What are the Costs of Traveling through Canada in Winter?
Canada in winter, we wanted to experience it for once ourselves! Snowy mountain peaks, frozen lakes and everything in between, we found Canada in February to be the ultimate winter wonderland. But what are the actual costs of traveling through Canada in the winter?
In General
To put these costs into context, here’s what our trip looked like: we traveled as a couple for 18 days in February. We stayed in hotels and hostels and rented a car for almost the entire trip. Furthermore, we did a few days of skiing, where the extremely overpriced day-tickets where unavoidable. We also had to rent equipment.
Breakdown of Costs for Winter Travel in Canada
In total, we spent around €4,000,- (excluding flights) for 18 days. That comes out to about €110 per person per day. Here’s a rough breakdown of how that money was spent (prices reflect 2024 rates, with no discounts or any deals applied).
- Overnight stay (27%)
- Food and drinks (8%)
- Transportation (30%)
- Activities (32%)
- Other expenses (3%)
Flights to Canada
Flight costs vary widely depending on your departure city, airline, and travel dates, so we’re not including specific prices here. Check Skyscanner for the best deals. For example, we found a great deal by flying home via Paris!
Accommodation Costs in Canada
We spent around €1,100 on accommodations, which averages €60 per night for two people. Most of our stays were in hotels, motels, and hostels. The quality is similar to what you’d find in the U.S., though breakfast is often not included. We specifically looked for accommodations where we could cook our own meals, which helped keep costs down.
Food and Drink
To save money, we primarily bought groceries and cooked our own meals. Most accommodations had facilities for this. We spent €300 in total, which included groceries and the occasional coffee (a must after a day of skiing)!
Transportation Costs
For a Canadian road trip, renting a car is essential. We booked through Sunnycars and spent about €1,200 in total on transportation. This included car rental, fuel, parking, and occasional use of public transit or taxis.
Activity Costs
This was by far our biggest expense, and honestly, it surprised us! Of all the destinations we’ve visited, Canada was the most expensive in terms of activities. We spent €1,300 on various adventures, with skiing taking up a large chunk of that. Lift passes and equipment rentals add up quickly, but we’d do it again; it was such an unforgettable experience!
Miscellaneous Costs
As with any trip, there were small expenses to account for. We bought an eSIM via Airalo and paid for an electronic visa. We also bought a pair of snowshoes, which we now have as a fun souvenir! These costs were minor compared to activities.
Wondering what we did during our trip? Then see our article about our winter road trip through Canada West.
