Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of identification do I need to enter Canada?
Are there any restriction on visitors to Canada?
What kind of documents do I need to bring children into Canada?
What quantities of alcohol and tobacco can I bring into Canada?
What is the Drinking age in Canada?
What documentation do I need to drive in Canada?
Are there any special rules about driving in Canada?
What is the baggage allowance?
Seat Requests on your flight?
What is GST?
How do visitors to Canada get a tax refund for items purchased in Canada?
What travel information is available to people with disabilities?
What are the Canadian federal and provincial statutory holidays?
What type of electrical outlets are used in Canada?
How do I telephone the UK from Canada?
What is the weather like in Canada?
What do things in cost in Canada?
What is the time difference in Canada?
What are the public holidays in Canada?
How big is Canada?
What is the population of Canada?
Where is the highest waterfall in Canada?



What kind of identification do I need to enter Canada?
A passport valid until at least the day after you return from Canada. If you hold a full British Passport, you do not need a visa. For other nationals please refer to Visas.

Are there any restrictions on visitors to Canada?
Yes, Canada has a strict legal system and limits its visitors. If you have a criminal record please contact the High Commission for clarification

Canadian High Commission
Immigration Section
38 Grosvenor Street
London, U.K
W1K 4AA

What kind of documents do I need to bring children into Canada?
Children must have their own passport. A letter of permission is required from the parents of any children accompanying travellers who do not have legal custody of the children. If only one parent is travelling with the child, a letter of authority from the other parent is required. If this is impossible, we recommend carrying a letter from a solicitor or a death certificate if applicable to avoid awkward questions at Immigration.

What quantities of alcohol and tobacco can I bring into Canada?
Alcohol - Those meeting the age requirements of the province or territory of entry (19 in most provinces; 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec) may bring either 40 oz. of liquor or wine or 24, 12 oz. containers of beer or ale
Tobacco - Visitors meeting the age requirements of the province or territory of entry may bring in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 7 oz. loose tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks.

What is the Drinking age in Canada?
19 in most provinces. 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.

What documentation do I need to drive in Canada?
A Valid British Licence is all you need.

Are there any special rules about driving in Canada?
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Pedestrians have the right of way and in certain provinces you can turn right on a red signal.

What is the baggage allowance?
Air Canada you are allowed 2 checked bags and one piece of carry on baggage For each bag the maximum weight is 50 lbs (23 (kg). One bag may be sporting equipment ie skis or golf bags. The maximum linear dimensions of your suitcase must be no more than 62 inches or 158 cms.
Zoom You are allowed to carry 20 kg per passenger in economy class and 30 kg per passenger in premium class plus one piece of carry on luggage not to exceed 5 kgs. Free carriage of certain items such as golf bags, child seats and skis
Air Transat Free allowance on Air Transat is 20 kg (44 lbs) total per passenger in Economy Class and 40 kg (88 lbs) in Club Class plus a small carry-on bag. Free carriage of certain items such as golf bags, child seats and skis.

Seat Requests on your flight?
If flying on Air Canada, we will reserve your seats free of charge. On all low-cost carriers we can reserve seats but there is a charge, usually £8 per person each way.

What is GST?
A 5% purchase tax that is levied on most goods and services similar to the VAT in the UK. Confusingly for us, it is not included in the price labels of things in shops but levied at the check out counter. Tax can be reclaimed on certain articles.

How do visitors to Canada get a tax refund for items purchased in Canada?
The Canadian Inland Revenue have recently removed the rebate for GST on hotel accommodation so this is now included in your holiday. If you buy certain goods over the value of $50 in Canada, you may be able to reclaim the tax. Visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website for more details.

What travel information is available to people with disabilities?
For most able-bodied people, taking a vacation is no great challenge. Just put together the money, climb aboard a plane and away you go. For many people with disabilities, it is not so easy. Getting on and off airplanes, getting around your vacation spot, finding accessible hotels and restaurants can all pose great challenges. Increasingly, travel providers are recognizing the need to increase accessibility for travellers with disabilities. A variety of travel services are now offered to travellers with special needs. So, as you are planning your trip, visit Access to Travel for details on national transportation carriers, local transportation, and a variety of travel resources on facilities and services.

What are the Canadian federal and provincial statutory holidays?
Canadians celebrate several national (federally established) statutory holidays, in addition to various statutory holidays established by the provinces and territories. Holiday Dates.

What type of electrical outlets are used in Canada?
Canadian appliances operate on 110 voltage, direct current 2 pins. This means that unless you have a transformer your electrical appliances will only work at half their usual strength as the UK has 240 volts and AC. For more information, check out the World Electric Guide which can tell you what the voltage, frequencies and plugs are in many different countries, including Canada.

How do I telephone the UK from Canada?
To dial the UK from Canada prefix the number with 011 44 ie 01144 208 776 8709 A UK mobile, unless it is a tri-band, will not work in Canada. You will also find that much of Canada is not covered by a mobile network. Many Canadian pay phones take credit cards and you can buy phone cards in Canada that offer very cheap telephone calls to the UK. To dial Canada prefix the 10 digit number by 001. You will normally see Canadian numbers written (001) 123 4567. You will need to dial all this.

What is the weather like in Canada?
In such a huge country, the weather varies enormously. Have a look at Canada Weather for some stats and the current weather

What do things cost in Canada?
Things are generally cheaper in Canada than in the UK. Here are some sample prices based on an exchange rate of $2 to the £1:
litre of bottled water: 45p
cup of coffee and doughnut: £ 1.00
pack of cigarettes: £ 2.50 to £ 3.50
newspaper: 50p
roll of 36 exposure print film: £ 3.25
t-bone steak per kg: £ 11.00
litre of petrol: 45p
souvenir t-shirt: £ 5.00
bottle of Molson: £ 1.50
litre of milk: 70p
movie ticket: £ 4.50

What is the time difference in Canada?
Canada has 6 time zones!
London - GMT -0000
Newfoundland - GMT -0330
Atlantic - GMT -0400
Eastern - GMT -0500 (Toronto & Montreal)
Central - GMT -0600
Mountain - GMT -0700 (Calgary and the Alberta Rockies)
Pacific - GMT -0800 (Vancouver and British Columbia)

What are the public holidays in Canada?
2008-2010 Holidays