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Spanning 9,306km (5,780 miles) and six time zones, Canada<\/a> is the second-largest country in the world. It\u2019s home to rugged coastlines, vast prairies, dense boreal forests, towering mountain ranges, and upwards of two million lakes.<\/p>\n But what makes Canada special is its people. It\u2019s a place that embraces its diversity and that encourages people to be friendly, caring, and polite. <\/p>\n Due to its large size, though, traveling across Canada can be a little challenging. Domestic flights are prohibitively expensive due to low competition and, outside of the eastern part, trains don\u2019t go many places. <\/p>\n That means if you really want to see Canada, you need to drive. <\/p>\n To help you explore this amazing country, here is my suggested itinerary for a one-month road trip. Yes, it\u2019s packed, since you\u2019ve got a lot of ground to cover. However, it\u2019s also not too rushed (though you can easily extend this out to six or eight weeks as well). <\/p>\n (Note: Canada is huge, and there are many routes and itineraries you can take. This one is by no means comprehensive but instead meant to give you a good overview and introduction to the main cities and sights. Feel free to make changes as you see fit!)<\/p>\n It\u2019s also the third-largest city in Canada, so there\u2019s plenty to see and do while you\u2019re here. There\u2019s an amazing foodie scene here too.<\/p>\n Here are a few suggestions to help you start your trip off right:<\/p>\n For more suggestions, here\u2019s a detailed list of things to see and do in Vancouver<\/a>.<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is my complete hostel list with even more suggestions!<\/a> In the summer, there are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy such as hiking, swimming, cycling, zip-lining, and bear watching. There\u2019s also a 4.4km peak-to-peak gondola where you can enjoy the stunning mountain vistas that envelop the region.<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> Banff is home to two of Canada\u2019s most picturesque (and most Instagrammed) locations: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. They are incredibly popular sights, so get there early to beat the crowds. <\/p>\n Beyond snapping some Insta-worthy shots, there is plenty of hiking to enjoy in the surrounding mountains. It\u2019s a beautiful place to relax in a rustic lodge or cabin or go camping (you can rent camping gear if you don\u2019t have any).<\/p>\n Be sure to spend some time in the town of Banff as well. It\u2019s a touristy resort town but it\u2019s also super quaint and charming. <\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> For camping, you can use this government website<\/a> to book a site in the park.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: If you have more than a month for your trip, consider a stop in Jasper National Park before heading to Banff. It\u2019s an extra nine-hour drive from Whistler but the natural beauty here is jaw-dropping (seriously, google \u201cJasper National Park\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s stunning!).<\/em> Here are a few things to see and do during your visit: <\/p>\n For more suggestions, check out my comprehensive free guide to Calgary!<\/a><\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> Home to just 242,000 people, Regina is a small city that\u2019s worth a quick visit. Here are some suggested things to see and do while you\u2019re here:<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> While it\u2019s known for its harsh winters, Winnipeg has been working hard to evolve into a world-class city. Slowly but surely, it\u2019s succeeding. Stop by for a day or two and check out some of the city\u2019s best sights:<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> Tucked away on the edge of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is one of the biggest cities in Northern Ontario. It\u2019s just an hour from the US border and is one of the sunniest cities in Eastern Canada. <\/p>\n Here are some things to see and do while you\u2019re here:<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> There are several different campgrounds in the park, dozens of hiking trails, and over 1,500 lakes (it\u2019s massive!). You can also rent canoes and kayaks to explore and go deeper into the park. Multi-day portages are possible too.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re a newbie camper and don\u2019t have gear, you\u2019ll be able to rent what you need to have an enjoyable, relaxing getaway for under $50 CAD per day.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a ton to see and do here. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:<\/p>\n For more suggestions as well as money-saving tips, check out my free guide to Toronto!<\/a><\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s my complete list of the best hostels in Toronto if you want more suggestions<\/a>. Located four hours from Toronto<\/a>, it\u2019s is full of historic buildings and museums, and is just a short walk from Qu\u00e9bec (Canada\u2019s French-speaking province).<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what I would focus on in Ottawa during your stay:<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Personally, I think it\u2019s one of the best cities in Canada. The Old Town looks like something straight out of medieval France, and the French-inspired cuisine and eclectic nightlife (especially the jazz clubs) leave little to dislike. <\/p>\n Here are my suggestions for things to see and do while you\u2019re here:<\/p>\n For more suggestions, as well as money-saving tips, check out my guide to Montreal!<\/a><\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are some other great hostel suggestions too!<\/a><\/p>\n This is a packed itinerary, but with a month at your disposal, you\u2019ll be able to experience the majority of Canada\u2019s sights and cities without having to rush. With an additional 10\u201321 days, you can add more of Qu\u00e9bec and the Maritimes, Canada\u2019s rugged and picturesque east coast (or simply spend more time in the destinations above).<\/p>\n No matter what you decide, Canada<\/a> is such a massive, diverse landscape and it truly has something for everyone. While this itinerary only covers a portion of Canada, it does give you a peek into just how awesome it is!<\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong>
\n <\/p>\nDays 1-3: Vancouver, BC<\/h3>\n
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\nPick up a rental car<\/a> (or RV) and kick off your adventure in Vancouver<\/a>, one of my favorite Canadian cities. It\u2019s tucked between the ocean and the mountains, making it a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nDay 4-5: Whistler, BC<\/h3>\n
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\nLocated 90 minutes from Vancouver, Whistler is home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America. If you\u2019re visiting during the winter, be sure to hit the slopes.<\/p>\n
\nAirbnb<\/a> and Booking.com<\/a> will be your best choices here. Book in advance, as they get booked fast!
