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Canada 2023 Overview
We thought we would only visit Canada once in our lifetime. But after this trip, we plan to visit Canada again!
Ben
May 14, 2023
View of Banff from Tunnel Mountain
3 Things That Surprised Us in this Canada Trip
Canada has more glacier coverage than any other nation - 20% of Earth’s glacier volume!
Marijuana is legal in Canada - You will probably smell weed while walking outdoors.
Canadians are ethnocultural diverse - 30% of Canadians are non-White.
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Our Trip Overview (19D18N in Apr-May 2023)
Singapore ✈️ New York ✈️ Toronto 🚄 Montreal ✈️ Banff 🚗 Icefield Parkways (Jasper/Kamloops) 🚗 Whistler 🚗 Vancouver ✈️ Singapore
Country Entry Requirements
Entry to the USA requires US Customs ESTA - USD21 each.
Entry to Canada requires Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) - CAD $7 each.
Beware of 3rd party websites that claim to help you apply for the above. We applied through one (mistakenly) from a sponsored ad link in Google. Not only did it cost more, they charged our credit card (USD89) for other services we didn’t explicitly sign up for. It was a really unpleasant experience trying to get our money back.
You don’t want your personal data and details in the hands of other 3rd parties. Apply via official websites only. You can also refer to official websites for visa requirements specific to you.
Taxes and Tipping Culture in USA and Canada
In New York 🗽, all prices listed are before Sales Tax (up to 8.875%), so take note of how much more you have to pay on top of the listed price. It is customary, almost mandatory, to tip at F&B places where service is rendered by waiting staff. You can choose how much to tip - % of the bill or an absolute amount. A minimum tip of 15% of the bill is common. Feel free to tip more if service was good.
In Canada 🇨🇦, all prices listed are also before Sales Tax (up to 15%), so take note of how much more you have to pay on top of the listed price. Each province/territory has different tax for different goods and services. For example when grocery shopping, different taxes are applied for different items - basic necessities at 0%, and other items taxed at the full rate. There is no “tax refund” for tourists in Canada 😔.
Alberta has the lowest tax rate at 5%. So if you plan to spend some serious $$$ on shopping, consider what Alberta has to offer. Popular cities in Alberta include Calgary, Banff, and Edmonton (we didn’t go here).
It is customary, but not mandatory, to tip in Canada. There are many calls to scrap this practice in Canada. Most F&B places, including places where service is negligible, nudge customers to tip. For example, when paying via cashless modes (eg. credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay), the payment terminal will include options (eg. 15%, 18%, 20%, Custom %, Absolute $, No Tip) before showing the final amount charged to you. In places that only accept cash, they (gently) remind you that the bill excludes tips.
When in Canada, feel free to tip well if service was exceptional, or not tip if service was negligible.
Trip Cost Breakdown (for 2 pax)
Cost Overview (in SGD)
We used a number of ways to pay for stuff - Cash, Credit Cards, Wise, Revolut. The average currency exchange rates across these modes of payment:
S$1 to CAD $1.01
USD1 to S$1.34
Credit card exchange rates are the worst (we used both HSBC and Citibank). We used Wise primarily during our trip, with Revolut doing slightly better at times. While Revolut generally doesn’t charge an exchange fee, it does so if the exchange is done during the weekends.
It is still important to carry cash. There are some F&B establishments that only accept cash. We finished using all our CAD by our 2nd last night in Vancouver, not expecting to need cash anymore. On our last day, the lunch at HK BBQ Master only accepts cash! We then had to withdraw cash from the nearest ATM, and incurred an ATM convenience fee (CAD $3). Luckily we had our Wise card with us. The meal was good, but the cash-only part left a sour aftertaste.
💡 Tip: Keep some cash all the way till the end of your trip. You can always finish using your cash when at the airport for food or duty-free shopping. The vendors accept payment in part cash + card too!
Flights for 2 pax
Singapore Air (SIN-JFK) 2 x Business Class
Air Canada (LGA-YYZ) 2 x Economy
WestJet (YUL-YYC) 2 x Economy - Would not recommend this airline. They informed us 1+months prior that our flight got shifted from 12:45PM to 4:40PM. On the day, the flight only took off around 5:45PM. The flight was faster than expected, but we waited almost 40 mins for our baggage.
Singapore Air (YVR-SIN) 1x Premium Economy & 1 x Economy Class
Our Singapore Air tickets were exchanged using KrisFlyer miles. You can earn miles as you eat and shop with Kris+.
