Ah, Canada. Known for its baseball, hockey and snowy sights. Throw in a moose or two, a poutine and Niagara Falls and you’ve got it in a nutshell, right? In actual fact, there’s so much more to this vast nation, home to some of the most unique travel sites on earth.
The only problem can be cost, which is comparable with a trip to its American neighbor. Maybe you will get lucky playing Multilotto in Canada so you don’t have to worry about the cost. But if not, here are some ways you can travel Canada on a budget. We suggest you try and aim for about 80 CAD per day.
Transportation
With such a widespread land mass, it’s impossible to see all of Canada in one trip. But a great way to explore and get around is using the trains or buses in the public transport network. The metro services will cost roughly 3 CAD one-way, while the coastal train services are much more expensive – try searching VIA Rail Canada for prices. The Megabus for travelling between cities can be 1 CAD if you book in advance, so is probably your best bet.
If you’re staying for a lengthy period, another option is to hire a car and road trip yourself. It is especially fun and affordable if you’re traveling with friends. With the cost of car hire and factoring in the cost of gas, you’re looking at around 80 CAD per day (exceeding our daily budget), but a pro tip is to try to fuel up on native reserves where there are lower taxes and cheaper rates for gas. Obviously, flying around the country is most expensive, so avoid this if you’re on a budget. Plus, getting the train, bus, or driving is a much better way to see more of the unique natural landscape.
Eat, Drink & Sleep
Eating out at restaurants can end up costing between 15-40 CAD, so cooking for yourself (around 45-80 CAD per week), or scouting fast food (as little as 13 CAD) is a cheaper option. Street food is a great alternative to save a few extra bucks, so keep your eyes peeled for those hot dogs and sausage vendors (yum!) which can be as low as 2.50 CAD for a meal.
Hostel accommodation is the cheapest choice at around 30 CAD per night, but prices will depend on the city you stay in – generally, the bigger the city, the higher the price. Budget hotels can be as much as 85 CAD per night, for example.
And hey, there’s always camping! This will cost about 10-30 CAD and is booked out early in peak seasons (June-August) so it’s best to book in advance. If you’ve planned your trip well, also keep an eye out for coupon sites like Groupon to save on local deals for food and activities.
What to do?
It’s not always easy to say goodbye to family and friends, but there’s no shortage of outdoor activities in Canada. You will be having the time of your life while site-seeing the beautiful landscapes, getting outside to ski, kayak, hike or even walk around – which is a cheap way to spend your time. Prices of such activities vary between 20 – 100 CAD depending on your choice. Many of the hikes and walks are free, so put on your walking shoes (or snow boots) and get out and about.
There’s also plenty of free outdoor festivals in this vast country, so jump online before you go and check out what’s on.Another option is to get a working holiday visa so you can rake in some dough and stay a little longer!