Snowbirds love to travel – and not just during the winter. And with a renewed sense of pride and affection for Canada, many snowbirds will be exploring different regions of Canada over the spring and summer. 

There are many good reasons to travel within Canada – and not having to exchange our dollar for U.S. dollars, Euros or Pounds is one of them! When you travel within Canada, you are supporting our economy, discovering the many beautiful parts of this vast country and enjoying a wide variety of vacation experiences. 

Canada really has it all - mountains, oceans, lakes, great cities, forests and wide-open prairies.

You can explore Canada by car, rail or air - or a combination of these options. 

Where to go in Canada?

Planning a vacation in Canada can be built around an event such as the Calgary Stampede, Canada Day in Ottawa, Blue Jays games, the Reversing Falls in Saint John, or the harvest in Saskatchewan. But sometimes, it’s just deciding to visit a province or a city that you have never seen before.

The possibilities are endless - Canada has so many great cities that are perfect for a summer getaway: Vancouver, Calgary, Victoria, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Charlottetown, Saint John and St. John’s - as well as many smaller cities and towns across the country. 

Ontario’s wine region in the Niagara Peninsula is immensely popular, with many wineries open to visitors and several with great restaurants. Niagara on the Lake hosts the Shaw Festival every year, and a number of wonderful theatre productions are a big draw. Similarly, Stratford, Ontario, hosts the Stratford Festival featuring the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights. 

There are literally hundreds of small theatres across Canada that feature great productions during the summer season.

National Parks

Canadian National Parks are another destination, as Canada has many wonderful national parks with spectacular scenery. Here are just a few to consider: 

• Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Alberta are both iconic, featuring Rocky Mountain scenery and wilderness.
• Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland is another great destination with its deep fjords and dramatic scenery.
• Kluane National Park in Yukon is where you will find 17 of Canada’s highest peaks.
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the West coast of Vancouver Island is another fabulous option with beaches, surfing, islands and forests.

Hit the road

Exploring Canada by car is a great way to see the country. Even if you fly or take the train to another province, you can rent a car locally to explore the surrounding areas.

You can of course also explore by RV – and there are several RV rental companies that offer short-term rentals.

For example:

• From Halifax, you can drive around the coast of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.   
• From Montreal, you can head north to the Laurentian Mountains and explore the many charming towns and lakes
• Rent a car in St. John’s, Newfoundland and explore the island’s rugged coastal landscapes.
• In Ontario, drive to Muskoka or Georgian Bay or Bancroft in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country with its hundreds of lakes.
• Drive from Toronto to Montreal or vice versa and explore the St. Lawrence seaway and the Thousand Islands near Kingston.
• Saskatchewan and Manitoba feature big skies and open prairies for as far as the eye can see.  If you head further north in both provinces, you’ll find beautiful lakes, forests and cottages.
• Alberta is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, and from Calgary you can drive into the mountains and continue all the way to Vancouver - or do this route in reverse. The iconic mountain scenery is spectacular.

By Rail

Canada was originally opened up by the railroads, and it’s still a great way to travel and see this land, with a rail network from coast to coast. 

The journey between Vancouver and Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer railway is probably the top train trip in the country, if not North America. 

Another exciting option is Via Rail from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba - polar bear country.

If you’re seeking a shorter rail experience, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train departs from Sault Ste. Marie and is only about 90 minutes. 

Other options include Via Rail’s The Ocean, which takes you from Montreal to Halifax, through the Maritime provinces to the Atlantic, and Via Rail’s 3 day/4-night The Canadian that takes you from Toronto to Vancouver. 

Flights

There’s no shortage of domestic flights within Canada provided by Air Canada, Porter, WestJet, Bearskin Airlines and other small regional carriers.

Flights are busy in the summer months, so it’s a good idea to book ahead as soon as you know your dates.

Accommodations

Canada has a wide range of accommodation options, including iconic big city hotels. Hotel chains such as Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Sheraton, Best Western and Choice Hotels offer properties across Canada.

Snowbird Advisor has partnered with Choice Hotels Canada to provide members with a 15% discount on hotel bookings in Canada and the U.S.. Choice Hotels has over 300+ hotels in Canada from 22 hotel brands, including Quality, Comfort, Clarion, EconoLodge & Rodeway Inn.

There are also cottages for rent in many provinces on lakes and rivers – as well as campsites.

Airbnb, VRBO and other accommodation sites also offer properties across Canada.

Car Rentals

Snowbird Advisor members have access to great prices on car rentals through our partnership with leading global car rental provider Auto Europe. Auto Europe offers a choice of all the major car companies on one site. And don’t let the name fool you – Auto Europe offers car rentals in over 180 countries, including Canada!

Through this partnership, Snowbird Advisor members who want to rent a car to explore Canada can compare prices from multiple car rental companies and book the best option.

Do I need travel insurance?

If you’re travelling within Canada but going to another province, it’s a good idea to obtain emergency travel medical insurance.

Although most Canadian provinces have reciprocal Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements that will cover the cost of any medically necessary healthcare services you receive and subsequently bill your home province for reimbursement, there are some gaps and limits as to what’s covered under these agreements, which could leave you on the hook personally for out-of-pocket expenses totalling thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars.

Some costs that most provincial health insurance plans won’t cover for emergency medical treatment in another province include:

• Ground and Air Ambulance
• Prescription Drugs given outside a hospital
• Medical Devices (i.e. crutches, splints, prostheses, etc.…)
• Emergency Dental
• Private or Semi-Private Hospital Room
• Repatriation to your home province
• Returning your vehicle to your home province if you’re unable to drive it back
• Flying a family member to be with you if you’re travelling alone and need assistance

Generally speaking, travel insurance for travel within Canada is cheaper than for international travel, so be sure to ask your insurance provider about lower premiums for domestic travel within Canada.

You can learn more about travel medical insurance for domestic travel within Canada here.

The bottom line

Canada is a much sought-after destination, with over 19 million people visiting Canada annually, so why not explore your home country and find out for yourself why it’s so popular with international visitors? 

Happy travelling!