Americas · North AmericaDetailed guideCountry in North America
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Canada is the world's second largest country by area, behind only Russia. Nicknamed the Great White North, Canada is renowned for its vast landscapes of outstanding natural beauty and its multicultural heritage. While there are cosmopolitan cities, much of Canada consists of forests, it has more lakes than any other country and it features the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies, three oceanic coasts and a sparsely populated archipelago extending into the Arctic.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Canada.
Cards and cash
As well, often a bar or restaurant will try to tack on a 15-18% tip themselves, so large groups and clients paying by credit card should check to see whether their bill already includes a "service charge" before giving twice.
Tipping
Tipping in Canada is similar to that in the United States due to the close cultural nature of the two countries but tends to be somewhat lower because of higher minimum wages.
English, French
Although most Canadians are monolingual, one place where you can see Canada's official bilingualism on display is in Parliament, as MPs have the right to address the House in either English or French.
Typically, Canadians avoid coin-paid trunk calls by using prepaid cards or have stopped using telephone booths in favour of mobile telephones or (where wi-fi is available) voice over IP apps.
Mobile networks
Clean, safe drinking water is available from the tap in all cities and towns across Canada.
You are unlikely to face health problems here that you wouldn't face in any other Western industrialized country (despite claims of inferior care, which often varies by hospital and is usually exaggerated).
Covered in the guide
Canada is very much a multicultural country, especially in the main cities.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
2022 -- 1923.jpg|thumb|Vancouver]] — Canada's national capital, this city is home to national government monuments like Parliament Hill, many major museums like the National Gallery, cool urban neighbourhoods like the By Ward Market, and great old architecture.
A boom-town without a doubt, Calgary is a major Canadian financial city, but for non-business travellers, it offers museums and shopping, the world-class Calgary Zoo and the Calgary Stampede (one of the world's largest rodeos). It is only a short distance from the recreation of the Rockies.
Home to the second largest natural harbour in the world and rich in history, with architecture dating back from English colonialism. See fortress Citadel hill, Canadian museum of the Atlantic, and the active night life where everything is a short walk away.
Once Canada's largest metropolis, Montreal is the core of North America's Francophone culture (you can still get by with English) and is home to some of the finest galleries, museums, venues, and festivals in the country along with great shopping on streets like Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis. Known as the cultural capital of Canada. Don't miss Mount Royal, either.
The provincial capital of Quebec, founded 1608, well known for its quaint old city, its grand winter festival and gorgeous architecture like the Château Frontenac.
The largest city in Canada and fourth-largest in North America, Toronto is the media, entertainment, business, and economic capital of Canada. Toronto is well-known for famous landmarks like the CN Tower, but also has many great museums, theatres, sports venues, shopping districts, entertainment districts, beaches, and recreational parks.
One of the most densely populated cities in Canada, Vancouver is a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty; you can ski and sit on the beach in the same 24 hours. The city was also the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and is frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Capital and largest city of Yukon, and midpoint of the Alaska Highway, gateway to the outdoor activities of Canada's far north.
Dawson City is a historical town of 2,270 people (2021) in Yukon. It invites visitors to celebrate its heritage as a late 19th-century gold rush town, with frontier buildings and boardwalks, saloons, and a vintage sternwheeler.
The Southern Gulf Islands are the Canadian islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia in the Strait of Georgia. This area comprises around twelve inhabited islands, and several hundred more smaller islands and islets.
The Okanagan (often referred to as the Okanagan Valley) is a region of British Columbia. It borders the Shuswap region to the north, West Kootenays region to the east, Similkameen region to the west, and the American border to the south.
Banff National Park is in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. Together with six other national parks it makes up the UNESCO World Heritage site "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks".
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, also known as the Áísínai'pi National Historic Site is in Southern Alberta. It has the greatest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Niagara Peninsula is in Ontario's Golden Horseshoe, encompassing most of the city of Hamilton and all of Niagara Region. Niagara Region is a regional municipality (roughly similar to a county) consisting of cities, towns and villages east of Hamilton on the Niagara Peninsula.
Algonquin Park is the oldest and most famous of all the provincial parks in Canada, and the largest park in the Ontario Provincial Parks system. The park protects an area of 7,600 km², twice the size of Rhode Island, and larger than every county in England except North Yorkshire.
Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park (French: Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent) is a national marine conservation area located in a section of the seabed of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, in Quebec.
Places in Canada on the World Heritage List.
L'Anse aux Meadows
Listed 1978
Wood Buffalo National Park
Listed 1983
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Listed 1978
Gros Morne National Park
Listed 1987
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Listed 1995
Kluane / Wrangell – St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
Listed 1979
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site
Listed 1984
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Listed 1981
Miguasha National Park
Listed 1999
Burgess Shale
Listed 1980
Old Quebec
Listed 1985
Ninstints
Listed 1981
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The region with the longest history of European influence, Atlantic Canada is the cradle of several distinct local cultures, notably the indigenous Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Nunatsiavut peoples, the French-speaking Acadians, the descendants of the "Loyalists" (refugees from the American Revolution, including the "Black [African] Loyalists"), the Scottish-Gaelic Highlanders of Cape Breton Island, and the isolated Irish-influenced, Newfoundlanders (who were a separate country until 1949). The region is also known for the beauty of its coastal landscapes, the historic cityscapes of Halifax and St. John's and its seafood-dominated cuisine.
