Canada

When to Visit Canada?

Autumn, from late September to early November, is without a doubt the best time to visit Canada. The country does have some of the most breathtaking autumn colors in the world, with entire forests transforming into vibrant shades of orange and yellow by late October.

I was lucky enough to visit during this time, and the colors were absolutely stunning— I’ve never seen anything like it! Canada is, without question, the most beautiful country to visit in autumn. Summer months are fine too, but you won't get those beautiful autumn colors and perfect weather like you will get in autumn.

How to Get to Canada?

To get to Canada, you can fly into Toronto, a major travel hub in Canada, with plenty of direct flights available from the US and Europe. If you're traveling from Asia, you can rely on excellent airlines like Emirates or Qatar Airways to reach Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), the city’s main airport. To find the most affordable options from your home country, consider using platforms like Skyscanner or Expedia.

How to Get From Toronto's Airport to Downtown?

By UP Express Trains: The UP Express Train is the easiest and fastest way to travel between Toronto's airport and downtown. You can catch the train directly from Pearson Station, and in about 45 minutes, you’ll arrive at Union Station. The journey costs approximately 12.5 CAD.

From there, you can easily take the subway to your accommodation. The train operates from 4:55 AM to 12:57 AM on weekdays and from 6:00 AM to 12:57 AM on weekends and holidays. The e-ticket is valid for a year, so you can book it in advance here.

By Buses: If you happen to arrive during the UP Train off hours, you can try checking out the schedule of TTC or GO Buses, or you can punch in your accommodation address on Google Maps and see what your options are. It usually takes longer and might require you to transfer a few times, but it will get you to your accommodation eventually.

By Uber: If you would rather go straight to your accommodation without having to deal with the logistics, you can also use Uber or organize a private transfer to pick you up at the airport. You can book the private transfer here.

How to Around Canada?

By Via Rail: The primary mode of transportation for long-distance travel will be Via Rail trains—the Canadian equivalent of Amtrak, featuring a newer fleet of trains with a price tag to match. While it’s not the cheapest option, Via Rail is highly efficient and convenient, especially for an itinerary that goes from one major city to another.

You can easily book your train tickets or check the schedule here. Keep an eye out for sales, as Via Rail often offers discounts throughout the year, which can significantly lower the price. Personally, I found the regular fares to be on the pricey side, especially when compared to Amtrak in the US.

Via Rail operates similarly to airlines, with different tiers of fares. The cheapest is the Escape Fare, which allows you to select a specific seat for an additional 7 CAD and bring one small to medium-sized carry-on bag for free, with an extra 25 CAD for additional carry-on items. I traveled with a 65-liter backpack and was able to store it in the overhead compartment without needing to pay for extra baggage.

Keep in mind that if you are traveling with oversized baggage that the staff deems you cannot store inside the top compartment, then you are going to have to pay the extra baggage fee. There will be staff checking the baggage before you board the train. It will be cheaper to pay during the booking process than at the train station.

Once you've purchased your train ticket, I recommend arriving at the station about 30 minutes before departure. Queues typically start forming about 15 minutes prior, and you'll have some time to grab snacks for the trip.

I traveled with Via Rail all over Canada, and it’s generally reliable, though the Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at times. Other than that, I have no complaints. Trains are an easy way to get around the country and ensure you’ll be dropped off in a convenient location, as most train stations are situated in city centers.

By Flixbus: If you’re looking to save money, consider traveling with Flixbus. They are affordable, reliable (relatively speaking), and operate frequently on most major routes.

I found Flixbus to be exactly the same experience as in Europe: affordable and gets the job done, although the time it takes will pretty much depend on the traffic in the city. I very much prefer train travel for its efficiency and comfort, but if you want to save money, Flixbus is definitely the way to go.

How Much Money Do I Need for a Trip to Canada?

Is it Safe in Canada?

We’ll be visiting major cities across both French- and English-speaking Canada. While safety can vary between cities—Quebec City, for instance, feels safer than Toronto—I never once felt threatened during my stay. Of course, I stayed mostly in touristy areas with a strong police presence, which likely contributed to my sense of security. Overall, Canada does feel a bit safer than the US, though the US has its own safety advantages as well!

That said, like in most major cities, you’ll encounter homeless individuals, often spending time in parks or along the streets. The golden rule is to avoid engaging with them, as they’re unlikely to bother you. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings and avoid making yourself an easy target—especially when walking alone at night—you should be fine. Much like in the US, being street-smart is key in Canada as well!

Which tourist SIM card is best for the Canada?

There are three major carriers in Canada, namely Rogers, Telus, and Bell, that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists to purchase while traveling in the country. You can usually grab these SIM cards right at the airport, but if you have a smartphone and want data immediately when you arrive, you might want to consider an eSIM.

If you have a smartphone that supports eSIMs, I highly recommend you take a look at this eSIM. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from, ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 6 USD to 20 GB for 30 days costing 49 USD.

The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it before your trip so you don't have to scramble to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local SIM card, with 4G speed across the entire country.

For more information on eSIMs in Canada, click here: Check the Canada Available eSIM.

What to Pack for Canada?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Canada:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.