I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. Vancouver O Canada House Bed & Breakfast ($171 a night): Now that Im living in Vancouver, I can definitely attest that this B & B is in the heart of Vancouver. They cover eight provinces and 7,800 miles of track. Uber and Lyft are also readily available. Median flight price is $555. Mid-range hotels and bed & breakfasts (3 or 4 star) in Canada will run in the $100 to $250 range for major cities and less in towns or smaller cities. But just make sure that you reserve your spots with Parks Canada ahead of time as they can get full very fast. Without a doubt, if you want to see a lot of Canada with little time, this is the way to do it. This means if you order a $10 burger, your bill, depending on the province, will actually be something like $11.30. This can cost you as low as $20 a night. With a route and estimated drive time in mind, you can start to plan stops in specific locations, and budget accordingly. If youre driving a thirsty V8, taking your time travelling just a few hours a day, eating at all the best bistros and staying at the trendiest Airbnbs, then dont expect to spend less than a couple hundred dollars a day per couple. horwitz jeremy study If you can start or end your visit in a big city, like Toronto or Montreal, a car is generally unnecessary and you can save on parking. Canadian taxeswill be added on to the bill of many of your purchases in Canadathis includes, clothing, hotel stays, and dining. How Much Does a Trip to Asia Really Cost? Air Canada is the countrys biggest airline, but you will usually find cheaper prices with WestJet, AirTransat, Flair Airlines and Swoop. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations. Today, Im going to be sharing exactly how much it costs to travel in Canada, so lets get started. Best is subjective in this sense, but we recommend getting the full Canuck experience if youre able. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. //end of date range If youre staying at accommodations with shared kitchens, this is a fantastic way to save money on food. Lorraine Complains: Has COVID-19 killed the road trip? Borrowing a compact sedan from Enterprise for a journey from Vancouver to Toronto, for example, will likely cost you around $1,200 plus taxes. If its possible, come visit us in Canada with a decent amount saved up (Ill tell you how much to budget for each day), safe in the knowledge that spending that money will be 100% worth it. You want to be as central as possible during your time in Toronto and this homestay is nearby popular spots like Yonge-Dundas Square and The Distillery District. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. And thats the reason behind why so many Canadians werent able to do much travelling within their own country. Beyond the location, this B&B offers excellent value, charm and hospitality. Overall it is very possible to travel to Canada cheaply. nursing travel solutions staffing If your objective is to get from centres like Halifax on the East coast or those in central Canada like Montreal or Toronto to Vancouver or vice-versa as quickly as possible and you dont mind crossing an international border a couple times, then much of your drive will in fact be done in the United States. The light rail from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver (30 mins) costs $7 to $10. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing. That gets boosted up to 60 hours (5,834 km) if you choose to stay in the country and pass through Thunder Bay. The amounts in this guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. And if youre converting U.S. dollars, Euros or even Pounds to our weak Canadian Dollar, then your time here might also feel more budget-friendly. Read more about cookies here. The location, quality and affordability (for the area) cant be beat. Cost for return VIA train ticket Toronto to Montreal: $100 to $300. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. In my opinion, you cant really go wrong with any of these airlines for a domestic trip. But if youre more into history, the arts and urban exploring, then central and eastern Canada (Southern Ontario, Montreal) are more up your alley. Saving and spending wisely are possible for each category (except sadly the sales tax which is a fact of life in Canada) with a little forethought. iraq extremists supporters afghanistan isis Remember that taxes in the range of 18% will be added to your hotel bill, so a $100 hotel stay is actually closer to $120. Canada hotels range from $54 to $245 per night with an average of $87, while most vacation rentals will cost $170 to $490 per night for the entire home. That being said, theres plenty of ways to eat on a mid-range budget. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis. Canadians do not use the train in the same way that Europeans do. The one activity thats on my Canada bucket list is seeing the polar bears in Churchill! Midrange travelers should budget between $150 and $300,and high-end travelers should plan on spending at least $300 per day, which includes a night at an appropriately priced hotel or resort, most meals out and attractions. Give yourself the time to see as much of Canada by car. A great read, and good to hear that it doesnt have to be too expensive. And the comfort, combined with the modern decor, is an added bonus. Lorraine Explains: Road-tripping? Youre in luck when it comes to the cost of activities and entrance fees in Canada, as most of what you see is beautiful Mother Nature herself! One of my favourite Canadian must-dos is to go skating, followed by a warm beavertail and hot chocolate; theres truly nothing better in the winter. Itd be fair to say I know Canada like the back of my hand. Google Maps clocks a Halifax to Vancouver drive at 57 hours (5,793 km) regardless of whether you cross the border into Maine or Michigan. If youre more of a nature or outdoorsy person, I would recommend spending more time and money on activities and attractions in western Canada (B.C. Average worldwide flight costs to Canada (from all airports) are between $570 and $808 per person for economy flights and $1,790 to $2,537 for first class. tap here to see other videos from our team. