Canada Travel Tips

Passports & Visa

What you need to enter Canada:

Citizens of the United States are not currently required to present a passport to enter Canada.  In order to enter Canada, American citizens must show proof of citizenship (such as a certificate of citizenship or a valid passport), and must show proof of identify, by way of photo identification (such as a driver's license).

Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card.”

International visitors from countries other than the US generally do require a passport to enter Canada.  Visitors from certain countries also require a visa to visit or transit Canada. To see a list of these countries, click here:

For more information visit the Canada Border Services Agency OR The US Department of State.

Holidays

There are a number of public holidays in Canada.  You will find below a list of public holidays at the national level.  Please note that most government departments, banking institutions, and schools are closed on these dates.  Most restaurants, theatres, corner grocery stores remain open for business as usual, and in some areas, shopping centres also remain open.  There are also a number of holidays at the provincial and territorial level.  Click here to see more information about these holidays.

Currency

The legal currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar (CAD), which is divided into 100 cents.

Beginning in 2001, the Bank of Canada introduced a new series of bills called "Canadian Journey", featuring images of Canadian heritage and excerpts from Canadian literature.  Currently, they are issued in five, ten, twenty, fifty, and hundred dollar denominations by the Bank of Canada.  Canada's coin system includes a 1 dollar coin called the "loonie", a 2 dollar coin called the "toonie", in addition to 1-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent and 25-cent coins.

For information on the current value of the Canadian dollar compared with your home country currency, click here to view our currency converter.

Banking

Regular banking hours in Canada are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with extended hours including weekends at some locations.  Most banks have automatic teller machines, which can be accessed 24 hours a day using bank or credit cards on major international banking networks such as Cirrus, Maestro, Plus and Interac.

Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted almost everywhere.  Travellers' cheques are also accepted in most department stores and hotels.

Sales Taxes

In Canada there are three types of sales taxes: the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST), provincial sales taxes (PST), and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Atlantic Canada.

The federal government levies a multi-stage sales tax of 6% on goods and services, that is called the Goods and Services Tax (GST).  All provincial governments except Alberta also levy provincial sales taxes.

The provincial sales taxes of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador are harmonized with the GST. That is, a rate of 14% HST is charged instead of separate PST and GST.

Both Quebec and Prince Edward Island apply provincial sales tax to the sum of price and GST. The territories of Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories do not charge provincial sales tax.

Visitor Tax Rebates

Non-resident visitors to Canada are entitled to claim GST/HST rebates on most purchases to be taken out of the country, as well as short-term accommodations.  To claim the GST/HST. keep your receipts and pick up a copy of Tax Refund Application for Visitors.  These forms may  be picked up at any Customs office, most Tourism Information Centres, duty-free shops, and some hotels. For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website or within Canada call 1-800-66-VISIT; outside Canada, call (902) 432-5608.

Tipping

In Canada it is customary to tip for services such as restaurants, bars and pubs, taxis and hairdressers. Usually 15%, although the amount can range from 10% to 20%.  Tipping and service charges are not generally added to your bill, but always check whether a service charge was included in a restaurant bill, especially if paying by credit card, as this is the tip.  Also, hotel, rail station and airport porters are generally tipped  $1 per item of luggage carried.

Language

English and French are the country's two official languages.  English is generally spoken in all parts of Canada; however, French is spoken mainly in Québec, New Brunswick and parts of northern and eastern Ontario, including the nation's capital, Ottawa.

Telephone

Pay phones can generally be found in all public places including shopping centres, airports, hotels, and train stations.  Most pay phones accept coins, calling cards, and credit cards.  The charge for a local call within Canada is 25 cents (1 Quarter).  Pre-paid plastic calling cards are available at most convenience stores ranging from $5 - $25.

In case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1 to reach operators connected to the fire station, police station, and ambulances, a free call from any telephone.

Electricity

Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as in the United States - 110 volts (60 hertz). If you are travelling from Europe or elsewhere, you will need an adapter to use your small appliances, if they are designed for a different standard.  There are different types of converters for different types of appliances.  Small electronics, razors and non-heating appliances can operate with a 50-watt converter.  Heating appliances such as hair dryers, irons, coffee makers and other high-power electrical appliances may need a 1600-watt converter.

Time Zones

There are six different time zones in different regions of Canada.

Atlantic ST -4hrs GMT (-5hrs GMT Apr-Oct)
Eastern ST -5hrs GMT (-5hrs GMT Apr-Oct)
Central ST -6hrs GMT (-5hrs GMT Apr-Oct)
Mountain ST -7hrs GMT (-6hrs GMT Apr-Oct)
Pacific ST -8hrs GMT (-7hrs GMT Apr-Oct)
*Newfoundland -3h30 (-2h30 GMT Apr-Oct)

Daylight savings is in effect and clocks are turned forward by one hour on the first Sunday in April and turned back on the last Sunday of October, thus creating Winter Time Zones, and Summer Time Zones.

To view a map of Canada illustrating the various time zones, click on the thumbnails below.

Summer time zones

Winter time zones

Metric Conversion

All of Canada uses the metric system.  This includes all weights, measurements, distance, speed limits, and temperatures. All highway and traffic indicators are in km and km/h, gas is sold by the litre, and temperature is measured in Celsius

1 kilometre = 0.62 miles
100 km/h = 62 m.p.h.
3.78 litres = 1 US gallon
Temperature 25°C = 77°F

Transportation

Airlines

Canada is connected by a airports throughout the country.  The major Canadian airlines which operate in Canada are:

Air Canada
WestJet

By Rail

VIA Rail Canada operates trains in all regions of Canada over a network spanning the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay.  Travelling by train is a great way to see the country, whether you travel on the inter-city trains between Toronto, Montréal and Québec in the East, the "Océan" from Montréal  to Halifax or Canada's great trans-continental train, "The Canadian" from Toronto to Vancouver. 

Click on the picture below to enlarge a map of where the Canadian rail travels.

Also make sure to visit ViaRail's website by clicking on the link below:

ViaRail

Bus Service

Greyhound Canada is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in Canada, serving nearly 1100 locations.  No reservations are necessary when travelling Greyhound. If you know the departure schedule, simply arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure to purchase your ticket and tag your luggage.  To check fares and schedules, visit Greyhound's website by clicking on the link below.

Greyhound

Vehicle Rental

Driving can be one of the most exciting ways to travel Canada.  Before you rent a vehicle, make sure to read some of the general tips outlined below:

• Canadians drive on the right hand side of the road
• Obey all posted signs and speed limits.  Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in cities/towns, and 100 km/h on highways.  Note that the speed limit in marked school zones is 30 km/h.
• Tourists from any other country are permitted to use their valid license for a period of three months.
• Canada is a country of wildlife.  Always keep an eye on the road and make sure to look out for wild animals running out onto the road.

Car rental companies are generally located at all airports, and all majors towns and cities.  Prices will vary from company to company, as will rules and regulations.  Make sure to check out each companies rules regarding vehicle rental.  Below is a list of major car rental companies.  Just click on the name to go directly to their website.

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Hertz
• National
• Thrifty