Arrival & Transport
eTA & Entry
German citizens do not need a visa for Canada, but an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — an electronic entry permit that must be applied for online in advance.
eTA — Step by Step
- Application: Exclusively via the official website canada.ca/eta — beware of expensive third-party sites!
- Cost: 7 CAD (about 5 €), payable by credit card.
- Duration: Approval usually within minutes. Still, apply at least a week before departure!
- Validity: 5 years or until passport expiration (whichever comes first). Multiple entries possible.
- Required: Valid passport, email address, credit card.
Entry at the Airport
Upon arrival in Canada, you will go through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):
- Automated Kiosks: At major airports (Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal) there are automated entry kiosks. Scan passport, photo, customs declaration — done in 2 minutes.
- ArriveCAN: The app/website for digital entry declaration. No longer mandatory, but significantly speeds up entry.
- Questions: The officer asks about purpose, duration of stay, and accommodation. Answer friendly and honestly — Canadian border officers are much more relaxed than American ones.
- Duration of Stay: Tourists can stay up to 6 months (twice as long as in the USA!).
Customs Regulations
| Allowed | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (from 19 years, in Alberta/Manitoba/Québec from 18) | 1.5 l wine OR 1.14 l spirits OR 8.5 l beer |
| Cigarettes | 200 pieces |
| Gifts | up to 60 CAD value per gift |
| Cash (reporting requirement from) | 10,000 CAD |
Tipp
The eTA costs only 7 CAD (~5 €) and is absurdly cheap compared to the US ESTA (21 $) or an Australian visa. Apply immediately after booking your flight — it only takes 5 minutes.
Achtung
Food (fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products) may NOT be brought into Canada. Even packaged sausages or cheese can cause problems. When in doubt: declare honestly — the penalty for undeclared goods is significantly higher than for declared prohibited goods.
Flights to Canada
Canada is easily accessible from Germany. There are direct flights from several German airports to the main Canadian hubs.
Main Airports
| Airport | Code | Flight Time from DE | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson | YYZ | 8–9h | Ontario, Niagara Falls, Eastern Canada |
| Vancouver | YVR | 10–10.5h | BC, Rocky Mountains, West Coast |
| Montréal Trudeau | YUL | 7.5–8.5h | Québec, Atlantic Canada |
| Calgary | YYC | 9.5–10h | Banff, Jasper, Rockies (closest airport!) |
| Ottawa | YOW | 8–9h (layover) | Capital, museums |
| Halifax | YHZ | 8–9h (layover) | Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia |
Direct Flights from Germany
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt/Munich → Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montréal (YUL)
- Air Canada: Frankfurt/Munich → Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary — the Canadian national airline with the best route network
- Condor: Frankfurt → Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary — often the cheapest option
- Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt → Calgary, Halifax — budget long-haul from ~350 € one-way
- WestJet: Occasionally seasonal flights from London/Paris with feeder
Flight Prices (Round Trip, Economy, Estimates)
| Route | Off-Season | Shoulder | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRA → Toronto (YYZ) | 350–500 € | 450–650 € | 650–1,000 € |
| FRA → Vancouver (YVR) | 400–600 € | 550–750 € | 750–1,200 € |
| FRA → Montréal (YUL) | 350–500 € | 450–650 € | 600–950 € |
| FRA → Calgary (YYC) | 400–550 € | 500–700 € | 700–1,100 € |
| MUC → Toronto (YYZ) | 380–520 € | 480–680 € | 680–1,050 € |
Tipp
For the Rocky Mountains, fly to Calgary (YYC) — the airport is only 90 minutes from Banff! Toronto may be the largest hub, but for the Rockies, you'll need to plan an additional domestic flight (3.5h) or a very long drive.
Car Rentals & Driving
As in the USA, a rental car is indispensable for most trips to Canada. Public transport exists in the cities, but for national parks and road trips, you'll need your own vehicle.
Prices & Booking
| Vehicle Class | CAD/Day | €/Day | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) | 40–65 CAD | 28–45 € | City trips, solo/pair |
| Midsize (Toyota Corolla or similar) | 55–90 CAD | 38–62 € | All-rounder, road trips |
| Full-Size SUV (Ford Explorer or similar) | 85–140 CAD | 59–97 € | Rockies, winter, families |
| Minivan (Dodge Caravan) | 90–150 CAD | 62–103 € | Large families, lots of luggage |
Providers
Major rental companies: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, National — all present at every airport.
