Travel to Canada

Help  I Site Map

Tips for Travel to Canada

Tips for Travel to Canada
Getting to Canada
Where to Stay
Visas and Officialdom
The Seasons
Information and Services
Money

Getting Around Canada

BY AIR

Regularly scheduled service between major Canadian cities is offered by a number of airlines. Air Canada (888/247-2262) serves the most cities, with many flights operated by affiliated airlines including Air Canada Jazz, linking regional centers throughout Canada.

Canada’s second-largest airline is WestJet (403/444-2484 or 800/538-5956). Based in Calgary, this carrier is one of the success stories of the airline industry, having grown to become one of the world’s most profitable airlines while offering extremely competitive fares, friendly and efficient service, and expanding to serve all of Canada, all since its inaugural flight in 1996. It serves all major Canadian cities, as well as smaller hubs such as Abbotsford, 72 km (45 miles) east of downtown Vancouver.

BY RAIL

This form of transportation, which opened up the West to settlers, began to fade with the advent of efficient air services. Today, however, improved service, a refitting of carriages, a competitive pricing structure, and the luxurious privately operated Rocky Mountaineer have helped trains regain popularity in Canada.

VIA Rail
One of the many trains is the Canadian, which runs between Toronto and Vancouver via Edmonton and Jasper three days a week in either direction and provides two classes of travel: Economy, which features lots of leg room, reclining seats, reading lights, pillows and blankets, and a Skyline Car complete with bar service; and Silver and Blue, which is more luxurious, featuring a variety of sleeping room configurations, daytime seating, a domed lounge and dining car reserved exclusively for passengers in this class, shower kits for all passengers, and all meals.

For all VIA Rail travel, discounts of 25 percent (40 percent if booked seven days in advance) apply to travel October through June (applicable to all classes). Those travelers older than 60 and younger than 25 receive a 10 percent discount, which can be combined with other seasonal fares. Check for advance-purchase restrictions on all discount tickets.

The Canrailpass allows unlimited travel anywhere on the VIA Rail system for 12 days within any given 30-day period. During high season (May 15-September 15) the pass is $719, and $448 the rest of the year. Extra days are $61 and $39, respectively. Even if you plan limited train travel, the pass is an excellent deal--but remember, if you travel on a service that, for example, departs at 10 p.m. and arrives at 2 a.m., it counts as two days of travel. VIA Rail has recently cooperated with Amtrak to offer a North America Rail Pass, with all of the same seasonal dates and discounts as the Canrailpass. The cost is CDN$975 for 30 days of unlimited travel anywhere in North America. (For Amtrak information, call 800/872-7245.)

Pick up a train schedule at any VIA Rail station or call 416/366-8411 or 800/561-8630. In the United States, call any travel agent. The VIA Rail website provides route, schedule, and fare information as well as links to towns and sights en route.

Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (604/606-2245 or 800/665-7245) operates a summer-only luxurious rail trip through the spectacular interior mountain ranges of British Columbia between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper. Travel is during daylight hours only, so you don't miss anything. Trains depart in either direction in the morning (every second or third day), overnighting at Kamloops. One-way travel in Signature Service, which includes light meals, nonalcoholic drinks, and Kamloops accommodations, costs $669 per person between Vancouver and either Banff or Jasper, and $729 from Calgary. GoldLeaf Service is the ultimate in luxury. Passengers ride in a two-story, glass-domed car, eat in a separate dining area, and stay in Kamloops' most luxurious accommodations. GoldLeaf costs $1,299 from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper and $1,399 to Calgary. During value season (mid-April to May), fares are reduced by $120-300.

BY BUS

Greyhound (403/260-0877 or 800/661-8747) serves areas throughout Canada. Travel by Greyhound is simple--just roll up at the depot and buy a ticket. No reservations are necessary. Greyhound bus depots in all cities and towns are centrally located and linked to other public transportation (or, at the very least, cabs meet all arrivals). Always check for any promotional fares that might be available at the time of your travel. Regular-fare tickets are valid for one year and allow unlimited stopovers between paid destinations.

Greyhound’s Discovery Pass comes in many forms, including passes valid only in Canada, in the western states and provinces, and in all of North America. The Canada Pass is sold in periods of seven days ($275), 10 days ($345), 15 days ($415), 21 days ($455), 30 days ($515), 45 days ($575), and 60 days ($655) and allows unlimited travel west of Montreal. The Domestic West Coast Pass, valid for Greyhound travel through western Canada and the western U.S. is valid for 10 days (US$285) and 21 days (US$385). You can buy the passes at any bus depot. In the U.S., the pass can be bought from most travel agents. From outside North America, passes can be bought online; with advance purchase, a small discount is applied.

 
BY CAR OR RV

Most visitors to Canada travel in their own vehicle, or rent one upon arrival. Driver's licenses from all countries are valid in Canada for up to three months. You should also obtain a one-year International Driving Permit before leaving home (U.S. licensed drivers do not require an IDP to drive in Canada). Inexpensive and available from most motoring organizations, they allow you to drive in Canada (in conjunction with your regular license), without taking a test, for up to three months. You should also carry car registration papers or rental contracts. Proof of insurance must also be carried, and you must wear seat belts. All highway signs in Canada give distances in kilometers and speeds in kilometers per hour (kph). The speed limit on most major highways is 100 kph (62 mph).

Renting a vehicle
All major car-rental agencies have multiple outlets in all major cities as well as desks at most airports. To ensure that a vehicle is available for you when you arrive, book in advance, especially through the busy June-Sept. period.

In summer, expect to pay around $60 per day for an “Economy” or “Compact” car, $75 for an “Intermediate,” $85-100 for a “Full Size,” and over $100 for an SUV. Between late September and mid-June all vehicles are heavily discounted, with smaller vehicles available from $30 per day and $200 per week. Most major agencies now offer unlimited mileage, but not for rentals originating in Banff or Jasper national parks. Check to make sure about this policy. In all cases, insurance costs from $20 per day and is compulsory unless covered by a personal policy or on your credit card. Charges apply if you need to drop off the car at an agency other than the rental location. All agencies provide free pickup and drop-off at major city hotels.

Vehicles can be booked through parent companies in the United States or elsewhere using the web or toll-free numbers. Discount (403/299-1202 or 800/263-2355) is a Canadian company with 200 rental outlets across the country. Their vehicles are kept in service a little longer than the other majors, but they provide excellent rates--even through summer--especially if booked in advance. Other major rental agencies include Avis (800/879-2847), Budget (800/268-8900), Dollar (800/800-4000), Enterprise (800/325-8007), Hertz (800/263-0600), National (800/227-7368), Rent-A-Wreck (800/327-0116), and Thrifty (800/847-4389).

RV Rental
Camper vans, RVs, and travel trailers are a great way to get around Canada without having to worry about accommodations each night. The downside is cost. The smallest vans, capable of sleeping two people, start at $100 per day with 100 free kilometers per day. Extra charges include insurance, a preparation fee (usually around $50 per rental), a linen/cutlery charge (around $60 per person per trip), and taxes. Major agencies include Cruise Canada (403/291-4963 or 800/327-7799, or in the United States, 800/784-7368), Go West (403/240-1814 or 800/240-1814), Canadream (604/572-3220 or 800/461-7368), and C.C. Canada Camper (877/327-3003).

 

Back to top

Alberta I Atlantic Canada I British Columbia I Canadian Rockies I Nova Scotia I Vancouver I Western Canada