The most common Canada trip is in the west: the harbour city of Vancouver, then hiking in the Rockies from Banff.
The emergency number is 911.
The Canada Line links Vancouver airport with downtown. Banff National Park costs CAD 12.25 per adult per day, and those aged 17 and under are free.
Don't try to see both in one day; give each region its own days. Information on this page was checked on 23 October 2026.
Visa and entry requirements for Canada
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
Visa-exempt travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada; it is not needed when entering by land or sea. The official fee is CAD 7 and non-refundable. Apply only on the Government of Canada’s official website; look-alike agency sites may charge extra fees. Others need a visitor visa.
- Visit Canada (Government of Canada)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (Government of Canada)
- Entry requirements by country or territory (Government of Canada)
- eTA (air arrivals): CAD 7
- Land and sea arrivals: No eTA needed
- Emergency: 911
- Banff admission: CAD 12.25 per adult per day
How is Canada divided?
Vancouver is a harbour city between sea and mountains, with Stanley Park right next to downtown. Banff is a town inside a Rocky Mountain national park, close to Lake Louise. Plan each separately rather than both in one day. In Vancouver, downtown and the park are close together so you walk a lot; Banff has mountain weather, so bring a jacket.
UNESCO inscribed the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks as a World Heritage site in 1984, and Banff National Park is part of it. Linking the two works best with five nights or more.
| Region | What to do | Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | Stanley Park, Granville Island | Vancouver (YVR) |
| Banff | National park, Lake Louise, hot springs | Travel from Calgary (YYC) |
Based on official information and UNESCO.
What do I need to enter?
Visa-exempt travelers need an eTA instead of a visa, but only when flying to or transiting through Canada; it is not needed for land or sea arrivals. The official fee is CAD 7 and non-refundable.
To apply you need a valid passport, an email address and a payment card. Approval usually comes within minutes but can take longer, so don't apply at the last minute. Apply only on the Government of Canada's official website; similar agency sites may add fees.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In Canada, report emergencies and crimes that threaten life or property on 911. Save your own embassy's or consulate's numbers too. If you lose your passport, you may need a police report, so note where and when you lost it.
How do I travel between the two regions?
Vancouver and Banff are far apart, linked by air or road. Times and fares change by date, so check the operator's official timetable before booking.
Keep plans light after arrival on travel days. Match your hotel check-in time to your travel time, and on days with a lot of luggage ask whether your hotel can store it. Check whether you need a plug adapter before you go.
What should I check before I go?
Get your eTA (if you need one) before departure and save the approval screen. Check Banff National Park fees on the official Parks Canada fee table. Parts of Vancouver's Stanley Park can close at certain times, so read the city's official notices. Save local emergency numbers and your embassy's number in a note you can read offline.
Pre-departure checklist
- Save your eTA (or visa) approval for air arrival
- Check the Banff National Park fee table
- Check Stanley Park closures
- Save the emergency number 911 and your embassy's number
Which region suits my trip?
- For a harbour city walk: combine Stanley Park and Granville Island in Vancouver.
- For mountains and lakes: combine the national park and Lake Louise from Banff.
- For both: five nights or more; check travel times first.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Canada?
It depends on your nationality. Visa-exempt travelers need an eTA when flying to or transiting through Canada; others need a visitor visa.
How much is the eTA?
The official fee is CAD 7, non-refundable. Apply only on the Government of Canada’s official website.
Do I need an eTA to enter by land?
No. It is not needed for land or sea arrivals.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call the local emergency number 911.
How much are eTAs for two people?
CAD 7 each, CAD 14. They are non-refundable, so check the passport details you enter first.
Where do I start the trip to Banff?
From Calgary Airport (YYC). Transport and times vary by date, so check official timetables.
When does a Banff pass become cheaper?
Two adults staying three days pay CAD 73.50, and from seven days the CAD 83.50 Discovery Pass is cheaper.
If I only visit one, which should I choose?
Vancouver to walk a harbour city, Banff for mountains and lakes. If you link both, give each its own days.
When is the Banff family rate worth it?
Families and groups pay CAD 24.50 for up to seven people in one vehicle. For two adults it equals individual fees; with three or more adults it is cheaper.
Sources
- Visit Canada · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
- Entry requirements by country or territory · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
- Banff National Park fees · Parks Canada · accessed 2026-10-23
- Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · accessed 2026-10-23
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.
