Canada travel guide

Overview

Most first trips pick one side of the country. In the east, 3 days in Toronto can include a day at Niagara Falls, about 2 hours each way by GO train. In the west, 2 days in Vancouver pair with a short flight to Calgary and the 90-minute drive to Banff for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

June to September is the best time for the Rockies: the Moraine Lake shuttles and the Lake Agnes Tea House run only in summer and early fall. From November to March, Banff turns into a snowy ski resort, while Vancouver winters stay mild and rainy.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janColdfebColdmarColdaprRainymayMildjunBestjulBestaugBestsepBestoctMildnovRainydecCold

Each September the Toronto International Film Festival screens hundreds of films across the city; in 2026 it ran from 10 to 20 September, so book rooms early for those dates.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Banff]

Banff in 3 daysVermilion Lakes, Cave and Basin, Banff Gondola, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake Agnes Tea House, Lake Minnewanka, Whyte Museum, Tunnel MountainBalanced pace

[Photo: Toronto]

Toronto in 3 daysCN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto Island, Distillery Historic District, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara City CruisesBalanced pace

[Photo: Canada]

Canada in 7 daysStanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Banff Gondola, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake Agnes Tea House, Lake MinnewankaBalanced pace

Where to stay

BanffDowntown on and around Banff Avenue for restaurants and Roam buses; the Tunnel Mountain area for quieter stays; Lake Louise for early starts at the lakes.Best areas to stay in Banff Hotels in Banff

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TorontoDowntown near Union Station for trains and the waterfront; St. Lawrence and the Old Town for the market and the Distillery District; Kensington and Chinatown for food on a budget.Best areas to stay in Toronto Hotels in Toronto

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VancouverDowntown and Coal Harbour for the seawall and the Capilano shuttle; Gastown for character; Yaletown for restaurants by False Creek; the West End for the beaches.Best areas to stay in Vancouver Hotels in Vancouver

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Getting around

Flights: Air Canada, WestJet and regional airlines link the regions, and Calgary airport is about 90 minutes from Banff by car or shuttle bus.
Trains: GO trains run from Toronto's Union Station to Niagara Falls year-round, about 2 hours each way, with WEGO buses between the falls attractions.
In Toronto: The TTC runs subways, buses and streetcars, and the underground PATH links 27 km of downtown walkways.
In Vancouver: The Canada Line reaches downtown from the airport in under 30 minutes, and the SeaBus crosses to North Vancouver every 15 minutes by day.
In Banff: Roam buses serve the gondola, Lake Louise and, in summer, Lake Minnewanka; Parks Canada shuttles reach Moraine Lake from June to mid-October.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates.

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Phone dataMobile data keeps transit apps, timed tickets and shuttle bookings at hand, though there is no cell service at Moraine Lake.How a travel eSIM works

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