

Backpacking Canada is an amazing experience.

Canada is a country filled with wonderfully friendly people, classy, diverse cities, and a diverse landscape that includes tundras, rainforest, deserts, and huge mountains.

From the icy tundra of the Yukon to rocky beaches of the east coast, the mountains of Calgary to the rainforests of Vancouver, Canada is a country that is often skipped over on many world trips. That’s such a shame. Canada is so big and makes for a wonderful road trip country!

You can spend a few months traveling around Canada from end to end.

I love my friendly neighbor to the north and believe Canada is a really underrated destination. There’s a reason everyone around the world loves Canadians. They rock. Visit their homeland and find out why.

Added bonus: It’s easy to get a working holiday visa to this country so you can stay, work, and make money here for the long term!

This Canadian travel guide will help you plan a trip to the Great White North!

Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are great places to explore, especially during the summer. If you want to spend your days hiking, kayaking, relaxing by the ocean, and whale watching, this is the place to do it. Road trip the Cabot Trail around Cape Breton and spend a few days camping in the Highlands National Park, or head to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland to tackle the legendary Long Range Traverse backcountry hike.

The Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper. Stop along the way at the Columbia Icefield, an enormous icefield that feeds into eight glaciers. Here you can travel out onto the Athabasca Glacier via an enormous bus, or opt for a hiking tour where you can walk, feel, and even drink pure water from the glacier.

There is more to Quebec province than Montreal, and Quebec City’s Old Town offers cobblestone walkways, well-preserved 17th-century architecture, café culture, and the only North American fortress that still exists. Sample the local ice ciders at Marché Jean-Talon, head out for drinks on Grande Allée, and ride the funiculaire from the Old Town to explore the streets below the stunning Château Frontenac.

Other Things to See and Do in Canada

1. Celebrate the Calgary Stampede

During July, thousands of people descend to Calgary for this multi-day rodeo, drinking event, and carnival. It’s where everyone pretends to be a cowboy for a few days. It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll meet tons of people from around the world. Wear cowboy boots and a hat if you want to fit in! Save some money to sample the unique festival food, and line up for the popular tents well in advance. It’s one of Canada’s premier events.

2. Hit the slopes

The mountains in Canada offer great skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Banff is a popular mountain town known for its excellent trails. It’s quite busy during the winter months as locals and visitors alike hit the slopes. While Banff is just the most popular place to go but there are tons of other good skiing destinations in the country. Sunshine Village, Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Mont Tremblant are just a few you should check out (they stretch from British Columbia to Quebec).

3. Visit Vancouver Island

Take a few days off from the city to explore this western island. Try the delicious seafood, go for a hike, spot some whales, shop, and lounge on the beach. This a place to just sit and relax. Since it is so close to Vancouver, it’s a popular getaway with the locals during the summer. Victoria is a quiet but gorgeous little city, and it’s actually the capital of British Columbia. From here you can also visit places like Tofino, where the bustling surf community has evolved into a fun hippie town.

4. Hike the rainforest

Hike the Pacific Rim National Park for a wonderful look at some temperate rain forests on Vancouver Island. It’s one of the most popular parks in Canada, home to Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and Pacific Silver Fir (among others). The Long Beach area is one of the most accessible places for hiking, but the sand dunes behind Wickanninish Beach on the south Beach Trail are also worth the trek.

5. Go to Calgary

Calgary offers a selection of free and low-cost activities for the budget traveler. Have a picnic in one of its many parks, go rollerblading, dine in Kensington, or head up to the top of the surrounding peaks. There’s great hiking, kayaking, skiing, water rafting, and camping here. Rent a bike and exploring the city via its many bike paths comes highly recommended. Although it’s been long dismissed as an oil town, it’s one of the liveliest cities in Canada with a large youth population.

6. Visit the Galleries of Toronto

Toronto has some of the best exhibits in the country, so take a day or two just to admire the art of the city. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario are the two most famous art museums, but there are a plethora of smaller, speciality galleries too – like the Textiles Museum of Canada, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. On Wednesdays, galleries will often give a discount.

7. Take a road trip

This huge country is best explored by car. It’s the best way to find yourself in tiny little towns, majestic mountains, amazing countryside, and plenty of off-the-beaten-track places. If you have a lot of time, this is your best and cheapest option to see the country. Keep in mind, however, that weather can be unpredictable in Canada (especially in the winter months), you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, and you’ll want to be prepared for long stretches of driving without any rest stops or gas stations. It’s worth it!

