Organize your stay Canada
Money Canada
Currency is expressed in Canadian dollars (CAD, $ CA, CAN $ - not to be confused with the US dollar). Coins in denominations of CAN$1 and CAN$2, and 5, 10 and 25¢ (cents); bills in denominations of CAN$5, CAN$10, CAN$20, CAN$50 and CAN$100 (the latter are sometimes refused in some stores). English Canadians call the 1 CAN $ coin " loonie " and the 2 CAN $ coin " toonie ". The 25¢ coin is called a " quarter ".
Exchange rates. According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the exchange rate in January 2025 was : 1 CAN $ = x €; 1 € = x CAN $ (actual in-branch rates).
Budget & Tips Canada
To help you plan your daily budget on site, here are three examples to suit everyone's financial means.
Small budget: 100-125 CAN $ per day per person (accommodation in camping/youth hostel, meals on the run or groceries, public transport or carpooling, free activities or activities costing less than 10 CAN $).
Medium budget: $250 CAN per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodations, fine dining, public transit or car, paid or package activities).
Large budget: from $350 CAN per day per person (more luxurious hotel or condo/chalet accommodation, fine dining, car transport, package activities/expeditions).
And don' t forget that the prices of most consumer goods and services are plus one or two sales taxes (5 to 15% depending on the province or territory), generally not included in the posted price. A 15% tip must also be added to the bill in restaurants and bars. Tipping cab drivers, hotel cleaners and hairdressers is also recommended (but may be less than 15%). No tips at cinemas or theaters.
As forhaggling , this is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers can sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a large sum. Similarly, even though it's strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes agree not to charge you taxes if you pay for your purchases in cash and without the possibility of returning them...
Passport and visas Canada
Travelers from France, Belgium and Switzerland are accepted for six months, and must have completed their application for Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE). They must be in possession of a valid passport, a return ticket (ideally) and sufficient funds to ensure their stay.
Since 2016, visitors who do not require a visa must complete an AVE (electronic travel authorization) prior to their trip. The AVE costs $7 CAN per person, and is valid for five years or until the passport expires. This online application collects basic personal information, just as is currently done at customs on arrival in Canada, and results in faster border clearance. Beware, however, of the many fraudulent sites that abound on the web. Some companies, unconnected with the government, offer to help you apply for an AVE. But it's very simple to do (and available in French). For more information: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/visiter-canada/ave.html
For all other questions about entering Canada, and for contact details of the Canadian embassy in France: france.gc.ca
Finally, if you're planning to cross the border into the U.S. for a short getaway, or even a simple transit, you'll need a biometric passport. This passport allows you to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. To benefit from this visa waiver, you need to make an online declaration, accompanied by a US$21 fee, for tourist stays in the United States. For further information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
Driver's license Canada
French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for a limited period of time (variable depending on the province or territory, generally three months); if not, you will need an international license (generally valid for one to three years). If you wish to rent a car in Canada, you must be 21 years of age, or even 25 years of age for certain models, and have a credit card. A driver's license is also required for snowmobiles and ATVs, and a motorcycle license is required to drive one.
Health Canada
There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Canada. Tap water is potable (unless otherwise indicated) and free, even in restaurants.
Security Canada
Although still low, the crime index in Canada has been rising slightly in recent years. It should be noted, however, that the majority of crimes committed in this country are actually property crimes. Although Canada remains a safe country, much more so than its French cousin and out of all proportion to its American neighbor, some recent attacks have left their mark on the imagination: in 2018, in Toronto, the ram-truck attack on Finch Street in the north of the city and then the shooting on Danforth Avenue, both of which claimed victims, or the April 2020 massacre in Nova Scotia, resulting in the death of more than twenty people. These may be isolated incidents, but they have increased in recent years. That said, as a general rule, there is nothing to worry about in Canada, even as a woman travelling alone.
Time difference Canada
The second largest country in the world, Canada has six time zones: Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic and Newfoundland. While each time zone is one hour apart, only 30 minutes separate the Atlantic and Newfoundland time zones. For example, when it is noon in France, it is 3:00 a.m. in Vancouver, 4:00 a.m. in Calgary, 5:00 a.m. in Winnipeg, 6:00 a.m. in Montreal, 7:00 a.m. in Halifax and 7:30 a.m. in St. John's. Please note that the time change in the fall and spring is not the same as in France, and some areas of Canada remain on standard time year round.
Spoken languages Canada
Canada's official languages are English and French. Although English is the majority language, French-speaking communities are present in every Canadian province and territory. Provincial governments may, however, define their own official language(s) for communications and services. For example: English and French in New Brunswick, French in Quebec, English in Alberta, and English, French, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun in Nunavut. Canada is also a veritable cultural and linguistic mosaic, with over 200 languages spoken by different cultural communities. So don't be surprised to hear languages from every corner of the globe. Finally, there are over 70 Aboriginal languages in Canada, grouped into a dozen linguistic families.
Communication Canada
Telephone coverage is excellent in major centers and the southern half of the country. However, in some more remote areas, notably the northern provinces, and in a large part of the Canadian territories, only satellite phones work, and even then. If you take out a cell phone subscription in Canada, especially with low-cost operators, be sure to check coverage, as it may be limited to a few towns or a single area.
As for wifi, finding a connection is not a problem in the southern half of the country and the major centers in the northern regions. Airports, bus and train stations, hotels (beware: some luxury hotels offer this service at extra cost), restaurants, cafés, bars, cultural venues, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, most of them free of charge. Free public networks are also available in many parts of major cities. In remote areas, however, Internet access can be complicated or even non-existent.
Libraries, some hotels and cafés also make computers available, sometimes free of charge. But self-service computers are gradually disappearing from the landscape...
Electricity and measurements Canada
110 volt alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. The plugs are flat like in the US (not round like in Europe). Bring an adapter to use European appliances such as a shaver or hair dryer, and make sure they accept this voltage. If necessary, you should also bring a current transformer.
When it comes to measurements, things get a bit tricky. Although Canada adopted the metric system more than 40 years ago, Canadians also use the old measures (inch, foot, pound, ounce, quart, gallon, etc.). For more information: metric-conversions.org/en
As for shoe sizes, a woman's 38 corresponds to 7 (which is equivalent to 39.5 for men). For clothing sizes, women's 40 is 12; men's 44 is 34.
Luggage Canada
Summers are hot, especially in the south of the country. However, air-conditioning and cool evenings in the countryside or mountains require woollens and a windbreaker. Don't forget your swimsuit, a backpack for hiking and mosquito repellent.
In spring and autumn, a lined raincoat is a must. In winter, bring a hat, mittens and a scarf, as well as an anorak, warm clothing and fur-lined boots. That said, the climate varies greatly from coast to coast, so it's imperative to find out what's going on before you leave. For example, winters tend to be rainy on the west coast, while the central and eastern parts of the country often experience cold snaps. And for those planning to explore more remote areas or Canada's Far North, good equipment preparation is imperative.
