CAD $50–80 per person for a sit-down dinner.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Canada?+

Yes - Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) and the Yukon are among the best places on Earth to see them, from late August to April.