New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Massive Quebec consists of a densely-populated (and French-speaking) cluster around the St. Lawrence River and a vast, sparsely-populated (and mostly Indigenous) northern hinterland. The Laurentian region is like a small European country hiding inside North America, and Quebec is famously known as a "distinct society" when compared to the rest of Canada: it is the only Canadian province with a French-speaking majority, having been the core of the French colony of New France until 1759. Quebec's main attractions are the historic capital, Quebec City, with its World Heritage-listed old town, and massive Winter Festival, and its major economic hub of Montreal, Canada's second-largest city, Canada's cultural capital, and one of the world's great French-speaking cultural capitals with its own classic architecture and unique French-British hybrid history. Further out from those cities, one finds farms and (again, notably European-looking) small towns of the river valleys, picturesque fishing villages along the Atlantic, maple plantations and ski resorts further up the hills, and finally the vast forest, lakes, and tundra of the north.
Canada's most populous province is geographically vast, allowing for endless activities to partake in. Southern Ontario, where most of the population and economic activity are, includes the City of Toronto, Canada's largest city. It is eclectic, multicultural, and vibrant with 140 unique neighbourhoods. Ottawa is Canada's charming, bilingual capital and features an array of art galleries and museums that showcase Canada's past and present. Farther south is Niagara Falls and the north is home to the untapped natural beauty of the Muskoka and beyond. Northern Ontario is relatively sparsely populated and contains vast wildernesses, but also lots of mining and logging towns. All these things and more highlight Ontario as what is considered quintessentially Canadian by outsiders.
Known for their vast open spaces and plentiful resources, the Canadian Prairies are a dynamic set of provinces with some of the most stunning natural beauty in the world. The region is rich in geographic variety, from rolling hills and farm fields in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the thick forests and unique rock formations of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta (and notably the resort towns of Banff and Jasper). This region is also one of the youngest and fastest growing in Canada, and since the turn of the millennium the principal cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg have between them added many festivals, museums, and concert venues, as well as numerous shops and restaurants.
The port city of Vancouver is the gateway to British Columbia. It is known as one of the most socially permissive and culturally diverse cities in North America with everything from world-class skiing to nude beaches. Near Vancouver one finds Victoria, the provincial capital with a bustling downtown and scenic legislature grounds, and the Okanagan, which is home to wineries, graceful mountains, and resorts. Further from Vancouver one can get lost in the vastness of mountains, lakes, and other natural wonders. The province also has the mildest winters in Canada on average (though often cloudy), especially in coastal regions, making it popular with visitors who are less enthusiastic about Canadian winters.
The territories are some of the most remote regions on Earth and constitute 40% of Canada's landmass. Though more known for their unique fauna and landscapes, the Territories also have some interesting human settlements, including Dawson City, looking nearly untouched from the gold rush of 1898, and Iqaluit, Canada's newest territorial capital, which is home to some architecture that is interestingly adaptive to the harsh climate of the North.
Public transport and paid services in Canada.
By bus
Travel by intercity bus is available between most cities in Canada. They can be found under the applicable listing for the region or city.
By train
Railways in Canada are considerably underdeveloped compared to most of the developed world.
By boat
While you'll find various ferries crossing rivers around the country and scenic boat trips on lakes and rivers, the main ferry services are on the east and west coasts.
By plane
The best way to get around the country is by air. Flag carrier Air Canada has by far the largest network and most frequent schedules.
By car
Canada is a very car-dependent country, and many visitors rent a car. Many of Canada's famed natural attractions are only accessible by car.
By ride sharing
Ride sharing is increasing in popularity among users of Internet website Craigslist and dedicated ridesharing sites such as Kangaride, Poparide and RideshareOnline.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Canada.
Finding apps for Canada…
Other ways to travel:By RVBy thumbOn foot
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Toronto · International · YYZ
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Ottawa
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | -6° | -5° | 2° | 11° | 19° | 23° | 26° | 25° | 21° | 13° | 5° | -3° |
| Avg. low | -16° | -15° | -9° | -1° | 7° | 12° | 15° | 14° | 10° | 3° | -3° | -11° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 61 | 55 | 64 | 85 | 85 | 104 | 98 | 88 | 87 | 99 | 73 | 80 |
| Humidity | 95% | 94% | 87% | 78% | 77% | 79% | 79% | 78% | 78% | 81% | 85% | 92% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$85
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$240
Per person, per day
Luxury
$605
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $40 | $130 | $350 |
| Food and drink | $25 | $55 | $125 |
| Local transport | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Activities | $10 | $30 | $75 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Canada. Canada is generally a safe destination for travelers. Crime Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and car break-ins or theft. Review our Travel Guidance for Canada to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Canada.
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6 min read
Nature & adventureThe National Parks of Canada, and some of the National Historic Sites of Canada, are managed by Parks Canada, an agency of the Government of Canada.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAlthough trains are not nearly as ubiquitous and convenient a mode of travel in Canada as in Europe or East Asia, they remain popular with some travelers because of the spacious design of the cars, the scenic routes,…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany books have been written about hiking in the Canadian Rockies, particularly in Alberta and eastern British Columbia (the "Rocky Mountains" don't actually extend that far).
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) is a series of provincial highways which join all ten provinces of Canada. Following 8,030 km (just under 5,000 miles) of Trans-Canada Highway across all ten provinces is one of the three…
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ItinerariesThe Canadian (French: Le Canadien) is a 4,466 km (2,775 mi) passenger train route operated by VIA Rail Canada running between Toronto and Vancouver, with numerous intermediate stops including Winnipeg, Saskatoon,…
Wikivoyage
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