Guide to backpacking in Canada

Canada is a vast country – spanning from Cape Spear, Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver, British Columbia in the west. Its climate changes hugely depending on where you are in the country, so it can be hard to pinpoint the best time to visit Canada for backpacking. 

However, the period between late June and early September can be hard to fault. Especially if you’re planning on hiking in Canada, heading to the national parks of Alberta, like Banff and Jasper, or along the British Columbia coastline. At this time of the year, you can expect open trails, melted snow and warmer weather, making it an ideal time for travelling in Canada. For example, in July in Alberta the average daily temperature is around 15 °C, while in September this drops to around 9°C, according to Canadian government data.  

But with July’s warmth come busier crowds and an increase in mosquitoes and blackflies on the trails. Whereas September is quieter in terms of people and bugs and gives you the chance to see Canada in the fall – maple forests bathed in red, brown and rust. 

Readers of travel publisher Rough Guides voted Canada the third most beautiful country in the world so it’s not short of places to add to your backpacking itinerary. But, of course, you don’t need a piece of research to tell you how beautiful it is – you can see it yourself while researching and planning a trip to Canada from the comfort of your home. Here are some must-see locations to add to your backpacking in Canada bucket-list. 

The Canadian Rockies

If you asked AI to create an image of the most stunning mountain scene it could conjure, it might spit out something like the Canadian Rockies. This landscape of mountains and lakes, which spans the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, was formed millions of years ago by the collision of tectonic plates. The result? Vast, towering mountains and glass-like glaciers, and lush alpine forests and piercing blue-green lakes. Plus, the Rockies are home to Banff National Park in western Alberta. If you’re going to be hiking in Canada then you may be interested to know that the Rockies are home to 50 mountains that exceed 11,000 feet (3,350 metres). 

British Columbia’s West Coast

The west coast of British Columbia is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the mountain ranges that lead inland to the Canadian Rockies. It stretches from the city of Vancouver, just over the US border, northward along a rugged coastline that ends just before the Alaskan Panhandle and the Yukon border. But it’s southern BC where the action is at for backpacking in Canada. Here you can find cosmopolitan Vancouver, with its mix of city life and outdoorsy vibes, and Vancouver Island – with its historic West Coast Trail and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Just north of Vancouver you can find the ski resort Whistler. Further east in the Rockies, Yoho National Park is worth exploring.

Quebec province

Quebec province, bordered by Hudson Bay, Ontario, and Labrador (part of Newfoundland and Labrador), is home to Quebec City and Montreal, as well as La Mauricie National Park. The province reflects a mix of French Canadian, English Canadian, and Indigenous cultures, with the French influence especially prominent. French is the first official language of one in five Canadians, most of whom – around 84% – live in Quebec, according to the Canadian government. This French heritage is particularly evident in Quebec City, especially in the architecture of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Old Quebec, you can see what UNESCO describes as a ‘remarkable example of a fortified colonial town.’ Montreal and its Old Port also give you a view of the province’s history. 

There are plenty of accommodation options for backpacking in Canada, with the right one for you depending on your tastes and budget. 

Hostels are a popular option for younger travellers on a budget. There are several well-established hostel chains serving popular backpacking destinations such as British Columbia and the major cities like Toronto. 

The hostel spaces are in high demand in places like Banff and Vancouver in the west and Montreal and Quebec in central Canada from June to September. Booking in advance is advised. 

For those wanting a touch more luxury, there are budget hotels to consider. These are more likely to be found in the major cities than in locations close to the national parks of British Columbia and suchlike. 

Canada is huge so getting around it takes time. If you’re planning to travel from, for example, Toronto to Vancouver on the west that’s a four-hour flight, a four-day train journey, or a 39-hour drive.  

If you want to see the scenery while backpacking across Canada from east to west, the train could be a good option. ‘The Canadian’ train takes you from Toronto to Vancouver with stops at Winnipeg and Jasper along the way. 

Another option is to fly between provinces, so from Ontario to British Columbia or Alberta, and then uses trains and buses to travel within the province. For example, once in Calgary you can take the Parks Canada shuttle bus to Banff National Park in around two hours. You can also take a shuttle bus to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. 

If you’re in the cities and urban areas, then you can easily travel by train. For example, there’s a train that runs between Quebec City and Montreal and another that goes from Montreal to Ottawa. In major cities like Vancouver and Toronto, there are well-established public transport networks from buses to SkyTrain services.

There are some top attractions in Canada to think about when planning your trip. These range from national parks to individual cities and beyond. If you’re backpacking in Canada these places are all worth a slot in your itinerary. 

