Travel in Canada: when to go, places and advice
The second-largest country in the world, Canada lines up landscapes to match: the turquoise lakes of Banff and the Icefields Parkway in the Rockies, Niagara Falls, the whales of the St. Lawrence, the autumn colours of the maple and the French-speaking charm of Old Québec. From gentle Vancouver to creative Montréal, outsized nature is never far from a welcoming city. The perfect country for a great road trip, summer and autumn alike.
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
- Language
- English, French
- Direct flight
- ≈ 7 hr 30 to Montréal
- Time difference
- -6 hr in Québec, -9 hr in Vancouver
Itineraries
Our trip ideas in Canada
The itineraries in Canada are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.
Got it. You will be notified at the next release.
The sign-up could not be completed. Try again in a moment.
Your address is only used for these release announcements. Privacy policy
The right season
When to go in Canada?
From June to September, Canada is wide open: Rockies hikes, thawed lakes, Montréal terraces and the whales of the St. Lawrence. In late September and early October, the Indian summer sets the maples of Québec ablaze, the visual summit of the year. Winter, long and harsh, has its festivals: the Québec carnival, skiing from Whistler to Tremblant and the northern lights in the Far North.
- January : In-between
- February : In-between
- March : In-between
- April : Pleasant
- May : Pleasant
- June : Ideal
- July : Ideal
- August : Ideal
- September : Ideal
- October : Pleasant
- November : In-between
- December : In-between
- Ideal
- Pleasant
- In-between
- Avoid
Quick guide
Understanding Canada
Getting around
The distances are continental: combine a domestic flight and a rental car. The Trans-Canada and the Icefields Parkway rank among the most beautiful roads in the world; the Toronto-Vancouver train is a journey in itself.
Money
The Canadian dollar (CAD). Cards everywhere, contactless universal. Displayed prices are before tax, and a 15 to 18% tip is the norm at restaurants.
Language
English and French are official: Québec lives in French, the West in English. The Québécois welcome is worth the trip on its own, and so is the accent.
Useful apps
Parks Canada to book campgrounds and shuttles (Moraine is now reservation-only), The Weather Network for the changeable weather, and Transit in the big cities.
Accommodation
Mountain lodges in Banff and Jasper, inns of Old Québec, lakeside chalets and superbly equipped campgrounds. Summer in the Rockies books out six months ahead.
Etiquette
Apologise even when it is not your fault, national politeness obliges. In the wild, food in bear boxes and distances from wildlife: park rules are followed to the letter.
The iconic places
Lake Louise
Banff
The emerald lake at the foot of the Victoria glacier, red canoes and balcony trails. The very image of the Canadian Rockies.
Icefields Parkway
Banff-Jasper
230 km between turquoise lakes, glaciers and summits: the most spectacular scenic road in North America.
Niagara Falls
Ontario
2,800 m³ of water per second: brush past the horseshoe by boat, poncho included, or look down on it from the illuminated promenade at night.
Old Québec
Québec
The only fortified city in North America, the Château Frontenac and the lanes of Petit-Champlain: a piece of French Europe, UNESCO.
Vancouver
British Columbia
The city between ocean and mountains: the totems of Stanley Park, Granville Island market and skiing twenty minutes from downtown.
Tadoussac
Québec
The whales' meeting point at the confluence of the Saguenay and the St. Lawrence: fin whales, belugas and the small villages of the North Shore.
Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.
- Stanley Park : Vancouver between sea and cedars
- Lake Louise : The emerald of the Rockies
- Moraine Lake : The Valley of the Ten Peaks
- Jasper : The great wild park of the Rockies
- Niagara Falls : The roaring horseshoe
- CN Tower : Toronto seen from 553 m
- Mount Royal : Montréal's lookout
- Old Québec : The fortified city, UNESCO
- Tadoussac : Whales of the St. Lawrence
- Peggy's Cove : The lighthouse of the Maritimes