Guide: family road trip in Canada
Do you dream of living an extraordinary family adventure?
What if you go for a road trip to Canada?
This incredible country is full of nuggets to discover, breathtaking landscapes with unforgettable encounters with wildlife.
No wonder Canada is the perfect destination for a tribe trip! But organizing a road trip in the land of caribou with children, it cannot be improvised.
Do not panic, we have concocted the ultimate guide to help you prepare your journey from A to Z.
Formalities, routes, budget, activities, accommodation … We tell you everything so that your family road trip in Canada is a success!
Canada’s assets for an unforgettable family trip
Do you dream of living unforgettable moments with the family? Canada is the perfect destination for that!
Imagine your children climbing a little in the mouth of a giant T-Rex in Drumheller, the city with dinosaurs.
Or see them marvel at whales, grizzly ones and orcas!
And how about spending a night in a wooden hut or squarely in an igloo? When you wake up, a good plate of maple syrup and hop pancakes, go on a walk in the heart of a park, like real adventurers!
And if you want unique encounters, head to Nunavik, Nunavut or Yukon, where the historic peoples of the Arctic, Inuit still live. Your children will not come back!
And to learn more about Amerindian culture, dinosaurs or the history of Canada, no problem, museums adapted to children, there are a shovel in the country.
The administrative formalities essential for a family stay in Canada
That’s it, the holidays are fast approaching and you have decided to go with family in Canada. Awesome !
But beware, before completing your suitcases, there are some small administrative formalities to be paid. Nothing too bad, rest assured, but it is better to do it in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
First thing to do: check the validity of your identity papers.
If you have a valid French passport, no need for a tourist stay of less than 6 months.
On the other hand, it will still be necessary to apply for an electronic travel authorization (AVE) on the official website of the Canadian government. It’s fast and easy, but essential.
And the little extra is that the AVE is valid for 5 years, until the end of validity of your passport. Practical, right?
If you plan to drive during your stay, do not forget the driving licenses of all those who could take the wheel.
Be careful anyway, in Canada, you must be at least 21 years old and justify at least one year of driving to be able to drive.
So, check that everything is in good standing before leaving.
Our itineraries suggestions for a successful family road trip in Canada
Going on a family road trip to Canada can quickly become the obstacle course if you are not well organized.
So, to avoid spending more time on the road than on the sites to visit, we advise you to focus on a single region.
Like that, no multiplication of extended journeys!
If you are rather the type to love the east, go for the province of Quebec.
You will necessarily follow the St. Lawrence River, which connects the Niagara Falls to Quebec, Montreal, Tadoussac and the Saguenay Fjord, passing near Ottawa, the country’s capital.
On the program: charming cities, landscapes to die for and breathtaking wild fauna.
In short, enough to take full eyes from Montreal to Gaspésie! And if you are nature addicts, Nova Scotia is for you.
Now, if you prefer Western Canada, head on national parks of the rocky mountains in Alberta, like those of Jasper or Banff.
Finally, if you travel with your little pieces, British Columbia and its eponymous island are perfect for a Road Trip in familywith Vancouver as a bonus!
Advice to organize a family road trip in Canada
Optimize your journeys for the comfort of the whole family
Come on, we embark on the organization of your family road trip! And believe us, we have them under the pedal, advice so that everything rolls.
Primo, do not put the cart before the oxen. Take your time is the key.
If you want to enjoy the steps, visit nice corners and do activities, it is better to bet on short steps and limit the kilometers.
The trap in which you should not fall is to want to make boxes, to underestimate the distances and road times.
Please note, the roads and highways in Canada is not the Formula 1 Grand Prix! A 200 km stage can take you 3 hours or more depending on the region.
So, avoid the routes that make you do 36,000 terminals and the extended steps, otherwise you will spend your life by car.
3 hours of road for a stage during the day, it should be the maximum (and ideally not every day).
In short, you will have understood, for a top road trip at the top, aim for quality rather than quantity!
Our 4 tips for controlled accommodation (budget, reservation, etc.)
Please note, accommodation is the biggest piece of the budget.
Do not panic, we have a few tips to help you master the costs.
1. First tip : book a single room for the whole family.
Obviously, it does not work everywhere, some lodgings do not offer a room for 4 (or more). But when possible, go for it!
Children are often free when they share the parents’ room, or at least you will be entitled to discounts (it depends on the age of children and accommodation of course).
