Canada is not the most budget-friendly destination in the world, but there are ways to make your dollar last here. Plus, if you are coming from a country such as the United States of one that uses the Euro, you’re going to win on the exchange rate thanks to our crappy dollar. Here are some average prices on what you can expect to pay in Canada (all prices listed in Canadian).
Accommodation
Budget: You can find a number of budget hostels in Canada for around $15-30/night. Camping is another affordable option during the summer, as crown land is free to camp on and paid campsites only cost around $10-20/night. Each province has its own provincially run parks with campsites as well as the national parks run by Parks Canada.
Mid-range:Â A mid-range private room in a hostel will cost you around $40. A mid-range hotel is going to cost you between $80-200 CAD a night. Airbnbs are cheaper, with private rooms available for around $30 for a decent private room or an $80 for a unit.
Higher end:Â A high end hotel in Canada will cost you between $200-500 CAD a night, with some luxury hotels ranging upwards of $1000.Â
FREE Accommodation:Â Couchsurfing is used widely in Canada, especially in major cities. Another great way to save money on accommodation is by joining TrustedHousesitters. There are housesits frequently posted across the country, especially in Ontario and British Colombia.
Food
Canadian food is awesome! From the classic Poutine in Quebec to the best seafood in the world on the East Coast, your palette will be satisfied no matter where you are in the country. Since Canada is so multi-cultural, we also have a lot of wonderful international cuisine.
Prices of food can range anywhere from $10 for take-out to $100+ for a fine-dining experience. Expect to spend an average of $45-65 eating out 3x a day in Canada. You can save a lot of money by buying your own groceries and cooking. A weeks worth of groceries for one person will cost you around $50-70 in Canada.
Water: Canada has some of the purest water in the world – and it’s free to enjoy! Bring a reusable water bottle with you so you can fill up on the move. This is one of the best ways to save money in Canada as bottled water will cost you between $1-3 per bottle. Plus it’s a ton of plastic that doesn’t have to be used!