Canada Fly Drive Holidays

East or West?

Driving in Western Canada

Western Canada has some of the most iconic scenery in the whole country. It's here that you'll find the Canadian Rocky Mountains. They run through Banff and Jasper National Parks in the province of Alberta, and down into the province of British Columbia in areas like Revelstoke and Yoho National Park. Western Canada is also home to Whistler in the Coast Mountains and Vancouver on the Pacific Coast.

Driving in Eastern Canada

Eastern Canada is the portion of Canada that sits on the Atlantic Ocean. It covers some incredibly varied regions, from the province of Ontario on the shores of one of America's Great Lakes to the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Eastern Canada is home to cosmopolitan cities like the country's largest city, Toronto, as well as its capital, Ottawa. The most famous attraction here is Niagara Falls.

Driving in Canada

Watch out for incredible wildlife

Generally, driving in Canada is stress-free and the roads are excellent. But like anywhere else, you’ll sometimes experience traffic and congestion (though we usually don't mind when it’s a “bear-jam”). Sightings of wildlife whilst on Canada driving holidays are common, but remember that although it's a treat to see wildlife crossing the road, those bears, deer, elk, and moose are wild animals. Don’t get too close when you stop for a snap; keep an eye out for warning signs and drive slowly through wildlife crossing areas to avoid dangerous collisions.

Speed limits and fuel stops

Speed limits vary by province, so keep a keen eye on road signs. They are usually 100km/h for motorways and 50km/h for built-up areas. Don’t be tempted to speed on those sublime roads; you’ll miss the best bits and could get points and a fine. Even major, well-travelled highways could sometimes have 60 miles between petrol stations. A good habit is to top up the tank whenever it falls to half full.

Driving in winter

Some parts of Canada experience hazardous winter driving conditions. In isolated places, keep your phone charged up and save local emergency numbers. In cold weather, it’s best to keep warm clothes, boots, snacks and drinks in the car, just in case. Make sure you check whether you need winter tyres or snow chains where you're headed, and we can help you add them to your booking.

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Driving in Canada

Our top tips for Canada fly drive holidays:

• Remember that the speed limits are in kilometres, not miles.
• Get full insurance – it’s worth getting the best cover you can.
• Remember the drivers behind you when you slow down to watch wildlife! We don't want any shunts here.

If you are planning a Canadian driving holiday, you need a National Parks Pass to drive through any national park areas. You can buy one at a ranger station when entering a national park, which then fixes to your rear-view mirror.

Choose your car hire supplier

One of the most important elements of your fly drive holiday is your hire car. It's important to us that you enjoy the ride as much as the destinations! That's why we partner with only the best suppliers in Canada including Avis, Hertz, Dollar & Thrifty, all of which offer new cars that are meticulously serviced and come with great customer support. Whether you're tailor-making your driving holiday or booking one of our pre-packaged Canada fly drive holidays, we'll help you find the car, mileage package and insurance that suits you best.

Car hire in Canada

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Choose your vehicle

Small and medium-sized cars

If you want affordable car hire, then Compact, Intermediate or Full-Size cars might suit you well. Models like the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Elantra and Dodge Charger offer a comfortable ride for couples, a few friends or smaller family groups and are our most cost-effective options. Bear in mind, however, that Western Canada can involve some large driving distances.

SUVs and minivans

SUVs provide the most comfortable ride when you're driving long distances on mountain roads. They also offer an elevated view compared to smaller cars. It might sound like a small thing, but when you're driving past spectacular lakes and mountain peaks, the high seats can make all the difference! SUVs can seat from five to seven adults comfortably, depending on the model, and have tons of boot space. Minivans seat seven and are a more affordable way to transport large groups.

Avis Cars

Fabulous places to stay

We've got hundreds of hand-picked hotels across Canada, from city-centre locations in Toronto and Vancouver to remote lodges in the heart of Canada's wilderness. We work with some big names, from Four Seasons to Fairmont, Hilton to Holiday Inn. If you're tailor-making a fly drive Canada holiday with us, we'll help you find the perfect place to stay enroute. Pre-packaged Canada fly drive holidays can be upgraded from Standard to Superior to Deluxe, for a more luxurious set of hotels.

Hotels in Canada

Ferries and excursions

Add excursions to your Canada fly drive holiday

The most important part of your road trip isn't the driving, it's what you see along the way. The excursions you book will make your Canada fly drive holidays incredible. We've got fantastic activities to enjoy at all of Canada's highlights. Our self-drive Canada holidays offer a range of activities from city sightseeing and foodie tours in vibrant centres like Toronto and Vancouver to whale watching tours in Québec, ziplining tours in BC and glacier hikes in the Rockies. Tell us your interests and we'll find your perfect match.

Ferries in British Columbia & Atlantic Canada

A fly-drive through BC or Atlantic Canada isn’t complete without hopping on a ferry. The most common routes in BC take you from Vancouver to Victoria or Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, but there are also routes to the Sunshine Coast, Southern Gulf Islands and an overnight ferry to Prince Rupert. As for Atlantic Canada, there are several routes that can transport you around the various islands. We’ll book your Ferry ticket and can also book extras for you like a cabin or reserved seating. Once aboard, relax and enjoy the views, and keep an eye out for whales!

Speak to our experts

Step 1 - Where and what to see

Canada self-drive holidays include return flights to Canada from the UK, car hire for the length of your holiday and hotels booked each night of your stay. You can browse the Canada self-drive tours on our website or speak to our experts. Tailor-making your fly drive Canada holiday will give you the most flexibility to choose exactly where you want to stay, plus we'll plan your itinerary to take in the sights you're desperate to see. Whether it is Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island, the incredible wildlife in our national parks or exploring Eastern Canada, we'll organise a trip you'll never forget!

Step 2 - Tailoring your choices

When you call our experts to book one of our Canada fly drive holidays, we can tailor your tour to suit you. Speak with us and we'll help you figure out driving distances and pick the perfect car and stop-offs for your trip. If your driving tour is designed from scratch, we'll help you choose your ideal hotels in Canada and the right-sized car from our partner, Avis. If you've chosen a pre-packaged holiday, you can upgrade your packaged hotels for extra luxury over the phone.

Step 3 - All the extras

Your fly drive Canada holiday isn't about the driving, of course. It's about what you'll see along the way. Driving at your own pace gives you the freedom to stop where you please and linger a little longer in the places that steal your heart. You'll have all the time in the world for unforgettable excursions to really make the most of your holiday. From floatplane rides to helicopter sightseeing, kayaking to whale watching, we'll book it for you. Just give us a call to add on great excursions to Canada fly drives.

Contact us