Practical information Canada
Preparing a trip to Canada requires a few specific administrative checks that our team based in Ottawa knows well. For French, Belgian, and Swiss nationals, entry is via an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at 7 Canadian dollars, to be requested online at least 72 hours before departure. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Health-wise, no mandatory vaccines, but we recommend solid travel insurance: a medical consultation can cost 200 to 400 Canadian dollars without coverage. The average budget on the ground ranges between 180 and 280 euros per day per person excluding international flights, including mid-range accommodation, car rental, meals, and admission to national parks (10.50 CAD per adult). Climate varies dramatically by region: 25°C in summer in southern Quebec, -30°C in winter in the Yukon, rainy summers on the BC coast. Distances often require a car or domestic flights with Air Canada and WestJet. Tipping (15 to 18%) is expected at restaurants. Oriane also shares our insights on safety, which is very satisfactory everywhere, on winter driving, on encounters with wildlife (bears, moose), and on etiquette in Indigenous communities.
Plan your trip by theme
Explore our practical guides organized by category to quickly find the information you need.
Before You Go
Mandatory online AVE, valid passport, essential travel insurance, and formalities to arrange before departing to Canada.
2 articles
Budget
Canadian dollar, range of 180 to 280 euros per day, cards accepted everywhere, tip 15 to 18% at restaurants.
2 articles
Climate Season
Mild summers at 25°C, very cold winters in the north, vibrant fall in September-October, significant variations between provinces.
1 article
Transports
Air Canada and WestJet domestic flights, car rental nearly essential, scenic VIA Rail train, ferries in British Columbia.
3 articles
Culture
French-English bilingualism, courtesy and punctuality, different codes in Quebec and the West, respect for First Nations.
1 article
Useful Tips
High security, tap water is safe to drink, 110V outlets, uneven mobile coverage in remote areas, demanding winter driving conditions.
4 articlesAll practical guides
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Frequently asked questions
The answers to the most frequently asked questions from our travellers.
For French, Belgian and Swiss nationals, no visa is required for a tourist stay of less than six months. However, an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is mandatory to enter by air. The application is made online on the official Canadian government website, costs 7 Canadian dollars and remains valid for five years or until your passport expires. Allow 72 hours for processing, although most eTAs are issued within minutes. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Be cautious of intermediary websites that overcharge this service: apply only through canada.ca.
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Canada. Our team simply recommends staying up to date with routine vaccinations (DTP, hepatitis B, MMR). For extended stays in the wilderness, the rabies vaccine can be discussed with your doctor, particularly if you plan camping or activities in the Far North. There is no risk of malaria, dengue, or yellow fever in the country. However, we strongly emphasize travel insurance with repatriation and medical coverage of at least 100,000 euros: healthcare in Canada is expensive, and a single night of hospitalization can exceed 3,000 Canadian dollars.
Excluding international flights, budget between 180 and 280 euros per day and per person for a mid-range trip. Accommodation is the main expense: 120 to 200 CAD for a double room in a motel or decent hotel, 250 to 400 CAD in a lodge in the Rockies during high season. A restaurant meal costs around 25-40 CAD excluding drinks, plus a tip of 15 to 18%. Car rental runs 50-90 CAD per day. Entry to national parks costs 10.50 CAD per adult per day. For an upscale trip with lodges and domestic flights, plan on 400 euros per day.
June to September remains the widest window, with pleasant temperatures everywhere, national parks open and wildlife active. July-August are the hottest months but also the most crowded and most expensive. September-October offer Indian summer in the East, with maple forests turning red: this is our preferred period for Quebec. December to March are suitable for the Far North for northern lights and the Rockies for skiing. April-May are best avoided in the East (muddy thaw) but pleasant on the west coast. To observe whales at Tadoussac, aim for June to September.
Canada stretches 5,500 kilometers from east to west: domestic flights are often essential. Air Canada and WestJet serve the entire territory, while Porter Airlines and Air Inuit cover more remote regions. To explore a province, car rental remains the most flexible solution: excellent road conditions, clear signage, French driving license valid for three months. VIA Rail train offers scenic routes (Toronto-Vancouver in four days, The Canadian) but remains slow. In British Columbia, BC Ferries connects Vancouver Island. In winter, snow tires are mandatory in several provinces.
Canada ranks among the world's safest countries. Crime remains very low, even in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, where standard precautions (not leaving visible items in your car, staying alert in busy neighborhoods at night) are more than sufficient. The main risks are nature-related: encounters with black bears or grizzlies (maintain distance, store food properly), winter driving on icy roads, and hypothermia from unprepared hiking. Our team in Ottawa provides each traveler with a tailored briefing adapted to their itinerary, activities, and chosen season.
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