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Thats not including the cost of gas or insurance, but if you were to split this with one or two other people, thats actually pretty decent! On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Canada and stay in a Canada hotel: The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Canada is usually mid to late September. , an app that allows RV and other camper vehicle owners to rent their units to other app members online, provide other options for Canadian road-trippers. And its great value for the money considering its central location, continental breakfast and shared kitchen. Cost to rent a car per day in Canada: $30 to $75. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. I used Megabus often while I went to university in Ottawa and felt it was both comfortable, reliable and affordable. One popular form of travel that appeals to both pennypinchers and big spenders is camping, which not only lightens the financial load but gives access to Canada's beautiful natural landscapes. And of course, a trip to Canada is not complete without multiple Tim Hortons coffee runs, which by the way, is very budget friendly. Especially as Canada is about to open its borders to international tourists next month. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2022 All rights reserved. Groceries typically cost me around $80 per week, which would be around $11 per day for fruit, vegetables, protein and snacks. You can only add up to 5 vehicles to your picks. You can get a coffee and bagel for as little as $3! Ive used Via Rail frequently in Ontario and know many people who have used it to travel the country. Private tours can cost $614 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. horwitz jeremy study Figuring out how much money to budget for your trip to Canada is a key step to planning your vacation. Most people will limit the extent of theirtrip to Canada and cover only specific geographic regions, such as the West Coast, the Toronto/Niagara region and/or Montreal Quebec and/or the East Coast, which includes the Maritimes provinces. I cant sugarcoat it, so Ill hold my hands up and confess that Canada isnt a particularly budget-friendly destination, especially if youre coming here to enjoy it as a visitor. One way airfare from Toronto to Vancouver $220 to $700. Megabusis a bus line that offers express, discount service in southern Ontario and Quebec. staffing across These prices are based on millions of flights. To my delight, they paid the $1,500 cost to the hire company, without me needing to pay any fees or excess! The hotel price may include breakfast. Ive not included flights into and out of Canada as this is going to vary significantly based on where youll be arriving from. There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Canada. The drive from Toronto to Vancouver takes 41 hours (4,173 km) through the U.S.; and 46 hours (4,410 km) to keep it national. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. var endMM = String(endDate.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0'); Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Canada due to very high property costs. The Vancouver and Calgary international airports in western Canada and the Montral-Trudeau International Airport in Quebec on the other side of the country are the country's other major airport hubs. Author bio: Born and raised in Toronto, Lydia has found home throughout her travels around the world. There are world-class road-trip options from just about every Canadian centre, large or small. Here are the most popular routes and their one-way Economy fares (taxes are not included): Flying For a long time, flying across Canada cheaply was unheard of. Canada's Wonderland theme park entrance fee without tax (includes rides, but not parking or food): $39.99 (buy online at this rate to save). Food costs in Canada are slightly more expensive than in the United States, in part due to the 10% to 15% tax that will be added to your restaurant bill at the end of the meal. You can buy a Presto card for $4.76 online or in-person at a Transit Customer Service Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart or Real Canadian Superstore Location. This article is a good place to start. Outside of camping, heres a list of my favourite accommodation options in Canada: Toronto Elegant Downtown Homestay ($97 a night): While youre in Toronto, you cant pass up staying at this lovely homestay. But what really makes this place special is the kind and courteous hosts that will check in on you and help with anything you need. Youre in one of the most central locations, within walking distance to hotspots like Stanley Park, Gastown and Granville Island. I truly believe Canada is one of the best countries to travel across. Plan Your Trip to Canada This March: Weather and Event Guide, Visit Canada This April: Weather and Event Guide, Your Trip to Quebec City: The Complete Guide. You