Canada

Canada is vast, so choose a region rather than trying to see everything in one trip. Combine Montréal and Québec City for French-Canadian culture, Vancouver and Victoria for Pacific scenery, or Toronto with Niagara Falls for cities, food and easy day trips. The Rockies deserve several days: base yourself in Banff or Jasper for turquoise lakes, mountain drives and trails. Check distances carefully—a journey that looks short on a map can take most of a day. Build your itinerary around one or two major experiences and leave room for weather delays. Hello’s trip-planning tools can keep flights, accommodation, reservations and daily plans together, while budget tracking helps you monitor spending in Canadian dollars. Before departure, check entry requirements, travel insurance and seasonal conditions. Summer is popular and often requires advance bookings; winter brings excellent skiing and northern-light opportunities but demands warm layers and flexible transport plans.

In large cities, public transport is usually the easiest option. Toronto’s subway, Montréal’s métro, Vancouver’s SkyTrain and Calgary’s CTrain connect central neighbourhoods with airports and attractions. Between cities, flights save time across long distances, while trains and intercity buses suit slower journeys. Renting a car is especially useful for the Rockies, Atlantic Canada and rural Québec, where attractions may be spread far apart. Reserve early for summer and inspect the rental policy for additional drivers, winter tires and one-way fees. Keep a physical payment card available, and download key maps before heading into areas with limited signal. Hello eSIM can provide connectivity without roaming charges when you buy and activate it before landing, making it easier to use navigation, check schedules and contact accommodation providers. If travelling with friends, Hello’s expense-splitting feature can help divide fuel, parking and accommodation costs fairly.

Canada’s food culture changes dramatically from coast to coast. In Québec, try poutine, tourtière and maple-based treats; Montréal is also famous for bagels and smoked-meat sandwiches. On the Atlantic coast, order Nova Scotia lobster, Prince Edward Island mussels or Newfoundland seafood chowder. British Columbia is ideal for Pacific salmon, Asian-influenced cuisine and Okanagan wines, while Alberta is known for excellent beef. Look for Indigenous restaurants and food tours that introduce regional ingredients, stories and cooking traditions. In Toronto and Vancouver, the international dining scene is particularly broad, from Korean and Indian food to Caribbean and Middle Eastern specialties. Tipping is customary in restaurants, commonly around 15–20% for good table service, and tax may be added after the displayed price. Use Hello’s budget tracker to record meals in Canadian dollars and avoid losing track during tasting menus, brewery visits or group dinners.

Canada uses the Canadian dollar, written as CAD or $, and cards are widely accepted in cities. Carry a small amount of cash for farmers’ markets, small cafés and rural stops, and choose to pay in Canadian dollars rather than accepting a card machine’s conversion offer. Keep a backup payment method and allow for sales tax and restaurant tips beyond the listed price. Weather varies enormously: coastal cities can be rainy, prairie winters are sharply cold, and mountain conditions can change quickly even in summer. Pack layers, waterproof footwear and sun protection, then check local forecasts before hiking or driving. In national parks, stay on marked trails, keep food away from wildlife and follow posted guidance around bears and other animals. If your plans include canoeing, glacier walks or remote hikes, tell someone your route and carry water, navigation tools and suitable emergency supplies.