You probably already have ideas for your holiday to the United States and Canada. Nature tours through the Rocky Mountains, spotting orcas near the San Juan Islands, or exploring the streets of San Francisco on the iconic cable car?
For the best local tips and advice, visit one of our online presentations. Meet our travel specialists and have all of your questions answered.
Are you looking for practical information for your trip to Canada? With everything from visas and car rental, to how much to rip, there is a lot to remember! And while may not be the most exciting part of planning your trip, but it's still important. But that's why we've put together some easy to follow information to help you get started!
If you have any doubts or questions about the information you read here, we will of course be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Contact our travel experts when and where it suits you, appointments are even possible in the evening or on the weekend. We are available to answer your questions and discuss your plans wherever and whenever it suits you best.
Visas and entry to Canada
Checklist for entry
Have the following ready for inspection at the Canadian border when entering the country:
Your personal travel documents
Your eTA
Your eTA for visa-free entry
If you are travelling to Canada, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). You can apply for the eTA online. It only takes a few minutes. To apply, you will need a valid passport, a valid credit or debit card, and an email address. The visa costs about $7 CAD and is valid for five years. The application is generally processed within 24 hours. Once granted, you may enter Canada multiple times (for up to 180 days at a time). An eTA must be obtained for each person travelling to Canada. For example, you will need to complete and submit four separate forms for a family of four. It is also advisable to book your flight to Canada only after you have received your eTA.
The above information does not guarantee entry to Canada. Please also keep the following in mind:
A border official will decide on your final entry into Canada: All travel information must be available for this. His decision is based on the information available to him at the time of your arrival.
You must fulfil the entry requirements in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. You will need to be able to present all the relevant travel and border crossing documents.
Note: Border controls on land routes do not offer WiFi for travellers.
Canada is a bilingual country and has two official languages – English and French. English is the most widely spoken language in Canada and French is the second official language of Canada, therefore all documentation comes in both languages. In most of Canada, English is the predominant language, except in areas like Quebec and Nunavut, where French is the official language. So it is helpful to have some basic knowledge of French, especially if you are visiting Québec, where 35% of the population can speak English.
Canada is also home to a variety of indigenous languages. In total, there are 12 indigenous language groups in the country. Cree, Inuktitut, and Ojibway are three of the largest.
Useful facts
Did you know?
Canadians like to finish a sentence with the word, "eh". It’s similar to Americans using the word, "huh". “Eh” is actually listed in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary as a valid word.
Good to know
Unlike the US, Canadians use the metric system - but only in theory. In practice, it’s a bit of a mix. Distance and speed you will see posted in kilometres, but if you ask a Canadian how tall he is he’ll answer in feet and inches. And his weight, if he’ll tell you, will be in pounds. For the weather, Canadians use Celsius but when it comes to baking they tend to switch to Fahrenheit. And if you are driving and need to stop for gas, the prices are per litre, not per gallon.
Currency and tipping culture in Canada
Cash and currency
The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency of Canada, and Canadian banknotes are easy to recognise because they are so colourful. Canadian notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and CA$100. The $2 and CA$1 coins are known as the loonie and the toonie! Canadians also find a 25 cent quarter, a 10 cent dime, and a 5 cent nickel. It is advisable to obtain a small amount of dollars from your bank before travelling in order to be prepared for your first expenses. Please note that some ATMs charge a service fee of approximately $2- CA$5 per transaction.
Card payment
Credit and debit cards, as well as Apple or Google Pay, are widely accepted throughout the country. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most common means of payment. However, in rural areas and smaller shops, it is possible that only cash is accepted. Before travelling, check that your bank card has global coverage, otherwise it will not work in Canada.
General guide to tipping:
In Canada, tipping is an important part of income for many service workers. Here are some general guidelines:
Restaurants: It is customary to tip 15-20% of the bill. In upscale restaurants or for excellent service, 25% is appropriate.
Bars: One dollar per drink or 15-20% of the total bill is appropriate.
Taxis/ride-share: Around 10-15% of the fare is expected.
Hotel service: For the porter, 1-2 dollars per piece of luggage is usual, and the chambermaid is left around 2-5 dollars per day.
Other services: Hairdressers, spa staff and other service providers are also tipped 15-20%.
Driving in Canada is a wonderful way to discover the country's diverse landscapes and fascinating cities at your own pace. The roads are wide and outside of the major cities, you are often travelling alone or with few other road users. From the breathtaking Rocky Mountains to the picturesque coastal roads, Canada's roads offer a variety of experiences. Here you will find important information to make your journey as pleasant and safe as possible.
Driving licences and car hire
Your British driving licence is valid in Canada. Also when renting a car. However, we recommend that you also bring an International Driving Permit. As some car hire companies will require that you have an International Drivers Permit before they will let you rent a car from them. However, please be aware that this does not replace your British driving licence, therefore you will need to bring both documents. An International Driving Permit is available at post offices throughout the UK for approximately 5.50 GBP.
Please also note that to hire a car, you will need a valid credit card.
Traffic regulations
The traffic rules in Canada are quite different to those in the UK. Here are a few special features that you should be aware of:
Direction of traffic: Canadians drive on the right side of the road.
Speed limits: These vary depending on the province and type of road. On motorways (highways), the speed limit is usually between 90 and 110 km/h. In urban areas, 50 km/h is often permitted. In urban areas, 50 km/h is often permitted. Lower speed limits often apply in residential areas and school zones.
Right of way: The "right-before-left" rule applies at junctions of equal priority. At four-way stop signs, the driver who stopped first has right of way.
Traffic lights: At red traffic lights, you may turn right after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise signposted.
School buses and zone: If a school bus stops with its hazard warning lights switched on, vehicles travelling in both directions are not allowed to pass. Speed limits are also reduced when lights are flashing in designated school zones.
Seat belts: Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers in all provinces.
Petrol and refuelling
Self-service: Most petrol stations are self-service. You either pay directly at the petrol pump with your credit card or go to the cash desk before filling up.
Litres: Petrol is sold in litres, which is familiar to those from the UK. Prices vary depending on the province, but are often cheaper than in Europe.
Petrol grades: There are usually three grades - regular (87 octane), mid-grade (89 octane) and premium (91-94 octane). Check the manual of your hire car to see which type is recommended.
When to fill up: When you return the vehicle, the tank should be as full as when you picked it up. Otherwise, many car hire companies charge an expensive refuelling fee. Also be mindful before driving long distances in rural areas, where petrol stations are less frequent.
Hopefully you won’t need this, but the phone number for contacting emergency services, including the police, medical services, and firefighters in Canada is 911.
Health and medical
Canada offers excellent medical care, but it can be expensive if you are not insured. Here are some important tips for your trip:
Travel health insurance: comprehensive overseas health insurance is essential. Make sure it also covers doctor visits, hospitalisation and repatriation.
Medication: Bring sufficient medication for the entire duration of your trip. A medical certificate in English stating the necessity of the medication can be helpful.
Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required to enter Canada. However, it is recommended that you brush up on the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar. These include vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella and influenza.
Safety and security
Canada is a safe country to travel to and generally has a low crime rate. Nevertheless, travellers should take a few precautions:
Crime: Keep valuables safe, especially at popular tourist attractions, and avoid remote areas at night.
Natural hazards and disasters: Be aware of potential natural hazards such as snowstorms, avalanches and wildlife encounters. Pay attention to local weather warnings and information from the authorities.
Wild animals: There may be encounters with wild animals in national parks and rural areas. Keep your distance and do not feed animals. Do not get out of your car to take photos if a wild animal crosses the road! Follow the instructions of the park rangers.
Roads and traffic: Pay attention to the traffic rules and be particularly careful when driving through remote or little-travelled areas, especially in winter.
Final preparation tips
Contact information: Make a note of the contact details of the British embassy or the nearest consulate.
Drinking water: Tap water is very safe to drink in most regions of Canada. In very rural or remote areas, however, it is sometimes advisable to consume bottled water.
Travel documents: Always carry a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you.
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A long-haul flight from the UK to Canada requires careful preparation to ensure a pleasant journey. Adjust your sleep schedule a few days before departure to minimise jet lag and stow all travel documents, including your passport, visa and any necessary insurance information, within easy reach in your hand luggage.
Pack strategically by packing the essentials, such as:
A travel pillow so you can get a good night's rest on board
Noise-cancelling headphones to block out background noise
Eye masks can help you sleep even when the lights are on
Warm socks for increased comfort during the flight
Water to ensure you stay hydrated
Layers of clothing so you can adapt to the changing temperatures in the cabin
Canada is so big that it spans six time zones! This means that there can be time differences when travelling within the country, which should be taken into account when planning your trip. There’s a time difference of four-and-a-half hours between Vancouver in British Columbia on the west coast, and St John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast.
An overview of the time zones and time differences:
Newfoundland Standard Time (NST): UTC -4:30 hours (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Atlantic Standard Time (AST): UTC -5 hours (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, parts of Labrador)
Eastern Standard Time (EST): UTC -6 hours (Ontario, Québec, Nunavut - eastern part)
Central Standard Time (CST): UTC -7 hours (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, western part of Ontario, Nunavut - central part)
Mountain Standard Time (MST): UTC -8 hours (Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut - western part)
Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC -9 hours (British Columbia, Yukon)
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 9am until 6pm. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
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