Travel Essentials

Canada: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types A and B, 120 V. Emergency: One number for everything 911. Tipping: 15-20% is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis and salons. Tap water: Generally safe to drink.

Open The Canada Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A and B, 120 V

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything

911

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: gov.uk

Tipping

15-20% is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis and salons.

Water And Health

Tap water: Generally safe to drink
Vaccines: Routine vaccines (including measles); hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers under 60; consider hepatitis A
Malaria: None

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov

Apps To Download Before You Go

Uber: The main ride-hailing app in most cities; Lyft also operates in large ones.
Presto: Toronto and Ontario transit card app for the TTC, GO trains and buses.
Transit: Montreal-made app with live bus and metro times in every Canadian city.
VIA Rail: Book intercity trains, including the Toronto-Montreal-Quebec corridor.
Interac e-Transfer (bank app): Canadians send money to each other through Interac inside their bank apps; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
The Weather Network: Forecasts matter when winter temperatures drop far below freezing.
Parks Canada: Passes, campsite bookings and trail information for national parks.
SkipTheDishes: Canada's own food delivery app, alongside Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Tim Hortons: Order ahead at the coffee-and-doughnut chain found on every corner.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A firm handshake with eye contact and a smile is standard for men and women. Friends often hug. In Quebec and other French-speaking areas, friends and family commonly greet with a kiss on one or both cheeks (la bise).

Politeness and queueing. Saying 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'sorry' often, and waiting your turn in line, are strongly expected social norms.

Tipping. 15-20% at restaurants is standard and often prompted on the payment terminal.

Quebec. French is the primary language in Quebec; a few words of French are appreciated, though most people in tourist areas also speak English.

Safety And Scams

Canada is very safe, with low violent crime; the main hazards for travelers are weather (winter driving, wildlife) rather than crime.

Minimal. Petty theft (unattended bags, car break-ins near trailheads) is the main risk; tourist-targeted scams are uncommon.

Rental car/parking scams. Read parking signage carefully and photograph the rental car's condition at pickup to avoid disputed damage charges.

Women travelers. Very safe; normal urban precautions apply in big-city downtown cores at night.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Safe

Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2005, and Canada has strong anti-discrimination and hate-crime protections; it's one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	C$5	$3.60
Local bus or metro ride	C$3.50	$2.55
Mid-range restaurant meal	C$25	$18
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	C$45	$33
Mid-range hotel (night)	C$180	$130
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	C$180	$130

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

June to September has the best weather nationwide; September-October brings fall foliage, and December-February suits winter sports but is cold.

Do You Need A Visa?

Canada visa requirements by nationality

Phrases

Basic English phrases · Basic French phrases · Basic American Sign Language phrases

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