Getting Around Canada
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient public transit in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Rural: Rent a car for Rockies and prairies exploration. Coast: Ferries and buses for coastal routes. For convenience, book airport transfers from major hubs to your destination.
Train Travel
VIA Rail National Network
Efficient train services connecting major cities across Canada with scenic routes through the Rockies.
Cost: Toronto to Montreal CAD 100-200, journeys 4-5 hours between eastern cities.
Tickets: Buy via VIA Rail app, website, or station kiosks. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid summer weekends and holidays for better prices and availability.
Rail Passes
Canrailpass offers unlimited travel for 7-21 days from CAD 500-1500, ideal for cross-country trips.
Best For: Multiple stops over extended periods, savings for 4+ segments.
Where to Buy: VIA Rail stations, website, or app with e-ticket delivery.
Scenic & Regional Options
Rocky Mountaineer luxury trains connect Vancouver to Banff, with premium glass-domed cars.
Booking: Reserve 3-6 months ahead for peak season, discounts up to 20% off-peak.
Major Stations: Toronto Union, Vancouver Pacific Central, with connections to regional lines.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring national parks and remote areas. Compare rental prices from CAD 50-100/day at airports like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver.
Requirements: Valid license (international accepted), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Collision damage waiver recommended, verify provincial coverage.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 100 km/h highways, variable in winter zones.
Tolls: Limited, mainly bridges like Confederation Bridge (CAD 50 one-way) or urban expressways.
Priority: Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections.
Parking: Free street parking rare, paid lots CAD 2-5/hour in cities, apps for reservations.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at CAD 1.50-2.00/liter for regular gas, higher in remote areas.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for real-time navigation, download offline maps.
Traffic: Heavy in Toronto and Vancouver rush hours, winter conditions require caution.
Urban Transport
Major City Metros & Light Rail
Systems like Toronto TTC Subway and Vancouver SkyTrain, single fare CAD 3-4, day pass CAD 10-15.
Validation: Use PRESTO cards or contactless payment, fines for non-validation.
Apps: Transit apps for routes, live tracking, and fare calculators in each city.
Bike Rentals
BIXI in Montreal and Bike Share Toronto, CAD 5-15/day with docking stations citywide.
Routes: Extensive bike lanes in Vancouver and Calgary, safe for urban commuting.
Tours: E-bike rentals and guided tours available in national parks and cities.
Buses & Local Services
TransLink (Vancouver), STM (Montreal), and OC Transpo (Ottawa) provide broad bus coverage.
Tickets: CAD 3-4 per ride, multi-day passes save money for extended stays.
Ferries: BC Ferries connect Vancouver Island, CAD 20-50 for foot passengers or vehicles.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near transit hubs in cities for easy access, downtown Toronto or Vancouver for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and events like Calgary Stampede.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for weather-affected outdoor plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, parking inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G in urban areas, 4G/LTE covers 99% of populated regions including highways.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from CAD 7 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, compatible with most unlocked phones.
Local SIM Cards
Rogers, Bell, and Telus offer prepaid SIMs from CAD 15-30 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, convenience stores, or carrier shops with ID required.
Data Plans: 5GB for CAD 25, 10GB for CAD 40, unlimited for CAD 50/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, cafes, libraries, and public transit stations.
Public Hotspots: Airports and tourist sites offer secure free networks.
Speed: High-speed (50-500 Mbps) in cities, suitable for streaming and navigation.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Multiple zones: EST (UTC-5) east, PST (UTC-8) west, daylight saving March-November.
- Airport Transfers: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) 25km from center, UP Express train CAD 12 (25 min), taxi CAD 60, or book private transfer for CAD 50-80.
- Luggage Storage: Available at major stations and airports (CAD 8-15/day) and apps like Bounce.
- Accessibility: Most transit wheelchair-friendly, but remote areas may require planning.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on VIA Rail (small free in carrier, large CAD 25), check hotel policies.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on trains for CAD 10-20 off-peak, free on some urban systems.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Canada
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Toronto Pearson (YYZ): Busiest hub, 25km west of city with direct train links.
Vancouver (YVR): West coast gateway 13km south, SkyTrain to center CAD 10 (30 min).
Montreal Trudeau (YUL): Eastern hub 20km west, bus to city CAD 11 (45 min).
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) often cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into U.S. border cities like Buffalo for Toronto savings, then drive.
Budget Airlines
WestJet, Porter, and Flair Airlines serve domestic and short-haul international routes.
Important: Include baggage and transfer fees in total cost comparisons.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior required, airport add-ons more expensive.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Ubiquitous, fees CAD 2-5, use bank-linked cards to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted, Amex common in cities.
- Contactless Payment: Interac Flash and tap-to-pay standard, Apple/Google Pay everywhere.
- Cash: Needed for small vendors and tips, carry CAD 50-100 in small bills.
- Tipping: 15-20% in restaurants and for taxis, not expected for transit.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, skip airport kiosks with high fees.