Canada FAQs

Finding the ‘best’ time to go to Canada really depends on several factors such as your budget, your comfort level, your availability, and your interests. 

At the end of April and the beginning of October, temperatures can still be colder as Canada comes out, or goes into, winter. For example, some lakes can still be frozen until mid-June, so you don’t get that mesmerising aqua, turquoise colour you’ve maybe seen in pictures. 

Absolutely! We think Canada is the perfect destination for a family holiday. Whether your kids are skiing in Whistler, spotting bears at Port Hardy or exploring the Rockies in an RV they are sure to love every minute of their Canadian adventure.

Speak to your travel expert who can offer the best advice on how to plan your family trip. 

View our dedicated family holidays - Canada Family Holidays 

This of course depends on when you travel. We advise always checking the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly. As a general guide we recommend packing layers. 

Canada’s weather varies by region and time of year. Coastal cities like Vancouver are milder year-round, while mountain areas and the east can be hot in summer and snowy in winter. We always recommend checking the local forecast before departure, and packing layers for changing conditions. 

Check the weather for your Canada trip. 

It is recommended that you have comprehensive travel insurance in place as soon as you have booked your holiday. Medical treatment can be very expensive in Canada and the USA. 

Your balance is due 16 weeks prior to departure. This is stated on your booking confirmation that you receive at the time of booking and we issue an email reminder prior to the due date.

You can pay instalments at any time by logging on to manage my booking or calling the My Canada Trips team and paying over the phone. You can pay by debit or credit card with no extra charges, we do not accept American Express. 

You will receive your tickets 2-3 weeks prior to departure, for our tailor-made trips you will receive you documents in the post, if you have booked an escorted tour the tickets will be sent by email. It is important you thoroughly read all the details we send to you. 

Please see our dedicated Travel Documents Page for more information.

The currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Most places accept credit/debit cards and contactless payments, even in remote areas. Please be aware if you are traveling to Alaska on a cruise you may need American Dollars on board the ship. Your travel expert will be able to advise. 

Tipping is not mandatory but generally expected. In most cases, a tip in the range of 15 percent to 20 percent is perfectly acceptable. 

Canada spans six time zones, so the time difference with the UK depends on where you are travelling:

• Newfoundland: 3.5 hours behind the UK
• Atlantic (e.g. Halifax): 4 hours behind
• Eastern (e.g. Toronto, Montreal): 5 hours behind
• Central (e.g. Winnipeg): 6 hours behind
• Mountain (e.g. Calgary, Banff): 7 hours behind
• Pacific (e.g. Vancouver): 8 hours behind

Canada and the UK both observe Daylight Saving Time, though the change dates can differ slightly in spring and autumn.

If you are a British Citizen, British Overseas Citizen who is re-admissible to the UK, or a British Dependant Territories citizen, with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the UK, you will be exempt from requiring a visa and can enter Canada with a pre-approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 

For more information visit our Electronic Travel Authorisation page. 

UK passport holders travelling to the United States of America can apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Travellers must apply for an ESTA online before their trip to the USA.  

For more information visit our Visa Information USA page. 

With most airlines you can pre-book your seats once the balance has been paid, this is usually at an additional cost. Alternatively, seat selection is complimentary at check in (typically 24 hours prior to departure). 

Please check with your specific airline, however as a guide you can expect to have 23kg checked baggage per person on an economy flight. Premium Economy, Business and First Class will have a higher allowance. If you have any queries, please ask your travel expert. 

Majority of airlines will include a meal service on their international flights to and from Canada. Meals may be available to purchurse on domestic flights. 

No, you do not sleep onboard the Rocky Mountaineer. The Rocky Mountaineer is an all-daylight train.

You will disembark in Kamloops or Whistler and Quesnel on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route and be transferred to your hotel.

The hotel is provided by Rocky Mountaineer and is confirmed when you check in with Rocky Mountaineer. 

All three routes Rocky Mountaineer offer provide spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with the Rainforest to Gold Rush route having an extra day on the mountains.

Traveling in either direction provides spectacular scenery. Departing from Vancouver you will leave the city behind and begin to witness the landscape change as you approach the Rocky Mountains.

Traveling from Banff or Jasper, you will begin in the mountains onward to the vibrant city of Vancouver. 

