Canada travel guide
Canada is a country of scale, and the best trips lean into it. You can wander the cobbled lanes of Old Quebec, stand beside Niagara's thundering falls, drive the Icefields Parkway between glaciers and turquoise lakes, and watch whales or bears on the Pacific coast. Few countries pair big wilderness with such easy, comfortable cities. Choosing a region shapes the trip. Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler cover the Pacific coast; Banff, Jasper and Calgary open the Rockies; Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara anchor the east; and Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax add French and Maritime character, with St. John's on the Atlantic edge. Distances are large, so most travellers pick two or three bases. Summer is the main season for hiking, lakes and road trips, while autumn brings colour to the east and winter suits skiing and snow. Canada rewards road-trippers, families and nature lovers alike, and you can plan the itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Ottawa.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Visa required, apply before you fly.
Before you go to Canada
- Currency
- CAD $
- Emergency number
- 911
- Plug type
- Type A, B
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Expected
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express (less widely accepted than in the US)
- ATM fees
- CAD 3.00-3.50 at big-bank ATMs plus your home-bank fee; white-label ATMs charge CAD 3-6 on top
Cities in Canada
- Toronto Canada's largest city, a multicultural metropolis on Lake Ontario with the CN Tower, diverse neighbourhoods and a vibrant food scene.
- Vancouver Pacific coast city ringed by mountains and ocean, blending urban life with outdoor adventure.
- Montreal Bilingual cultural capital of Quebec, famed for its Old-World quarter, festivals, bagels and joie de vivre.
- Banff Iconic Rocky Mountain resort town inside Banff National Park, with turquoise lakes, hot springs and alpine scenery.
- Niagara Falls Home to the world-famous waterfalls, boat tours and a buzzing tourist district on the US border.
- Quebec City Walled French-colonial old town and UNESCO World Heritage site, the most European city in North America.
- Whistler North America's premier ski resort and year-round mountain-adventure village two hours north of Vancouver.
- Ottawa Canada's national capital on the Ottawa River, home to Parliament Hill, national museums and the Rideau Canal.
- Calgary Gateway to the Rockies on the prairies, known for the Calgary Stampede and its proximity to Banff.
- Victoria British Columbia's genteel capital on Vancouver Island, with English gardens, harbour and Victorian charm.
- Jasper Rugged, less-crowded Rockies park town renowned for wildlife, the Columbia Icefield and dark-sky stargazing.
- Halifax Historic Atlantic port city in Nova Scotia, with a lively waterfront, maritime history and East-Coast seafood.
- St. John's Colourful, weather-beaten capital of Newfoundland, North America's easternmost city with rich seafaring heritage.
- Edmonton Alberta's capital on the North Saskatchewan River, known for festivals, river-valley parks and West Edmonton Mall.
- Winnipeg Cultural heart of the prairies at the forks of two rivers, home to the Human Rights Museum and a strong arts scene.
Frequently asked questions about Canada
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Canada?
- Visa required, apply before you fly. Stay: Up to 5 years, or until passport expiry, whichever is sooner. Fee: CAD 7. Apply only on the official portal, canada.ca.
- What currency is used in Canada?
- The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar ($). $1 is about ₹67.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Canada?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (less widely accepted than in the US). Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Canada?
- Tipping in Canada: expected. Typically about 18% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Canada?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does Canada use?
- Canada uses Type A, B plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Canada?
- Emergency: 911. Police: 911. Ambulance: 911.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Canada?
- SIM and eSIM available in Canada.
- What is the capital of Canada?
- The capital of Canada is Ottawa. Time there: IST - 9 h 30 min.