Know before you go
Canada
General Information
Canada is located in the northern part of North America bordering only the United States. Its capital is Ottawa while its largest city is Toronto. They drive on the right side of the road.
Visa
Most travellers need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to a Canadian airport. Follow this link to find out if you are required to apply for a visa or not or contact your ministery of foreign affairs.
Watch Geography Now!
The video will give you a good first overview of Canada.
Power
Canada uses Type A and B plug outlets. The voltage is 120 Volt and the frequency is 60 Hz.
Language
English and French are both official languages of Canada. Most of the French speaking Canadians live in Quebec.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Salut! | Hello! |
| Salut! | Bye! |
| oui | yes |
| non | no |
| Merci! | Thank you! |
| De rien! | You're welcome! |
| Excusez-moi! | Excuse me! |
| Santé! | Cheers! |
Weather Forecast
Climate
Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary from region to region. Winters can be harsh in many parts of the country. In noncoastal regions, snow can cover the ground for almost six months of the year, while in parts of the north snow can persist year-round. Coastal British Columbia has a temperate climate, with a mild and rainy winter. On the east and west coasts, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts, the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F).
Average Temperature in Ottawa
Average Precipitation in Ottawa
Transportation
How to get there?
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the busiest airport in Canada. It’s easy to go to Canada from Europe. There are many direct flights, especially to destinations in the eastern part of the country like Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebeck. When going to Vancouver on the Westcoast you will probably have to trasfer. Follow this link to find a list of all airports in Canada.
How to get around?
Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have a Metro. Aside from that unfortunately the public transportation network is not as good as you might know it from European cities. Renting a car pays off, especially if you are planning to leave the city centers and explore the Canadian nature (which you definitely should).
How to get from town to town?
For short distances, it is best to have a car and drive yourself. For long distances, it’s best to fly. Don’t underestimate the size of the country. Just going from Toronto to Quebeck will take you almost 8 hours with the car. A flight will take you there in 1:30h.
Money, Money, Money
Currency
The currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Check out the currency converter to find out about current exchange rates.
Accommodation
Depending on where you are staying prices will vary of course. Expect to be paying around 35€ per person per night.
Cash
Credit Cards are accepted pretty much everywhere. If you want to withdraw cash to have a better overview of your spending, expect to need around 40€ per day for food, transportation, activities and souvenirs.