\n <\/p>\nDays 6-8: Banff National Park, AB <\/h3>\n
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\nNext, head east to Banff National Park. It\u2019s an 8.5-hour drive, so you can break it up with a stay in Kamloops or just muscle through in one go. <\/p>\n
\nAirbnb<\/a> will be your best option if you\u2019re on a budget. If you feel like splurging on a luxury resort or lodge, use Booking.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 9-10: Calgary, AB<\/h3>\n
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\nCalgary<\/a>, an often-overlooked destination, is just 90 minutes from Banff and worth spending a couple days in. It\u2019s a cosmopolitan city with a rough and wild cowboy charm to it. There\u2019s plentiful hiking, kayaking, skiing, rafting, and camping all nearby. And the city itself is one of the liveliest in Canada, especially during the Calgary Stampede in July, which attracts tens of thousands of people from around the world.<\/p>\n\n
\nHI Calgary City Centre<\/a> \u2013 This is the best hostel in the city. It has a full-equipped kitchen, includes towels, and the beds are comfy and have thick mattresses. It’s easy to meet people here too.
\n <\/p>\nDays 11-12: Regina, SK<\/h3>\n
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\nLocated seven hours east of Calgary, Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, is named after Queen Victoria (regina is Latin for \u201cqueen\u201d). The province is incredibly flat and dominated by farmland \u2014 which is why it\u2019s often overlooked.<\/p>\n\n
\nAirbnb<\/a> and Booking.com<\/a> will be your best choices here, depending on your budget and what kind of accommodation you\u2019re looking for.
\n <\/p>\nDays 13-14: Winnipeg, MB<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/canadaroadtrip7.jpg\")
\nWinnipeg is one of Canada\u2019s up-and-coming destinations. The capital of Manitoba, it\u2019s located six hours from Regina and is home to a burgeoning food scene. There\u2019s also a growing arts and culture community here too.<\/p>\n\n
\nIf you\u2019re on a budget, try Airbnb<\/a> first as they have a lot of good cheap room options. If you\u2019re looking for a hotel, Booking.com<\/a> has the best rates.
\n <\/p>\nDays 15-16: Thunder Bay, ON <\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/thunderbay1.jpg\")
\nTime to head to Ontario! It\u2019s an eight-hour drive, so you can stop along the way to break up the trip (there are tons of parks, campgrounds, and small towns you can stay in along the way).<\/p>\n\n
\nFor hotels and motels, use Booking.com<\/a>.
\n <\/p>\nDays 17-19: Algonquin Provincial Park, ON<\/h3>\n
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\nIt\u2019s time to get away from it all and spend some time in nature. Algonquin Provincial Park spans a whopping 7,653 square kilometers (2,955 square miles) and is home to black bears, moose, foxes, beavers, wolves, and all kinds of birds and plants. <\/p>\nDays 20-23: Toronto, ON<\/h3>\n
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\nPerched on the coast of Lake Ontario just a couple hours south of the park, Toronto is often considered the New York<\/a> of Canada. While it doesn\u2019t have the charm of cities like Vancouver<\/a> or Montreal<\/a>, it\u2019s the country\u2019s biggest, most diverse city. In fact, since 50% of the population is foreign-born, it\u2019s considered one of the most diverse cities in the world. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nDays 24-26: Ottawa, ON<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/canadaroadtrip11.jpg\")
\nNext, head east to Canada\u2019s capital. While Ottawa<\/a> doesn\u2019t get the love that cities like Toronto and Montreal do, it\u2019s definitely still a city worth visiting \u2014 especially if you\u2019re a history buff like me!<\/p>\n\n
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Days 27-30: Montreal, QC<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/canadaroadtrip12.jpg\")
\nMontreal<\/a> is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world. Just two hours from Ottawa, it\u2019s located in Canada\u2019s only French-speaking province, Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n\n
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\nBook Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nUse Skyscanner<\/a> to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nCheck out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n