For a trip to Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies, the main gateway cities, particularly for international travelers, are Vancouver, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.
Coming from the United States, I-5 takes you north from Seattle to the U.S.-Canada border. When you pass through border control, you’ll be on Highway 99 in British Columbia, which leads to metropolitan Vancouver.
The main east-west route across Canada is Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s possible to follow Highway 1 from eastern Canada, Calgary, and the Canadian Rockies all the way to Vancouver; however, it’s not the fastest route.
If you’re coming from Calgary or Banff to Vancouver, follow Highway 1 west into British Columbia and continue west to Kamloops. From Kamloops, take Highway 5, the Coquihalla Highway, southbound, toward Merritt and Hope. Highway 5 meets Highway 3, which you take westbound to rejoin Highway 1 at the town of Hope and continue west to Vancouver.
From Jasper to Vancouver, the shortest route is to follow Highway 16 west to Highway 5, where you turn south toward Kamloops. At Kamloops, continue south on Highway 5, to Highway 3 west, to Highway 1 west.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR, 3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, 604/207-7077, www.yvr.ca) is a major international gateway with flights from across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. The airport is south of the city center in the suburb of Richmond, 25 minutes to downtown by public transit, taxi, or by car. All the major car rental companies have offices at the Vancouver airport.
Pacific Central Station (1150 Station St., Vancouver), near the intersection of Main and Terminal Streets on the edge of Chinatown, is Vancouver’s main rail depot. It’s also the city’s long-distance bus station.
Amtrak (800/872-7245, www.amtrak.com), the U.S. passenger rail carrier, runs trains to Vancouver from Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. You can make connections in either Seattle or Portland to U.S. points farther south or east. Trains from Seattle (5.5 hours) operate twice a day; the direct Portland-Vancouver train (8 hours) runs once a day in each direction. These trains have electrical outlets and free Wi-Fi in both standard economy and business classes; the latter seats give you additional legroom.
Tip for cyclists: You can walk your bike onto the Seattle or Portland trains for a fee of just US$5.
Canada’s national passenger rail carrier, VIA Rail (514/989-2626 or 888/842-7245, www.viarail.ca), runs cross-country trains to Vancouver from Toronto. The major stops along the Toronto-Vancouver route of The Canadian, VIA Rail’s flagship train, are Winnipeg (Manitoba), Saskatoon (Saskatchewan), Edmonton and Jasper (Alberta), and Kamloops (British Columbia).
If you do the 2,775-mile (4,466-km) Toronto-Vancouver rail trip nonstop, it’s a four-night, three-day journey. The Canadian operates three times a week in each direction May-mid-October, and twice a week mid-October-April. It’s possible to get off en route and continue your journey on a subsequent train. For example, you could take the train from Toronto to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, get off the train for two or three days (depending on the schedule), and catch the next train onward to Vancouver.
VIA Rail offers several classes of service on The Canadian. In Economy class, the cheapest option, you have a seat that reclines and access to a washroom (but no shower). Meals aren’t included, although you can buy meals and snacks on the train or outside the train during a few brief stopovers.
A more comfortable alternative is Sleeper Plus class, where you have several choices of accommodations. The least expensive is either an upper or lower berth, which is a seat by day that converts into a bunk, shielded by a heavy curtain, at night. Berth passengers have access to men’s and women’s restrooms and private shower rooms in the corridor.
Another Sleeper Plus option is a cabin, which can sleep one, two, three, or four people. Cabins have their own toilets and sinks, and passengers can use the shower rooms in the corridor. Note that in the one-person cabin, the bed folds down over the toilet, so if you need to use the facilities during the night, you have to fold up your bed or use the restroom in the hallway.
VIA Rail is Canada’s national rail carrier.
The top-end sleeper accommodations are in Prestige Sleeper class, which gives you a more modern cabin with a private bathroom and shower. These units have an L-shaped leather couch by day with a Murphy bed for two that folds down at night.
All Sleeper class fares include three meals a day in the dining car, nonalcoholic drinks, and access to both a window-lined viewing car and the bar-snack car, with complimentary coffee, tea, fruit, and cookies.
Outside of the busy summer travel season, VIA Rail frequently offers discounts of up to 50 percent off its standard fares. Check the website or sign up for its newsletter to find out about seat sales. Occasional last-minute travel deals also are posted on the VIA Rail website (www.viarail.ca).
The Rocky Mountaineer (1755 Cottrell St., at Terminal Ave., Vancouver, 604/606-7245 or 877/460-3200, www.rockymountaineer.com, mid-Apr.-mid-Oct.) is a privately run luxury train that offers rail trips between Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Calgary. You can travel round-trip from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies and back, or book a one-way journey through the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary (or vice versa). Another route starts in Seattle and stops in Vancouver before continuing to the Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer trains travel during the day and stop overnight in Kamloops, where you stay in a hotel, en route to or from the Rockies.
Unlike a standard train trip, many Rocky Mountaineer packages include gondola rides, helicopter tours, and other activities, as well as accommodations. It’s also possible to book a Rocky Mountaineer holiday that covers rail fare and accommodations only; for example, it offers two-day train trips between Vancouver and Lake Louise, Banff, or Jasper. Rail packages start at $1,579 per person; pricing depends on the destinations, number of travel days, and the level of service and accommodations.
