Canada Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Canada is huge, welcoming, and wildly scenic. It stretches from Atlantic fishing villages and French-influenced Québec City to the glass towers of Toronto and Vancouver, all the way to glacier-fed lakes in the Canadian Rockies and wildlife-packed national parks. For travelers, Canada is a dream mix of safe cities, easy road trips, great hiking, winter sports, and Indigenous cultures. Because it is such a large country, you will want to pick a region or two—Ontario and Québec for cities and culture, British Columbia and Alberta for mountains and coast, or the Maritimes for small-town charm. The country is organized, friendly, and efficient, but it is not a budget destination: transport, hotels, and eating out can add up quickly. This guide gives you the practical travel information you need to plan smarter, save money where possible, and enjoy Canada’s nature and cities.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Toronto, Ontario: Canada’s biggest city—CN Tower, waterfront, Distillery District, top museums, day trips to Niagara Falls.
Vancouver, British Columbia: Mountains-meet-ocean city—Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge, gateway to Vancouver Island and Whistler.
Banff & Lake Louise, Alberta: Iconic Canadian Rockies scenery—turquoise lakes, hiking, skiing, wildlife, Icefields Parkway to Jasper.
Montréal, Québec: European-style neighborhoods, Old Montréal, food scene, festivals.
Québec City, Québec: UNESCO-listed old town with fortified walls, Château Frontenac, very atmospheric in winter.
Ottawa, Ontario: Capital city—Parliament, Rideau Canal, great museums.
Niagara Falls, Ontario: One of the world’s most famous waterfalls, boat tours, wineries in nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Whistler, British Columbia: World-class ski and outdoor resort, all-season activities.
Atlantic Canada (Halifax, Cape Breton, St. John’s): Coastal drives, seafood, history, and friendlier-than-average locals.
Yukon / Northwest Territories: Northern lights in winter, epic road trips in summer.

Good to Know

Seasons matter: Summer (June–Sept) is best for most trips and national parks. Fall (Sept–Oct) is beautiful in eastern Canada for foliage. Winter (Dec–Mar) is cold but magical for skiing, snowshoeing, northern lights, and Québec City’s winter carnival.
Distances are long: Toronto–Vancouver is like a transcontinental flight. Budget for domestic flights or build a route around one region.
National Parks: Many of Canada’s best sights are in national parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Cape Breton Highlands). You will pay an entry fee or need a Parks Canada Pass.
Weather: Be prepared for changeable conditions, especially in the mountains and Atlantic provinces—layers are your friend.
Tap water: Safe to drink almost everywhere.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD), often written as C$ or simply $ when in Canada.

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often around 1.30–1.40 CAD, 1 EUR around 1.45–1.55 CAD, but rates move—check right before you go.

Average daily budget (rough):

Backpacker: 70–110 CAD/day – hostel dorms, public transit, cooking some meals, occasional paid attraction.
Midrange: 150–250 CAD/day – 3-star hotel or nice rental, restaurants, national park fees, car rental or domestic flight.
Luxury: 300–500+ CAD/day – downtown hotels, fine dining, guided tours, scenic flights, prime ski resorts.

Tipping: Tipping is standard in Canada. In restaurants, 15–20% before tax is common; 10–15% for taxis; a couple of dollars for hotel staff. Some places now suggest 18–22% on payment terminals.

Credit card acceptance: Excellent. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted; tap-to-pay is very common. Even small cafes often take cards.

ATMs & cash: ATMs are easy to find in banks, malls, and convenience stores. To keep fees low, withdraw from major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) and use a no/low-foreign-fee card if you have one. You typically do not need to exchange cash at costly kiosks—withdraw CAD directly from an ATM.

Best way to get local currency: Pay by card wherever possible; withdraw a small amount of CAD from bank ATMs for smaller purchases or rural areas.

Language & Communication

Official languages: English and French.
Where French is common: Québec (especially Québec City and rural Québec) and parts of New Brunswick. In the rest of Canada, English dominates.
English for tourists: You will be fine with English in all major tourist areas. In Québec, making an effort with “Bonjour / Merci” is appreciated.

SIM cards & connectivity

Major providers: Rogers, Bell, Telus. Their flanker brands—Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus—often have better prepaid deals.
Where to buy: Airport shops in big cities, official carrier stores in malls, electronics stores (Best Buy, Walmart). You will need your passport for activation.
Tourist eSIM: Very convenient—buy online before arrival, activate on landing.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and along major highways; can be weak or expensive in remote/northern areas and some national parks.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 120V, 60 Hz.
Plugs: Type A and B (same as U.S.). Travelers from the U.S. do not need an adapter; Europeans and others will need a North American adapter.

Getting Around

By air: Fastest way to cover long distances. Look at Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and regional carriers.
By car: Best way to explore the Rockies, Atlantic Canada, Vancouver Island, and rural Ontario/Québec. Roads are good; winter driving requires proper tires and care.
By train: VIA Rail runs scenic and intercity routes (e.g. Toronto–Montréal–Québec City). Not as fast/cheap as European trains but comfortable and scenic.
By bus: Regional buses and shuttles link cities and tourist areas; some routes have been reduced, so check schedules.
In cities: Public transit is good in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver (metro, buses, SkyTrain); ride-hailing and taxis are widely available.

Safety

Overall: Canada is very safe for tourists, including solo and family travelers.
Urban awareness: In big cities, use standard common sense—watch your bags, especially in busy downtown areas and on public transit.
Nature safety: The bigger risks are outdoors—cold, snow, avalanches, wildlife (bears, elk, moose). Follow park rangers’ advice, carry bear spray where recommended, and do not feed wildlife.
Winter: Dress for the cold in central and eastern Canada; frostbite can be a real concern.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Ticket resales / fake tour sites: Book attractions (e.g. CN Tower, Capilano, national parks) through official websites or well-known platforms.
Taxi price confusion: Taxis in major cities are regulated, but always check that the meter is on; or use ride-hailing.
Parking / towing: In cities like Toronto or Montréal, pay close attention to street parking signs to avoid tickets.
“Too good to be true” rental listings: For cabins or ski condos, use reputable booking sites and read reviews.

Pick your region, book your stays early (especially summer and ski season), and you will find that Canada delivers exactly what it promises: clean cities, easy nature access, and friendly people.