Canada is home to some of the world's most awe-inspiring landscapes, and this isn't the setting of a fantasy novel.
Canada spans over 5000 km from the west coast to the east coast.
Canada is more accessible to travelers than ever thanks to new budget airlines, a national train service, and lots of car rental options.
Forge new connections on your next adventure with the latest advice from our weekly newsletter.In Canada, different parts of the country rely on different modes of transportation, which include trains in the more densely populated centers of Toronto and Montréal, and public ferries in British Columbia, Québec and the Maritime provinces.
Regional and national carriers criss-cross the country, taking days off travel time and reaching northern towns that are hard to reach by road.
All of Canada's major cities have public transportation, including subways, streetcars, buses and bike routes.
It's possible to avoid renting a car by flying and training from province to province.
Canada is packed with amazing road-trip opportunities and is one of the best ways to get around such a vast country; trains are expensive and national airlines are young.
All of Canada is connected by the Trans-Canada Highway and can be reached in 76 hours.
Having a car makes it easy to jump from town to town, visit national parks, and stop at interesting places when you are in a particular province.
Major cities like Toronto and Montreal were built to navigate by car, even though they have plenty of public transportation now.
If you're short on time, CarRentals.com recommends renting a car and flying across Canada. If you are only here for a short period of time, driving over 12 hours on the drive that is just prairie land can be a waste of time.
Visitors can legally drive for up to three months in most provinces. Six months is the period in British Columbia.
You can get an International Driving Permit if you spend a lot of time in Canada. It is possible for your home automobile association to issue one. Carry your license with you.
If you want to rent a car in Canada, you need to be at least 25 years old, have a valid driver's license, and hold an international one.
Major international car-rental companies have branches all over the world. On-the-spot rentals are more expensive than pre-booking packages in Canada. Renting with Zipcar and Turo in Canada is more affordable.
If you can afford it, you can travel by train through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Most of Canada's passenger trains are operated by Via Rail. Railroads are the only overland access in some parts of the country.
The most efficient rail service is between Québec City and Windsor, Ontario and between Montréal and Toronto. Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories are not included in the rail network.
The train is more expensive than the bus, but most people find it enjoyable and convenient. Peak season is June to mid- October. It's possible to save a lot of money by buying tickets in advance.
Canadian, Hudson Bay, Ocean, and Jasper are classic trains that you can take if you want to see more of Canada.
Privately run regional train companies can also offer additional rail tours.
Shuttle buses can be used to travel between major cities. Megabus still offers many routes in Ontario and Quebec despite Greyhound cutting service. Regional companies run the other province-to-province routes.
The buses are clean and reliable. Free wi-fi and onboard movies are included in the amenities. Smoking is not allowed Bus meals are usually made at highway service stations.
Bus travel is less expensive than other modes of transportation. The earlier you buy a ticket online, the cheaper it is, but if you wait too long, the price can go as high as $250.
A recent addition to Canadian transportation is a bunch of shiny new airlines. Air Canada and WestJet no longer control Canadian skies with their relatively expensive inter-province flights, so you can now fly from Toronto to Halifax for as little as 49 Canadian dollars.
The prices add up, so don't bring carry-on baggage with you, just pay the one-way price. It is more affordable to explore Canada by plane if you carry a small backpack.
Star Alliance members can use their tripplanner to make up to 16 flights at a discounted rate. Air North has an air pass that will allow you to travel around the northern part of the country.
Canada is a great place to ride a bike. Many cities have designated bike routes that can be used for long-distance trips.
If you want to team up with a group or get some tips for biking across Canada, there is a big community of support at Biking Across Canada.
You can buy a bike and resell it before leaving. General sporting-goods stores may have cheaper prices than specialist bike shops. Flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops, Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are places to look for bargains. If you want to sell your bike, these are the places to go.
If you want to get to specific areas like Victoria, BC or St John's, Newfoundland, ferrying is the only way to go. One of the most beautiful sunset views of the city can be seen from the islands.
There are a lot of ferry services in the Atlantic provinces. If you need a cabin berth or vehicle reservations, you should call ahead. During peak season and holidays, this is important.
Canada is making progress when it comes to helping people with disabilities. There are access ramps and lifts in many public buildings. There are many sloping curbs.
Extra-wide doors and spacious bathroom are some of the features found in newer and recently renovated hotels. Wheelchairs are usually not allowed at interpretive centers at national and provincial parks.
Car rental agencies offer hand-controlled vehicles and vans with wheelchair lifts for free, but you have to reserve them in advance.
The federal government has a website for accessible transportation. If you make your needs known, most transportation agencies can accommodate you. There are free accessible travel guides from Lonely Planet.
About 2 hours ago, this article was updated.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