Booking portals: billiger-mietwagen.de (with all-inclusive protection!), CHECK24, rentalcars.com. Always book with full insurance without deductible!
Important Rules & Peculiarities
- Driver's License: The German driver's license is sufficient for up to 3 months. An international driver's license is recommended (ADAC, 15 €).
- Speed Limit: Indicated in km/h (unlike in the USA!). Highways: 100–120 km/h, Urban: 30–50 km/h. Radar controls are frequent.
- Right Turn on Red: Allowed in all provinces EXCEPT Québec (prohibited on the island of Montréal).
- School Buses: When a school bus stops with flashing lights, ALL vehicles in BOTH directions must stop — extremely high fines for non-compliance!
- Refueling: Self-service, prices in cents per liter (150–200 ¢/l). Pay by credit card at the pump or inside.
- Winter Tires: Legally required in Québec and BC from October/November to March/April. Add to your rental car!
- Wildlife Crossing: Moose, deer, and bears on the road are not uncommon — especially at dusk. A collision with a moose (up to 700 kg!) is life-threatening.
Tipp
For the Rocky Mountains, an SUV is recommended — the roads are good, but in rain or early snow (possible from September!), you'll feel much safer in an SUV. All-wheel drive is invaluable on the Icefields Parkway in autumn.
Achtung
Canada's distances are vast! Toronto → Vancouver is 4,400 km (45 hours drive!). Plan domestic flights or use VIA Rail. Even within a region, the distances are long: Calgary → Jasper is 4 hours, Toronto → Ottawa 4.5 hours.
VIA Rail & Domestic Flights
Canada has a national train network with VIA Rail, which, although slower than flying, offers an unforgettable experience on certain routes.
VIA Rail — Important Routes
| Route | Duration | Price (from, Economy) | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto → Montréal | 5h | 45–90 CAD | Comfortable alternative to flying |
| Toronto → Ottawa | 4.5h | 40–80 CAD | Through Ontario landscape |
| Montréal → Québec City | 3.5h | 35–70 CAD | Along the St. Lawrence River |
| The Canadian: Toronto → Vancouver | 4 days! | from 600 CAD (seat) / from 2,500 CAD (sleeper) | One of the world's most legendary train journeys — through the prairies, over the Rockies, 4,466 km of adventure |
| The Ocean: Montréal → Halifax | 22h | from 150 CAD | Through New Brunswick to the Atlantic |
The Canadian is a legend among train journeys: Four days and four nights from Toronto to Vancouver, passing endless wheat fields of the prairies, through the dramatic Rocky Mountains with their tunnels and switchbacks, along rushing rivers and solitary lakes. In the panoramic car with glass dome, you experience Canada from a perspective no airplane can offer.
Domestic Flights
| Route | Flight Time | Price (one-way, from) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto → Vancouver | 4.5–5h | 120–350 CAD |
| Toronto → Montréal | 1.5h | 80–200 CAD |
| Toronto → Calgary | 4h | 100–300 CAD |
| Vancouver → Calgary | 1.5h | 80–200 CAD |
| Toronto → Halifax | 2.5h | 100–280 CAD |
| Montréal → Québec City | 1h | 80–180 CAD |
Airlines
- Air Canada: Largest route network, Star Alliance (Lufthansa partner), includes hand luggage
- WestJet: Canada's second-largest airline, often cheaper, good service
- Porter Airlines: Flies from Toronto Billy Bishop (downtown airport!), Eastern Canada specialist, free snacks
- Flair Airlines: Ultra-low-cost, from 49 CAD one-way, but extra for luggage
Intercity Buses
Since Greyhound left Canada in 2021, there are regional alternatives:
- FlixBus: Expanding in Canada, affordable connections Toronto–Montréal–Ottawa
- Rider Express: Western Canada (Vancouver–Calgary–Winnipeg)
- Maritime Bus: Atlantic provinces (Halifax–Moncton–Charlottetown)
- Orléans Express: Québec (Montréal–Québec City–Rimouski)
Tipp
The VIA Rail "Corridor Pass" (Toronto–Québec City) offers 7 rides in 10 days for about 400 CAD — perfect for an Eastern Canada trip with stops in Kingston, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City. Book online at least 2 weeks in advance for the best prices!
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