Canada FAQs

Travelling with My Canada Trips

When you book with My Canada Trips you book with your very own travel expert. Our team are passionate about Canada and have travelled the country extensively. Not only will our team ensure you do not miss the iconic sights Canada has to offer but they are bursting with top tips and local knowledge. 
Every package is 100% ATOL & ABTA protected

When is the best time to visit Canada?

The whole season stretches from the end of April to the beginning of October. The beginning and the end of the season can be a good bit 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.

By the middle of the season it can be beautifully warm, even at higher altitudes. Wildlife also comes out to play with the rising temperatures, as spring turns into summer, we start to see animals come to life and become more active as they align themselves with the new growth of their surrounding areas. This activity and heat grows, and peaks, in July and August, and, by the end of August you’ll see a flurry of activity including bears hunting salmon by the rivers – bear lodges are at their busiest! That said, wildlife can be seen throughout the season with small bears, wolves, elk and whales still being active with the thaw. Coupled with this, at the earlier part of the season, the Rocky Mountains can look particularly lovely with their snow-capped peaks adding to the dramatic scenery.

Weather and wildlife aside, the influx of people also grows as the season progresses, especially when you start to factor in the summer holidays of international passengers. The Calgary Stampede, typically mid-July, can also give a spike in travellers as they, and their cowboy hats, move to the area to see the infamous chuckwagons races & rodeos.

So, how does all of this effect the price of travelling out to Canada? As you can imagine, with more animal activity, better weather, more holidays, and a desire to travel, as the season progresses, then so does the cost. You’ll find that the shoulder periods (start and finish) to the season will be the lowest price, but the price steadily builds over the summer with a short peak at the Calgary Stampede.

The winter activity and ski season generally runs from mid-December to March and at times into April.

So, finding the ‘best’ time to go can coincide with your budget, your comfort level, your availability, and your interests. Hopefully, this gives you a better insight into the Canada season in general so you can decide the best time for you. 

Are Canada holidays suitable for children?

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.

What will the weather be like?

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.

Check the weather for your Canada trip 

What is the currency in Canada?

Canadian dollar.  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.

Driving in Canada

You will need a valid driving license to hire a car, please bring this with you. It is the responsibility of the driver to check and abide by the driving rules in Canada.
You drive on the right hand side of the road.

Please see our dedicated Car Hire page for more details.

Insurance

Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for your holiday and ensure it covers the cost of your trip.

Please see our dedicated Travel Insurance Page for more details.

When is the balance of my holiday due?

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 installments 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.

When will I receive my tickets?

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. 

Can I prebook my seats?

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 see our dedicated flight information page for more details. 

What is my luggage allowance?

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.

In flight catering

Please check with your specific airline. Our dedicated flight information page has more details on inflight meals. 

Canada - Handy Local Information

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

Currently the legal drinking age varies between 18 or 19 years old depending on which province/territory you visit. If you are unsure, please always check before buying alcohol.

The standard voltage is 110-120 V. European/UK plugs are not compatible with Canadian electrical sockets therefore to plug in your electric appliances, you will need a plug adapter or a converter. In general, an adapter is all you need for non-motorized appliances for examples camera chargers, phone chargers, laptops, etc however a converter is necessary if you intend to use appliances with a motor, such as a hairdryer or an electric razor. Note that a converter can also be used as an adapter; there is no need to buy both. 

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. For more information on National Park Passes this can be found on our Car Hire Helpful Information. 

For more information check Gov.uk