20 Days Itinerary for a first timer in Canada

20 Days stay in Canada with the intention to see maximum possible cities and/or must see places. Minimum flights (that too cheap ones) and travel by bus and train. Toronto and Quebec are must rest left to convenience. Stay, most probably will be with hosts, still guidance on hostels/cheap hotels will be appreciated. End destination to be a city (other than Toronto as that is going to be the first one) from where I can take flight for Shinghai (China). Journey time will be mid September. Visit is for taking a general feel, enjoying wandering and exploring nature, no craze for museums and arts etc, well interest, yes. Mainly street life and all.

What is your budget in $CAN?

With 20 days, I would suggest staying in the east. Canada is a huge country, and transport is not cheap -- car is really the main method of transport. There is only one train line that runs cross-country - only three trains per week and it's not cheap. Bus is the cheapest transport method, but not necessarily comfortable or convenient. We don't have any discount airlines here, so flights will not be cheap (usually either WestJet or AirCanada).

Your other option would be to spend ~10 days in Toronto/Quebec - take the train between the two, then the rest of your time in the west (pick either Vancouver or the Rockies). You need to book accommodations in the west ASAP because things go quickly and there isn't a whole lot that would be affordable other than hostels (bunks are from $25 to $60, more for a private room).

I'm not sure what you mean by hosts, but that's not likely to be an option in many places - where legal, people will rent a room or run a B&B/PHA, but they're not going to host someone for free outside a set exchange program. Especially in the mountains etc. where housing is at a premium. Unless you have leads or are part of a program, I would assume you will need to pay for accommodation.

Yes ... agree with all of that from ksneds.

Your trip length is kind of awkward ... it's a bit too long for the Toronto to Quebec City region, but a bit short to do that plus the Rockies. But if you did follow the advice above (10 days the cities and fly to do 10 days the Rockies), you might need to take a tour of some sort from Vancouver (or possibly Calgary) ... it's not feasible to visit that lovely area by train and public bus.

We have been through the Rockies a few times in September, and it is busy indeed; we booked our accomm (hostels mostly, but some www.booking.com B&Bs) several months ahead.

Yes, not sure what a "host" might be, unless it is staying in Airbnb rooms.

With an interest in cities, your short time frame, and a reliance on public transportation, I would suggest 12-14 days for Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City and then the rest for Vancouver and Vancouver Island (Tofino and maybe a day in Victoria). There are flights from Vancouver to Shanghai.

If you are interested more in "nature" then spend most of your time in the western part of the country, in British Columbia and the Rockies.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.