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.
- Public
- Canada's major cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa) have reliable public transit combining metro/LRT, buses, and in some cases ferries or SkyTrain. Intercity public transport is more limited outside the Quebec-Windsor corridor.
- Taxi
- Taxis widely available via app (Uber, Lyft) in all major cities; traditional taxi apps (Beck in Toronto, Co-op in many cities) also work well. Surge pricing applies during events and bad weather.
- Rental
- Car rental essential for national parks, rural areas, and smaller cities. Major rental companies (Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, National) at all airports. Winter tires required in some provinces November-April at extra cost.
- Walking
- Downtown cores of Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa are walkable. Distances between cities and attractions require transport. Montreal's Underground City provides 33 km of indoor walkways useful in winter.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- UP Express train to Union Station - $12.35, 25 minutes
- Shuttle
- TTC bus + subway - $3.25, 60-90 minutes
- Bus
- Taxi to downtown - $50-65, 30-50 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Coverage
- Comprehensive bus networks in all major cities
- Cost
- $2.50-$4 per trip depending on city
- Notes
- Exact change often required, transfers usually included for 90-120 minutes
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike_share
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $3.25-$4.25 depending on city
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Cost: Generally $20-80 depending on distance
- Greyhound
- Discontinued most Canadian routes in 2021
- Megabus
- Budget service Toronto-Montreal-Ottawa from $20
- Flixbus
- Expanding service in Ontario and Quebec from $15
- Regional
- Various regional carriers (Rider Express, Ebus, Maritime Bus)
Flights
Routes: Extensive network, essential for northern and remote areas
Cost: Budget carriers from $79, full service $150-400
- Carriers
- Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair, Swoop
- Tips
- Book early for best prices, Tuesday departures often cheapest
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Toronto Pearson International Airport
From centre: 27 km northwest of downtown
Options: UP Express train to Union Station - $12.35, 25 minutes; TTC bus + subway - $3.25, 60-90 minutes; Taxi to downtown - $50-65, 30-50 minutes; Uber/Lyft to downtown - $35-55; Airport shuttle buses - $25-30
Vancouver International Airport
From centre: 12 km south of downtown
Options: Canada Line SkyTrain - $5.20-10.90, 26 minutes to downtown; Taxi to downtown - $35-45, 20-30 minutes; Uber/Lyft to downtown - $25-40; Airport shuttle buses - $18-22; Car rental available
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
From centre: 20 km west of downtown
Options: 747 Express Bus to downtown - $10, 45-70 minutes; Taxi to downtown - $40-50, 25-45 minutes; Uber to downtown - $30-45; Airport shuttle - $24; Car rental available
Calgary International Airport
From centre: 17 km northeast of downtown
Options: Route 300 airport bus - $11.25, 45 minutes; Taxi to downtown - $45-55, 20-30 minutes; Uber to downtown - $35-50; Rental car - from $40/day; Hotel shuttles available
Edmonton International Airport
From centre: 26 km south of downtown
Options: Route 747 SkyShuttle - $5, 50 minutes; Taxi to downtown - $55-70, 30-40 minutes; Uber to downtown - $45-60; Rental car available; SkyShuttle to hotels $18
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
From centre: 10 km south of downtown
Options: Route 97 OC Transpo bus - $3.70, 30-40 minutes; Taxi to downtown - $35-45, 15-25 minutes; Uber to downtown - $25-35; Rental car from $35/day; Hotel shuttles
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transit App
Best multi-city transit app covering all Canadian cities with real-time departures and route planning; works offline
Uber / Lyft
Ride-hailing available in all major Canadian cities; Lyft operates primarily in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary
Via Rail Canada App
Official app for booking and managing VIA Rail intercity train tickets; best for Quebec-Windsor corridor travel
FlixBus
Budget intercity bus booking app for Ontario, Quebec, and expanding Canadian network; fares from $15
Google Maps
Reliable for Canadian transit directions in all major cities with real-time transit layers and walking/cycling options
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the transit app for your city before arriving: Transit App (works across Canada), Presto (Toronto/Ottawa), Compass (Vancouver), OPUS (Montreal) — many accept credit card tap to board
VIA Rail's Corridor trains between Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal are a comfortable and scenic alternative to flying; book 2+ weeks ahead for the best 'Escape' fares ($45-75)
Uber and Lyft operate in all major Canadian cities — they're generally 20-30% cheaper than taxis. In Quebec City, Uber's availability is more limited; use taxis
Renting a car unlocks Canada's most spectacular scenery — the Icefields Parkway (Banff to Jasper), Cabot Trail (Cape Breton), and Sea-to-Sky Highway (Vancouver to Whistler) are all best experienced by car
In winter, book rental cars with winter tires included (mandatory in Quebec November-March, strongly recommended everywhere else); add $10-15/day
Inter-city buses fill the gaps that trains don't — FlixBus and Megabus serve Ontario and Quebec; regional carriers like Maritime Bus (Atlantic provinces) and Rider Express (prairies) fill other routes