Canada
How to get to Canada: airports, flights and border crossings
Choose the airport nearest the part of Canada you plan to visit: Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are named as main gateways, but the best choice depends on your itinerary. Flight routes and durations vary by origin and date, so check current airline schedules. Before travelling by air, land or sea, confirm entry requirements for your passport and mode of travel.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideCanada
Key facts
- Main gateways
- Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are main gateways; which suits you depends on your itinerary.
- Flight routes and durationcheck
- Depend on origin, destination and date; check current airline schedules.
- Entry by land or seacheck
- Possible routes and required documents depend on traveller and mode; check official Canadian entry rules.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD, $); prices shown before sales tax.
Quick answer
Start with your itinerary, not an airport ranking. Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are the main gateways named in the Canada travel guide. Choose the airport that best matches the places you plan to visit; the best option depends on your route.
Flight availability and journey time depend on your departure city and travel date. Check airlines for current routes and schedules. Entry requirements also vary by traveller and mode of arrival, so confirm them with the Government of Canada before travelling.
| Passport or traveller | Month | Cost or fare |
|---|---|---|
| Any passport | Any month | Check airline fares for your route and dates |
| Any passport | Any month | Check official Canadian entry requirements for your passport and mode of travel |
No route-specific fare or entry requirement can be confirmed here; check current official and airline information.
Step-by-step details
1. Choose the region and destinations for your trip. Canada’s main gateways are Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver; the parent country guide recommends choosing east or west for a first visit.
2. Compare current flights to the gateway that fits your itinerary. Routes, connections and travel times can change by origin and date; confirm details with the airline before booking.
3. Check the official entry requirements for your passport and how you will arrive. Do this before booking, as requirements differ between travellers and modes of travel.
4. For a multi-region trip, plan the domestic journey separately. The country guide advises flying between Canada’s east and west rather than driving across the country.
- Compare airports against your planned destinations.
- Confirm flight schedules and journey times with the airline.
- Check entry requirements for your passport and mode of arrival.
- Plan domestic transport between regions before booking.
Notes
Do not assume that a particular passport or arrival mode has the same document requirements as another. Use the official Canadian government guidance for your circumstances.
Flight routes and fares change. Check the airline for the dates you intend to travel.
FAQ
Sources and verification date
Sources listed below include official Canadian government and destination information. Page verification date: not yet verified.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Canada?
Choose the airport that fits your itinerary. Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are identified as main gateways in the Canada travel guide; the best option depends on the places you plan to visit.
How long is the flight to Canada from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
Flight duration depends on your departure city, destination and date. Check current airline schedules for a reliable journey time; no route-specific durations are confirmed here.
Can I enter Canada by land or sea?
Entry by land or sea depends on the route and your circumstances. Check the Government of Canada’s official entry guidance for the documents and requirements that apply to your passport and mode of travel.
Do I need a visa or an eTA to enter Canada?
Requirements depend on your passport and circumstances. Check the official Government of Canada entry guidance before booking or travelling.
Should I fly into the east or the west of Canada?
Choose the half of the country that matches your plans. The Canada guide recommends focusing a first trip on east or west and flying between the two halves rather than driving across the country.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialGovernment of Canada – Immigration and citizenship
- officialDestination Canada
- officialToronto Pearson International Airport
- officialVancouver International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage – Canada