Mobile and Data Connectivity (4G/5G/LTE)
We needed data plans in the USA and Canada. And Canada data plans are expensive. A prepaid plan for 8GB/30days with Bell costs CAD $55 per month. We couldn’t find any tourist-targetted mobile/data plans in any Canadian Telcos and MVNOs. (pls drop us a message if you know any)
We only need data, and do not need text or call minutes. We already have a SIM-only plan with SIMBA that gives us 1GB data roaming to both countries. SIMBA connects to Bell/Telus and AT&T pretty well. We could have gotten SIMBA SuperRoam Max for 10GB (S$25), but we experienced issues during our trip to France in 2022. So we turned to Shopee to look for SIM data plans and decided on 2 different providers to hedge the risk of poor connectivity.
We bought one SIM card that gave us 10GB for 30 days (~S$30+) and got connected to Bell (Canada) and AT&T (USA). This gave us overall good connection throughout our trip. Check it out on Shopee.
We bought a 2nd SIM card that gave us 7.5GB for 15 days (~S$20+). We used it only in Canada and it connected only to Rogers network, so there were areas where the connection was weak or slow. Check it out on Shopee.
💡 Tip: If your mobile phone supports eSIM, buy an eSIM instead. The eSIM is delivered via a QR code and it arrives quick. You can scan the QR code to load the eSIM when you arrive at your destination. Your own local SIM card stays in your phone, and you still have access to your local number!
Car Rental and Petrol
Wisecars (Thrifty) - Toyota Highlander.
Picked up our car at Calgary airport (with drop off at Vancouver), the man at the counter gave us a free upgrade to a SUV, from a mini-SUV.
He advised us to purchase the “Fuel Purchase Option” as it was a good deal, and he was right. The cost of the petrol is much cheaper than that in Vancouver, CAD $1.391/litre vs $1.849/litre, ~25% cheaper. To maximize this option, we only need to return the car at Vancouver with an empty tank. We ended up returning it with just under a quarter tank left, so we kinda breakeven 🤣
Accommodations
Refer to one of our blog post on how we rate stuff.
Nesva Hotel (New York) 2❄. Wifi ok.
Room is dated, small, relatively clean, king mattress feels sunken, room heater working, shower water pressure is decent. Complimentary coffee, drinking water and ice at the cafeteria. Quiet neighbourhood, no street noise, feels safe. 5 mins walk to nearest Metro. Basic amenities in the area.
Airbnb (Toronto - Annex) 2❄. Wifi ok.
Located right along Bathurst Street. Room is nice and clean, queen mattress is alright, room heater working, shower pressure is good. We have the whole space to ourselves. Host (Amanda) gave good, clear instructions, and privacy. Good amenities and food options within walking distance. Located next to a busy road, so you will definitely hear traffic, ear plugs can help a little, but if you are a light-sleeper (which I am), find another place.
Hotel LaBelle (Montreal) 3❄. Wifi ok.
Room is dated, clean, queen mattress feels sunken, room heater working, shower water pressure is decent. Included breakfast is decent with limited selection, we enjoyed it. Located along a quiet back lane, relatively safe. 3 mins walk to nearest subway. Many amenities within short walking distance.
The Dorothy Motel (Banff) 4❄. Wifi ok. Has microwave.
Room recently renovated, clean, twin mattresses are comfy, room heater good, shower water pressure is strong, shower space is small. Free parking. Quiet place, no street noise, safe. right next to petrol station and A&W (must try). The check-in place is not at the motel, but at the nearby (2-min drive) Banff Caribou Inn (all motel amenities are there). Complimentary coffee and tea in the morning, laundromat available using coins.
Whistler’s Inn (Jasper) 4❄. Wifi ok.
Room has mountain views! Clean, twin mattresses ok, room heater working, shower water pressure is decent. Free parking. Located along the road, may hear some voices from the pedestrians, safe. Many amenities nearby, Jasper is a small town.
Grandview Motel (Kamloops) 2❄. Wifi ok.
Room is dated, small, relatively clean, twin mattress is so-so, room heater working, shower water pressure ok. You can hear the wooden ceiling flex with footsteps from the 2nd floor. Free parking. Short drive to any amenities.
The Listel Hotel (Whistler) 4❄. Wifi ok.
Room has mountain views! Clean, twin mattresses comfy, room heater working, shower water pressure is good. Parking is excluded from room price, CAD$27 for overnight parking. There are cheaper options parking nearby if you are willing to walk ~10mins. Less than 5 mins walk to Whistle Village Centre, quiet and safe. Complimentary still and sparkling water! Complimentary coffee and tea in the morning at lobby.
Century Plaza Hotel (Vancouver) 3❄. Wifi ok. Has microwave.
Room is dated, relatively clean, twin mattresses are ok. Has a small kitchenette if you want to cook. At least 10mins walk to nearest subway/train. Near a pretty happening street (Davie Street) with good food options just 5 mins walk away.
We go deeper with our experiences at each location and included useful resources int these posts too. Check them out!
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