If you are planning a trip to Canada, you probably have a long list of things to do to prepare. Whether your trip is for business or recreation, you have to manage your schedule, arrange for accommodations, make sure your travel insurance is in place, make rental car arrangements, and purchase your airline tickets.
It may be a bit overwhelming, especially when you start to look at ticket prices for flights.
Flights can be costly and vary greatly in price, depending on certain factors related to timing.
Luckily, Skyscanner, the travel fare aggregator website and travel metasearch engine, has released data on the best time to book flights to Canada’s four major cities – Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.
The data includes which month of the year is the least expensive to fly and includes how far in advance you should book your ticket. To make your tip planning a bit easier, we’ve included all of this data and more below.
Happy planning!
Flying to Vancouver
| Best Time to Book Flights to Vancouver | Cheapest Month to Travel to Vancouver | Best Airports |
| 3-6 weeks in advance | October | Vancouver International Airport (YVR) |
Best Things to Do in Vancouver
- For Families: If your family is adventurous, a ride on the Ghost Train in Stanley Park may be just the thing to stir up some Halloween spirit. The 12-minute train ride includes monsters, skeletons, and Halloween scenes, but it’s designed with families in mind, so it isn’t excessively frightening.
- For Couples: Catch one or several of the 300 films that are screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival, which begins in late September and runs through early October.
- For Seniors: Those who venture into the city’s Chinatown may take in the picturesque grounds of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is modeled after the gardens of Ming Dynasty scholars and is a registered museum with guided tours.
- For FREE: Take in the beauty of Vancouver’s fall colors by spending some time at one of the many parks that offer walking trails or other outdoor activities. If you’re especially daring, take a hike along the Grouse Grind hiking trail, which is 853 meters (2,800 feet) long and goes to the top of Grouse Mountain, which has a grade of 30 degrees.
5 Top-Rated Restaurants in Vancouver
Manoush’eh
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 162 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.8 Stars, 365 Reviews
Good for: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
This restaurant features authentic Lebanese Manousheh, which is a type of flatbread that looks a bit like a breakfast pizza and features a variety of toppings, including wild thyme, sesame seeds, avocado, or falafel. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Northern Café & Grill
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 90 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.9 Stars, 267 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch
Vegan Options: Yes
Northern Café & Grill services fresh comfort food, such as pancakes made from scratch and sausage from a local butcher. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Number e food
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 107 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 117 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
If you’re looking for fresh salads, artisan sandwiches, or pizzas that you can take home to eat, you may want to check out this restaurant. Bookmark it on Yelp.
AnnaLena
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 275 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 635 Reviews
Good For: Dinner
Vegan Options: No
AnnaLena serves creative, modern, Canadian food, including buttermilk fried chicken, mussels, and vegetarian pasta, along with a variety of wines. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Smithe Salad
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 58 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 125 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
If you’re looking for a fresh salad bar or a berry green smoothie at a reasonable price, then this restaurant is worth checking out. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Flying to Toronto
| Best Time to Book Flights to Toronto | Cheapest Month to Travel to Toronto | Best Airports |
| 22 weeks in advance | December | Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) |
Best Things to Do in Toronto
- For Families: Toronto has several Christmas markets in November and December. These markets feature food vendors, entertainment, shopping, and dance performances, and if you’re lucky, maybe Santa will stop by.
- For Couples: If you enjoy ice skating, there are plenty of places to go, including Nathan Phillips Square and the Bentway Trail, which is one mile long.
- For Seniors: Visitors to the Ballet Creole experience a soulful mix of Handel, Quincy Jones, and African-Caribbean dance.
- For FREE: Get out of the cold and explore one of Toronto’s many indoor gardens, such as Centennial Park Conservatory, Cloud Garden Conservatory, and Allan Gardens Conservatory.
