🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Canada
✈️ Flying to Canada
Main International Airports
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Canada's largest and busiest airport, 27km northwest of downtown Toronto. Major hub for Air Canada and WestJet, with connections to over 180 destinations worldwide. Modern facilities with excellent ground transportation options.
Other Major International Airports:
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR) - Gateway to Western Canada and the Pacific Rim, consistently rated one of North America's best airports
- Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) - Main hub for Quebec and Eastern Canada, bilingual services (French/English)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC) - Gateway to the Canadian Rockies and Alberta's oil country
💡 Insider Tip
Flying into Vancouver is ideal for exploring the West Coast and Rockies. For eastern adventures, Toronto or Montreal are your best bets. Book domestic connections in advance - Air Canada and WestJet offer competitive rates when booked early.
🚆 From Toronto Pearson Airport to Downtown
UP Express Train (Fastest)
Dedicated airport rail link runs every 15 minutes between Pearson Airport and Union Station downtown. Journey time: 25 minutes. Adult fare: CAD $12.35 (PRESTO card) or CAD $12.35 (credit/debit tap).
TTC Bus + Subway
Budget option: Take bus 900 Airport Express or 52A Lawrence West to connect to subway. Journey time: 60-90 minutes. Fare: CAD $3.35 with PRESTO card.
Taxi/Uber
Taxis operate on flat-rate zones. Downtown Toronto: CAD $60-70. Uber/Lyft typically CAD $45-65 depending on traffic. Journey time: 30-50 minutes.
🚗 Other Ways In
Driving from USA—Most common overland entry. Major crossings: Detroit-Windsor (busiest), Buffalo-Niagara Falls, Blaine-Surrey (BC). Bring passport, vehicle registration, insurance. No tolls at border, but expect wait times during peak hours.
Amtrak trains—Limited cross-border service. Routes: New York-Toronto (Maple Leaf), Seattle-Vancouver (Cascades). Scenic option but slower than driving. Book early for best prices (around CAD $60-120).
Greyhound/FlixBus—Budget bus service from US cities to Canadian destinations. Popular routes: New York-Toronto, Seattle-Vancouver. Fares from CAD $40-80. Longer journey times but economical.
Ferry from Alaska—BC Ferries Inside Passage route connects Alaska to British Columbia. Seasonal service (summer). Spectacular coastal scenery. Book vehicles well in advance.
Cruise ships—Many Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver. Popular way to combine Canada visit with Alaska cruise. Port of Vancouver is Canada's busiest cruise terminal.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Most visitors need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Citizens of visa-exempt countries (UK, Australia, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, etc.) flying to Canada need an eTA. Cost: CAD $7, valid for 5 years.
US citizens and permanent residents do NOT need an eTA - just a valid passport or NEXUS card.
Visa-required countries: Citizens of some countries need a visitor visa instead of an eTA. Apply online through IRCC. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Check Canada's official website for your country's requirements.
Apply for eTA or check visa requirements →🚗 Getting Around Canada
Trains (VIA Rail)
VIA Rail connects major cities across Canada, though service is limited compared to Europe. Popular routes: Toronto-Montreal (5 hours, CAD $50-150), Toronto-Vancouver (4 days, scenic "The Canadian" route). Book in advance at viarail.ca
Buses (Long Distance)
Extensive bus network covering routes trains don't. Main operators: FlixBus (budget option), Megabus, Rider Express. Essential for reaching smaller towns and national parks. Toronto-Montreal: CAD $30-60, 6-7 hours.
Domestic Flights
Air Canada and WestJet operate extensive domestic networks. Essential for covering Canada's vast distances. Toronto-Vancouver: 5 hours, CAD $200-500. Book early for best fares. Consider Porter Airlines for Eastern Canada routes.
🎫 Travel Pass Tip
VIA Rail offers the Canrailpass for unlimited travel within a 60-day period (10 one-way trips). Great value if exploring multiple cities by train. Book 3+ weeks ahead for "Escape" fares - up to 50% off regular prices.
🚋 Local Transportation in Major Cities
Toronto (TTC): Subway, streetcars, buses. Single fare: CAD $3.35 (PRESTO card) or CAD $3.35 (exact cash/token). Day pass: CAD $13.50. Download PRESTO app for easy payment.
Vancouver (TransLink): SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus. Zone-based fares: CAD $3.15-5.70. Compass Card (reloadable) recommended. Day pass: CAD $11.25.
Montreal (STM): Metro and buses. Single fare: CAD $3.75. Day pass: CAD $11. Weekend pass: CAD $14.50. OPUS card available for frequent riders.
Ride-Sharing
- Uber: Available in all major cities
- Lyft: Available in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa
- Bike-sharing: Bike Share Toronto, Mobi (Vancouver), BIXI (Montreal)
Public transit is clean, safe, and reliable in Canadian cities. Most signage is in English (and French in Quebec).
🚙 Renting a Car
Highly recommended for exploring the Canadian Rockies, national parks, or rural areas. Canada's vast distances make a car essential outside major cities.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Minimum age: 21-25 (varies by company, under-25 surcharge applies)
- Watch for wildlife - moose, deer, and bears on rural roads!
- Speed limits: 50 km/h (cities), 80-90 km/h (rural roads), 100-110 km/h (highways)
- Winter tires recommended November-March in most regions
- Major rental companies: Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Avis at all airports
⚠️ Winter Driving & Wildlife
Winter driving in Canada requires caution - snow and ice are common. Wildlife collisions are a real risk, especially at dawn/dusk. Slow down in rural areas and watch for warning signs. Moose collisions can be fatal.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Canada
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book flights early: Domestic flights 6-8 weeks in advance for best prices. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are often cheapest.
- Use FlixBus: Budget bus option, significantly cheaper than trains or flying for Toronto-Montreal, Toronto-Ottawa routes
- VIA Rail "Escape" fares: Book 3+ weeks ahead for up to 50% off regular train prices
- Transit day passes: If taking 3+ trips in a day, day passes save money in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal
- Rent outside airports: Downtown car rental locations often CAD $10-20/day cheaper than airports
- Gas prices vary: Fill up before entering remote areas - prices can be 30-40% higher in rural regions
- NEXUS card: If crossing US-Canada border frequently, NEXUS (CAD $50/5 years) saves hours at border crossings