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(111)·9 hr

From

$76

Book
Icefields Parkway and Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure Live

Icefields Parkway and Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure

5.0(65)·8 hr

From

$189

Book
Banff National Park and Lake Louise Small Group Tour Live

Banff National Park and Lake Louise Small Group Tour

5.0(59)·8 hr

From

$64

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

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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.

Small Group E-Bike Tour the Banff Local Explorer Live

Small Group E-Bike Tour the Banff Local Explorer

5.0(50)·2 hr 15 min

From

$90

Book
Private VIP Tour in Lake Louise, Moraine and Hidden Gems Live

Private VIP Tour in Lake Louise, Moraine and Hidden Gems

5.0(45)·9 hr

From

$648

Book
Banff Town Walking Tour Includes Refreshment and Sweet Treat Live

Banff Town Walking Tour Includes Refreshment and Sweet Treat

5.0(45)·2 hr

From

$49

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

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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.