want to budget your money in the smartest ways possible for the Canada vacation that best suits you. The Ultimate Cross-Canada Road Trip: Montreal to Vancouver, 4 Ways to Travel Between Toronto and Montreal, The Things Your Children Will Love in Toronto, Ontario. Budget travelers to Canada should plan on spending up to $100 per day, whichincludes a night's stay at a campsite, hostel, dorm or budget hotel, food from supermarkets or fast food restaurants, public transportation and limited attractions. Whale watching excursion (3 hrs): $50 to $120, depending on the size of boat and number of passengers. Though in some cases, buses may be your best transportation option to travel between cities that are within a reasonable distance from each other. The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Shes a passionate storyteller and writer and you can usually find her dreaming about new adventures or having a deep conversation with a friend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Most Canadian hotels, restaurants, and stores accept credit cards. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. 23 Things to Do in Frankfurt, Germany (2022), The Cost of Travel in Costa Rica: A Detailed Budget Breakdown, A Budget Traveller Visits a Luxury Resort in the Maldives. Beavertails are stretched pastries made out of fried dough to take the shape of their namesake; they can be topped with anything from sugar to peanut butter to chocolate. endDate.setDate(endDate.getDate() + 37); And most importantly: how to save money on experiences as you do so. The expression spend your money on experiences not things will hit closer to home once youve seen what this country has to offer. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. climate tokyo change global skyline environment volcanic gases eruptions effects gas whole In general Canadians tip 15% to 20% for services, such as restaurant and bar servers, hairdressers, beauticians, cab drivers, hotel bellhops and more. Sign up to receive Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Its kind of got everything, from breathtaking landscapes to wonderful people, and so many only-in-Canada animal encounter opportunities (kayaking with beluga whales, anyone? Hotels in major cities will charge about $45 per day to park your car. As a result, I have a lot of firsthand knowledge of how much it costs to travel in Canada. Parking $3 to $10 per hour or $25 per day. The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. So lets get it out of the way first: I may be slightly biased, due to being Canadian, but Ive got to tell you Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Or how about hanging out with polar bears in their natural habitat?) Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $41 to $84 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants. Ive usedWorld Nomadsas my travel insurance provider since 2012 and recommend them for travellers in Canada. Read on to learn what you need to know before driving across Canada. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. All buses have free wifi and fares can be as low as a few dollars per hour of travel. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. My name is Lauren and I've been travelling the world full-time for over a decade. From Quebec City to Vancouver, its 47 hours (4,806 km) through the U.S.; and 50 hours (4,839 km) through Canada.

Alcohol will also be taxed at restaurants at various rates across the country by province. Yes, most car rental companies offer pick-up and drop-off options in many Canadian cities. How to plan it, the best routes to take, and more information on driving across the nation, The question isnt why would you want to drive across Canada? so much as why wouldnt you want to?. Tipping is customary in Canada right across the country. Youre just steps away from major attractions like Parliament Hill and the National Gallery. var endDate = new Date(); Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. So, if youre driving a base model 2020 Honda CR-V with a combined city-highway fuel consumption rating of 7.7 L/100 km, for example, then travelling the approximately 4,000 km across Canada would cost around $410 in gas alone. You just get complete joy out of witnessing jaw-dropping views from your window seat. Heres a breakdown of some my favourite attractions in Canada and their respective costs: If youre like me, and love to make the most of time, then tours are really a great way to experience a country. Montreal M Montreal Hostel ($23 a night): Montreal is the kind of place where theres always something going on, whether thats a party, an exhibition or a festival. Typical museum entrance cost: $12 to $22. Yes, there is a national train system, but destinations, connections, and regularity are not great, especially given the steep cost. Then you would add another $2 for the tip, so the total bill would be $13.30. Cost all depends on the type of traveller you are and what kind of vehicle youre driving. Prices are based on Canada hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. Be sure to have all the right travel documents for visiting Canada. A welcome email is on its way. With a bustling nightlife and social scene, M Montreal Hostel is the perfect place to meet people that you can experience the city with. var startDD = String(startDate.getDate()).padStart(2, '0'); They also travel from Toronto to Montreal for only $60! The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience youre looking for. Crossing the country from coast to coast is an epic trip and almost a