Banff National Park, Alberta  

Banff, in the province of Alberta, was made Canada’s first national park in 1885 to protect and preserve nearby hot springs. Fast forward 140 years and Banff National Park, which sits on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, around 80 miles west of Calgary, covers over 6,000 square kilometres. The most famed sights of Banff include Lake Louise and the alpine hiking around it. Another must-see is Icefields Parkway – a stunning mountain highway that stretches over 140 miles north from Lake Louise to Jasper National Park. It’s widely recognised among the world’s most scenic drives, says Parks Canada. 

Montreal, Quebec 

Montreal, in the province of Quebec, is a melting pot of European and North American culture and influences, where French is the primary language, though many locals also speak English. It’s a city that’s rich in history, which can be seen at its best in Old Montreal, where the Notre-Dame Basilica holds court, and at the Old Port, which has served as a key hub for trade and travel since the city's founding nearly 400 years ago, alongside the St Lawrence River. In modern Montreal the arts scene is buzzing. Don’t miss Le Plateau and its quirky old houses and nearby Mile End for hip boutiques and coffee shops.   

Vancouver, British Columbia   

Vancouver sits at the southwestern corner of British Columbia, near the US border, and is a must-visit for anyone exploring British Columbia’s west coast. Here, you’ll find a chilled out West Coast vibe where cosmopolitan city life mingles with adventurous outdoorsy culture. It was voted the 14th most beautiful city in the world by Rough Guides readers. Though not directly on the trail, Vancouver is a popular launch point for travellers heading to hike Vancouver Island’s iconic West Coast Trail. 

Walk along the North Shore and up the Grouse Grind to get panoramic views of the city and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean beyond. Back in the city centre you can enjoy Michelin-starred dining at several restaurants and high-end shopping.  

Niagara Falls, Ontario 

When it comes to world famous waterfalls, this is up there. Niagara Falls straddles the border between Canada and the US, along the Niagara River in eastern North America, between Ontario and New York State. The part that’s in Ontario, Canada is Horseshoe Falls (the other two, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are in the US). But Horseshoe Falls are the largest, with some 90% of the river’s flow coming over them. If you visit while backpacking through Canada, you may want to remember to wear your waterproofs. 

West Coast Trail, British Columbia   

If you’re planning a backpacking trip to Canada, then you may well be thinking about the West Coast Trail. Located on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the West Coast Trail stretches about 75 km and is known for being arduous. Parks Canada says that it’s one that ‘even experienced hikers find challenging’. If you do take it on, you’ll embark on a route that passes through fast-flowing rivers, along muddy paths and up complex ladder systems. Expect frequent rain, wind, and sometimes rough coastal weather.

Toronto, Ontario 

Toronto is Canada’s largest city. On  the shores of Lake Ontario and with the CN Tower on its skyline, it’s a vibrant, cultural hub – home to Canada’s leading museum, the Royal Ontario Museum, a long-established Chinatown district, and the quirky Distillery District. Hockey is Canada’s national sport and Toronto is no different – so no visit would be complete without catching a Maple Leafs game in the National Hockey League (NHL). You may also decide to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame where you can learn more the NHL greats.

Before heading off on your backpacking trip around Canada you might choose to arrange travel insurance for peace of mind over unforeseen circumstances. With extended trip travel insurance for backpackers you can get cover to suit your needs and the duration of your trip – up to a maximum of 548 days. 

You may also want to have some local currency to hand for when you first arrive in Canada. Buy Canadian dollars with Sainsbury’s Bank to get your travel money sorted before you fly. If you’re backpacking over a longer period of time, it could be more helpful to have your spending money preloaded onto a Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money Card in Canadian dollars, so you don’t have to carry a lot of cash. 

*Nectar members receive better exchange rates on single purchase transactions of all available foreign currencies. Excludes travel money card home delivery orders and online reloads. Exchange rates may vary depending on whether you buy instore, online or by phone. You need to tell us your Nectar card number at the time of your transaction. 

**You can order currency for a secure home delivery by 1pm on the day of your choice by Royal Mail (Mon- Sat). For currencies that we offer next day delivery, your order needs to be confirmed before 2pm (Mon- Fri). Please note that whilst Royal Mail make every effort to delivery on schedule, we cannot guarantee this as it is beyond our control. Highlands and Islands (including Channel Islands) are not guaranteed next day delivery. Delivery is free on all cash orders £400 or more (£4.99 for orders between £100 and £399.99). The minimum order for home delivery is £100. The delivery day quoted is dependent on the order day being a working day; if one of those days is a public holiday then additional day(s) will be added accordingly. All home delivery orders are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery, unless we advise you otherwise, to your billing address, and a signature will be required upon delivery. A valid telephone number is required for home delivery.

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Card™ is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.