Rocky Mountaineer trains do not use Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station, where VIA Rail and Amtrak trains depart; they have a separate depot nearby.
Bolt Bus (877/265-8287, www.boltbus.com) provides bus service between Seattle and Vancouver, arriving at and departing from Pacific Central Station (1150 Station St., Vancouver). Quick Shuttle (604/940-4428 or 800/665-2122, www.quickcoach.com) runs buses between Seattle and Vancouver as well, stopping at Canada Place; it picks up or drops off passengers at a number of downtown hotels, with advance reservations.
Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, brings you to Calgary from Banff, Lake Louise, and points west in British Columbia. From the east, Highway 1 leads to Calgary from Medicine Hat (Alberta), Regina (Saskatchewan), Winnipeg (Manitoba), and eastern Canada.
Highway 2, also known as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, is the main north-south route to Calgary. It extends north to Edmonton and beyond, and south to the U.S. border and the state of Montana.
You can fly to Calgary International Airport (YYC, 2000 Airport Rd. NE, 403/735-1200, www.yyc.com) from across Canada, from many U.S. cities, and from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Beijing, and Tokyo, among other cities. The airport is located on the city’s northeast side, about a 20-minute drive from downtown.
Neither VIA Rail nor Amtrak have passenger service to Calgary. The closet VIA Rail passenger station is in Edmonton, 185 miles (300 km) to the north.
The privately run Rocky Mountaineer (877/460-3200, www.rockymountaineer.com, mid-Apr.-mid-Oct.) offers luxury train trips that can start or end in Calgary and travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer also has a route that starts in Seattle, stops in Vancouver, and continues on to the Rockies and Calgary.
Brewster Banff Airport Express (403/762-6700 or 866/606-6700, www.banffjaspercollection.com) runs buses from Banff to downtown Calgary hotels and to the Calgary International Airport. The Banff Airporter (403/762-3330 or 888/449-2901, www.banffairporter.com) can take you from Banff to the Calgary airport as well.
Red Arrow (403/531-0350 or 800/232-1958, www.redarrow.ca) runs buses to Calgary from Edmonton and other cities in Alberta.
The major North American car rental companies have outlets at Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport. They also have offices in downtown Vancouver, downtown Calgary, and in many smaller cities across British Columbia and Alberta.
Many agencies provide discounts for weekly rentals and additional discounts for rentals of a month or more. Some offer discounts for members of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) or American Automobile Association (AAA).
If you’re considering renting a car in the United States and driving it across the Canadian border, confirm with your car rental company in advance that you’re allowed to drive out of the country. Make sure you have a copy of the rental contract handy at the border crossing.
Renting an RV is a popular way to travel across western Canada. Whether you rent a small van or a mega motor home, you’re combining your transportation and lodging. The national and provincial parks, as well as privately run facilities across the west, have campgrounds where you can park for a night or more.
Some companies allow you to book one-way rentals. For example, you can pick up your RV in Vancouver, drive to the Canadian Rockies, and drop off the vehicle in Calgary, where you can depart from the international airport.
The following companies rent RVs or camper vans in western Canada: CanaDream RV Rentals (888/480-9726, www.canadream.com), Cruise Canada (800/671-8042, www.cruisecanada.com), Fraserway RV Rentals (800/661-2441, www.fraserway.com), Traveland RV (844/281-5251, www.travelandrvcanada.com), Westcoast Mountain Campers (888/608-8766, www.wcmcampers.com), and Wicked Campers (877/942-5380, www.wickedcampers.ca).
In Canada, each province determines its rules of the road, so for a trip to the Canadian Rockies, you need to be aware of the laws in both British Columbia and Alberta. Differences between the provincial laws are typically minor but still worth knowing.
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, that license will be valid in British Columbia for up to six months and in Alberta for a year.
If your license is not in English, you should either obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country, which will be valid for six months in B.C. or one year in Alberta, or have your license translated into English. Always carry both your driver’s license and the IDP (or translation of your license) when you’re driving.
Even if your license is in English, Alberta recommends that you obtain an International Driving Permit and carry it along with your driver’s license.
If you’re driving a rented car in B.C. or Alberta, make sure you always carry a copy of the rental contract and proof of insurance.
If you’re driving over the border from the United States, bring the car’s registration forms and proof of insurance. Either carry the insurance policy itself or get a free Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Card from your insurance agent.
In both B.C. and Alberta, you must have a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability coverage. Check with your insurance provider in your home country to ensure that you have sufficient insurance.
Canada uses the metric system, so speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour.
In British Columbia, the speed limit in urban areas is 50 km/h (31 mph) and outside metropolitan areas 80 km/h (50 mph), unless otherwise posted. On many B.C. highways, speed limits range from 90-120 km/h (56-74 mph).
In Alberta, speed limits on all roads in urban areas are 50 km/h (31 mph), on roadways outside the metropolitan areas are 80 km/h (50 mph), and on provincial highways are 100 km/h (62 mph), unless otherwise posted. On Alberta highways, the maximum speed limit is 110 km/h (68 mph).
