Canada is big. Here’s how get around the continent-size country

14.04.2024 - 09:29 / lonelyplanet.com / Airlines

Towering snow-capped mountains, evergreen forests filled with wildlife, deep-blue waters and coastlines dotted with little towns: this isn’t the setting of a fantasy novel, this is Canada, home to some of the world’s most thrilling landscapes. 

Crossing Canada’s six time zones, 10 provinces and three territories might seem like a daunting challenge – and it can be. Yet with new budget airlines, a national train service and loads of car-rental options, Canada makes itself truly accessible to ambitious travelers. 

Due to its vast size and varied regions, different parts of Canada rely on different modes of transportation. Trains run in the more densely populated areas like the Toronto–Montréal corridor, while public ferries operate extensively in British Columbia, Québec and the Maritime provinces. 

If you want to cover large distances in a shorter period of time, regional and national airlines connect the country. Flying takes days off travel time and lets you reach northern settlements inaccessible by road. 

All of Canada’s major cities have public transportation – and are committed to continuously expanding their networks of subways, streetcars, buses and bike routes. Smaller cities also share this commitment to public transport.

If you want to city-hop across Canada, flying and taking the train (and perhaps occasionally ferrying) from province to province to avoid renting a car is totally doable.

Here are the best ways to get around Canada by plane, train, car, boat and your own two feet.

Canada brims with amazing road-trip opportunities, and its vastness and spectacular natural scenery make driving one of the best ways to get around the country. What’s more, train and plane tickets can quickly add up, and won’t get you to the most remote spots.

Exempting the northern territories, all of Canada is connected by the Trans-Canada Highway. Which you could easily drive from Vancouver, British Columbia, to St John’s, Newfoundland – in a mere 76 hours (without traffic, of course).

Having a car makes it super easy to jump from town to town, visit national parks and stop at interesting places, which you just can’t do on any other form of transport. Even major cities like Toronto and Montréal were built to navigate by car – although these days they have ample public transportation (and horrible traffic). 

Tip for traveling coast to coast: If you’re short on time, a combination of car rentals and inter-province flights will probably be your best option for traveling across Canada. There are long stretches on the long drive that are just prairie land. Though these landscapes are not without their interesting points, a 12-hour drive across such flatness might not be the best use of your limited time in the country. 

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