Canadian rite of passage, but its far from the only route worthy of planning a motoring vacation around. Again, if youre looking for the quickest route, dipping into the U.S. will save time. But if youre OK with those things and lots more adventure, then you should totally consider taking that epic Canadian road trip. And they offer a number of great amenities including a shared kitchen, complimentary onsite parking and a cozy common room with books and games. You can recharge after a day of exploring and a night of bar crawling with some lounge time in the rooftop jacuzzi. Car Rental This is the main way that Ive explored Canada and I cant recommend it enough. Its time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs! Also, if you want to meet people, but want a bit more privacy, then they also offer private rooms at pretty reasonable rates for the area ($88 a night). The lowest cost for one person to visit Canada for a week is $795-$1,887($114-$270 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $20 to $41 per day for one persons daily expenses, Lodging: $46 to $54 per night for one 1-star hotel room, or $117 to $148 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental, The lowest cost for a couple to visit Canada for a week is $1,322-$2,886($189-$412 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $41 to $82 per day for two peoples daily expenses, The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Canada for a week is $2,643-$5,328($378-$761 per day), Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $82 to $164 per day for four peoples daily expenses, Lodging: $92 to $108 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms, or $176 to $222 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental. Average amount spent in Canada: $173 a day! That being said, there are so many ways to enjoy your time here to the fullest without breaking the bank and sleeping out in your car every night. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas. Especially with the closeness of, for example,Buffalo and Toronto, flying into the U.S. may be a cheaper and even more convenient option. 2022 Driving, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Swoop and Flair tend to have the cheapest fares. Unlike most of my fellow Canadians, Ive had the pleasure and privilege of exploring my homeland in depth. For Canada our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. A couple of other well-known bus companies in Canada include: Train Via Rail is Canadas top long-distance train network which offers both comfort and style from coast to coast. Staying at the Banff Boutique Inn feels relaxing and easy. Most people rent a car when they visit Canada as it gives them flexibility and because the transportation costs do tend to be relatively high. Here are some of the most common one-way routes and their average prices from Skyscanner: City Travel When youre sightseeing in a major city, the best way to get around is local transit. See below for average, budget, and luxury trip costs. The cost of food ranges depending on what you like to eat and how much you like to eat at restaurants. Youll want to heed these 15 tips, If you plan on staying along the Trans-Canada Highway, you can visit. At the right time of year, the drive up around Lake Superior and across the prairies is staggeringly beautiful and rewarding. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $46. It was just cheaper to fly to Europe than it was domestically. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. Canadian Museum of Human Rights (Winnipeg). Same, same, same! The cheapest trip to Canada is about $114 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. Cost saving accommodation includes hostels, university dorms (which are excellent money savers, especially in summer when students are out), campgrounds, motels and budget hotels (2-star), like Super 8and Days Inn (both part of Wyndham Worldwide brand), TravelodgeorComfort Inn. We encountered an issue signing you up. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $16 per night. driver who took unknown shooting victim to hospital faces nasty cleaning bill, Ontario police intercept container loaded with stolen vehicles, Lorraine Complains: Licence plate tom-foolery, courtesy of Doug Ford. The country has a wide range of hostels, dorms, vacation rentals bed and breakfasts and hotels, including most international brands like Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Hilton, Four Seasons, etc. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Realistically, however, any type of travel in Canada is more expensive, and even budget travellers should expect to spend around $100 a day. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. I recommend hopping over to Get Your Guide for a range of activities and tours, like the Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola Tour ($138), Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour ($48), Ottawa sightseeing bike tour ($56) or a Niagara Falls Day Tour ($123). So useful! Theres not as much of a hostel scene here, and even the few popular hostels will ring you in higher than you might expect for a dorm bed. There are world-class road-trip options from just about every Canadian centre, large or small. Most people wont be setting out to cover 1,000 km a day, so plan to take a week or more to really enjoy the experience and not feel like youre racing across the continent. On Never Ending Footsteps, I aim to show you how you can explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. But over the past number of