Coming to Canada
How far is a km? What are the regulations pertaining to customs and duty? And why is the iced tea so sweet? Get all the info you need to prepare for Canada.
Coming to Canada
Passports
No matter how you are arriving in Canada, always carry valid travel documents.
To get into Canada
- You do need a passport or an equivalent travel document in order to enter Canada.
- For detailed information on entry requirements visit the Government of Canada's Requirements to Enter Canada page.
- Visit the Canada Border Services Agency to learn more about Canadian customs regulation.
Electronic Travel Authorization
Think of eTAs like a visa. But not the kind you use to pay for things.
You need to apply for it online before you come to Canada.
- Anyone flying to Canada needs an eTA in order to enter the country.
- The eTA costs $7 CAD (which is about £4).
- Find out if you need an eTA on the Government of Canada website.
- Apply for your eTA here.
- Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport so you don't have to print anything out. Just don't forget that passport!
Passports
No matter how you are arriving in Canada, always carry valid travel documents.
To get into Canada
- You do need a passport or an equivalent travel document in order to enter Canada.
- For detailed information on entry requirements visit the Government of Canada's Requirements to Enter Canada page.
- Visit the Canada Border Services Agency to learn more about Canadian customs regulation.
Electronic Travel Authorization
Think of eTAs like a visa. But not the kind you use to pay for things.
You need to apply for it online before you come to Canada.
- Anyone flying to Canada needs an eTA in order to enter the country.
- The eTA costs $7 CAD (which is about £4).
- Find out if you need an eTA on the Government of Canada website.
- Apply for your eTA here.
- Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport so you don't have to print anything out. Just don't forget that passport!
Customs & duty
Like any country, we have rules about what you can bring in or out of Canada. But don’t worry, they aren’t complicated.
What are you bringing into Canada?
- For information on bringing in alcohol and tobacco to Canada, please visit the Canada Border Servces Agency.
- For information on bringing pets to Canada, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Visit the Canadian Firearms Program for more details about the import of firearms and ammunition.
- For information on bringing agricultural items into Canada, please consult the Canada Food Inspection Agency.
What are you bringing back home?
- You must declare cash of €10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and any non-EU country.
- Find out more about travelling with cash or cheques here.
- For more information on UK border crossing and duty requirements and limits, please visit U.K. Gov.
- Locate the nearest customs office by visiting the Canada Border Services Agency.
Money
Similar to UK currency, fivers are blue and you’ll recognize the Queen on the $20.
Canadian money
- is a dollar ($) currency.
- is usually at a lower value than the pound. To see the current exchange rate, please visit the Bank of Canada.
- has a $1 and $2 coin called the loonie and toonie (seriously).
Money
Similar to UK currency, fivers are blue and you’ll recognize the Queen on the $20.
Canadian money
- is a dollar ($) currency.
- is usually at a lower value than the pound. To see the current exchange rate, please visit the Bank of Canada.
- has a $1 and $2 coin called the loonie and toonie (seriously).
Measurement
Just like the UK, Canada also uses the metric system. Mostly.
The metric system?
- Canada used the Imperial system before 1970.
- Just like in the UK there’s a mix of metric and imperial measurements in Canadian daily life, for instance: speed limits are in kilometers per hour, but coffee cup sizes are measured in oz.
Measurement
Just like the UK, Canada also uses the metric system. Mostly.
The metric system?
- Canada used the Imperial system before 1970.
- Just like in the UK there’s a mix of metric and imperial measurements in Canadian daily life, for instance: speed limits are in kilometers per hour, but coffee cup sizes are measured in oz.
Timezones
There are six Canadian time zones in total, with a four and a half hour (yes, half an hour!) time difference from St John’s in Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver in BC all the way in the west.
Timezones?
- The east of Canada, closest to the UK, has the least time difference, and the west has the longest, with Pacific Standard Time 8 hours behind GMT.
- Canada mostly uses Daylight Saving Time, you can check what time it is in Canada at their official clock.
- A curiosity of its own, Newfoundland Standard Time is just 30 minutes before Atlantic Time.
Timezones
There are six Canadian time zones in total, with a four and a half hour (yes, half an hour!) time difference from St John’s in Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver in BC all the way in the west.
Timezones?
- The east of Canada, closest to the UK, has the least time difference, and the west has the longest, with Pacific Standard Time 8 hours behind GMT.
- Canada mostly uses Daylight Saving Time, you can check what time it is in Canada at their official clock.
- A curiosity of its own, Newfoundland Standard Time is just 30 minutes before Atlantic Time.
Language & culture
The British and Canadians are very close in language and share some cultural similarities. But, like the everything in life, it’s all in the details.
Say what?
- French is an official language and is spoken in every province, but the highest concentration of native French speakers is in Quebec.
- There are hundreds of languages in use in Canada.
- You can travel just about anywhere in Canada using only English.
Language & culture
The British and Canadians are very close in language and share some cultural similarities. But, like the everything in life, it’s all in the details.
Say what?
- French is an official language and is spoken in every province, but the highest concentration of native French speakers is in Quebec.
- There are hundreds of languages in use in Canada.
- You can travel just about anywhere in Canada using only English.
Weather
Canadian weather varies greatly from region to region and season to season. From rainforest to desert and everything in between, Canada has it.
Summer
- Vancouver has an average high of 25℃ with 8 beaches within the city where you can soak up the sun.
- Enjoy a cold drink outdoors at one of Montreal’s stylish restaurant or cafe ’patios’ with average highs of 26℃.
- Dive into Lake Ontario at Toronto as average highs of 26℃ make for perfect sunbathing and swimming weather.
Winter
- Grab your snowboard as Whistler Blackcomb near Vancouver gets almost 12m of snow on average each year at the summit.
- Lace up your ice skates and join 19,000 daily visitors in skating along 4.8 miles of frozen urban river on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.
- Quebec City may be cold in January and February, but it’s perfect for enjoying snow sculptures, night parades, parties—even a snow bath— at the world-renowned Winter Carnival.