Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, with a population of nearly 40 million. Geographically, it’s a vast 5,500 kilometres from coast to coast. The landscape is incredibly diverse, spanning tundra, mountains, prairies, lakes and forests. The people are diverse, too, with more than 450 different ethnicities represented.
For those new to Canada, moving here can be the start of an exciting new adventure, and getting to know this big, beautiful, breathtaking country is one of the first steps in the process. Here are some tips on the best way to travel around Canada, whether you’re travelling by plane, train or car, and how Interac can help make the journey easier.
Travel tip: Planning ahead
Planning for a trip can be part of the fun—it’s a great way to build anticipation—and it also helps ensure that the experience lives up to expectations. A little bit of legwork in advance goes a long way.
The download on documents
Is it even a vacation if someone doesn’t leave something important behind? Luckily, this usually isn’t an emergency…unless, of course, the item you’ve forgotten is an essential piece of documentation.
What you need to know:
- If you’re flying within Canada, you’ll need government-issued photo identification (passport, driver’s license, citizenship card, etc.) to board the plane.
- If you’re planning to drive, make sure to bring your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.
- If you intend to book a rental car at any point in your journey, you will need a driver’s license for the reservation, and insurance requirements will depend on your rental agreement and method of payment. And if you decide to cross the border into the United States, you will need to present a passport.
How Interac can help:
- It’s still possible to “forget” things virtually—after all, nothing is more frustrating than being unable to summon your log-in or password information from your brain when you need it most. If you’ve lost track of your social insurance number (a requirement to obtain a driver’s license), you can log in to retrieve it from your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) using Interac sign-in service.
Decide on your destination(s)
Canada’s size and diversity makes it a place where travellers can explore all sorts of activities. The government of Canada provides information on a wide range of attractions, events, and experiences, including museums, national parks, historic sites, and celebrations.
What you need to know:
- To some extent, where you ultimately go will depend a bit on the type of traveller you are:
Outdoorsy types:
- Canada’s west coast offer some of the best hiking, camping, skiing and water sports in the world. In Vancouver, British Columbia, enjoy long walks along the water and beautiful views of the ocean.
- Ontario is home to Niagara Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls—and tourist destinations—in the world.
- On the east coast, you can visit Prince Edward Island and its red sand beaches. Or try Newfoundland, where you might spot humpback whales in the Atlantic.
- Canada is home to 37 national parks and 11 natural park reserves across every province and territory. Parks Canada has a map of the various locations and further details about planning a visit.
Urban explorers:
- The Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, features some of the world’s best rodeo riding and country dancing every July.
- In Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum and The Art Gallery of Ontario, two of the best museums in the country, are less than a 10-minute drive apart.
- The Notre-Dame Basilica, in Montreal, offers up a modern glimpse at neo-Gothic architecture.
Remote patrol:
- In the Northwest Territories, in the capital of Yellowknife, you can catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, all cozied up in a parka.
- Check out the town of Dawson City in Yukon, an old mining area turned tourist attraction.
- Try dogsledding in Nunavut.
How Interac can help:
- Use Interac Debit to pay for any souvenirs, snacks or experiences along the way where accepted.
- If you don’t want to carry your wallet, make Interac Debit the default payment method on your phone. That way, you can still pay securely where contactless payments are accepted.
Book accommodations
Once you figure out where you’re headed, you’ll of course need to find a place to stay.
What you need to know:
- If you aren’t visiting family or friends that are able to host you, your options generally boil down to a hotel or an online rental.
How Interac can help:
- Often, if you’re traveling with a group, it is simplest if one person covers a big expense like accommodations, and everyone divides it up afterward. Use Interac e-Transfer to split the cost of accommodation (you can send specific amounts, right down to the cent, so nobody gets stuck paying extra).
- If you’re staying with friends and family, consider sending them money for food, cleaning, etc. using Interac e-Transfer.
Did you know? The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has warned of a rise in cottage/cabin rental scams, which typically trick would-be renters by using fake listings.
How to spot a potential fraudster?
- First, they often don’t offer rentals through official booking sites.
- Second, they may pressure you to pay quickly and to pay them directly.
- Third, they attract potential targets with low rental rates. Don’t fall for a listing that looks too good to be true.
Think you’re being targeted? Learn about the “Stop, Scrutinize, Speak Up” approach for combating fraud.
Travel tip: Tackling transportation
Some things haven’t changed: the major modes of travel across Canada still boil down to planes, trains and automobiles, each with their own advantages. What has changed? The wealth of options now available to travellers when it comes to booking and paying for their transportation.
How to travel by car in Canada:
What you need to know:
- The Trans-Canada Highway runs coast to coast, from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John’s Newfoundland, hitting every province and major city along the way. It’s a great way to experience the country.
How Interac can help:
- If you don’t own a car and decide to rent one, consider settling your balance upon returning your rental using Interac Debit. Along the way, you can pay for gas, snacks and parking
- If you decided to use a ridesharing service, you can pay using Interac Debit where accepted
- Split the costs with co-passengers during your travels using Interac e-Transfer.
How to travel by plane in Canada:
What you need to know:
- There’s an airport in each major Canadian city and several domestic airlines.
How Interac can help:
- Buy food, magazines and other items at the airport using Interac Debit. You’ll have to accept that you’re paying airport prices (where else does a granola bar cost $9?), but at least you’ll be able to keep track of your spending in real-time – no surprise bills at the end of the month.
- Once you’ve boarded, if the airline you’re flying accepts debit cards in flight, you can also purchase premium snacks or beverages on the plane with your mobile wallet.
How to travel by train in Canada:
What you need to know:
- All aboard! VIA Rail will take you all over the country, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, with plenty of stops in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Train travel is ideal for solo explorers and large groups alike.
How Interac can help:
- In major regions—Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, to name a few—Interac Debit contactless payments let you tap and go using your debit card or smartphone to pay for local transit, on the bus and train. Click here to see if the local transit authority where you’re visiting accepts Interac Debit.
- You can pay for snacks on the Via Rail using Interac Debit, with just a tap. If you purchase food and drinks for your travelling companions, they can all pay you back using Interac e-Transfer.
Travel tip: Home, sweet home
After the trip, take time to savor the memories…and split any remaining expenses. You can reduce the awkwardness associated with asking your friends to pay you back by requesting money from your co-travellers using Interac e-Transfer Request Money if you bank with a participating financial institution. If you need to cover your portion of the expenses, send money with Interac e-Transfer, which lets you send funds seamlessly, without having to handle cash.
Once your accounting is completed, you can sit back, relax…and start planning your next Canadian adventure.
New to Canada? Learn about all the ways Interac can make your life here more seamless.