8. Stroll the nation’s capital

Ottawa is a very easy city to explore on foot. Home to museums, art galleries, and plenty of shops, it’s a charming city worth a visit. You can take a tour of Parliament Hill, the historic buildings where the Canadian government operates, or cross the Ottawa River and visit Quebec. The Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada are two must-visit museums during your stay. Otherwise, simply roam around the busy Byward Market area or check out the craft breweries in Westboro. Be sure to try a beaver tail (a flaky, sweet pastry) when you’re there!

9. Get off the beaten path in Nova Scotia

The locals boast that Nova Scotia is home to the friendliest, sweetest people in Canada. They might be right. People in this province are overly nice. Nice like “we still don’t lock our doors when we go out” nice. That, combined with over 100 beaches, picturesque lighthouses, great sailing, mouth-watering seafood (this area of Canada is the main fishing region), and a marvelous coastline, makes Nova Scotia an amazing place to visit in Canada and this travel guide can help you get there. Plus, Nova Scotia doesn’t see lots of tourists.

10. Tour around Toronto

Toronto is often considered the most multicultural city in the world, as over half of the city’s population is foreign-born. While this isn’t my favorite spot in Canada, it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area to hit the many museums and enjoy delicious Asian food. It’s no Vancouver but it’s a pretty awesome, hip, and artsy city!

11. Kelowna

Go where the Canadians spend their vacation. Warm in the summer and mild in the winter, this glacial valley has some of the best weather in the entire country. There’s a marina and few golf courses, and the Okanagan Valley is home to Canada’s best vineyards and wineries. In the summer months, Canadians rent fancy houseboats complete with waterslides to vacation on the nearby Okanagan Lake. Befriend a local and convince them to take you with them!

12. Churchill, Manitoba

This might be a small town in the middle of nowhere, but it also happens to be the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Whale Capital of the World, and one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis. You can ride in a tundra buggy (a special bus raised on giant wheels to keep you out of reach from polar bears) and head out on the open plains to watch polar bears in their natural habitats. Mother nature is alive and thriving here.

13. Niagara Falls

This is one of the most highly visited attractions in the entire continent. You never imagine how big it is until you see it up close and you never envision so much mist either. I really enjoyed seeing it. You can hop on a boat tour and head out into the waterfalls, but be prepared to get soaked! The town is a touristy, cheesy dump, though.

14. The Yukon

The Yukon is the perfect place to get your nature fix. The chances of seeing a bear, elk, or deer are incredibly high (or you can tour the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you’re guaranteed to see them). Go hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park, soak in a mineral hot pool at the Takhini Hot Springs, or swing by the Sign Post Forest wit its unique collection of over 77,000 signposts. Hardly anyone ever visits the Yukon as visitors tend to stick to the major cities in the south of the country. But definitely consider visiting because you’ll find yourself and nature in perfect harmony.

For more information on specific cities, check out these guides!

Canada Travel Costs Accommodation – Rates can vary a lot depending on what city you’re staying in. On average, you’ll wind up paying about $30 CAD ($22 USD) for a dorm room at a hostel while you should expect to pay around $65 CAD ($48 USD) for a budget hotel room. Expect prices to rise drastically in larger cities (notably Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa). Airbnb is available across the country, rivaling budget hotels for price and convenience. Expect to pay an average of $30 CAD ($22 USD) per night for a shared room, while entire homes/apartments will cost you around $80 CAD ($60 USD). Just keep in mind many smaller towns won’t have many options, though they will usually have locally-owned hotels or motels that are generally quite cheap. If camping is your thing, you’ll have plenty of options all across the country. Prices will vary depending on the grounds but expect to pay between $10-30 CAD ($7-22 USD) per night for a basic pitch. Many of the major campgrounds will sell out early, so be sure to book in advance during the peak season (June-August). Food – Food can be inexpensive as long as you stick to cooking for yourself or hit pubs. Conversely, a meal out at a restaurant will cost you around $20-35 CAD ($15-26 USD)! Cheap sandwich shops and fast food are your best bet and will be less than $13 CAD ($10 USD) per meal. If you are going to cook your own food, expect to pay between $50-75 CAD ($27-55 USD) per week. Activities – Canada has a lot of outdoor activities – kayaking and canoeing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding, white-water rafting are just some of the many options available. No matter what part of the country you are in, and no matter the season, there is always something to do. Costs range from $20 CAD ($15 USD) for simple trail access permits to over $100 CAD ($73 USD) depending what you are doing and if you need a guide. Museum and historic site entrance fees start around $15 CAD ($11 USD).

