I caught the wanderlust bug not long after I turned sixteen. Like many of us, though, we can’t all afford the lavish trips and vacation #goals that everyone else seems to post about. Chances are, they can’t afford it either! A great way to satiate the wanderlust bug while still keeping the budget low is to explore your own backyard. Canada has thousands of hotspots that travellers out of the country will flock to, so why not get in on the fun?
Canada is the second largest country in the world, which means there’s no shortage of land to cover. Budget travelling is all about what you want. If you’re looking to trek all the way from East to West Coast, you’ll inevitably end up spending more than you would with quick stops in a city or two along the way. Plan what you want to get out of the trip, what your priorities are, how much time you have, and then you can get a better idea of what kind of budget you’re looking at.
Plane
Flights are a really good option if you’re looking to visit one or two cities before heading back home. A good way to find cheap flights is to search your route early to get a sense of the budget. When you fly is also a really critical factor in finding cheap flights. While wintertimes might be cheaper, the December Christmas hype always makes fares soar. Be careful to avoid typical travel seasons to get those discounted flights. There are also a number of travel apps that can help you find discounted flights. Skyscanner is a popular choice for many, just be careful when booking with third party companies. Always confirm with the airline to make sure their flight schedules haven’t changed on you (in case you’re too much of an early-bird).
Overall cost: Toronto → Vancouver $450-1,000 CAD (1 passenger round-trip)
Train
If you’re looking for a slow journey through the infinite natural landscapes that Canada has to offer, then train travel is the perfect choice. Via Rail is one of the only companies in Canada to offer travel from Halifax to Vancouver. A friendly budget-saving tip — if you book your trip in the midst of the Canadian winter (it’s all a part of the full Canadian experience, right?) then you can get your tickets for much cheaper than you would at peak summertime seasons. Via Rail also offers a bunch of discounts that will help you save some money on your trip. For example, Youth and Students can receive special discounts (Youth extends to age 25).
Overall cost: $700-800 CAD (1 passenger)
Automobile
The great Canadian road-trip is a bucket-list item for me. The benefit of this kind of travel is that you can take all the control. A great way to make road-trips cheaper is to bring as many friends as you can fit in your car. If you split the cost of gas money, accommodation, and food, then the budget slowly becomes a little more conceivable. This kind of trip will also depend on current gas prices, so make sure you keep your gas expenses updated.
Overall cost:
Halifax → Vancouver (one-way) $780 CAD (1 passenger)
Halifax → Vancouver (round-trip) $1,550 CAD (1 passenger)
The most important part of budget travelling is to plan ahead and do your research. You might be able to find some early-bird offers that will save you in the long-run. Keep in mind that travel costs are only one portion of your budget. Plan to include accommodation and food with your trip for a more accurate total. Don’t forget to give yourself a little spending money too! Can’t skimp on that mountie-mug for mom and dad!
Will you travel Canada? Where would you like to go? Tag us in your travel pics @ViewtheVIBE on Instagram.
