ISIC Card

The international student identity card is out there for anyone 12 years old and up, in elementary, high school, college, university, or any type of post secondary. If you’re a student somewhere, you’re eligible. This card can be used in over 120 different countries around the world, including Canada. Discounts include anything from restaurants, accommodations, flights, tours, and shopping. The cost of ISIC card varies depending on which country you purchase it in, some schools give them away for free, others charge upwards of $20. Regardless of the cost of the card, the savings can be immense. One of the most popular places to save money with the ISIC Card is Via Rail, they offer some great student discounts for anyone considering traveling Canada by train. Visit ISIC for more information. Not a student? No problem, if you’re 26 years old or under, you’re eligible for the IYTC (International Youth Travel Card), which gives you the same great savings.

HI / YHA Card

The HI / YHA Card can come in handy anywhere there’s a hostel that is part of the HI or YHA Network, which as luck has it, is just about anywhere in the world. In Canada there is over 400 different places that accept the card, including every HI Hostel in Canada. On average you save $4 everytime you book a night in an HI Hostel. You might be thinking, couple toonies saved per night, not bad. But here’s when the big savings come in. When you travel by Greyhound with your HI/YHA card you can save 25% off one way and round trip tickets anywhere in Canada. You can also get 5% off any bookings made with Moose Travel Network. Big savings abound, and with a yearly cost of only $35, the card pays for itself after the first couple weeks. Visit HI-Canada Card for more information.

I’m sure there are a few other cards out there worth trying as well, but these are the only two I’ve ever personally had experience with. They’ve treated me well thus far and saved me a bit of coin on travel and accommodation and such, hopefully they can help you out too.

Travelgrove was established for travelers who are keen on finding the cheapest price, and the best information for their journey to any of the major city centres throughout the world. Their booking engine searches through the most popular booking websites such as Kayak, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, then allows you to compare the price of cheap flights from one website to another. On top of the money you can save on your flights, the guys at Travelgrove offer travel forums, hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, along with detailed travel guides.

On top of all these great services they offer, Travelgrove aims to provide a community feel to their website. Registered users are able to socialize with other users and provide travel tips, photos, and general advice through their community section. Be sure to search for me there, my username is Nibroc. Once you’ve got me added, feel free to browse through some of my photos and share any destinations you’d like me to check out.

Photo by purplepick

The booking process with Travelgrove is simple. Type in the first few letters of the city or airport you’re departing from, along with where you’re heading to, select the dates, and tick off other websites you would like Travelgrove to search through. Within seconds you’ve got a detailed list of flights and costs to go through. This can be a lifesaver for anyone in a hurry to catch a flight but wanting to find some great deals. If you don’t have any destination in mind, take a quick browse through their Deals section to see if anything sparks your interest.

For those considering backpacking Canada, I would highly recommend you check out their cheap flights to Toronto. I recently came across a round trip flight from New York to Toronto for $308. You’re saving over 50%, as those flights are typically way over $600. Toronto’s a great city to start off in Canada. It’s by far the most culturally diverse city we have. Find out for yourself, read through their Toronto travel guide to find out everything from its history, nightlife, popular sights, and browse through some sweet photos. You’ll be on your way in no time!

1. Ask to speak in English

When speaking to a local stranger, be it gas station attendant, bistro staff, or just looking for directions, ask politely if he or she speaks English. You’re more likely to be treated kindly by doing this than by speaking blindly in English with no regard as to whether they speak it or not.

Pardon, madame/monsieur/mademoiselle, parlez-vous anglais?

Which translates to: Excuse me madam/sir/miss, do you speak English?

Most of the time you’ll find out that “Oui“, they do, however if they say “Non“, you’re on your own. Just hope that you’re both good at Charades.

2. Understanding French Road Signs

There are large parts of Quebec where the road signs will stop showing up in both English and French. If you know very little French this can be frightening. Stay calm. There are certain words that you can pick out of those signs to get you in the right direction.

When you see:

French	English
Nord	North
Sud	South
Ouest	West
Est	East
Entrée	Entrance
Sortie	Exit
Renseignements	Information
Interdit	Prohibited
Ouvert	Open
Fermé	Closed
Cédez la Priorité	Give Way
Défense de Stationner	No Parking
Interdiction de doubler	No Overtaking
Péage	Toll
Ralentissez	Slow Down
Sens Interdit	No Entry
Sens Unique	One Way

Of coarse having a map will significantly increase your chances of not getting turned around. Whenever I travel through Quebec I always do some pre-driving preparations just to make sure I know which Highways to get off and on. My last bit of advice for french road signs, follow the herd. As long as you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re probably not breaking any laws, of coarse you might not be heading in the right direction, but there’s no fines for being a lost tourist.

