Canada

Key facts

• Region: North America — Sovereign states
• Capital: Ottawa
• Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)
• Languages: English, French
• Main airport: YYZ — Toronto Pearson International Airport, serving Toronto
• Best time to visit: June to September for warm weather and long days; late September to mid-October for autumn colour; December to March for winter sports

Overview

Canada is the second-largest country by area, with landscapes ranging from the Rocky Mountains to Atlantic fishing villages and Arctic tundra. It suits travellers from the United States because of shared language and similar infrastructure, but distances between highlights are far greater than they look on a map. What distinguishes it from its neighbours is its bilingual French-Canadian culture, its national park system, and its sparsely populated north.

Airports

Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) is the busiest gateway and serves Toronto. Vancouver International (YVR) serves the west coast and is the main entry point for British Columbia and the Rockies. Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) serves Montréal and French-speaking Québec. Calgary International (YYC) is the closest major airport to Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Ottawa (YOW), Halifax (YHZ) and Edmonton (YEG) cover the capital, the Atlantic provinces and northern Alberta.

Main cities

Toronto is the largest city and a common arrival point, useful for its museums, food and proximity to Niagara Falls. Vancouver pairs ocean and mountains and works as a base for British Columbia. Montréal has the most distinctly French-Canadian character, with Old Montréal and a strong restaurant scene. Ottawa is the quiet capital, good for Parliament and national museums. Québec City is smaller and more historic, built around a walled old town.

Places to go

Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Alberta anchor the Rocky Mountain experience and are linked by the Icefields Parkway. Niagara Falls is the best-known eastern spectacle, a short drive from Toronto. The Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world. Cape Breton's Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is a classic coastal drive. Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland shows fjord-like scenery and tablelands. Prince Edward Island offers red-sand beaches and the setting of Anne of Green Gables. In the far north, Churchill, Manitoba is known for polar bears and beluga whales.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Canada, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked