Overview
Few countries in the world offer visitors such an enormous range of travel options as Canada. Skiing, sailing, visiting museums or fine dining – this country has it all and more. Western Canada is best known for its stunning scenery, the east is a mix of European charm and North American bustle, and the north is best for wildlife viewing. Despite its geographic size, Canada is sparsely populated. Most of the population lives in the big city centers. In the country you are quite quickly alone with nature. Canada is so diverse that it is not surprising why it was so competitive. In the 18th century, the Anglo-French War ended with the British victory. After being defeated in the American Revolutionary War, the Americans tried to control Canada but failed. Today Canada is a land of peace, most clearly expressed in its opposition to the US war in Iraq. Canada is independent from Great Britain, but still has the Queen as head of state. Differences of opinion are rare – typical of a country that manages to unite incredible diversity. After all, it spans six time zones and borders three oceans. See other countries in North America on pharmacylib.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Canada’s national airline is called Air Canada (AC). Lufthansa (LH), Austrian Airlines (OS), British Airways (BA), KLM (KL), Air France (AF) and Swiss (LX) also fly to Canada. Direct flights include: Air Canada (AC) from Frankfurt/M. to Toronto, Calgary and Montreal and from Munich to Toronto; Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M. and Vienna to Toronto, from Frankfurt/M. to Vancouver and from Munich to Montreal; Swiss (LX) from Zurich to Montreal and in cooperation with Air Canada to Toronto; Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna to Toronto. Condor (DE) flies from Frankfurt/M. and Stuttgart to Canada. Edelweiss Air (WK) connects Zurich with Calgary and Vancouver from June to October. Air France (AF) flies direct to Québec City from Paris CDG. There are feeder flights from Switzerland.
Flight times
Frankfurt – Montreal: 7 hours 40 minutes; Frankfurt – Toronto: 8 hours 35 minutes; Frankfurt – Vancouver: 10 hrs 05 mins Vienna – Montréal: 10 hrs 30 mins (1 stopover); Vienna – Toronto: 9 hours 30 minutes; Vienna – Vancouver: 13 hrs 20 mins (1 stopover); Zurich – Montreal: 8 hours 10 minutes; Zurich – Toronto: 8 hours 55 minutes; Zurich – Calgary: 12 hrs 15 mins (1 stopover).
Departure fee
A so-called Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) has to be paid at most airports and varies between approx. 10 and 35 C$. Children under the age of 2 and transit passengers are excluded. The fee is paid per person and is usually included in the ticket cost.
Arrival by car
Canada’s only road connections abroad are via the southern border to the USA or via the western border to Alaska (USA). After the car, the intercity bus is the most common means of transport. Greyhound USA, a subsidiary of Flixbus, serves numerous routes between the US and Canada. The busiest routes from the USA are: New York City and Boston – Montréal/Ottawa; Buffalo and New York City – Toronto/Hamilton; Minneapolis-Winnipeg; Seattle-Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary. Toll: There is no general toll obligation in Canada. The Highway 407 near Toronto is subject to a fee, where the toll for rental cars is recorded on the basis of the license plate and billed to the credit card. In addition, among others the Cobequid Pass Highway in Nova Scotia, the A30 south of Montreal, and various toll bridges. Documents: The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit.
Arrival by train
The Canadian railway company VIA cooperates with the American railway company AMTRAK, so that several railway lines lead to the USA. The main routes are Montréal – New York and Toronto – New York. Toronto also has trains to Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo.
rail passes
The VIA Canrailpass includes a discounted 7 or 10 single journey ticket. Young people under the age of 26 and seniors over the age of 60 receive additional discounts on this ticket.
Arrival by ship
The Port of Montreal is popular with cruise lines; European passenger ships call at this port. Cruise ships to Alaska depart from the Port of Vancouver. Halifax (Nova Scotia), Saint John (New Brunswick) and St. John’s (Newfoundland) are the largest ports on the Atlantic Seaboard. The Port of Toronto is located on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario.
Ferry provider
Ferry operators serving routes between Canada and the US include: – Victoria Clipper connecting Seattle, Washington, US to Victoria, British Columbia; – Black Ball Ferry Line operates between Port Angeles (Washington, USA) and Victoria; – Alaska Marine Highway System operates ferries between various Alaskan ports and Prince Rupert, British Columbia; – Bay Ferries shuttle between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Routes across the rivers
Despite existing bridges, Bluewater Ferry connects Michigan with Ontario with a small ferry across the St. Clair River.
