How to Get Around
To reiterate, Canada is big, and getting around the entire country can be challenging when you want to stay on a budget. If you’re looking to travel throughout the country, the best ways to go are by plane, bus, or even train.
Flights or Driving
Most people will choose to fly to Canada. Most plane tickets are relatively affordable, and you can purchase a flight from Los Angeles to Toronto for a few hundred dollars. If you’re looking to travel between Canadian cities, plane tickets are also reasonable as are buses or driving.
A few locations in Canada are not that far across the border, which means that some people will travel by car or bus. This is certainly an affordable way to see Canada but would likely only allow you to see one part of the country. Plus, you may want to go further into Canada and driving could take you days to reach your destination.
Greyhound is a well-known company that provides excellent rates for short journeys across the border, which is great for backpackers on a budget.
As we said before, most plane tickets between Canadian cities are relatively affordable. While the cost of a plane might seem steep, you should remember that if you’re on a tight schedule and want to see as much as possible in the time frame that you have, taking the time to bus or go by train might be too restrictive for your taste.
Public Transportation
If you’re not traveling around the country and staying in a specific city, the cost of travel will be significantly reduced. Many cities have reliable and affordable public transportation systems, which are a great way to get around.
Buses
If you’re willing to take the time to save on your budget, buses are relatively affordable methods of transportation. Those going a big distance, like from Vancouver to Toronto, should expect their bus ticket to cost more. A bus isn’t for everyone though and one of the most unique ways to travel to Canada is by train.
Trains
Canada has a decent train system that crosses the country and has become a popular way to travel throughout the provinces. The trains are more convenient, comfortable, relatively affordable, and provide a unique experience.
With the popularity of trains increasing, there are a variety of tours that can be booked for excursions that will take a week or more to complete.
The largest difference in price will be for how long you’re traveling on the train and whether you’re traveling with luxury or deluxe accommodations. There are also entire tours offered by specific businesses and you may find a complete tour package that suits your needs, though it may be very pricey.
Walking, Taxi and Uber
Walking is another option if you are staying in a concentrated area. However, there are taxi and Uber services available too. Taxis are fairly affordable for short distances. Uber might be the most affordable if you are taking a quick trip and can be accessed using the phone app.
Spending Budget
You may be daydreaming of your trip to Canada, but before you hit the road, it’s important to consider your spending budget for the trip. Canada is an absolutely massive country, which makes traveling around harder and more expensive. And to top it off, Canada has a sales tax, which will be added at the end of any of your purchases.
These two factors can make a trip to Canada quite expensive. There are two big portions of your budget that you’ll want to pay for first; your method of transportation to the country and accommodation.
For US tourists, traveling to Canada is easier because the countries are neighbors.
