Traveling in Canada - What to Know

It's all in the details
From vibrant cities to outdoor adventures there are many types of travellers and experiences. Make the best of your trip, and keep our travel tips in mind when planning and taking your trip.

HEALTH INFORMATION

No Vaccinations are required. Canadian hospitals and medical services are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital, but generally range from $1,000 to $2,000 a day. So it's important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it's possible your regular health insurance does not include coverage outside your country of residence.

For more information visit: Health Canada

DRIVING & VEHICLES

A Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF) and an Airport Concession Fee Recovery (CFR) are included in the rental rate as have Government surcharges and taxes. Optional items such as refueling, additional personal insurance or additional authorized driver (AAD) fees are extra and payable locally. Drop fees are also payable locally, ask your travel agent for the approximate drop charge applicable to your reservation. Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is approximately $25.00 a day, check your automobile policy. Rates cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Hertz standard age, driver, and credit applications apply. Rates include unlimited mileage at participating locations. Drivers must be 25 years of age and present a valid national or international drivers license, a return airline ticket and the Hertz car rental confirmation number. A credit card in the driver's name is also required.

Driving Laws
Canadians drive on the right side of the road (same as the U.S.) and use the metric system for distances and speeds, kilometres/hour rather than miles. Traffic in both directions MUST stop when school buses have their red lights flashing (this means children are getting off and on the bus). At a 4-Way-Stop intersection the first vehicle at the intersection has right-of-way. You must have a valid driving license and auto insurance to drive a vehicle in Canada. A driving license from any country is valid for the first three months, while an International Driving Permit (available in your home country) can be used for one year. Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers in Canada, except in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

For more information visit: Transport Canada

Border Crossing
Bringing a vehicle across the border into Canada is generally routine. If customs permits are required, they will be issued at the time of entry. Visitors driving rental cars should have a copy of the rental agreement in the vehicle at all times, endorsed for entry into Canada.

Driving Distances
Do you want to know how far it is to drive between different cities in Canada? Check here to find out the shortest driving distances between two cities:

Driving Distances (in kilometres)

AIRPORTS

The AIP (airport improvement fees) is no longer collected separately. They are now included in the airfare at all Canadian airports.

For more information visit: Transport Canada - Air Travel

CUSTOMS & dUTIES

Passports are required except for US Citizens who may use a photo I.D. with an original or certified copy of your Birth Certificate. This must be carried to confirm U.S. citizenship when re-entering. Visas may be required depending on a client's citizenship. A visitor to Canada may bring the following into Canada duty-free: necessary personal items, including clothing: up to 50 cigars; 200 cigarettes; 1 kg. (2.2 lbs) tobacco; and 1.1 liters (40 oz) of spirits or wine, or, in lieu, 24 x 355 ml (12 oz) cans or bottles of beer or ale. Gift packages may be sent from Canada to another country duty and tax free if the item is $50 or less. It is illegal to bring revolvers, pistols and fully automatic firearms into Canada.

For more information visit: Canada Border Services Agency

TAXES & TIPPING

Tipping
Generally, restaurant bills do not include a tip or service charge. It is standard practice to tip your server 15% of the total bill before taxes. Service personnel at fast food outlets do not expect tips however it is standard practice to tip barbers, hairdressers, and taxi drivers 10 - 15% of your total bill. The customary gratuity to tour guides and motorcoach drivers is $3.00 - $5.00 per day, per person.

Taxes
Provincial Sales Tax "PST" will be added to the advertised price of consumer products, as well as restaurant meals and beverages, except in provinces that have no Provincial Sales Tax. The applicable rate of Provincial Sales Tax varies from province to province. In addition, a Federal Goods and Services Tax "GST" will be added to virtually every transaction for consumer goods and service within Canada. This Federal tax is currently 6%. In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland, a harmonized Sales Tax "HST" of 14% (6% GST 8% provincial component) is charged on goods and services. (Note that in Québec and Prince Edward Island only, the GST is included in the provincial sales tax base).