Backpacking Canada Suggested Budgets How much does it cost to visit Canada? Well, it’s complicated. How much you spend largely depends on where in Canada you’re going to visit. For example, Canada’s biggest cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver are considerably more expensive than the smaller ones (like Halifax, St. John’s, and Quebec City). The rural areas are even cheaper, but getting around will cost you more. On a backpacking budget, you should plan to spend $70-80 CAD ($52-60 USD). This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel dorm, eating fast food occasionally but mainly cooking your own meals, using public transportation, and participating in basic activities like visiting museums. On a mid-range of budget of $180 CAD ($133 USD) per day you can stay in budget hotels, take buses between destinations, eat fast food, and do more excursions. For a luxury budget of $470+ CAD ($345+ USD) per day you can afford to stay in nice hotels (including scenic lodges), hire a rental car, do some guided tours, and eat out for every meal. Accommodation Food Transportation Attractions Average Daily Cost Backpacker $22 $15 $10 $15-20 $52-60 Mid-Range $48 $30 $30 $25 $133 Luxury $140 $80 $50 $75 $345+

Canada Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips Given the size of Canada, there are plenty of ways to save money when you travel Canada but it varies a lot by region (as I’ve been repeating a lot). The general tips below can help you but for more specific tips, visit our city guides! Use coupon sites – If you know your stops ahead of time, monitor sites like Living Social and Groupon for local deals and saving. There are always good listings on some top restaurants and attractions. Couchsurf – As Canada is not the most budget-friendly destination, you’ll be able to cut down on your costs by couch surfing. While not huge in many smaller towns, you won’t have a hard time finding a host in any of the major cities. Just be sure to book ahead during the summer, as that is prime tourist season. Outdoor summer festivals – Since Canadians are stuck indoors all winter, they love to make the most of hot days by packing in lots of festivals into the short summer. Many of these, like Heritage Days (Edmonton), Kits Days (Vancouver), and Caribana (Toronto), are free. Check out upcoming events online in every city you visit. Outdoor activities – A vast country with a relatively minuscule population leaves lots of potential for outdoor exposure here. Rent a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes in the winter, enjoy the free use of many trails (versus expensive downhill lift passes), bike, hike, kayak, or canoe in the summer. The cost of most equipment rental will be under 80 CAD for a day, and you can explore many areas at no further cost. Take the Megabus – Megabus runs in Ontario and Quebec (with connections into the US). You can find tickets for as little as $1 if booked in advance. This is the most affordable way to get between Toronto and Montreal (or into America). Use ride-sharing services – If you are going to be traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicle. Craigslist, Couchsurfing, Kangaride, and Facebook all have ride-share pages for most major cities. If you can find someone traveling in your direction you can tag along and share the cost of gas. Eat street meat – Every major Canadian city will have plenty of street vendors selling hot dogs and sausages (and veggie dogs!) for as little as $2.50 CAD ($1.80 USD). You won’t find a cheaper lunch! Take a free walking tour – Most major cities offer free walking tours. They are a great way to explore and to get a feel for each location and its history. Most last a few hours and don’t need to be booked in advance. Buy gas on native reserves – If you are driving around the country, keep your eyes peeled for native reserves — they are the cheapest places to buy gas in Canada. With lower taxes, you’ll find gas prices significantly cheaper than anywhere else. They are also great places to stop and experience the vibrant cultures of Canada’s First People.