You can make a right turn at a red light in British Columbia and in Alberta (as long as you stop and make sure it’s clear), unless it’s otherwise posted.
A flashing red traffic signal is equivalent to a stop sign. It means you must stop, allow any cross traffic to proceed, and then you can proceed when it’s safe to do so. A flashing yellow traffic signal is a warning light, advising drivers to use caution in the area.
A flashing green traffic signal indicates that the traffic light is pedestrian-activated. That is, the signal remains flashing green and cars can proceed as you would on a standard green signal, until a pedestrian who wants to cross the street presses the “walk” button. The signal will turn yellow and then red, indicating that traffic must stop to allow the pedestrian to cross.
Even when there is no traffic signal, drivers must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
In both B.C. and Alberta, it’s against the law to drive while using a handheld cell phone or other electronic device. No texting or emailing while you’re driving!
Drivers may use a hands-free cell phone if it is voice activated; the device must be attached to the vehicle or the driver’s body (using an earpiece in one ear only). Similarly, you can’t program a Global Positioning System (GPS) while you’re driving; you can issue voice commands, but you can’t touch it.
By law, you must wear a seat belt when you’re driving in B.C. or Alberta.
In both provinces, infants must ride in rear-facing car seats until they are at least one year old and weigh 20 pounds (9 kg). When children outgrow these infant seats, they’re required to sit in forward-facing car seats until they weigh at least 40 pounds (18 kg).
In B.C., children who weigh more than 40 pounds must sit in a booster seat with a seat belt until they are nine years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) tall. Alberta law does not require booster seats, but they’re still recommended.
To check current road conditions in British Columbia, visit www.driveBC.ca online or phone 800/550-4997.
In Alberta, visit www.511Alberta.ca or call 511, which is a toll-free call within the province.
Keep your gas tank topped up as you’re traveling across western Canada. In many areas, it can be 60 miles (97 km) or more between services.
Many of western Canada’s highways pass through high mountain elevations, where it can snow at any time of year, even in the summer. Although heavy snow is uncommon outside the winter months, check the weather forecast regularly.
When you’re traveling through the mountains between October and March, your vehicle must be equipped with winter tires. Among the roads on which winter tires are required are the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, and many sections of Highways 1, 3, and 5 throughout B.C., as well as Highway 1 and the Icefields Parkway in Alberta.
Destination Canada (www.canada.travel) is the government of Canada’s official guide to travel across the country.
Destination B.C. (www.hellobc.com), British Columbia’s provincial tourism agency, runs visitors centers across the province that provide maps and other travel information. The offices have public restrooms, and many offer free Wi-Fi.
If you’re driving from the U.S. on I-5, you can get information from the visitors center at the Peace Arch (298 Hwy. 99, Surrey), as soon as you cross into Canada.
The Vancouver Visitor Centre (Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St.) is downtown, opposite Canada Place and the cruise ship terminal.
On Vancouver Island, look for visitors centers in Victoria (812 Wharf St.), Nanaimo (2450 Northfield Rd.), Tofino (1426 Pacific Rim Hwy.), and Ucluelet (2791 Pacific Rim Hwy.).
On the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Hwy. 99), get information at the visitors centers in Squamish (Squamish Adventure Centre, 38551 Loggers Ln.) and Whistler (4230 Gateway Dr.).
En route between Vancouver and Kamloops or the Okanagan, there is a B.C. visitors center in Hope (919 Water Ave.).
Along Highway 1, heading toward the B.C. Rockies, there are visitors centers in Kamloops (1290 W. Trans-Canada Hwy.), Revelstoke (301 Victoria Rd. W.), and Golden (1000 Trans-Canada Hwy.).
In the Kootenays, you’ll find visitors centers in Radium Hot Springs (7556 Main St. E.), Invermere (651 Hwy. 93/95 Cross Roads), Fernie (102 Commerce Rd./Hwy. 3), Kaslo (324 Front St.), Nelson (91 Baker St.), and Rossland (1100 Hwy. 3B).
In the Okanagan, get your questions answered at visitors centers in Kelowna (238 Queensway), Penticton (888 Westminster Ave. W.), and Osoyoos (9912 Hwy. 3, at Hwy. 97).
In Alberta, you can pick up travel information at visitors centers operated by the provincial tourism agency, Travel Alberta (800/252-3782, www.travelalberta.com) and at local visitors centers around the province.
Alberta Visitor Centres are located at Calgary International Airport (arrivals level, May-Sept.), and in the Rocky Mountain region in Canmore (2801 Bow Valley Trail), Field, B.C. (Hwy. 1, May-Oct.) in Yoho National Park, and Hinton (309 Gregg Ave., May-Oct.), on Highway 16 northeast of Jasper National Park.
There’s an Alberta Visitor Centre at Crowsnest Pass (Hwy. 3, Blairmore, May-Sept.) 3.7 miles (6 km) east of the B.C.-Alberta border, and another near the Canada-U.S. border near West Glacier, Montana (US 2 at Going-to-the-Sun Rd., May-mid-Sept.).