The Rocky Mountaineer schedule operates from the end of April to mid-October, with June and September being two of the most popular months.

Travelling in September into October, you will have the opportunity to see the fall colours begin to appear. At the start of the season in April and May you’ll witness the beginning of spring with snow-capped mountains and the lakes beginning to melt.

In July and August enjoy summer in the Rockies and you can add your Rocky Mountaineer journey onto the Calgary Stampede in July. 

July and August are considered the best months to cruise to Alaska, offering warmer temperatures, extended daylight, and excellent wildlife viewing.

However, the shoulder seasons April to May and September to October are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to fewer crowds, lower cruise fares, and seasonal highlights such as the chance to see the northern lights.

Many cruise lines offer itineraries which visit Glacier Bay including Holland America, Cunard and Princess. This is subject to change as Glacier Bay National Park is a protected area. Speak to our Canada Experts for more details. 

Yes, you may see whales, bears, eagles, sea lions, and more. Make sure to bring your camera!

Yes – UK driving licences are valid in Canada for tourism purposes. You must carry your licence at all times. 

In Canada, you drive on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are in km/h and vary by province. 

If you are on a self-drive you will be required to buy National Park Passes.

You can buy these locally in Canada upon entry to National Parks, depending how many times you enter National Parks on your trip you may be cheaper to buy a Discovery Parks Pass.

We can also include your National Park Pass as part of your My Canada Trips holiday. 

There is no maximum age to hire a car in Canada. You just require a valid UK driving/ licence.

Yes, we highly recommend booking campsites in advance, especially when travelling in peak seasons.

We can also assist with booking your campsites in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

No, they are very easy with power steering, large windows and mirrors. Many models have a rear camera and Canadian roads are much wider and mostly in good condition compared to UK.

We can book campgrounds that have hook ups for water and electricity. Within a couple of minutes of hooking up you have access to this. Also, many campgrounds have shower facilities should you prefer not to shower in your RV.

Food and beverages (coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, sandwiches, etc.) are available. Depending on the class of travel you choose, food and beverages are either included or available for purchase on board.

There is no Wi-Fi on-board The Canadian train as well as limited phone connection. There is Wi-Fi available at Vancouver, Jasper, Winnipeg, and Toronto train stations in the business lounges. We recommend downloading any music, podcasts or movies you may wish to watch during your journey.

For guests traveling on the Corridor service, complementary Wi-Fi is available onboard the trains and in the business lounge in the train stations.

The baggage limits differ depending on which route you are travelling on and class. Your bags will be weighted at check in and if your bags are overweight you may be subject to extra charges.

We offer a range of escorted group tours in various sizes, from large coach tours with 40-50 people to smaller group tours with 15-20 people. 

Speak to our experts to find the right escorted tour for you. 

Each escorted tour has different inclusions.

Our Canada Experts will be able to advise which meals are included. 

Yes, we are able to add extra nights around your escorted tour. Some packages have set flights included our Canada Experts will be able to advise.

All our holidays are tailormade and we can arrange wheelchair-accessible hotel rooms through our hotel partners, as well as accessible cabins on the cruise.

Please inform our Canada Experts of the assistance you may require throughout your holiday to allow us to ensure your holiday meets your requirments. 

Rocky Mountaineer provides wheelchair accessibility for guests who do not use a wheelchair full-time. A hydraulic lift allows you to board the train in your own wheelchair, provided it is 23 inches wide or less to fit through the doorway. Once on board, Rocky Mountaineer can transfer you to a 15-inch-wide wheelchair designed for easier movement along the railcar aisle.

For guests who use a wheelchair full-time, Rocky Mountaineer facilitates boarding via a hydraulic lift or ramp. Your wheelchair must be 23 inches wide or less to fit through the doorway. Full-time wheelchair users can be accommodated in SilverLeaf Service, where tie-downs secure your wheelchair for the journey. Meals will be served at your seat, and you will be assigned to a train car equipped with an ADA-compliant washroom featuring wider doorways and grab bars for added convenience.

After you have comfortably boarded the train, your wheelchair will be transported separately to your destination ready for you when you arrive. Wheelchairs will need to be able to fold down into pieces of 50lbs or less for the health and safety of the employees transporting them.

Yes, cruise lines have wheelchair accessible cabins onboard. 

A few of the shore excursions may not be accessible, our experts will be able to advise.