Solo Traveller coming to Canada Sept/Oct
Jun 25th, 2006, 11:34 PM
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Solo Traveller coming to Canada Sept/Oct
I am travelling to Canada from Western Australia in September/October this year and would appreciate any recommendations regarding accommodation/itinerary while I’m there.
At the moment, I’m due to arrive in Vancouver in the evening of Sunday 10 September and depart in the afternoon on Thursday 12 October. However, as it’s still peak season up until 30 September, I’m a little worried that accommodation may be on the expensive side so I’m debating whether to move my trip back until the end of September.
My tentative itinerary at the moment is 3 days in Vancouver (Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday), fly to Calgary on Wednesday and then have about 5-6 days there (doing the Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Edmonton area), then I’m not sure! I also want to go to Halifax and the Maritimes, Montreal and Quebec City, and possibly Toronto.
Any advice re accommodation (of the hostel/B&B/”cheap but cheerful” hotel variety) and where to go after the Rockies would be appreciated. For example, I know that flights from Montreal to Halifax all seem to go via Toronto, so it doesn’t make sense to go Toronto - Montreal - Halifax because I’d be doubling back?
I’ve heard of the “Bidding For Travel” website but it looks a bit confusing plus I’m not sure if I can use it (is it for USA residents only?).
I’ve also posted this in the “Solo Traveller” forum as it’ll just be me making the journey north!
Kind regards and thanks in advance for any help.
At the moment, I’m due to arrive in Vancouver in the evening of Sunday 10 September and depart in the afternoon on Thursday 12 October. However, as it’s still peak season up until 30 September, I’m a little worried that accommodation may be on the expensive side so I’m debating whether to move my trip back until the end of September.
My tentative itinerary at the moment is 3 days in Vancouver (Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday), fly to Calgary on Wednesday and then have about 5-6 days there (doing the Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Edmonton area), then I’m not sure! I also want to go to Halifax and the Maritimes, Montreal and Quebec City, and possibly Toronto.
Any advice re accommodation (of the hostel/B&B/”cheap but cheerful” hotel variety) and where to go after the Rockies would be appreciated. For example, I know that flights from Montreal to Halifax all seem to go via Toronto, so it doesn’t make sense to go Toronto - Montreal - Halifax because I’d be doubling back?
I’ve heard of the “Bidding For Travel” website but it looks a bit confusing plus I’m not sure if I can use it (is it for USA residents only?).
I’ve also posted this in the “Solo Traveller” forum as it’ll just be me making the journey north!
Kind regards and thanks in advance for any help.
Jun 26th, 2006, 02:31 AM
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Regarding travel between Montreal and Halifax, you will find that both Air Canada and Canjet offer numberous daily non-stop flights between the two cities. Only Westjet requires you to connect in Toronto.
Jun 29th, 2006, 10:05 AM
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I have never travelled Canada the way your doing it.....but if your renting a car generally there is no problem finding an inexpensive motel along the road. (The drive from Banff to Jasper is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever taken)
I wouldn't cancel off to October if it were me. September is an easy month for travel in Canada....the kids are back in school and that really slows things down a lot.
I hope you have a great time and our Country makes you feel very welcome.
I wouldn't cancel off to October if it were me. September is an easy month for travel in Canada....the kids are back in school and that really slows things down a lot.
I hope you have a great time and our Country makes you feel very welcome.
Jun 29th, 2006, 10:43 AM
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Wow, what a trip. You have a month. That isn't loads of time, but enough to get a good look at a few places. Are you happy to rent a car here (driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Can you afford a couple of flights inside Canada? Where are you flying out of? Can you get an open jaw flight (into Vancouver, out of Halifax? Or even Montreal?)
As for hotels/hostels/B&Bs, once you have figured out what cities you are staying in, do a search for recommended places, check out tripadvisor.com and repost with specific questions.
As far as an itinerary goes, here is a workable solution for a Canadian hilites trip for one.
1. Start with 3 days in Vancouver
2. take the bus/ferry to Victoria for 2 days (6 days gone)
3. fly from Victoria to Calgary (direct flights available), spend a week in Alberta using a rental car picked up and dropped off in Calgary. (13days gone)
4. fly from Calgary to Toronto (lots of direct flights) for 4 days including a day trip to Niagara Falls. (18 days gone)
5. Take the train to Montreal for 3 days. (22 days gone).
6. Take the train to Quebec City for a couple of days. (25 days gone)
7. Fly from Quebec to Halifax (you'll probably have to connect in Montreal, but it is faster and cheaper than training back). Rent a car in Halifax and spend your last week exploring Atlantic Canada before flying home out of Halifax - you may have to connect with a domestic flight to your actual departure city.
You'll notice that my "days gone" don't exactly match up with the number of days I suggest staying in a place. I added in a day here and there for travel (flights/train etc).
As for hotels/hostels/B&Bs, once you have figured out what cities you are staying in, do a search for recommended places, check out tripadvisor.com and repost with specific questions.
As far as an itinerary goes, here is a workable solution for a Canadian hilites trip for one.
1. Start with 3 days in Vancouver
2. take the bus/ferry to Victoria for 2 days (6 days gone)
3. fly from Victoria to Calgary (direct flights available), spend a week in Alberta using a rental car picked up and dropped off in Calgary. (13days gone)
4. fly from Calgary to Toronto (lots of direct flights) for 4 days including a day trip to Niagara Falls. (18 days gone)
5. Take the train to Montreal for 3 days. (22 days gone).
6. Take the train to Quebec City for a couple of days. (25 days gone)
7. Fly from Quebec to Halifax (you'll probably have to connect in Montreal, but it is faster and cheaper than training back). Rent a car in Halifax and spend your last week exploring Atlantic Canada before flying home out of Halifax - you may have to connect with a domestic flight to your actual departure city.
You'll notice that my "days gone" don't exactly match up with the number of days I suggest staying in a place. I added in a day here and there for travel (flights/train etc).
Jul 3rd, 2006, 10:15 AM
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Not too sure if you have the time but if you get the chance the drive from BC to Alberta is fantastic thru the Mts. Its possible to find other people looking to share expenses and driving. You can often find these posting at Mountian Equipmet Co-op or at Hostels.
good luck
good luck
