My Canadian Adventure: Coast to Coast!
Just got back from an amazing 13-day solo trip across Canada, exploring everything from the majestic Rocky Mountains to vibrant cities! It was an unforgettable experience, completely breathtaking, and I was constantly in awe of Canada's natural beauty. I only wish I had more time!
Here's a detailed review and my personal impressions of the trip.
Trip Expenses: 70 Million VND for 13 Days (Vancouver - Jasper - Banff - Calgary - Toronto)
- Flights: 27.6 million VND (Round trip Cathay Pacific HCMC - Vancouver, Toronto - HCMC: 23 million VND + Domestic Air Canada flight Calgary - Toronto: 4.6 million VND)
- Visa: 3.5 million VND
- Transportation: 13 million VND
- Accommodation: 9 million VND
- Food: 8.5 million VND
- Activities: 6.5 million VND
- Sim Card, Travel Insurance & Misc.: 1.7 million VND
Getting Around: Public Transport Tips
Vancouver to Jasper by Train
I chose to take the train from Vancouver to Jasper to save money and enjoy the scenery. I booked tickets on VIA Rail Canada for 189 CAD. The train departs Vancouver's Pacific Central Station at 3 PM and arrives in Jasper at 11 AM the next day (19-hour journey). The train is spacious and comfortable, with a panorama car for amazing views. Highly recommended! Note that there are only 3-4 trains per week, so check the schedule carefully.
Banff to Calgary
Flixbus is a great option, taking just 2 hours for 12 CAD. The bus goes directly to downtown Calgary, and there are 2 departures per day. Other companies offer more frequent services, including direct routes to Calgary Airport, providing convenient choices.
Jasper to Banff: Scenic Bus Tour
I booked a bus tour with Sundog from Jasper to Banff for 347 CAD, which included stops at various attractions along the Icefields Parkway. The route included Athabasca Waterfall, Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield Walk, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Lake Louise.
Vancouver Public Transport
- I used buses and metro a lot. A day pass costs 12 CAD and is worth it if you plan to travel a lot. Purchase at metro stations.
- I took the bus from the airport to downtown.
- You can pay directly with Visa/Mastercard on buses and metro. Single bus tickets are 3.2 CAD, and metro tickets are 6.4 CAD, valid for 2 hours including transfers.
Calgary Public Transport
- I bought a day pass for 12 CAD, unlimited travel on buses/tram, including the airport bus.
- Tickets can be bought on the Transit app or Calgary Transit My Fare app.
Banff Public Transport
- Purchase tickets on the Transit app.
- Routes 1 and 2 serve the town center, with a day pass costing 5 CAD.
- Route 8X goes to Lake Louise, with a return ticket costing 20 CAD.
- Route 9 serves Johnston Canyon, return ticket 10 CAD.
- Route 6 to Lake Minnewanka is included in the town center day pass (5 CAD).
- Route 4 to Canmore costs 15 CAD for a return ticket.
Toronto Public Transport
- Metro, streetcars, and buses accept direct payment via Visa/Mastercard or you can top up a Presto card on Apple Pay.
- I purchased a 13 CAD day pass at a metro station for unlimited travel in Toronto. Single tickets are 3.2 CAD, valid for 2 hours.
- From nearby cities like Mississauga, a bus to Kipling Station is 3.2 CAD, then you can use the Toronto day pass.
- Bus 900 goes to Mississauga from the airport for just 3.2 CAD.
- To get to the airport, take the UP Express train from Union Station (20 minutes, 12 CAD) or a bus (cheaper but over an hour).
Niagara Falls: The Budget-Friendly Route
- From Union Station or any GO train station, buy a GO Day Pass Group ticket for 30 CAD, covering unlimited train and bus travel for 2 people (only 15 CAD per person!), single tickets cost 28 CAD return.
- A train runs directly from Union Station to Niagara Falls Station, but departures are limited. If you miss it, take a train to GO Burlington Station and transfer to bus 12, which goes directly to Niagara Terminal Station.
- At Niagara Falls Station, you need to buy a Wego Day Pass for 11 CAD for unlimited travel around the Niagara Falls area. The bus goes directly to the falls.
My Itinerary: A Whirlwind Tour
Day 0: Departure – HCMC – Hong Kong - Toronto
- 6:20 PM - 10:00 PM: Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong (CX764).
- 10:00 PM - 1:20 AM (+1): Transit at Hong Kong Airport.
- 1:20 AM (+1) - 10:00 PM: Hong Kong to Vancouver (CX888)
- 10:00 PM: Arrive in Canada, check into hotel.
Day 1: Vancouver
- Cherry blossoms on Earles Street
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Stanley Park
- Downtown - Gastown Steam Clock
- Canada Place
- Sunset at English Bay Beach
Day 2: Vancouver - Jasper
- Science World
- Walk along the harbor to David Lam Park - Granville Island
- Kitsilano Beach
- 3:00 PM: Pacific Central Station, train to Jasper
Day 3: Jasper
- 11:00 AM: Arrive in Jasper, check into hotel, lunch
- 2:00 PM: Jasper SkyTram
- Walk around town
Day 4: Jasper - Banff
- Bus to Banff, stops include:
- Athabasca Falls
- Icefields Parkway
- Columbia Icefield Walk - Athabasca Glacier - Columbia Icefield
- Crowfoot Glacier
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Lake Louise
Day 5: Banff
- Walk around town, stroll down Banff Avenue
- Cascade of Time Garden
- Banff Pedestrian Bridge
- Nancy Pauw Bridge
- Surprise Corner Viewpoint (views of Bow Falls and Fairmont Banff Springs)
- Banff Gondola
Day 6: Banff
- Emerald Lake
- Natural Bridge
- Johnston Canyon
- Banff Red Chair Two Jack Lake
- Lake Minnewanka
Day 7: Banff - Calgary
- Hoodoo Viewpoint
- Bus to Calgary
- Downtown Calgary and Stephen Avenue Walk
- City views from Mt Pleasant View Point
- Sunset at Prince's Island Park
- Head to Calgary Airport for Toronto flight
Day 8: Calgary - Toronto
- 2:00 AM: Calgary - Toronto
- 7:40 AM: Arrive in Toronto, check into hotel
- Niagara Falls
Day 9: Toronto
- Cherry blossoms in High Park
- Harbourfront
- Ferry to Toronto Island Park (Central Island) for city views
- Sunset at Polson Pier Skyline Viewpoint
- Night stroll in Chinatown
Day 10: Toronto
- Downtown - Toronto City Hall
- Trinity Bellwoods Park and surrounding neighborhood
- Casa Loma
- Royal Ontario Museum - Queen's Park - Toronto University
- 10:00 PM: Train to airport
Days 11 + 12: Toronto - Hong Kong - HCMC
- 1:45 AM - 4:45 AM (+1): Toronto - Hong Kong.
- 4:45 AM (+1) - 8:20 AM (+1): Transit in Hong Kong
- 8:20 AM (+1) - 10:00 AM (+1): Hong Kong - Ho Chi Minh City.
