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Canada travel guide

A vast North American country of cities, coastlines and wide open space, best seen in spring or early autumn

Best: May, Sep

Photo: jameswheeler / Pixabay

Capital
Ottawa
Languages
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Time zone
UTC-08:00, UTC-07:00 +4
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
911

Why visit Canada

Canada covers 9,984,670 km2, from coastal Vancouver and Victoria to inland Toronto, Calgary, Quebec City and the capital Ottawa. It suits travellers who want cities paired with nature, long drives, and room to spread out. September and May bring milder weather and fewer crowds than peak summer. The honest limitation: with six time zones, distances between cities are long, so cross-country trips take real planning and time.

  • September and May are best

    September and May are the best months to visit Canada. This also holds for the capital, Ottawa. If you have a choice of dates, plan around these 2 months. They are the clearest timing advice we can give for this country.

  • Two languages, one country

    English and French are both spoken in Canada. You can move between the two within one trip. For example, you can combine Toronto, a city of 2,794,356 people, with Quebec City, which has 574,482.

  • Cities on the Pacific coast

    Vancouver and Victoria are both coastal cities in the west. Vancouver has 662,248 people and Victoria has 91,867, so you can pair a mid-sized city with a much smaller one. Most other major cities, including Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa, are inland.

  • Large inland cities

    Toronto has 2,794,356 people and Calgary has 1,306,784. These cities are a practical base, and you can reach smaller places like Niagara Falls, a city of 88,071. Canada drives on the right, so the roads may feel familiar to North American and European drivers.

  • Huge distances, so plan carefully

    Canada covers 9,984,670 km², and its time zones run from UTC-08:00 to UTC-03:30. Do not try to see the whole country on one short trip. Choose 1 region, such as the Pacific coast or the Toronto–Ottawa–Quebec City area.

Is Canada right for you?

Great for

  • Shoulder-season travellers: Ottawa highs average 19.5°C in May and 21.9°C in September, the best months.
  • Multi-city trips linking Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Vancouver and Victoria.
  • Travellers who speak English or French, the country's 2 main languages.
  • US visitors: same plug types A and B, 120 V power and right-side driving.
  • Cold-weather fans: Ottawa's January lows average -12.7°C, with highs of -3.5°C.

Less ideal for

  • Winter visitors who dislike cold and dark: Ottawa averages -3.5°C highs and 4.9 sun hours in January.
  • Short trips trying to cover the whole country: it spans 9,984,670 km² and 6 time zones.
  • Anyone wanting a dry summer: Ottawa gets 108–121 mm of rain monthly from June to August.
  • Beach-focused trips: of the main cities listed, only Vancouver and Victoria are on the coast.

Canada right now: November

1.9/10
Avg high
6°C
Avg low
0°C
Rain days
12

Averages for Ottawa.

Weather by month

In Ottawa, the best months are May and September: May reaches highs of 19.5°C with 10.4 hours of sun a day, and September has highs of 21.9°C and the fewest rain days, at 9.3. Avoid November to March, when highs range from -3.5°C to 6.2°C and January nights drop to -12.7°C.

Average highs and lows in Ottawa by month January: high -4°C, low -13°C , 11 rain days . February: high -2°C, low -12°C , 12 rain days . March: high 3°C, low -7°C , 12 rain days . April: high 11°C, low 0°C , 13 rain days . May: high 20°C, low 8°C , 11 rain days . June: high 24°C, low 13°C , 13 rain days . July: high 27°C, low 17°C , 13 rain days . August: high 25°C, low 17°C , 13 rain days . September: high 22°C, low 13°C , 9 rain days . October: high 14°C, low 7°C , 12 rain days . November: high 6°C, low -0°C , 12 rain days . December: high 0°C, low -6°C , 13 rain days . -4°C -13°C JAN 11d -2°C -12°C FEB 12d 3°C -7°C MAR 12d 11°C 0°C APR 13d 20°C 8°C MAY 11d 24°C 13°C JUN 13d 27°C 17°C JUL 13d 25°C 17°C AUG 13d 22°C 13°C SEP 9d 14°C 7°C OCT 12d 6°C 0°C NOV 12d 0°C -6°C DEC 13d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Ottawa · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Canada: month-by-month weather →

Where to go in Canada

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Toronto, Niagara Falls and Ottawa

  1. Day 1–3

    Toronto

    Explore Canada's largest city, home to 2,794,356 people. Spend time wandering its neighbourhoods and waterfront before heading out of town.

  2. Day 4–5

    Niagara Falls

    Visit this small city of 88,071 people to see the falls up close. A quieter stop compared to Toronto's size.