On the other hand, if everyone has their own room, you will pay the full price for two bedrooms instead of one. It hurts the wallet!
So even if you can’t do it at all steps, think about it from time to time, it will make you save saving.
2. Second tip : Book early!
Like that, you will have the choice among all accommodation, especially small charming or not too expensive structures.
3. Third tip : select accommodation designed for families
Before booking, ask yourself the right questions! Is there a swimming pool so that children can let off steam? And if so, is it interior or external?
Because good, if it rains during the whole stay, it’s still more practical to have a indoor pool!
And then, does accommodation offer activities or entertainment to occupy your little monsters? Because the holidays are good, but if the children are bored, it can quickly become hell!
Another important point: food.
4. Fourth tip : Opt for accommodation with kitchen for more flexibility
Housing with kitchen is the top for more flexibility during your stay! Already, it allows you to save money.
But in addition, it is so pleasant to be able to cook quietly “at home” after a busy day to visit.
No need to come out, you can relax and enjoy your evening in peace.
Because hey, getting out of the restaurant every night, it can quickly hurt the wallet.
Pimen your stay with original accommodation
Want to spice up your stay in Canada? So it’s time to go off the beaten track!
It must be said that this country is a real playground for lovers of thrills and unusual experiences.
And what could be better than creating unforgettable memories by testing original accommodation?
Because, well, we are not going to lie, sleeping in a classic hotel is good, but it lacks a bit of spice!
So, if you are ready to live unique moments, we have some small ideas that you should like.
Imagine you spend the night in a hut perched in trees, in the middle of nature.
Or wake up surrounded by wolves! If you are more adventurous, opt for a prospector tent in the middle of the caribou.
And for a total immersion in Native American culture, nothing beats a teepee! But that’s not all!
National parks are also full of little gems, such as Huttopia tents or yurts.
And for lovers of the great outdoors, a chalet or a cabin by a lake, it is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries.
In short, in Canada, the possibilities of original accommodation are almost endless. So don’t hesitate and get into an extraordinary adventure!
It’s time to create memories that will remain engraved in your memory for a long time. And believe us, you will not be disappointed!
Our practical tips for a family road trip to Canada without stress
Our ideas to entertain your children on the road
The car trips with the brats, it’s not always a pleasure!
They are moving, they get impatient, they constantly ask the endless question “We arrive when?”. In short, it’s not joy.
But don’t panic, we have some good plans to help you pass this course without too much breakage.
Already, remember to take regular breaks, it will allow them to stretch their legs and let off steam a little.
Then prepare a little surprise bag with a whole bunch of stuff to occupy them: books, games to stimulate their imagination, quiz on Canada, CDs or DVDs to listen to during the journey … In short, enough to keep them in suspense!
Also, don’t forget to provide a bag with small snacks, it will avoid cravings.
And if you really want to insure, buy them a magazine or a travel guide specially designed for children and teens.
Compose a first aid kit adapted to your family
Come on, we attack the emergency kit for the whole family!
If you or a loved one needs medication every day, there is no question of forgetting them. Especially those who require a prescription!
Because no pharmacist will give you just medication with a prescription from your country.
But hey, that doesn’t mean that your old prescription is useless.
In an emergency, it will help medical teams to see more clearly on the drugs you usually take.
Like that, they will be able to offer you the equivalent without taking the lead too much.
Travel with a quiet mind with family insurance
Are you going on vacation with your little tribe? No question of stressing!
Subscribe to travel insurance for the whole family, like that, you can take full advantage without taking the lead.
Normally, your credit card already covers you.
But beware, it is better to check twice one! Take a look at the conditions and exclusions, just to avoid disappointments.
To conclude
In summary, a road trip in Canada with your children is the assurance of living an unforgettable family adventure! Between breathtaking landscapes, meetings with wildlife and unusual accommodation, you are not ready to forget this trip.
But for everything to go well, there are still a few little things to anticipate. Already, consider checking your identity papers and applying for a AVE. Then choose your itinerary carefully, favoring short steps to prevent your children from getting impatient too much on the road.
In terms of accommodation, book early to have the choice and do not hesitate to opt for family accommodation with kitchen, it will make your life easier. And for even more fun, spice up your stay with unusual nights, your children love it!
Finally, prepare a suitable emergency kit, take out travel insurance and plan to occupy your children during the journeys.
With all these good advice in your pocket, you are ready for a family road trip in stress -free Canada. All you have to do is enjoy this exceptional journey with your children every moment!
