Canada on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Canada can be done on a budget, but it is not cheap: about C$200 per person per day is a realistic minimum with hostels, public transport and simple meals. Free parks, markets and city walks help, but the flight west and Rockies transport are hard to avoid.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$80 | C$150 | C$320 |
| Food & drink | C$55 | C$100 | C$180 |
| Sights & tickets | C$25 | C$50 | C$90 |
| Local transport | C$40 | C$70 | C$120 |
| Per person, per day | C$200 | C$370 | C$710 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Canada day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk round the Distillery District in Toronto
- Browse Kensington Market and Chinatown
- Walk the Niagara Parkway path to the brink of the Horseshoe Falls
- Hike up Mount Royal to the Kondiaronk Belvedere in Montreal
- Stroll Old Quebec, the Dufferin Terrace and the Plains of Abraham
- Walk the Toe of the Glacier trail at the Athabasca Glacier (park pass needed)
Cheap eats
- Peameal bacon sandwich at St Lawrence Market, about C$10
- Wood-fired bagels at St-Viateur or Fairmount, about C$1.50 each
- Poutine at La Banquise or a casse-croûte, about C$10-15
- Smoked-meat sandwich at Schwartz's, about C$15
- Market picnic of Quebec cheese and fruit from Jean-Talon Market, about C$15-20
Where to sleep for less
Hostels in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City have dorm beds and private rooms; budget doubles and motels cost about C$120-200. In the Rockies, Canmore and the HI hostels at Banff and Lake Louise are the cheapest options; book early for summer.
Getting around cheaply
City transit is the cheapest way around: about C$3.35 a ride in Toronto, with day passes in Montreal. The UP Express links Toronto Pearson airport to Union Station, and Montreal's 747 bus runs from Trudeau airport downtown. Between cities, buses and early-booked VIA Rail fares are cheapest; in the Rockies, Parks Canada shuttles and Roam Transit buses reduce the need for a car.
A sample budget day
- Morning: St Lawrence Market breakfast and the Distillery District, about C$12
- Lunch: food stalls in Kensington Market, about C$15
- Afternoon: TTC to the waterfront and the Toronto Islands ferry, about C$15
- Evening: dinner on Queen Street West with tax and tip, about C$35
- Total: about C$200 per person including a shared room
More ways to save
- Fly to Calgary on a sale fare and book the rental car at the same time.
- Book Parks Canada shuttle seats to Moraine Lake when reservations open in spring.
- Cook some meals; many hostels and motels have kitchens.
- Use the 1-day or 3-day STM pass in Montreal if you ride three or more times a day.
- Visit in June or September for summer weather at lower prices.
- Carry a refillable bottle; tap water is good everywhere.
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Common questions
Can you visit Canada on a budget?
Yes, with care: about C$200 a day using hostels, public transport and markets.
What is the cheapest way to see the Rockies?
Stay in Canmore or a hostel, buy a Discovery Pass for longer stays and use Parks Canada shuttles.
Is VIA Rail cheaper than flying?
Between Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, yes, if you book ahead; fares start around C$60.