years, theres been an emergence of budget-friendly airlines in Canada that make flying a viable option if you want to cover extensive ground efficiently. Transportation costs can be quite steep in Canada. var endFormattedDate = endYYY + '-'+ endMM + '-' + endDD; The average price of a 7-day trip to Canada is $1,079 for a solo traveler, $1,633 for a couple, and $2,081 for a family of 4. B.C. Theres so much to do in Canada that you could spend years exploring and barely even scratch the surface! Other rental services like CanadaDream, which lends recreational vehicles; and RVezy, an app that allows RV and other camper vehicle owners to rent their units to other app members online, provide other options for Canadian road-trippers. Hi! When it comes to accommodation in Canada, budget-friendly options look a bit different compared to backpacking Southeast Asia, Europe, or even Central America. And like the other commenter mentioned, the polar bears! Check out our list of popular road trip routes in Atlantic Canada here or our list of popular British Columbia road trips here. startDate.setDate(startDate.getDate() + 30); Edit your picks to remove vehicles if you want to add different ones. If youve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, youll know Im a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. WestJet, Jazz, and Porter Air are your best bet to score a flying deal. Well also give some shout-outs to a number of other classic Canadian road trip routes. Bus This is an affordable, but less flexible way to get around Canada and it wouldnt be my first choice for long distance travel. Sometimes taxes on alcohol are included in the listed price, such as in LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) stores in Ontario. Vacation rentals,though they range greatly in price, offer an excellent opportunity to save money on restaurant meals, parking, wifi and other expenses you would pay for at a hotel. Banff Banff Boutique Inn ($82 a night): This place is a steal when it comes to accommodations in Banff, especially considering Banff is one of Canadas most expensive vacation destinations.

If, on the other hand, youve got a frugal hatchback filled with your homemade granola and camping equipment, and an app like GasBuddy to tell you where the most economical place to fill up is, it is possible to get by with basically just the cost of gas, which at the time of writing sits at $1.33/L on average in Canada, plus a few extras. Definitely a big ticket activity, but it looks soooo cool. All the prices listed are in Canadian dollars as of 2020. Of course, like any country, Canada offers a range of travel experiences from budget to luxury. for information on sites, closures, speed traps, highway history, and more. Check out our list of, popular road trip routes in Atlantic Canada here. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Open-air fresh food markets and supermarkets offer the chance to buy the local fare and save on restaurant dining costs. Please try again. But its not just the location that makes this place specialthe staff do everything they can to accommodate you, from packing you sandwiches for an earlier send-off to keeping the place immaculately clean. Ive eve prioritised doing so! Transportation, accommodation, eating and sightseeing will eat up the bulk of your cash, but there are some other considerations special to Canada, like sales tax. Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $808 average in mid December to a low of $570 in mid to late September. Ottawa Auberge des Arts Bed and Breakfast ($68 a night): You couldnt ask for a better price in a better location. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Do licence plates still need to be renewed in Ontario? If youd rather not fish out the passport, or if borders are closed at the time youre reading this, you can keep it between the national lines by driving up around the detour that is Lake Superior. Online, just plug in your start and end point, including any stops youd like to hit along the way, and let the program do its thing. For most casual visitors to Canada, the best advice for converting money is to use your credit card for purchases and make larger ATM local currencywithdrawalsat Canadian banksto last you a few days and avoid frequent withdrawal fees. If you have the time, then nothing screams adventure quite like a multi-week road-trip. January: AustraliaFebruary: Australia, CambodiaMarch: CambodiaApril: ThailandMay: Turkey, Cyprus, Malta*June: Spain, EnglandJuly: England, WalesAugust: Ireland*September: Greece, Albania*October: Israel*, VietnamNovember: AustraliaDecember: New Zealand*Denotes a new country for me. Budgeting for a trip to Canada covers many of the same categories as for a trip to any other country and prices are similar to those in the United States with some differences. This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food while I travelled around the country. This is when road tripping is worth it, because driving through Canada is an activity in itself. How cheap can you make a vacation to Canada? Keep in mind these drive times are just that, drive times. In lieu of a Presto Card or when youre outside of Ontario, here are some of the day pass rates for major Canadian cities: Picture all of your favourite dishes in the world in one placethats what its like to eat in Canada. You can stay in a hostel or a five-star hotel in any major city. I cant wait to visit thanks for all the useful tips and information in this guide. During a typical day that I cook and go out for lunch, my cost of food is around $25.