Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Canada.

Book Economy or Comfort — VIA Rail's Economy seats are narrow but affordable; Comfort adds food service and more space. For long routes like Toronto-Vancouver, Sleeper cars offer beds but cost significantly more. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for discounts.
VIA Rail frequently runs 4-8 hours late on transcontinental routes due to freight train priority and poor infrastructure. Don't rely on trains for tight connections or time-sensitive arrivals.
Scenic Routes — The Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver, 3 days) and Rocky Mountaineer (BC routes) offer stunning views. Rocky Mountaineer is pricier but more reliable and includes meals.
Baggage Allowance — Two free checked bags (50 lbs each) plus carry-on. Oversized or extra bags incur $25-50 fees each way.

Get a Reloadable Card — Toronto's PRESTO card, Vancouver's Compass, and Montreal's Opus card offer better rates than single tickets. Load via app or at stations and use across all transit modes in each city.
Service strikes occur occasionally (Toronto 2022, Montreal frequently). Check operator websites before travel. Weekend service is often reduced in smaller cities.
Real-Time Info — Use Transit (app), Google Maps, or city-specific apps (TTC, TransLink, STM) for live arrival times. Paper schedules at stations are often outdated.
Fare Evasion Fine — Traveling without a valid ticket risks $50-250 fines. Inspectors board randomly, especially on subways and trains.
Monthly Passes — If staying 4+ weeks in one city, monthly passes (Toronto $154, Vancouver $98, Montreal $90) beat daily fares. Most are app-based now, not physical cards.

Use Uber, Lyft, or Local Apps — Uber and Lyft operate in major cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal). Local apps like Tappcar (Vancouver) are sometimes cheaper. Prices surge during peak hours (5-7pm, weekends) by 50-200%.
Traditional taxis outside major cities may lack card readers and demand cash. Not all drivers use meters consistently. For safety, always pre-book or use apps with tracking.
Airport Pickups — Use Uber/Lyft or pre-arranged car services; traditional taxi queues are expensive. Airport taxis charge flat rates ($35-60 to downtown depending on city) with no surge pricing, but may be slower than apps.
Tipping Norm — 15-20% tip is standard. App-based rides prompt for tips on the receipt; cash rides rely on your discretion.
Ride-sharing is completely unregulated in some smaller towns; use established taxi companies instead. Check Google Maps ratings for drivers.

License & Insurance — You need a valid driver's license and proof of car insurance. International licenses are accepted if accompanied by an IDP (International Driving Permit). Driving without insurance is illegal and extremely expensive if caught.
Winter driving (Oct-Apr) is hazardous in most provinces. Snow tires are legally mandatory in Quebec, British Columbia, and strongly recommended elsewhere. Blizzards and black ice cause frequent accidents; drive slowly.
Fuel & Distances — Gas is sold in liters (~$1.30-1.60/L). Distances between towns are vast (Toronto-Vancouver is 2,000 km). Plan fuel stops and rest breaks carefully on long drives.
Speed Limits & Fines — Highways: 100-110 km/h (60-70 mph). Urban: 50 km/h. Speeding fines: $40-150+. Running red lights: $200-300. Seatbelts are mandatory; fines for non-compliance are $150-300.
Distracted driving (phone use, texting) is heavily penalized ($615-1,000+ fines and license demerit points). Hands-free calling only while driving.
Car Rentals — Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget operate nationwide. Book online in advance for better rates. Many require a credit card (not debit); age restrictions apply (usually 21-25+ for premium cars).

Major Hubs — Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC) are the largest. Domestic flights between them are frequent (30-60 min flights, hourly service) and essential for crossing the country.
Baggage & Security — Most airlines allow one free carry-on and one personal item; checked bags cost $25-40. Arrive 2 hours early for domestic, 3 hours for international. Liquids limited to 100ml in carry-on.
Air Canada is the dominant carrier but has poor reliability and frequent delays. Budget carriers like WestJet and Flair are cheaper but may have strict baggage limits and service issues.
Ground Transport — Most airports have express buses ($15-30 to downtown), taxis (flat rates $35-60), or ride apps. Rental car counters are in baggage claim; reserve ahead to avoid surcharges.
Flight cancellations are common in winter. Book refundable tickets or travel insurance if time-sensitive. Check flight status before heading to the airport.

BC Ferries (West Coast) — BC Ferries operates scenic routes between mainland and islands (Whidbey, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands). Book online in advance, especially summer weekends. Fares: $10-20 per person, $35-60 for cars.
Marine Atlantic (East Coast) — Connects Newfoundland to Nova Scotia (16-hour crossing, expensive but essential). Book months ahead in summer. Onboard cabins available but cost extra.
Ferry schedules are seasonal and weather-dependent. Winter sailings are often cancelled or delayed. Always check conditions and have a backup plan.
Urban Ferries — Toronto, Vancouver, and other cities operate short-distance commuter ferries. Use the same transit cards as buses/subways. These are reliable and scenic.

Multi-Day City Passes — Toronto CityPASS ($169 for 3 days) includes attractions and transit. Vancouver Visitor Passports and Montreal passes exist but offer less value. Buy direct at airport visitor centers or online.
Rail Passes — Maple Leaf Pass (VIA Rail) offers unlimited travel for 7-30 days ($1,067-$2,240) but doesn't cover sleeper cabins. Usually only worth it for backpackers hitting many stops.
Tourist scams: avoid unmarked ticket booths at bus stations. Buy only from official operators (TransLink, TTC, STM websites) or authorized retailers.
Ticket Validation — Keep your transit ticket until exiting the system. Inspectors board without warning; showing a valid ticket when asked is mandatory. Lost tickets cannot be replaced.
Group Discounts — Groups of 10+ often get 10-20% discounts on transit and trains. Book in advance. Students get modest discounts (typically 10-15%) with valid ID.

Local SIM Cards — Big Three carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) dominate. Buy prepaid SIMs at airports or drugstores (Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart). Plans: $50-80/month for unlimited data, or pay-as-you-go $0.05-0.15/MB.
Budget MVNO Carriers — Freedom Mobile ($40-60/month), Koodo, and Virgin Mobile offer cheaper plans using major networks. Coverage is good in cities but spotty in rural areas. No roaming charges within Canada.
International roaming is extremely expensive ($5-10 per MB). Use Wi-Fi at hotels and cafes. Buy a local SIM or switch to a travel-focused MVNO before arrival.
Wi-Fi Access — Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, libraries, and transit stations in cities. Download offline maps and transit info before traveling to rural areas.
Rural and remote areas (Northern Ontario, Northern BC, prairies) have spotty or no cellular coverage. Carry physical maps and notify someone of your route if traveling remotely.