Book cheap flights to Canada

With its incredibly chilling winters (November – March), the summer (June – August) is by far the most popular time to visit Canada. Warm days, moderate nights and low rainfall make this time of year the busiest in the country, with hordes of tourists visiting the nation’s top attractions. Be sure to book well in advance to get the best hotel rate. Visiting during May (late spring) and September (early autumn) will still give you pleasant weather, with moderate days and cold nights. An added bonus is that the volume of tourists drops during these months, and so do the hotel room prices. If you love skiing, visit Canada between November and April. Make sure to pack plenty of extra layers; temperatures reach their coldest in January, at -15°C.

South African passport holders will need a visa to enter Canada. You can get more information on the required documents and procedures by contacting the Canadian embassies, consulates and trade offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.

The South African High Commission is in the capital, Ottawa.

Address: 15 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1M8

Phone: 1 613 744 0330

Fax: 1 613 741 1639

Canadian cities enjoy a low crime rate, but some of its neighbourhoods have problems with gangs and drugs. Keeping your explorations limited to the tourist attractions should keep you out of trouble.

The police force in Canada have a reputation for serving the public as best they can. Feel free to approach any officer should you have any problems.

Theft is a concern in this North American country. Prevent becoming a victim by keeping your valuables out of sight. Before driving, make sure all your important items are locked in the boot and park in busy, well-lit areas, where police are patrolling.

The winter season in Canada brings turbulent storms, such as ice storms and blizzards. If you’re driving, reduce speed to avoid losing control. Should you be walking, make sure to dress as warmly as possible. Heavy socks, thermal underwear and gloves are recommended.

It would be wise to get all the routine vaccinations before you depart for Canada. Additional diseases to be careful of include:

• Hepatitis A (spread through contaminated food and water)

• Hepatitis B (spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products)

• Rabies (spread through the bites of infected mammals, including bats and dogs)

Accommodation in Canada ranges from cosy mountain lodges and lakeside cabins to sleek urban boutique hotels and grand railway château hotels that are as much a part of the Canadian landscape as the wilderness that surrounds them. Canada’s sheer size means accommodation styles and price points vary enormously by region — but South African travellers will generally find a wide range of excellent options across all budgets.

In Toronto, Canada’s largest city, the most convenient neighbourhoods to base yourself are the Downtown Core and the Entertainment District — within easy reach of the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Rogers Centre and the city’s excellent restaurant and bar scene. The Distillery District and Kensington Market areas offer a more characterful, independent experience with boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses tucked among cobblestoned laneways and converted Victorian warehouses. Well-regarded properties include the Shangri-La Toronto, the Fairmont Royal York — a grand railway hotel that has anchored the city’s waterfront since 1929 — and the boutique One King West Hotel and Residence.

In Montreal, the historic Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) neighbourhood is the most atmospheric base — a beautifully preserved district of 17th and 18th century stone buildings, cobblestoned streets and excellent bistros lining the St. Lawrence River waterfront. The Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End neighbourhoods are beloved by independent travellers for their French-Canadian joie de vivre, outstanding coffee shops and vibrant street art. Well-regarded options include the Hotel Nelligan and the W Montreal in Old Montreal, and the boutique Hotel Le Crystal in the downtown core.

In Vancouver, the most popular bases are the Downtown peninsula — within walking distance of Stanley Park, Canada Place and the Granville Island ferry — and the trendy Gastown and Yaletown neighbourhoods, both offering excellent independent restaurants, craft breweries and boutique hotels. For those wanting to combine city and mountain experiences, Whistler — a 2-hour drive north of Vancouver — is one of North America’s premier ski and outdoor resort destinations, with an excellent range of ski-in/ski-out chalets, slopeside hotels and cosy alpine lodges. Well-regarded Vancouver properties include the Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Loden Hotel.

In Quebec City, staying within the UNESCO-listed Old Town (Vieux-Québec) is an experience in itself — the only walled city in North America north of Mexico, with narrow cobblestoned streets, fortified walls and French colonial architecture at every turn. The iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac — perched dramatically above the St. Lawrence River and arguably the most photographed hotel in the world — is Quebec City’s most celebrated address. A range of charming boutique hotels and heritage inns are tucked within the walls of the old city for those seeking a more intimate experience.

For travellers venturing into Canada’s wilderness — Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island or the vast boreal forests of the north — a wonderful range of mountain lodges, lakeside cabins, glamping sites and national park campgrounds await. The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta are two of the most breathtaking hotel settings in the world — castle-like properties rising from the Rockies above impossibly blue glacial lakes. Book well in advance, particularly for summer and ski season.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in Canada at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Getting around Canada requires some planning — this is the second largest country in the world by land area, and distances between major cities and attractions are vast by any measure. The good news is that Canada offers a range of excellent transport options, and for South African travellers with an adventurous spirit, the journey between destinations is often as rewarding as the destination itself.

Domestic flights are the most practical way to cover Canada’s considerable distances. Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines operate extensive domestic networks connecting all major cities including Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC), Ottawa (YOW), Quebec City (YQB), Halifax (YHZ) and Edmonton (YEG). Booking domestic flights well in advance — particularly for peak summer and ski season travel — secures the best fares. The flight from Toronto to Vancouver, for example, takes approximately 5 hours, while Toronto to Montreal is just over an hour.

VIA Rail operates Canada’s national passenger train network, connecting major cities across the country. The most celebrated rail journey is the Canadian — a legendary transcontinental train running between Toronto and Vancouver over approximately 4 days, passing through the prairies, the Canadian Shield and the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. It is one of the great train journeys of the world and a bucket-list experience for South African travellers with time to spare. Shorter routes include the Toronto to Montreal corridor (approximately 5 hours) and the scenic Ocean route between Montreal and Halifax.

Within Toronto, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Metro, streetcar and bus network is efficient and affordable for getting around the city. Vancouver’s SkyTrain rapid transit system is excellent — connecting the airport to downtown in approximately 26 minutes and extending across the Greater Vancouver area. Montreal’s Metro is clean, frequent and covers the city’s major neighbourhoods and attractions well. In smaller cities like Quebec City and Victoria, walking is often the most enjoyable way to explore the compact historic centres.

For exploring Canada’s national parks — Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and the Pacific Rim — a hire car is absolutely essential. Public transport to and within most national parks is extremely limited, and the freedom to pull over at a turquoise glacial lake, a roadside bear sighting or a mountain viewpoint whenever you choose is what makes a Canadian road trip so extraordinary. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) between Banff and Jasper — widely regarded as one of the most spectacular drives in the world — is best experienced at a slow, self-directed pace with a hire car. The Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia and the Trans-Canada Highway are equally memorable driving experiences.

In winter, road conditions across Canada can be severe — particularly in Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. Winter tyres are mandatory in Quebec between December 1 and March 15, and strongly advisable elsewhere. Many hire car companies offer winter tyre upgrades — this is well worth the additional cost for South African travellers unaccustomed to driving in snow and ice. Reduce speed, increase following distances and always check road and weather conditions before setting out on longer drives in winter.

Between the mainland and Vancouver Island — home to the charming city of Victoria and the wild Pacific Rim National Park — BC Ferries operates frequent, scenic sailings from Tsawwassen (near Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (near Victoria), with the crossing taking approximately 1 hour 35 minutes through the beautiful Gulf Islands. Reservations are recommended in peak summer months.

Planning to explore Canada’s national parks, mountain highways and coastal routes at your own pace? Search, compare and book a car hire in Canada at Travelstart and find the best rate for your Canadian adventure.