Travelling in Canada: a practical guide for visitors from France

A first trip to Canada usually surprises French travellers on three points: the distances, prices that go up at the till, and the cost of healthcare for visitors. This guide covers what to know before booking: entry requirements, seasons, regions, a realistic budget, driving and safety in the outdoors.

Entry: eTA, passport and customs

• eTA: required for a French national flying to or through a Canadian airport. Apply online on the Government of Canada website for C$7; it is valid for up to five years (or until the passport expires). Everything is explained in our eTA guide.
• Passport: it must be valid for the whole stay. The border services officer sets the authorised length of stay on arrival, generally up to six months.
• Customs: declare food, plants and animal products, many of which are prohibited or restricted. Amounts of C$10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared.
• By road from the United States: no eTA is needed, but you must meet US entry requirements for the American part of your trip.

When to go

Where to go: the main regions

• Quebec: Montreal, Quebec City, Charlevoix, the Saguenay fjord, Gaspésie. Ideal for a first trip in French.
• Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls and the lakes of Algonquin Park.
• The Rockies (Alberta): Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway and Jasper. Spectacular mountain scenery, very busy in summer.
• British Columbia: Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Whistler and the Pacific coast.
• Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland. Wild coastlines, lighthouses, Acadian culture.
• The North: Yukon and the Northwest Territories for wide open spaces and northern lights.

Find ideas by region in Destinations, routes in Road trips and itineraries, and stories in our travel blog.

Distances and travel times

Canada is the world’s second-largest country. Montreal to Vancouver is about five hours by air. On the road, think in hours rather than kilometres, with speed limits often set between 90 and 110 km/h.

For two to three weeks, pick one or two regions: Quebec and Ontario, or the Rockies and British Columbia. Combining east and west requires a domestic flight.

Budget: taxes, tips and prices

This is the main surprise for French travellers. Prices shown in shops, hotels and menus are before tax: depending on the province, from 5% (Alberta) to 15% is added at the till. At restaurants with table service, a tip of 15 to 20% is expected, usually calculated before tax. A dish listed at $20 in Montreal ends up costing about $26.60.

Our sales tax and tipping guide details the rates by province, and the trip budget calculator adds them to your estimate automatically: flights, accommodation, car, meals, activities and eTA included.

Driving in Canada

• A tourist can drive on a French licence during their stay; an International Driving Permit is recommended and sometimes required by rental companies.
• Turning right on a red light is allowed almost everywhere after a full stop, unless signed otherwise and except on the island of Montreal.
• You must not pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights, in both directions on most roads.
• In winter, winter tyres are mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15, and required on many British Columbia roads from October to April.
• In remote areas, fill up whenever you can: petrol stations can be more than 100 km apart.

More in Driving and car rental.

Healthcare and travel insurance

Visitors are not covered by provincial health insurance plans: an emergency room visit or hospital stay is billed at the non-resident rate, which can reach several thousand dollars per day in hospital. Check your policy’s medical expenses limit, repatriation cover and exclusions before relying on your bank card’s insurance. See Travel insurance.

Money, phones and time difference

• Payment: cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; keep a little cash for small shops and tips. Choose a card without foreign exchange fees.
• Phone: your French plan’s roaming or a travel eSIM is often simpler than a local SIM for a short stay. See SIM, eSIM and phones.
• Electricity: 120 V and flat-pin plugs; bring an adapter.
• Time difference: Canada has six time zones. Montreal and Toronto are generally 6 hours behind Paris, and Vancouver 9 hours behind.

Nature, wildlife and safety

Canada is a safe country for travellers; the main risks come from nature and the climate.

• Wildlife: bears, moose and elk are common in parks. Follow Parks Canada’s advice (keep your distance, store food, hike in groups) and watch the road at dawn and dusk.
• Wildfires: in summer, check alerts before setting off; roads and trails may close without notice.
• Weather: in the mountains and the North, conditions change fast. Tell someone your route and don’t count on mobile coverage outside populated areas.

Also check the French government’s travel advice (in French) before you leave.