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Canada Travel Tips
 | While traveling ensure that you are not carrying over 100 ml liquid in you carry-on luggage. Also they should be sealed in zip-lock/resealable plastic packets. Over-stretched bags are not allowed and only one bag per individual is permitted. Although your medicinal items are exempted from size restrictions( do declare them), carry the doctor's prescription or note explaining your medical condition. |
| Keep your electronic gadgets such as mobiles, laptops, video games etc. charged as you might have to turn them on for inspection during screening. |
| Check-in timings vary for airlines and destinations, keep prior information and arrive accordingly. |
| You may require to take off your shoes during security check. Do as required and don't be offended. |
| In case you need to make international calls from Canada, first dial 011 followed by country code, area code and then the number. You may avail pre-paid calling cards to make calls. |
| Every town has a Visitor Information Center (VIC), which are the best places to inquire for any kind of information. |
| The country's main railway operator VIA Rail Canada offers discount passes for travel within Canada and USA. These passes are valid for 30 days and you may travel unlimited for 12 days within this period on any VIA or Amtrak (US railway system) trains and have direct access to any of the over 900 destinations. |
| Carry a socket converter for your electrical appliances and you may need a voltage transformer as well- Canadian electricity runs on 110 volt and 60 hertz. |
| In Canada banks operate between 10:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday to Thursday and up to 5:00 P.M or 6:00 P.M on Fridays. Several banks are open from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon on Saturdays as well. Post offices are open from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.- Monday to Friday. |
| Shops are generally open from 9:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on weekdays and may extend on a variable basis and on weekend. |
| A uniform 7 percent Goods and Service Tax (GST) is levied on all purchases made in Canada barring a few exceptions. A separate provincial sales tax (PST) is levied, which varies from one province to another. Several provinces have started levying the both together as Harmonized Service Tax (HST). While PST is never included in the retail price of the commodity, GST is included in most cases. Always inquire about the actual price you will have to pay on any purchases (even hotel room rent). |
| While there is no rebate on the PST paid by foreigners/non-resident Canadians, you may obtain a refund of the GST paid. The minimum purchase should be CAN$ 100 and it does not include any meals. You may also fill up a form for the refund on reaching home and send it across through post. For more information or for the application forms contact 1-800-668-4748 (toll-free within Canada). |
| On your visit to Canada. include a trip to Alberta's West Edmonton Mall- it is not only Canada's, but among the world's largest entertainment and shopping areas. There are over 800 stores, 110 eating joints and several worthwhile attractions. They also have dolphin shows, bungee jumping and others. |
| If you are visiting the province of British Columbia, do not smoke in any public places including bars and restaurants. |
| Minimum age for alcohol consumption varies from province to province e.g. in British Columbia it is 19 years. Canadian laws prohibit alcohol consumption in public. |
| Be cautious while traveling by road as you may encounter mongoose, deer, bears etc. on your way. |
| Generally a 15 per cent tip is the norm followed in Canada. Restaurants, bars, cabs, hairdressers, pubs etc ought to be tipped. When paying the bill check if a service charge is levied, as that is the tip. |
| Try and pay in Canadian dollars wherever possible, also take note of not to make derogatory remarks of the appearance of their currency ( the notes are in bright colors), especially by calling it "monopoly money" or "funnymoney". The Canadians find it offensive. |
| In case of emergencies, dial 911. |
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