  3. Day 6–7

    Ottawa

    End the trip in the capital. September and May are listed as the best months to visit, with milder weather than peak summer or winter.

10 days

Coast to coast: Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa and Quebec City

  1. Day 1–2

    Vancouver

    Start on the Pacific coast in Vancouver, a coastal city of 662,248 people. Walk the waterfront and nearby parks.

  2. Day 3–4

    Victoria

    Take a short stop in Victoria, a smaller coastal city of 91,867 people, for a slower pace than Vancouver.

  3. Day 5–6

    Calgary

    Head inland to Calgary, a city of 1,306,784 people, as a base before moving further east.

  4. Day 7–8

    Ottawa

    Reach the capital city. September and May are the best months here, offering comfortable temperatures for sightseeing.

  5. Day 9–10

    Quebec City

    Finish in Quebec City, home to 574,482 people, known for its distinct French-speaking culture within Canada.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

ByWard Market

Ottawa

Good for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers

This old market district sits just east of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, with food stalls, restaurants and bars on its streets. You can walk to most major sights and museums from here. It gets loud late at night, especially at weekends, so light sleepers should ask for a quiet room.

Food to try in Canada

Poutine

Quebec's classic dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It started in rural Quebec and is now sold across Canada, from food trucks to diners.

Maple syrup

Canada produces most of the world's maple syrup, tapped from maple trees in eastern provinces like Quebec and Ontario. It's poured over pancakes or used in baking.

Montreal-style bagels

Smaller and sweeter than New York bagels, these are boiled in honey water then baked in a wood-fired oven. Bakeries in Montreal serve them fresh all day.

Nanaimo bars

A no-bake dessert from Nanaimo, British Columbia, with a crumb base, custard filling and chocolate topping. It's a common treat at Canadian bake sales and cafes.

Butter tarts

A small pastry filled with butter, sugar and egg, sometimes with raisins or nuts. It's a traditional Canadian dessert found in bakeries nationwide.

Peameal bacon sandwich

A Toronto specialty of cornmeal-coated pork loin served on a bun. It's often eaten for breakfast or lunch at markets like St. Lawrence Market.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Canada uses plug types A and B at 120 V. If your devices are made for a higher voltage, check the label before plugging in. You may need a converter as well as a plug adapter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, especially on your first days.
  • Emergency number: Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance anywhere in Canada. Save it in your phone before you travel.
  • Currency: The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD). Do not confuse it with the US dollar. Prices in Canada are in CAD unless clearly marked otherwise.
  • Language: English and French are both official languages. Many signs and services use both. In some areas French is the main language, so a few basic French phrases can help.
  • Time zones: Canada spans several time zones, from UTC-08:00 in the west to UTC-03:30 in the east. Check the local time when you book flights, trains or tours across regions.
  • Phone calls: The country calling code is +1, the same as the United States. Check with your mobile provider how calls and data are charged in Canada before you go.
  • Tipping: Tipping is customary in Canada, especially for table service in restaurants, bars and taxis. Staff often expect it, so plan for it in your daily budget.

Canada: frequently asked questions

Is Canada good to visit in August?

Yes. August scores 7.4 out of 10 in Ottawa, a "good" rating. Daytime highs reach 25.2°C and lows sit around 16.7°C, so days are warm. It's one of the wetter months though, with 121 mm of rain over 12.8 days, so pack a light rain jacket.

What is the best month to visit Canada?

September is the top-rated month, scoring 8.1 out of 10, followed by May at 7.8. In Ottawa, September brings warm days near 21.9°C, cooler nights around 13.2°C, and less rain than summer, with only 9.3 rain days and 76 mm. May offers similar mild weather as spring arrives.

Is Canada cold in January?

Yes, very. January is the coldest month in Ottawa, with highs averaging -3.5°C and lows dropping to -12.7°C. It also scores just 2 out of 10 on the travel scale. Sun hours are low too, at only 4.9 a day, so short, grey days are typical.

Should I visit Canada in November?

November is rated low, scoring 1.9 out of 10. Temperatures swing from a high of 6.2°C to a low of -0.3°C, meaning the country is crossing into winter. Rain is still frequent, with 11.8 rain days, while sunshine drops to just 5 hours a day.

What is the weather like in Canada in spring?

Spring warms up fast. April in Ottawa averages a high of 11.1°C and a low of 0.4°C, scoring 4 out of 10. By May, highs jump to 19.5°C and lows reach 7.9°C, pushing the score up to 7.8, making May one of the two best months to travel.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Canada.