5 Top-Rated Restaurants in Toronto
Baretto Cafe
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 312 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 297 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast and Lunch
Vegan Options: Yes
This quaint, minimalist, Italian café serves espresso, pastries, pasta, and pizza at a reasonable price. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Veghed
Yelp Reviews: 5 Stars, 69 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.9 Stars, 120 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Veghed is the place to go if you are looking for a fresh vegan or vegetarian take-out meal. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Mystic Muffin
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 255 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.8 Stars, 300 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch
Vegan Options: Yes
Known for its apple cake, Mystic Muffin has a wide variety of baked goods, as well as Lebanese-inspired soups, sandwiches, wraps, and salads at a reasonable price. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Pai Northern Thai Kitchen
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 2,637 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 6,813 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Enjoy authentic Thai food, such as papaya salad or fried fish with green curry sauce, in a casual atmosphere. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos
Yelp Reviews: Stars, Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 1,717 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes or No
This cash-only restaurant serves Baja-style tacos and seafood. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Flying to Calgary
| Best Time to Book Flights to Calgary | Cheapest Month to Travel to Calgary | Best Airports |
| 4 weeks in advance | January | Calgary International Airport |
Best Things to Do in Calgary
- For Families: For some lively family fun, take in a lacrosse game with professional lacrosse team, the Calgary Roughnecks.
- For Couples: If you’re in a creative mood, stop by Bee Kingdom Glass and make your own piece of usable art, such as vases or bowls.
- For Seniors: Stop by Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant for some afternoon tea, complete with tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
- For FREE: The annual Deep Freeze: a Byzantine Winter Festival, is an event that celebrates Russian/Ukranian culture in a magical winter setting that includes a deep freezer race and a log-cutting competition.
5 Top-Rated Restaurants in Calgary
Ten Foot Henry
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 343 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 1,361 Reviews
Good For: Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Fresh vegetables are the star of this restaurant’s menu, which focuses on healthy, fresh food served in a family-style environment. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Workshop Kitchen & Culture
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 122 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 309 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
This restaurant serves modern Canadian cuisine, such as flatiron steak and grilled salmon. Bookmark it on Yelp.
OEB Breakfast Co.
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 502 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 1,091 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast and Brunch
Vegan Options: Yes
With three locations in Calgary, this restaurant is a convenient option if you’re looking for New American cuisine that offers everything from eggs and bacon to crepes and bagels. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Comery Block Barbecue
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 16 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 122 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
This recently opened West-Tennessee-style restaurant specializes in barbecued meats and a variety of bourbons and whiskeys. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Blue Star Diner
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 205 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.6 Stars, 1,414 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Blue Star Diner serves modern comfort food made from locally sourced ingredients. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Flying to Montreal
| Best Time to Book Flights to Montreal | Cheapest Month to Travel to Montreal | Best Airports |
| 29 weeks in advance | October | Montreal—Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) |
Best Things to Do in Montreal
- For Families: The Montreal Botanical Garden hosts several events throughout the year, and in October, families may enjoy the Little Monsters Courtyard, which is filled with decorated pumpkins and spooky characters, as well as crafts and activities for children.
- For Couples: Couples may enjoy the city’s various public markets in open-air spaces that offer an array of live music, activities, shopping, food, and other entertainment.
- For Seniors: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has collections covering many different eras and mediums, including early to modern international art, archaeology, photography, and decorative design.
- For FREE: Get a front-row seat to see Montreal’s gorgeous fall colors with a visit to Mount Royal in Mount Royal Park, which provides breathtaking views of the city, along with a variety of recreational activities. On weekends during the month of October, visitors may enjoy live music and free activities in the park as well.
5 Top-Rated Restaurants in Montreal
Le Robin Square
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 732 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 379 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Le Robin Square offers New Canadian and French food that features fresh, organic, farm-to-table ingredients. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Saint Sushi Plateau
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 342 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 756 Reviews
Good For: Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
Saint Sushi Plateau features a blend of modern and traditional sushi dishes. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Ma Poule Mouillée
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 416 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 4,578 Reviews
Good For: Lunch and Dinner
Vegan Options: No
Place your order, pick it up, and choose a seat at this restaurant, which features Portuguese chicken dishes, along with poutine, chorizo, and beef. Vegans will want to skip this one. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Sorocco
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 113 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.7 Stars, 359Reviews
Good For: Dinner
Vegan Options: Yes
This neighborhood tapas bar is a great place to stop by if you want Spanish-inspired dishes and drinks in a relaxed setting. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Le Passé Composé
Yelp Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 280 Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.5 Stars, 1,292 Reviews
Good For: Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch
Vegan Options: Yes
This French bistro offers crepes, several seasonal egg dishes, and sandwiches. Bookmark it on Yelp.
Yes, there’s is a lot to do when planning your trip to Canada, but if you keep these suggestions in mind, you may save money, find fun things to do, and eat some great food at some of the best restaurants in the area. Enjoy your trip!