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA, www.caa.ca) provides road maps for its members through its provincial chapters. It has reciprocal agreements with the American Automobile Association (AAA, www.aaa.com), so that AAA members can get maps and assistance in Canada. Members can order maps by mail or pick them up at local CAA offices.
The CAA’s British Columbia chapter, the B.C. Automobile Association (BCAA, www.bcaa.com), has offices in Vancouver, including its Yaletown location (289 Davie St., 604/801-7130, 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.), Victoria (1644 Hillside Ave., #115, 250/414-8320, 9:30am-5:30pm Mon.-Sat., 11am-5:30pm Sun.), Kamloops (500 Notre Dame Dr., #400, 250/852-4600, 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.), Kelowna (1470 Harvey Ave., #18, 250/870-4900, 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.), Penticton (2100 Main St., #100, 250/487-2450, 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.), and Nelson (596 Baker St., 250/505-1720, 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat.).
The Alberta Motor Association (AMA, http://ama.ab.ca), the CAA’s Alberta chapter, has several offices in Calgary. The Calgary Main Office (4700 17th Ave. SW, 403/240-5300, 9am-6pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.) is west of the city center.
In an emergency, call 911 to reach police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency services. Never leave the scene of an accident without contacting the police.
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA, www.caa.ca) provides roadside assistance for its members and for members of the American Automobile Association (AAA, www.aaa.com).
For the most up-to-date requirements for visitors coming to Canada, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca).
Important note: If you have a criminal record, including misdemeanors or driving while impaired (DWI), no matter how long ago, you can be prohibited from entering Canada unless you obtain a special waiver well in advance of your trip. Refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (www.cic.gc.ca) for additional information.
The simple answer to the question of what documents U.S. citizens need to visit Canada is “a valid passport.” It’s always a good idea to travel with your passport, if you have one.
If you are driving over the border, you can use a NEXUS card, issued as part of the U.S. government’s Trusted Travel Program, as your entry document. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov) for NEXUS details.
If you’re driving, a valid U.S. Passport Card can also be used instead of a passport. Get more information about U.S. Passport Cards, which cannot be used for air travel, from the U.S. State Department (www.travel.state.gov).
Citizens of the United States do not need a visa to visit Canada for stays of less than six months.
All other foreign visitors to Canada must have a valid passport, and, depending on your nationality, you may also need either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Check with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca) to confirm what documents you require.
British, Australian, and New Zealand citizens don’t require a visa, nor do citizens of many European nations. However, in 2016, Canada introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is required for visa-exempt visitors who are traveling to Canada by air. For example, a British citizen who is driving into Canada from the U.S. would not require a visa or an eTA but would need the eTA to fly into Canada. If you need an eTA, apply for this document online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (www.cic.gc.ca).
American citizens in western Canada can get assistance from the U.S. Consulate General-Vancouver (1075 W. Pender St., 604/685-4311, http://ca.usembassy.gov) or U.S. Consulate General-Calgary (615 Macleod Trail SE, 10th Fl., 403/266-8962, http://ca.usembassy.gov).
British nationals needing consular assistance can contact the British Consulate General-Vancouver (1111 Melville St., Ste. 800, 604/683-4421, www.gov.uk) or British Consulate General-Calgary (150 6th Ave. SW, #5100, main office 403/705-1755, emergencies 403/538-2181, www.gov.uk).
The Australian Consulate and Trade Commission, Vancouver (1075 W. Georgia St., Ste. 2050, 604/694-6160, www.canada.embassy.gov.au) provides consular assistance to Australian citizens in western Canada.
The New Zealand Consulate General, Vancouver (1050 W. Pender St., Ste. 2250, 604/684-7388, www.nzembassy.com/canada) can assist citizens of New Zealand in western Canada.
Visitors to Canada can bring a reasonable amount of personal baggage, including clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras, and computers for personal use.
Travelers must declare all food, plants, or animals they bring into Canada. In general, you’re allowed to bring food for personal use, although there are restrictions on fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Get the latest information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca).
As long as you’re of legal drinking age (at least age 19 in B.C., age 18 in Alberta), you can bring a small amount of alcoholic beverages into Canada duty- and tax-free. You’re allowed to bring one of the following: two bottles of wine (up to 53 fl oz/1.5 l), one standard bottle of other alcohol (40 oz/1.14 l), or 24 cans or bottles of beer or ale (up to a total of 287 oz/8.5 l). Visitors are also allowed to bring in up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
In general, visitors cannot bring weapons into Canada. You’re specifically prohibited from bringing automatic weapons, sawed-off rifles or shotguns, most handguns, and semiautomatic weapons into Canada. There are some exceptions for hunters, and all visitors must declare any firearms in writing. Check the detailed requirements with the Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa.gc.ca).
Note that when you’re flying to Canada from the United States or other international destinations, you clear immigration and customs at the Canadian airport after you land in Canada. However, if you’re flying to the United States from Vancouver, Calgary, or other major Canadian cities, you clear U.S. immigration and customs at the Canadian airport before you board your flight. For example, if you were traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles, you would clear U.S. immigration and customs at the Vancouver airport. Allow extra time for these immigration and customs procedures, in addition to the time it takes for standard airport passenger screening.
