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Discover the Canadian Rockies where nature is at its finest. This guide is meant to provide tips and inspiration to help you plan an incredible Canadian West Coast Road Trip.
Relevant posts and videos to get you excited and to help plan your trip!
Must visit places to see the best sights and plan your overnight stays.
Below are some recommended hotels and stays that are good stopping points for this particular road trip.
A convenient option for car rentals is to pick up a car at the Calgary International Airport and drop it off at the Vancouver International Airport (or vice versa). As for the roads, the drive throughout British Columbia and Alberta is quite easy and google maps will guide you on the right routes. However, be extremely cautious, or even avoid, during snowy months (November-March)
Below is the “ideal” trip route for your first time visiting the Canadian Rockies. Starting in Calgary – Banff – Jasper – Golden – Halfway Hot Springs – Osoyoos – Penticton – Kelowna – Whistler – Squamish – Vancouver.
Note: Halfway hot springs requires a ferry crossing and a rough road. Only visit if you want a secluded camping experience with hot springs.
Travel Tip: use Skyscanner to find flights and compare prices
Experiences that are unique to the Canadian West Coast. Additionally, find more tours and day trips on Get Your Guide.
Emergency Number: 911
Calling Code: +1
Outlet Types: A & B
Tipping in restaurants: 15%
Travel Insurance: Safety Wing
A road trip through British Columbia and Alberta is best during Late April-October. Avoid driving in the winter in case of bad weather and road closures.
2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to drive and and see many sights and attractions at a relaxed pace. It is also doable in 8-10 days, depending on how many stops you want to take.
You should budget for at least $1500 per person, per day, for all travel expenses.
Yes, most roads are paved and easy to drive on, except in the winter when snow and ice are present. You should also be cautious of wildlife that may be crossing roads.
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