Canada is the world's second-largest country, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. This vast nation offers stunning natural beauty from the Rocky Mountains to Niagara Falls, vibrant multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and rich Indigenous heritage alongside French and British influences.
Local currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD, C$).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Canada.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- CAD $35-50/night (dorm)
- Budget
- CAD $80-130/night (budget hotel)
- Midrange
- CAD $150-250/night (3-star)
- Luxury
- CAD $350-800+/night (4-5 star)
Food
- Street
- CAD $5-12 (food truck, poutine, bagel)
- Local
- CAD $12-18 (casual restaurant, pub meal)
- Midrange
- CAD $25-50/person (sit-down dinner)
- Fine
- CAD $80-200+/person (fine dining with drinks)
Transport
- Bus
- CAD $3-4 (single public transit fare)
- Taxi
- CAD $12-20 (typical city ride)
- Airport
- CAD $35-65 (airport transfer to downtown)
- Daytrip
- CAD $25-60 (organized day trip from city)
Activities
- Museum
- CAD $15-25 (most major museums)
- Sites
- CAD $10-20 (national historic sites)
- Tour
- CAD $50-100 (half-day guided tour)
- Excursion
- CAD $100-200 (Niagara Falls, whale watching, Banff glacier hike)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Canada costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
CAD $490/week
Midrange traveller
CAD $1,400/week
Luxury traveller
CAD $3,500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy a Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($72.25/adult, $145.25/family) if visiting 2+ national parks — it pays for itself at Banff alone
Public transit is excellent in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal — day passes save significantly over individual fares if taking 3+ trips
Visit restaurants at lunch rather than dinner — many offer prix-fixe lunch menus for 30-40% less than evening prices
Kensington Market (Toronto), Atwater Market (Montreal), and Granville Island (Vancouver) have excellent inexpensive food options compared to tourist areas
HI Canada hostels offer reliable budget accommodation with far better quality control than private hostels — membership ($35/year) gives 10% discount
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Stanley Park Seawall Walk
Vancouver's iconic 10-km seawall path around Stanley Park offers ocean, mountain, and city skyline views, totem poles, beaches, and old-growth forest — entirely free.
Parliament Hill in Ottawa
The lawns of Canada's Parliament are open to the public; in summer, free Changing the Guard ceremony at 10 AM and free sound and light shows (Mosaika) nightly after dark.
Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Winnipeg
First level of this architecturally stunning Winnipeg museum is free; the full experience requires admission but the atrium and Forks neighborhood stroll are free.
Old Quebec Walls and Dufferin Terrace
Walking the ramparts of North America's only walled city above sea level and strolling the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence costs nothing and offers world-class views.
Granville Island (browsing)
Exploring Vancouver's vibrant Granville Island including the market building exterior, artisan studios, and waterfront is free; you pay only for what you choose to eat or buy.
Rideau Canal Skateway (Ottawa, winter)
The world's largest naturally refrigerated skating rink — 7.8 km on the Rideau Canal — is free to skate on (skate rentals available nearby for CAD $15-20).
National Gallery of Canada (first hour)
The National Gallery in Ottawa offers free admission for the first hour Thursday evenings and free entry on Canada Day.
Toronto Islands Ferry Terminal (walking around)
While the ferry costs CAD $9 return, Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point offer car-free beaches and skyline views accessible by public transit to the ferry docks.
Kensington Market Street Exploration
Toronto's bohemian Kensington Market neighbourhood is Canada's most eclectic free browsing destination with vintage shops, multicultural food vendors, and street art.
Mount Royal Park, Montreal
The great green lung of Montreal designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed Central Park) offers free hiking, cycling, and winter cross-country skiing with stunning city panoramas from the belvedere.