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Canada Transportation Guide

Public transit, driving, VIA Rail, domestic flights — getting around the world's 2nd largest country.

🚇 City Transit Systems

🚇 Toronto (TTC)

• Subway (4 lines, 75 stations) + streetcars + buses
• PRESTO card (tap on/off)
• Single fare: CAD $3.35
• Monthly pass: CAD $156
• GO Transit for GTA suburbs
• UP Express: downtown↔Pearson Airport

🚇 Vancouver (TransLink)

• SkyTrain (3 lines, automated) + buses + SeaBus
• Compass Card (tap)
• Zone-based fares: $3.15-$4.70
• Monthly pass: $100-$181
• Canada Line: airport↔downtown (25 min)
• Very bikeable city

🚇 Montreal (STM)

• Metro (4 lines, 68 stations) + buses
• OPUS card
• Single fare: CAD $3.75
• Monthly pass: CAD $94 (cheapest major city!)
• BIXI bikes popular May-Nov
• REM: new automated light rail

🚇 Other Cities

• Ottawa: O-Train LRT + OC Transpo buses
• Calgary: CTrain LRT + buses
• Edmonton: LRT + buses
• Winnipeg: Rapid transit + buses
• Smaller cities are car-dependent

🚂 VIA Rail (Cross-Country Trains)

  • Corridor: Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec City. Most popular. 4-5 hours Toronto→Montreal ($40-$150).
  • The Canadian: Toronto→Vancouver. 4 days. Stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. $500-$3,000+.
  • Ocean: Montreal→Halifax. Overnight. Atlantic provinces.
  • Tip: Book early for "Escape" fares (50-70% off). Youth pass (12-25) saves 40%.

🚗 Driving in Canada

  • Drive on RIGHT: Same as USA. International Driving Permit accepted for first year.
  • Licence: Must get provincial licence. G1→G2→G (Ontario graduated system). 2+ years for full licence.
  • Speed: 50 km/h (city), 80-100 km/h (highway), 110-120 km/h (some highways)
  • Insurance: Mandatory. CAD $1,500-$3,000/year (varies hugely by province). BC/Ontario most expensive.
  • Gas: ~CAD $1.50-$1.80/litre. Alberta cheapest (no provincial gas tax).
  • Winter tires: Mandatory in Quebec, BC (some highways). Strongly recommended everywhere.
  • 407 ETR (Ontario): Toll highway. Electronic billing. Very expensive.

✈️ Domestic Flights

  • Air Canada: National carrier. Largest network. Premium pricing.
  • WestJet: Low-cost carrier. Good domestic routes.
  • Flair Airlines: Ultra low-cost. $50-$100 one-way deals.
  • Porter Airlines: Nice regional airline. Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax.
  • Distances: Toronto→Vancouver: 4.5 hours. Toronto→Calgary: 4 hours. Flying is essential for cross-country.

📖 Explore More About Canada

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Major Cities

Toronto, Vancouver
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Cost of Living

Transport Costs
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Travel Guide

Destinations
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Visa Guide

Entry to Canada