If you’ve been thinking about taking a trip to Canada this year then make sure you use our 7 tips below to make sure you are doing it as cost effective as possible.
There are loads of ways that you can travel and enjoy Canada cheaply as a family.
Get your eTA Canada
Knowing exactly how you are going to pay for it is the first step. Getting into debt is not worth it.
Make sure you budget for things like visas. You will need an eTA Canada visa to enter the country if you do not have a Canadian or US passport. You can get an eTA but filling out a Canada eTA form online. It’s quite easy to do and not overly expensive.
It can be valid for up to 5 years and is perfect if you plan on visiting for a holiday. It’s normally sorted within a week so do it as soon as you’ve booked your tickets.
Make sure your passport has at least six months on it. If you recently travelled to Cananda you may still need an eTA Canada so it’s better to check first!
An eTA Canada is the quickest and easiest way to apply for a visa and means you don’t have to visit the embassy.
Canada is a big country
Know where you want to visit on your trip. Did you know that spreads across six time zones?
Travelling across the country isn’t cheap but you can get around using:
The Greyhound – It’s not very glamorous but it’s a cheap way to travel by road. Think of it like a bus here in the UK. You get to see what Canada is really like while travelling on the open road. You don’t get to get off though in the towns you pass through. It’s destination to destination but it does give you a great look at the country while you are on the move.
Drive – You could also rent a car to get you around. Canada is well known for it’s expensive public transport so this may be a better option for you. Make sure you find out all the terms and conditions first and any costs per mileage when you return the car.
Choose who you fly with carefully
If you don’t do your research at this stage then it could end up costing you a lot of money you don’t have.
Using a budget airline could be a good choice but make sure you factor in any extra charges like baggage and food.
Compare the cost of a main airline flight to a budget airline. Does the cheapest one outweigh the pros and cons of flight times, your seats or even what airport you fly into.
Make sure that you have filled out your Canada eTA form before you get to the airport as many airlines won’t let you fly without a valid eTA Canada.
Travel off-season
We all know that travelling in the holiday season or even during the school holidays can be much more expensive.
Work out how much the difference is. There’s loads of advantages to going during term time including less crowds and the chance of cheaper accommodation.
Make sure you factor in any fines you may get from the school if you’re children are of age.
Be prepared for the weather
You may think that you know what cold is but Canada can get seriously cold.
It does vary but making sure that you research the weather so you have the right attire is ideal. Wearing layers is best and comfy shoes for all that exploring!
Use shared services
Shared services are getting bigger in Canada and it’s making services cheaper.
Look at AirBnB for a place to stay while you there, EatWith is great to find out what the locals eat and BlaBlaCar are a great service to use if you plan on investigating one city at a time.
Walk
This may seem like a no brainer but getting out and exploring whatever city you choose in Canada is a great way to actually get a feel for what it’s like for real.
Nothing gives you that local feeling more than walking with the people who live there!
We really hope this has helped you and you have a great trip to Canada. Make sure you look at the local Canada government page for more information on travelling to Canada.
This is a collaborative post.