North America

75 Canada

75 Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest country, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific with vast wilderness, cosmopolitan cities, and dramatic natural landscapes. The Canadian Rockies in Banff, the thundering Niagara Falls, and the multicultural cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal offer experiences as diverse as the country itself.
Canada flag

Visa Information

Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.

Visa Required
Yes
Process Time
14-60 business days
Duration
Up to 6 months
Cost
CAD $100 (visa) + CAD $85 (biometrics) = CAD $185 total

Required Documents

Prepare these before applying

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • Completed IMM 5257 application form
  • Two recent passport-sized photos (per IRCC specifications)
  • Proof of onward/return travel
  • Bank statements (6 months) showing sufficient funds
  • Employment letter with salary details and approved leave
  • Hotel reservation or invitation letter from Canadian host
  • Travel itinerary
  • Biometrics (fingerprints and photo at VAC)

Notes

My Canada visa journey had multiple attempts. I first applied from Finland and went to the London High Commission, with biometrics done at VFS Kathmandu. I ended up cancelling the London application. I then applied again while I was in the USA, this time from the New York Consulate. The visa was issued in about 10 days, and I collected my passport from Delhi.

Last updated 2 months ago

Info: All amounts in original currency are converted to NPR using trip-specific rates.

Exchange Rates

Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.

Currency 1 unit → NPR Date
CAD 97.50 2024-06-15
USD 133.60 2024-06-15
S.No Date Details (Notes) Category Unit Cost / Unit Amount Currency Amount (NPR)
1 Jun 23, 2024 eTA fee Visa & Documents 1.00 7.00 7.00 CAD 682.50
2 Jun 23, 2024 Travel insurance Insurance 1.00 40.00 40.00 USD 5,344.00
3 Jun 23, 2024 UP Express + TTC Transport 1.00 12.00 12.00 CAD 1,170.00
4 Jun 23, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 1 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
5 Jun 24, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 2 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
6 Jun 25, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 3 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
7 Jun 26, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 4 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
8 Jun 27, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 5 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
9 Jun 28, 2024 Hostel bed, Toronto — night 6 Accommodation 1.00 55.00 55.00 CAD 5,362.50
10 Jun 23, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
11 Jun 23, 2024 Water bottles from mart Food & Dining 1.00 2.50 2.50 CAD 243.75
12 Jun 24, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
13 Jun 24, 2024 Lunch at local eatery Food & Dining 1.00 10.00 10.00 CAD 975.00
14 Jun 25, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
15 Jun 25, 2024 Water bottles from mart Food & Dining 1.00 2.50 2.50 CAD 243.75
16 Jun 26, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
17 Jun 26, 2024 Lunch at local eatery Food & Dining 1.00 10.00 10.00 CAD 975.00
18 Jun 27, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
19 Jun 27, 2024 Water bottles from mart Food & Dining 1.00 2.50 2.50 CAD 243.75
20 Jun 28, 2024 Dinner at regular restaurant Food & Dining 1.00 18.00 18.00 CAD 1,755.00
21 Jun 28, 2024 Lunch at local eatery Food & Dining 1.00 10.00 10.00 CAD 975.00
22 Jun 24, 2024 TTC day pass Transport 1.00 13.50 13.50 CAD 1,316.25
23 Jun 27, 2024 TTC day pass Transport 1.00 13.50 13.50 CAD 1,316.25
24 Jun 24, 2024 CN Tower Activities 1.00 45.00 45.00 CAD 4,387.50
25 Jun 26, 2024 Niagara Falls bus day trip Activities 1.00 40.00 40.00 CAD 3,900.00
26 Jun 28, 2024 Royal Ontario Museum Activities 1.00 26.00 26.00 CAD 2,535.00
27 Jun 28, 2024 TTC + UP Express Transport 1.00 12.00 12.00 CAD 1,170.00
28 Jun 28, 2024 Trip total USD 40 + CAD 645
Total 68,182.75

Last updated 2 weeks ago

💡

eTA Required for Air Travel

Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to Canada. It costs $7 CAD and is approved within minutes. Valid for 5 years or until passport expiry. Not required when entering by land or sea from the US.

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Tipping Is Expected

Tipping 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard at restaurants. Taxi drivers receive 10-12%. Hotel porters expect $1-2 per bag. Canada has eliminated the penny, so cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

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Currency and Payments

Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD) with the iconic gold $1 'loonie' and two-toned $2 'toonie' coins. Credit and debit cards with contactless tap are accepted virtually everywhere. Major cards include Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

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Prepare for Extreme Weather

Canadian winters (November-March) can be brutal with windchill making temperatures feel 10-20°C colder. Pack insulated boots, a quality winter jacket, and warm layers. Summer (June-August) is the peak season with the warmest weather and highest prices.

