Canada, Summer
A curated packing list for your trip between Vancouver coast, Toronto neighborhoods, and the Rockies at Banff. Built for cool mornings, warm afternoons, sudden weather, and the glorious nine-hour daylight of a Canadian summer.
Border & arrival
What customs and immigration expect.
On the ground
How life actually works once you arrive.
eTA for visa-exempt countries, $7 CAD
UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and most Western countries need an eTA to fly to Canada. US citizens do not. Apply at canada.ca; approved within minutes typically. Valid 5 years or until passport expires. No eTA needed if entering by car, bus, train, or cruise.
Cards everywhere, contactless universal
Visa, Mastercard, and Interac (Canadian debit) work nationwide. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Carry CAD $50-100 cash for tipping, parking meters, and the occasional small-town diner. Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Tipping, similar to the US
15-18% at sit-down restaurants is standard, 20% for great service. CAD $5-10 per night for housekeeping, CAD $2-5 per bag for porters, 15% for taxis. A bit lower than US norms but expected. Tax (GST/PST) is added on top of menu prices, just like the US.
Two languages, regional culture
Quebec runs on French; Montreal and Quebec City menus, signs, and service often start in French. Bonjour and merci go a long way. Rest of Canada is English-default. Indigenous land acknowledgments are common at venues, museums, and parks.
Weather flips fast in the Rockies
Banff and Jasper can swing from 22°C and sunny to 5°C and snowing in the same afternoon. Even in July. Bring real layers, a rain shell, and warm hat for any mountain trip, regardless of forecast. Wildlife (bears, elk) is the other variable.
Type A and B plugs at 120V
Same as the United States. US, Canadian, and Mexican travelers do not need an adapter. UK, EU, Australian, and most Asian travelers do; check single-voltage hair tools.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Bookings, applications, and admin for the weeks before departure. Work backwards from your trip date.
- 6 weeks out
- 4 weeks out
- 2 weeks out
- 1 week out
- Day before
- Day of
Clothing
Layered for the city-to-mountain swing. Vancouver and Banff both reward a real fleece in the bag.
Shoes
City walking + real trail shoes for the Rockies. Two pairs minimum if mixing.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall are everywhere. Pack travel sizes; restock easily.
Health & Medications
Canadian healthcare for visitors is as expensive as the US without insurance. Travel insurance is non-negotiable.
Documents & Money
eTA + passport at the gate, then cards and Apple Pay handle daily life.
Tech & Electronics
Type A/B at 120V. Cellular blanket coverage in cities, patchy in mountains, none in deep backcountry.
Luggage & Organization
Domestic flights charge for checked bags; carry-on optimization saves money.
Comfort & In-Transit
Long international flights to either coast; long domestic Toronto-Vancouver (5+ hours).
Weather & Climate Gear
Layered, with a real rain shell. The Rockies and Pacific coast both punish under-prepared travelers.
Cultural & Activity-Specific
French in Quebec, bear awareness in the Rockies, and the universal love of Tim Hortons.
Safety & Precautions
Canadian cities are very safe. Bears in the Rockies are the actual safety concern.