In Canada, each province sets its own laws regulating activities such as drinking, smoking, and drug use. The drinking age in British Columbia is 19; in Alberta, it’s 18.
Each province has its own laws about when and where you can smoke, and some cities have laws that are more restrictive than those at the provincial level. You must be 19 to smoke in B.C., 18 in Alberta. In both B.C. and Alberta, you can’t smoke in any indoor public place, including restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and public transit, or in a car where anyone under age 16 is a passenger. Vancouver also prohibits smoking at any city parks or beaches and on restaurant patios. Similarly, in Calgary, you can’t smoke in the +15 walkways or within 16 feet (5 m) of outdoor pools, skating rinks, playgrounds, or sports fields.
In 2018, recreational cannabis use became legal across Canada. In general, this means that, throughout the country, adults can possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis and use or share up to 30 grams with other adults. You must be at least 19 in B.C. and 18 in Alberta to legally use marijuana, and you have to obey the same laws in each province and city about where you can smoke that apply to tobacco. Each jurisdiction can choose to further regulate use; for example, cannabis use is not permitted in public places, including streets, trails, and parks, within the town of Banff.
Marijuana is allowed in Parks Canada campgrounds, but only at your own campsite and not in cooking shelters, washrooms, or any other public areas. Parks Canada has other specific rules for cannabis use in the national parks, so refer to its website (www.pc.gc.ca) for up-to-date details.
Each province has its own rules about where you can legally buy cannabis products. In British Columbia, cannabis is sold at government-run stores, a limited number of licensed private retailers, and the B.C. government’s online shop. In Alberta, it’s available through authorized private stores and online through the provincial government.
Note that it is illegal to transport cannabis across international borders.
For more details, refer to the Government of Canada (www.canada.ca) and to each province’s cannabis information site, such as British Columbia’s (www.cannabis.gov.bc.ca) and Alberta’s (www.alberta.ca).
Many of western Canada’s attractions, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and transportation options are accessible to travelers with disabilities. A useful general resource about accessible travel to and around Canada is the government’s Access to Travel website (www.accesstotravel.gc.ca). It includes details about transportation between and around B.C. and Alberta cities and towns, as well as general tips and travel advice.
Most national and provincial parks offer accessible facilities. Many picnic areas, campsites, and park washrooms, as well as some trails, can accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Get details on facilities in specific parks from Parks Canada (www.pc.gc.ca), B.C. Parks (www.env.gov.bc.ca), and Alberta Parks (www.albertaparks.ca).
Western Canada is an extremely family-friendly destination. Not only are there tons of fun things for families to do, but plenty of resources also help support traveling families or make travel more affordable.
Many museums, attractions, and recreational facilities offer free admission for kids under a certain age (often 5 or 6, but sometimes 11 or 12). Many offer discounted family admission rates, which generally include two adults and at least two children. Ask about family discounts when you’re buying tickets.
Kids stay free at many major hotels. Other good lodging options for traveling families, besides the typical chain motels, include suite hotels or apartments (in cities) and cabins or cottages (in more rural areas), which often provide more space for the money, as well as kitchen facilities where you can prepare your own food. Some bed-and-breakfasts don’t accept kids, so always ask.
Many restaurants in Canada offer children’s menus with a few kid-approved food selections. Encourage your kids to try new things, though, since they may surprise you with their newfound love for bison burgers, handmade noodles, or sushi.
When you’re visiting a national park or national historic site with kids, ask for a free Parks Canada Xplorer booklet, which has child-friendly activities to help them explore that destination. At most parks, Parks Canada staff offer interpretive programs, from wildlife talks to guided hikes, that are designed for kids or suitable for families; ask at the park visitors center or check the Parks Canada website (www.pc.gc.ca) for details and schedules.
Note that if only one parent is traveling with his or her children, the Canadian government recommends that the parent carry a written letter of permission from the other parent. Divorced parents who share custody should also travel with a copy of their legal custody documents. If you are traveling with a child who isn’t your own (or for whom you’re not the legal guardian), you should carry written permission from the parents or guardians indicating that you’re allowed to travel with the child. You may be asked to present these letters at the border when you enter Canada. For a sample letter of consent, see the Travel and Tourism section of the Government of Canada’s website (www.travel.gc.ca).
Overall, western Canada is a relatively safe destination compared to many spots around the world, and women shouldn’t hesitate to travel alone. However, exercise caution wherever you go, and avoid venturing out alone late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. If you are out late on your own, don’t walk; take a cab. Take your cues from local women, too. If you don’t see other women walking or waiting for the bus, that’s a clue that maybe you shouldn’t either.
Carry a cell phone with you, so you can phone for assistance if you need it. However, be aware that many parks and remote regions have limited or no cell phone coverage.
When hiking, many women suggest finding other groups of travelers that you might join, or hiking on busier trails where you won’t be alone for long periods of time.
An excellent resource for women travelers is Journeywoman (www.journeywoman.com), a Toronto-based website where women travelers can share tips and ask for advice from local women around the world.
The good thing about getting older is that you can often get discounts. Many B.C. and Alberta attractions, lodgings, and transportation providers offer discounts for seniors. Normally, you need to be 65 to qualify for a senior discount, although occasionally these discounts are extended to travelers at age 60 or 62.
Parks Canada offers discounts at the country’s national parks and national historic sites, with reduced rates for single-day admissions and annual passes.
Canada is far more welcoming to gay and lesbian travelers than many other destinations. Marriage equality is the law in Canada.
Western Canada’s largest LGBTQ community is in Vancouver. The hub of the community is along Davie Street in the city’s West End, with another popular area along Commercial Drive in East Vancouver, although accommodations, restaurants, and other facilities across the city (and indeed across B.C.) welcome gay travelers. Tourism Vancouver (www.tourismvancouver.com) publishes a quarterly LGBT newsletter, Out in Vancouver. Gayvan Travel Marketing (www.gayvan.com) can tell you more about the local community, events, and resources. Gay Calgary Magazine (www.gaycalgary.com) can tell you what’s happening in that city.
Other resources for gay and lesbian travel to Canada include Travel Gay Canada (www.travelgaycanada.com), the country’s gay and lesbian tourism association, and TAG Approved (www.tagapproved.com), which highlights gay-friendly hotels and attractions.
You can travel without advance reservations across western Canada, leaving your itinerary flexible to explore intriguing areas that you discover en route or to alter your plans to accommodate the weather.
However, July and August are peak travel months across the region, and in the major cities and national parks, especially in Banff, Jasper, and Vancouver, you may have trouble finding last-minute accommodations. Holiday weekends, including Victoria Day (3rd Mon. in May), Canada Day (July 1), August Civic Holiday (1st Mon. in Aug.), Labour Day (1st Mon. in Sept.), and Thanksgiving (2nd Mon. in Oct.), are exceptionally busy travel times, as is the week of Christmas and New Year’s. Note that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October, while the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is in late November.
If you are looking for last-minute lodgings, begin your search early in the day. You’re far more likely to find a room before noon than you are at 5pm. Some area visitors centers keep lists of available accommodations or can provide suggestions for same-day places to stay. Similarly, if you’re camping, claim your site early in the day.
When you’re taking a car on the ferries between the mainland and Vancouver Island, you don’t need to reserve a spot in advance. However, on weekends, holidays, and busy summer days, you may have a long wait if you don’t. Making a reservation will ensure that you get your car on the boat you want.
Western Canada has many of the same roadside motels and urban chains that you find across the United States.
Best Western (www.bestwestern.com), Choice Hotels (www.choicehotels.ca, including Comfort Inn, Econo Lodge, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn), Hilton Hotels (www.hilton.com, including Hampton Inn), Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express (www.ihg.com), Hyatt Hotels (www.hyatt.com), Marriott Hotels (www.marriott.com, including Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, and Delta Hotels by Marriott), Starwood Hotels (www.starwoodhotels.com, including Sheraton, Westin, Aloft, Four Points), and Wyndam Hotels (www.wyndham.com, including Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge), as well as the upscale Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (www.fairmont.com), all have properties in British Columbia and Alberta.
Most of British Columbia is in the Pacific time zone, the same as the U.S. West Coast. Alberta is one hour later, in the mountain time zone.
However, some B.C. national parks and communities close to the Alberta border follow their neighbors to the east and use mountain time. Revelstoke, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and Glacier National Park are on Pacific time, but Golden, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Fernie, and Cranbrook are on mountain time.
Both B.C. and Alberta observe daylight saving time. Clocks move ahead one hour on the second Sunday in March and move back one hour on the first Sunday in November.
Travelers should always carry a basic first-aid kit, including bandages, aspirin or other pain reliever, sunscreen, insect repellent, and an antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. You might want to include an ointment or other product to relieve the itching of mosquito bites; if you’re prone to allergic reactions, consider packing an antihistamine, too. If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair. If you take prescription medication, carry a copy of your prescription.
In an emergency, call 911 to reach police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency services.
In British Columbia, to speak with a nurse for medical information 24 hours a day, call 811 to reach the HealthLink BC service (www.healthlinkbc.ca). You can also contact HealthLink BC at 604/215-8110.
In Alberta, call 811 or 866/408-5465 to reach that province’s Health Link (www.albertahealthservices.ca) 24-hour medical information line.
If you become ill or injured while traveling in B.C. or Alberta, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or walk-in health clinic.
If you’re a resident of another Canadian province, your provincial health plan may not provide health coverage while you’re out of your home province. If the plan does provide coverage, it may pay only the amount it would pay for the service in your home province, not what you might be billed in B.C. or Alberta. Either way, before your trip, it’s a good idea to purchase supplemental travel health insurance to cover unexpected medical costs while you’re on the road.
If you live outside Canada, make sure that you have health insurance that will cover you and your family in Canada. You normally have to pay for any medical services provided in Canada and then file a claim with your health insurance provider after you return home.
Touching the sap of the poison ivy plant can give you an intensely itchy skin rash. Found throughout western Canada, poison ivy often grows in wooded areas, beside hiking trails, and along the roadside. Its identifying characteristics are its leaves, which grow along a woody vine in clusters of three. The leaves can have a reddish cast, particularly in the spring and fall, although they may appear deep green during the summer.
A poison ivy rash usually appears within 24-48 hours after contact. The sap can also get on an animal’s fur, and while your dogs won’t get a rash, they can transfer the rash-inducing sap to you.
The best way to avoid getting a poison ivy rash is to avoid touching the plant. Wear closed-toe shoes, socks, and long pants when hiking or walking in the woods, and check for poison ivy before you sit down in a meadow or spread out your picnic blanket. If you think you may have come in contact with poison ivy, wash your skin with soap and cool water right away. Wash your clothing as soon as possible, too.
If you develop a poison ivy rash, applying calamine lotion or a hydrocortisone cream to the skin may help alleviate the itching. Go to a hospital emergency room right away if you have any trouble breathing or swallowing or if the rash causes swelling, particularly around your eyes. Seek medical attention as well if the rash appears on your face or if you develop a fever or any other signs of infection.
Ticks are tiny bugs—a type of arachnid—that feed on the blood of animals or people. Most are harmless, although some varieties of ticks, primarily blacklegged or deer ticks, can carry Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms, and if left untreated, more severe illnesses of the nervous system, joints, and heart. To date, Lyme-carrying ticks have infrequently been found in British Columbia or Alberta, except in certain parts of the Lower Mainland, parts of Vancouver Island, and some areas along the B.C. coast, where they are found more often.
It’s still a good idea to reduce your exposure to ticks when you’re hiking, camping, or exploring forested areas by wearing closed-toe shoes, socks, and long pants. Do a “tick check” whenever you finish any of these outdoor activities, examining your skin, and that of your kids or pets, to spot any ticks. You can generally avoid infection by removing a tick within 24-36 hours.
If you do find a tick attached to your skin, remove it by using clean tweezers to grab the head and pull it straight out. Then wash the skin with soap and water or disinfect it with alcohol or hand sanitizer.
Crystal clear lakes and rushing rivers flow across western Canada, but that doesn’t mean the water is safe to drink. While tap water in most parts of B.C. and Alberta is of excellent quality, Health Canada, the nation’s public health agency, advises that you shouldn’t drink any water in the great outdoors without treating it.
It’s important to know how to stay safe in wildlife country and how to protect bears and other animals from human encounters.
If you spot animals by the roadside or along the trails, keep your distance. Parks Canada staff recommend staying at least 100 feet (30 m), or the equivalent of three bus lengths, from deer, sheep, goats, elk, and moose, and more than 300 feet (100 m), or 10 bus lengths, from bears, cougars, or wolves.
If you’re in your car or RV and want to stop for wildlife along the road, pull over to avoid creating “wildlife jams,” where traffic can’t pass because cars are blocking the road. Use your warning lights to alert other vehicles. If you’ve stopped close to an animal, don’t get out of your car! Snap a photo and move on.
Be extra careful when driving at dawn or dusk, when animals are most active. Scan the roadway and shoulders frequently for wildlife. And if you see one animal, others may be nearby.
If you’re hiking or cycling, Parks Canada suggests three general steps to stay safe in bear country:
Prepare: Carry bear spray and learn what to do if you encounter a bear.
Be aware: Scan your surroundings and look for tracks, droppings, or diggings.
Let bears know you’re there: Make noise (consider singing), and ideally travel in a group of at least four.
During certain times of year, Parks Canada posts “bear warnings” on certain trails. Trails can be closed due to bear activity, or in some cases, park staff require that you hike in close groups of 4-6. These warnings are posted on the Parks Canada website (www.pc.gc.ca), in park visitors centers, and at trailheads. Always check for bear restrictions before you set out on a hike.
Take care with food and garbage, too. Throughout western Canada, even in towns, you’ll notice bear-proof garbage containers, where you have to reach under a covered metal handle to open the container; use them.
If you’re camping, never leave food outside or in your tent. That includes food scraps, dirty dishes, empty bottles or cans, and toothpaste, soap, or other toiletries. These items need to be secured in your vehicle or in a bear-proof container. Coolers are not bear-proof.
To learn more about Rocky Mountain wildlife and bear safety, talk to staff at any of the national park visitors centers. Interpretive programs held regularly in national park campgrounds often focus on bear safety.
The main risk to backcountry travelers who drink untreated water is giardiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the giardia parasite that lives in streams, rivers, and lakes. Giardiasis symptoms, which include severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and sometimes vomiting or fever, typically begin between 6 and 16 days after you ingest the parasite.
If you must drink water from a backcountry source, boil it for 3-10 minutes or treat it with iodine. You can also use a water filter as long as it’s small enough to block the giardia. Get more information about water treatment methods from Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) or from staff at an outdoor equipment store like MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op, www.mec.ca).
When you’re outdoors on especially hot days, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim to protect your face and head from the sun. Make sure to drink plenty of water, particularly when you’re active. The higher elevations in the Canadian Rockies can make you more susceptible to dehydration or heat exhaustion than you might be at sea level.
Symptoms of heat-induced illness include dizziness or fainting, headache, decreased urination and/or unusually dark yellow urine, nausea or vomiting, and rapid breathing and heartbeat. Try to move to a cool place and drink water right away.
If someone has a high body temperature, becomes confused, stops sweating, or becomes unconscious, he or she may be suffering from heat stroke. Call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.
Winter in the Canadian Rockies and in the mountainous regions of B.C. is cold, and it can snow at any time, particularly between October and March. For outdoor activities, dress in layers: a warm, water-repellent jacket, a fleece sweater, and long underwear, along with gloves or mittens and well-lined waterproof boots. Wearing a hat, ideally one that covers your ears, is especially important, since you lose a significant amount of heat through your head.
One risk of cold-weather travel is frostbite, which occurs primarily in the extremities: hands, feet, ears, and nose. To protect its core temperature, your body restricts blood flow to these outlying body parts when the temperature dips below freezing (32°F/0°C). In the early stages of frostbite, your skin can turn white or yellow. Once you get warm, the skin should regain its normal color; if it doesn’t, or if the area remains numb, seek medical attention.
If your overall body temperature begins to drop due to extreme cold, you’re at risk of hypothermia, a condition where your body is losing heat faster than it can retain it. You begin to shiver, and your hands or feet may turn numb.
To treat mild hypothermia, try to get to a warm place and keep your muscles moving. Remove wet clothing, wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag, and drink warm sweet liquids. While drinking alcohol may make you think that you’re warmer, it can actually prevent you from recognizing the degree to which your body is losing heat, increasing your risk of hypothermia.
Fatigue, nausea, or rapid shallow breathing can indicate that the hypothermia is becoming more severe. As it worsens, you may feel confused or uncoordinated. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room if these symptoms occur.
Destination Canada
The government of Canada’s official guide to travel across the country.
Parks Canada
The federal government agency that manages national parks and national historic sites across Canada. The Parks Canada website has details about things to do, camping, hiking, and other activities in the parks in the West and throughout the country.
Parks Canada Reservation Service
Reservations booking service for Canada’s national park campgrounds.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
The federal government agency responsible for overseeing visitors and immigrants to Canada, including information about visitor visas, work permits, study permits, and applications for permanent residence.
Canada Border Services Agency
The federal government agency that manages Canada’s borders, including what items visitors can bring into Canada. The website also shows wait times at highway border crossings.
Environment Canada
Provides weather forecasts and historical weather data for locations across Canada.
Destination British Columbia
British Columbia’s provincial tourism agency, which provides travel tips and information for the region and operates a network of visitors centers.
British Columbia Wine Institute
Has a detailed website with information about wineries and wine-touring tips in the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and elsewhere in British Columbia.
Tourism Vancouver
Vancouver’s tourism agency provides event schedules, tips for getting around, neighborhood profiles, and other information about the city’s sights, hotels, restaurants, shops, and experiences.
Tourism Vancouver Island
Provides a free guide to things to do across Vancouver Island, available online and in print from area visitors centers.
Destination Greater Victoria
Promoting tourism in the city of Victoria, this organization runs a year-round information center on Victoria’s Inner Harbour and provides information about attractions and activities, events, accommodations, and restaurants.
Tourism Whistler
Representing the Whistler region, this tourism agency has information to help you plan a mountain trip in any season.
Tourism Kamloops
Operates the Kamloops Visitor Centre and provides detailed information about the Kamloops region, including things to do and local events.
Tourism Kelowna
Provides information about the city of Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan region, including wineries, wine tours, outdoor activities, and events.
Tourism Revelstoke
This tourism organization publishes a free guide to the Revelstoke area that’s available online and in print at the local visitors center.
Tourism Golden
Golden’s tourism agency provides information about the B.C. Rockies region, including the area’s national parks, on its website, which also has an online trip-planning tool.
Kootenay Rockies Tourism
This regional tourism organization in eastern British Columbia has a detailed website with lots of itinerary suggestions and other ideas for planning a trip through the Kootenay-Rockies region.
Tourism Fernie
Provides information about things to see and do, festivals, events, and other travel details for the town of Fernie and vicinity in southeastern B.C.
Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism
Provides travel information for Nelson, Kaslo, and the surrounding Kootenay Lake area in B.C.’s West Kootenays region.
Travel Alberta
Tourism agency for the province of Alberta, providing travel tips and information about the region and operating a network of visitors centers.
Banff-Lake Louise Tourism
This area tourism organization has a detailed website with information about the towns of Banff and Lake Louise and about Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
Tourism Jasper
Produces an annual Jasper visitors guide, available in print and online, and also provides information on its website about things to do, places to stay, and events in and around Jasper National Park.
Tourism Calgary
Calgary’s tourism agency provides event schedules, tips for getting around, neighborhood profiles, and other information about the sights, hotels, restaurants, shops, and experiences in this city that’s a gateway to the Canadian Rockies.