How to Get Around Canada Public Transportation – Within city limits you’ll find great public transportation networks. Toronto and Montreal are the only two cities in Canada with subway systems (although Vancouver has SkyTrain), but even the smallest Canadian cities will have extensive bus routes. It costs about $2.50-3 CAD ($1.80-2 USD) for a one-way ticket. Larger cities will have passes designed for tourists to make the most of the metro system as well. For example, in Toronto you can get a weekly pass for unlimited travel for $43.75 CAD ($32 USD). Taxis are metered but they’re not cheap, starting around $3.50 CAD ($2.60 USD) and then an additional $1.75 CAD ($1.30 USD) per kilometer. Uber is available in a handful of Canadian cities, like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Quebec City. Bus – With Greyhound moving out of Western Canada, there’s no longer a singular country-wide bus system. Instead, regional operators vary per location. Megabus is the cheapest option when it comes to traveling between cities in Ontario and Quebec as fares can be as low as $1 CAD ($0.75 USD) if booked in advance! Greyhound also operates in Ontario and Quebec, while Red Arrow is primarily an Alberta coach line. On the east coast, Maritime Bus is the main coach company (except in Newfoundland where it’s DRL Group). Toronto to Ottawa will cost you about $40 CAD ($30 USD), while Ottawa to Montreal is just $24 CAD ($18 USD). A longer ride – like the 13-hour drive from Calgary to Vancouver – will cost you up to $150 CAD ($110 USD). Train – There is a train service (VIA Rail) that runs from coast to coast and is very scenic, though not cheap. It’ll take you 14 hours to get from Halifax to Ottawa, and it’ll cost you $160 CAD ($117 USD). On the other hand, shorter routes like between Montreal and Quebec City are more affordable and will cost you just $30 CAD ($22 USD). You can also purchase a Canrailpass, starting with 7 one-way tickets for $822 CAD ($605 USD). Unlimited passes are $1,543 CAD ($1,133 USD). Flying – As your last alternative, you can fly, but since the country has only two major airlines (WestJet and Air Canada) prices are often very high. Flights from Toronto to Vancouver usually start around $200 CAD ($150 USD), while Ottawa to Calgary is around $270 CAD ($200 USD). Flying is worthwhile only if you really want to see specific cities and have limited time to do so. For shorter routes (like Montreal to Ottawa) you’ll save a lot of money if you just take the bus or train. Car Rental – If you’re going between provinces or staying a while in the country, consider renting a car for between $35-80 CAD ($25-58 USD) per day. This is one of the best, most convenient ways to get around the country – especially if you’re interested in getting out of the cities and into Canada’s wilderness. Ride-Sharing – If you are going to be traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicle. Check these websites: Craigslist

Couchsurfing

Kangaride Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Canada is common and very safe, and it’s legal. Be prepared for long bouts of no pick-ups, especially if you’re traveling through more rural areas. Pack plenty of water and a light meal or two, like sandwiches and fruit. Hitchwiki.org is an excellent resource.

When to Go to Canada Since Canada is such a large country, climate and temperature change drastically from coast to coast. Canada has very defined seasons, and winter can be harsh and long in some places. For example, winters in the Northern Territories begin early and end late, and places like Newfoundland and Labrador can experience snow until late May. On the other hand, winter in the Canadian Rockies is epic, and people from all over the world flock to British Columbia and Alberta to hit the slopes around Whistler, Banff, and Revelstoke. Prepare for cold temperatures, though. In some places, like on the prairies, it can get as cold as -40°F (-40°C). Summers in Canada are a beautiful thing, but it’s also the busiest time of year. June to the end of September is the main tourist season, so you’ll see inflated prices and large crowds. On the other hand, the temperatures are always lovely – often in the high 70s°F (20s°C). There are music festivals galore and all the cities celebrate winter’s end. It’s a great time to hike, bike, and hit the Great Lakes. Shoulder season is also a fantastic time to visit Canada, although spring (March-June) can be quite wet. Fall (September-December) is highly recommended, as temperatures are still warm and the autumn foliage is really something special. Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces are well worth an autumn trek.

How to Stay Safe in Canada Canada is a safe place to backpack and travel – even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks tend to be confined to certain areas (especially where drug and gang violence are a problem). You may encounter petty crime, like theft, especially around popular tourist landmarks. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, especially while taking public transportation. Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are. If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it when you’re in Canada. Follow that rule and you’ll be fine. Note: Canada’s new cannabis legalization has a whole lot of rules and restrictions. The CBC has a great outline on everything you need to know if you’re thinking of consuming cannabis while in Canada. Worried about travel scams? Read about these 14 major travel scams to avoid. The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: