North America
Canada
Safe, friendly and easy for solo travel, with walkable cities and vast wilderness. English works nearly everywhere and French dominates in Quebec. Costs are high and distances long, so plan transport.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa1 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyCADUS$1 ≈ C$1.42Details
- Price level83%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English5/5Spoken almost everywhereDetails
- PlugsType A, B120 V, 60 HzDetails
- Emergency911Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe in cities and towns.Details
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityAmong the most accepting countries, with large Pride events in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.Details
- Internet258 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 86 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightForeign licences are valid for visits (limits vary by province); carry an IDP if yours isn't in English or French.
Where to go in Canada
18 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TorontoCity | 4/5 | $2,950–3,860 | May–Sep | 20/100 |
| VancouverCity | 4/5 | $3,020–4,000 | Jun–Sep | 19/100 |
| MontrealCity | 4/5 | $2,460–3,370 | May–Sep | 29/100 |
| BanffMountain town | 5/5 | $3,370–4,560 | Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep | 15/100 |
| Niagara FallsCity | 4/5 | $2,250–3,090 | May–Sep | 37/100 |
| Quebec CityCity | 5/5 | $2,110–2,950 | Feb, Jun–Sep | 45/100 |
| WhistlerMountain town | 5/5 | $3,370–4,780 | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | 14/100 |
| OttawaCapital city | 5/5 | $2,460–3,370 | May–Sep | 38/100 |
| CalgaryCity | 4/5 | $2,460–3,370 | Jun–Sep | 31/100 |
| VictoriaCity | 5/5 | $2,530–3,440 | May–Sep | 37/100 |
| JasperMountain town | 5/5 | $3,160–4,210 | Jun–Sep | 21/100 |
| HalifaxCity | 4/5 | $2,320–3,160 | Jun–Sep | 37/100 |
| TofinoTown | 5/5 | $3,090–4,210 | Jun–Sep, Nov–Dec | 22/100 |
| EdmontonCity | 4/5 | $2,460–3,510 | Jun–Sep | 29/100 |
| KelownaCity | 4/5 | $2,810–4,070 | Jun–Sep | 19/100 |
| YellowknifeCity | 4/5 | $3,160–4,560 | Feb–Mar, Sep | 9/100 |
| Mont-TremblantMountain town | 5/5 | $3,860–5,620 | Jan–Mar, Sep–Oct | 8/100 |
| Prince Edward IslandIsland | 5/5 | $2,810–4,070 | Jun–Sep | 27/100 |
When to visit Canada
June–September for cities, hiking and the Rockies; fall colours late September to mid-October in Ontario and Quebec; December–March for skiing. Winters are long and cold.
Good to know
Entry
- Visa-exempt travellers flying in need an eTA (C$7) from canada.ca; it isn't needed by land or sea, and US citizens are exempt.
- Visitors may work remotely for a foreign employer; any job with a Canadian employer needs a work permit.
- Past criminal convictions, including drunk driving, can make you inadmissible; sort out rehabilitation or a permit before travelling.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Cannabis is legal domestically, but carrying it across the international border is a serious crime.
- Drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on province; open alcohol in public is mostly illegal.
- Holding a phone while driving brings heavy fines in every province.
Etiquette
- Politeness matters: say please, thank you and sorry often.
- In Quebec, greet with "Bonjour" before switching to English.
- Don't assume Canadians are American; it can annoy.
- Tip as in the US; servers rely on it.
Tipping
Expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis, a few dollars per night for hotel housekeeping. Card machines prompt for tips.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- eTA, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Visit Canada, IRCC
- Speedtest Global Index: Canada
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.