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Distances Are Enormous

Canada is the world's second-largest country. Driving from Toronto to Vancouver takes over 40 hours. Domestic flights are often necessary between regions. VIA Rail offers scenic train routes but journeys take much longer than flying.

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Fall Foliage Season

September to early October offers spectacular autumn colors, especially in Quebec and Ontario. It is an excellent time to visit with pleasant weather, lower prices than summer, and fewer crowds. The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is particularly stunning.

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Metric System and Bilingualism

Canada uses the metric system for distances (kilometers), temperature (Celsius), and weights. Quebec is predominantly French-speaking; signs and services are in French. English is dominant elsewhere. Federal services are bilingual throughout the country.

Last updated 1 day ago

1

Toronto City Exploration

📍 Toronto

Visit the iconic CN Tower for sweeping views of the city and Lake Ontario from the observation deck. Explore the diverse Kensington Market neighborhood and the historic St. Lawrence Market. Walk along the Harbourfront and catch a sunset over the Toronto Islands.

2

Niagara Falls Day Trip

📍 Niagara Falls

Drive to Niagara Falls and experience the thundering Horseshoe Falls from the Hornblower cruise that takes you right to the base. Walk along the Niagara Parkway and visit the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with its wineries and colonial architecture. Return to see the falls illuminated at night in a spectacular light show.

3

Montreal French Quarter

📍 Montreal

Fly to Montreal and explore Old Montreal, walking the cobblestone streets past the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica with its blue-lit interior. Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and stroll up Mont Royal for panoramic city views. Sample poutine and smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz's Deli, a Montreal institution since 1928.

4

Quebec City Heritage

📍 Quebec City

Take the train to Quebec City and walk through the fortified Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Chateau Frontenac, Petit Champlain district, and the Plains of Abraham where a pivotal battle shaped Canadian history. Enjoy traditional Quebecois tourtiere and maple taffy at a local restaurant in the Lower Town.

5

Vancouver Ocean and Mountains

📍 Vancouver

Fly to Vancouver and cycle through Stanley Park's seawall with views of the North Shore mountains and Lions Gate Bridge. Visit Granville Island Public Market for fresh seafood, artisan cheese, and local craft beer. Walk Robson Street and explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Gastown and Chinatown.

6

Banff Rocky Mountain Splendor

📍 Banff, Alberta

Fly to Calgary and drive into Banff National Park through the stunning Canadian Rockies. Visit Lake Louise with its impossibly turquoise glacier-fed waters surrounded by towering peaks. Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for 360-degree views of six mountain ranges and spot elk and bighorn sheep in the valley.

Last updated 3 months ago

Poutine — Canada cuisine

Poutine

French fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in brown gravy, a Quebecois invention.

Butter Tarts — Canada cuisine

Butter Tarts

Small pastry shells filled with a gooey butter, sugar, and egg filling, sometimes with pecans.

Nanaimo Bars — Canada cuisine

Nanaimo Bars

No-bake layered dessert bar with a chocolate crumb base, custard center, and chocolate topping.

Tourtière — Canada cuisine

Tourtière

Traditional Quebecois meat pie filled with spiced ground pork or mixed meats.

Maple Syrup — Canada cuisine

Maple Syrup

Pure maple syrup tapped from sugar maples, drizzled on pancakes or poured on snow as taffy.

Last updated 2 months ago

Niagara Falls — Canada

Niagara Falls

One of the world's most famous waterfalls on the Ontario-New York border, where the powerful Horseshoe Falls plunges 51 meters into the gorge below.

📍 Open in Google Maps
Banff National Park — Canada

Banff National Park

A stunning national park in the Canadian Rockies with turquoise glacier-fed lakes, towering peaks, and world-class hiking and skiing.

📍 Open in Google Maps
CN Tower Toronto — Canada

CN Tower Toronto

Canada's most iconic landmark, a 553-meter communications tower offering panoramic views of Toronto and Lake Ontario from its observation deck and glass floor.

📍 Open in Google Maps
Old Montreal — Canada

Old Montreal

The historic heart of Montreal with cobblestone streets, the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica, and French colonial architecture along the St. Lawrence River waterfront.

📍 Open in Google Maps
Vancouver Stanley Park — Canada

Vancouver Stanley Park

A 405-hectare urban park surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, featuring the famous seawall, totem poles, and views of the North Shore Mountains and Lions Gate Bridge.

📍 Open in Google Maps

Last updated 2 months ago