Thrifty Traveler Tips & Destinations in Canada

How to Travel on a Student Budget

by

Words by Elizabeth Price

More and more Canadians decide to go abroad during their vacations. Statistics confirm that the number of Canadian trips overseas has doubled in the last 10 years. Some say it is cheaper to go abroad but what if you knew all ins and outs of the budget traveling around Canada?

Think of the mountain peaks of Canadian Rockies, to the cosmopolitan street of Toronto. The Banff National Park, to the awe-inspiring Niagara falls. Is your "Disney" the Victoria and Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island? Is it Quebec city or Montreal? Perhaps it is Ottawa or the soul-lifting Vancouver itself? Have you ever thought it is next to impossible to get to these places with your student budget? Then this guide is for You! Let us walk you through thrifty traveler tips and destinations in Canada.

Tip #1: Choose the Best Means of Transportation

Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world! Therefore, you need to decide what kind of transport you are looking for before stepping out. Take into consideration the amount of time and money you have. Typically, the longer the journey, the the cheaper it is.

Owning / Renting a Vehicle

Getting around is much easier if you own a car. Rather than boarding cabs and other vehicles, it is advised to:

  • Drive a car rather than use multiple means of public transport; renting a car is an excellent option to cover long distances since a bunch of destinations within Canada are far away from each other and might be hard to reach.
  • Use Turo services or Poparide Share when looking for cheaper and affordable renting services asides from big companies such as Hertz or Budget.
  • If gas is needed for your vehicle, get on Native Reserves as the tax rate is less expensive thereby making the gas price cheaper.

Using Public Transport

Take the Megabus from city to city to save cost. This may take more time and may be slower compared to owning a vehicle but it's worth it! Traveling to Montreal or Toronto this way is extremely cheap especially if booked aforetime.

  • Consider traveling by train. Depending on your budget, one could travel in economy class, business/ touring class or sleeper class. The first one offers you a seat, while the last offers enough luxury to sleep!

NOTE: Trains are more expensive in the North than on the East or West Coast.

  • Use budget airlines such as Flair and WOW. They are inexpensive and can significantly cut your expenses. This is especially great for light travelers.

Most Adventurous Yet the Cheapest Choice - Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is another alternative to get around easily. First of all, it is incredibly cheap. Most of the times you won’t pay anything or will be asked to cover the gas fees. Another great advantage of hitchhiking is that it allows you to meet new people and feel the thrill of real adventures. Unforgettable conversations and life lessons from random folks won’t leave anyone indifferent!

Tip #2: Select an Appropriate Season

Outside the continental climate of Vancouver and nearby territories, Canadian climate doesn’t leave much choice for travelers other than exploring the country during three seasons: spring, summer and autumn. Obviously, warm summer temperatures are the best for trips, - that is why July-August is the peak season for tourism. However, traveling around Canada in spring or autumn is two-three times cheaper.

Since spring is filled with coursework deadlines and exams, pleasantly crispy autumn is definitely the most suitable time to go on a trip as a Canadian student. Usually, students can only travel during summer/winter holidays. But let’s be honest, one can miss a day or two and hand in the homework assignments beforehand. Student life is much more than grinding books and writing lab reports! Do yourself a favour and and take some rest. Consider using the best paper writing service to boost your academic performance while you are away visiting one of the following places in September or October:

Banff National Park in Alberta

The Laurentian Mountains Quebec

Algonquin Park in Ontario

Tip #3: How to Feed While Traveling in Canada

Eating out all the time can get very expensive. Therefore:

  • Stock up on food in the Canadian store. It has lots of options for prepared foods. Large stores have variety.
  • Try out the outdoor barbecue grills if you are in a city park or campsite.
  • Old Spaghetti Factory is a good family restaurant to visit for an affordable meal.

Tip #4: Handle the Accommodation Issues

After getting to your destination, where to stay is another pertinent question to ask. To enjoy whichever Canada's finest location you have decided to visit, getting a safe, affordable and comfortable place to stay in is paramount. It is advised to:

  • Prepare for camping. You should book for campsites ahead especially during summer as such period has a lot of people visiting.
  • Some large companies such as Walmart allow for free camping in their parking lots. You may try it out.
  • You may camp in National parks as well if your destination is one of that. If you will be staying for more than a week, buy an Annual Discovery Pass.
  • For camping in locals, ask for free recreation sites from info center. Every town has an info center! Do not get stranded!
  • For cheaper accommodation as well, book a place through Booking.com, Hostel world or Airbnb.
  • Ever heard of couch surfing? This is not a free accommodation system, it is something of cultural heritage where locals learn something from you and then give you a place to stay by hosting you with their couch!

Asides from all of these, it is best to travel during summer to cut costs. Volunteering especially through workaway is another good option to stay with little or no cost.

Staying in Canada can be all the fun, no need to leave your homeland when there’s so much to see here in Canada! Experience the adventures and thrill of the budget traveling this year. Hope the above-article provided you with the vital information needed to make your stay in our beautiful and iconic country fun-filled and cheap! Do yourself a favour by applying the tips and advice given here to discover Canada from a whole new perspective!