3. Know your French Food Terms

Food and Quebec go together like bikini’s and beaches, popcorn and movies, and peanut butter & jelly. Quebec can be a foodie’s paradise, but ordering your favourite dish can be confusing if you know little to no French. For the most part, pointing to what you want on the menu will normally suffice, but if you want to look extra cool, and not make the mistake of ordering something you didn’t want,  knowing a bit of french can make all the difference.

Food Terms

French	English
Je voudrais…	I’d like (a)…
Je suis allergique…	I’m allergic to…
…aux abeilles	…bees
…aux noix	…nuts
C’est combien?	How much is it?
Est-ce que je peux payer avec…	Can I pay with….
…ma carte de credit	…my credit card
…ma carte de débit	…my debit card (ATM/ABM)
Petit-dejeuner (or) Dejeuner	Breakfast
Dejeuner (or) Diner	Lunch
Diner (or) Souper	Dinner / Supper
Manger	Eat
la Soupe	Soup
la Salade	Salad
le Dessert	Desert
le repas	meal
avoir faim	to be hungry
…	…click here for more French food translations

You may have noticed there are a couple ways to say breakfast, lunch, and supper. That’s not a type-o, Quebec french is a little different than traditional French. It can sometimes be confusing if you were taught traditional French. Most French speaking Quebec people will call breakfast “dejeuner”, lunch “diner”, and supper “souper”. However they’ll completely understand what you’re trying to say should you say “petit dejeuner” in lieu of “dejeuner”. Just smile while you’re saying it and you’ll be fine.

4. Booking accommodations in French

If you plan on booking a hotel, bed and breakfast, campground, or a dorm in a hostel, there’s a chance you’ll end up having to do so in French. Knowing what to say in person and over the phone can make booking a place to stay in another language much less stressful.

Accommodation Terms

French	English
Je cherche…	I’m looking for a…
…un Hôtel	…hotel
…une auberge de jeunesse	…youth hostel
…un camping	….camp ground
…une pension de famille	…guesthouse
Est-ce que vous avez des chambres libres?	Do you have any rooms available?
Je vourdrais…	I’d like a…
…une chambre à un lit	…single room
…une chambre pour deux	…room for two
…une chambre avec des lits jumeaux	…room with two beds
…me coucher dans un dortoir	…dorm room
Quel est le prix…?	How much is it…?
…par nuit	…per night
…par personne	….per person
Je pars aujourd’hui	I’m leaving today

5. Understanding some Transportation lingo

If you’re not going to be the one driving there isn’t much need to know about the road signs. However if you plan on catching a bus, train, plane, or ferry, you’ll probably need to know a few french phrases to keep up with all the hustle and bustle going on around you.

Transportation Terms

French	English
Quel heur le (…x) arrive?	What time does the (…x) arrive?
Quel heur le (…x) part?	What time does the (…x) leave?
…le bateau	…boat
…le bus	…bus
…l’avion	…plane
…le train	…train
Je voudrais un billet…	I’d like a … ticket
simple	one-way
aller-retour	round trip
de première classe	first class
Je vourdrais louer…	I’d like to rent/hire…
une voiture	a car
un quatre-quatre	a four wheel drive
un vélo	a bicycle
le numero de quai	Platform number
le guichet	ticket office
la gare	train station

Quebec is a stunning example of Canada’s mosaic of languages and cultures. Whether you know how to say ‘Bonjour‘ or not, you’ll have a good time regardless. Still, brushing up on your French can help you out a lot on the road. Even if you only end up using it a couple times. I compiled the translations into a more “Printer friendly” version, should you decide to print these out and give ‘em a go along the way.

Click here for a Printer Friendly version of the translations.

Fact #1. Camper vans rock.

Fact #2. Buying & Selling vehicles can be a pain.

Fact #3. Saving money by sleeping in a Camper Van is clever.

For those who don’t know, Wicked Camper Vans are one of the many transport options backpackers have to travel across Canada. They’re an affordable way to see Canada the way you want to see it. Plus they have cool paintings on them, which makes losing them in a parking lot difficult. I did a quick online search for how much it would cost me to pick up a van  and was surprised how cheap it was. Some might even say its ‘Cheap Like Borscht’ (find out what Borscht is here, it’s delicious and it  turns your pee pink!)

So using Wicked Campers online booking gizmo, I pretended as if I were planning an awesome 2 week winter vacation in Canada starting December 1st from Vancouver, British Columbia. Knowing there’s already plenty of snow, I’ll likely be hanging around the Mountains, as that’s what people do in B.C during December. So pickup & drop-off will be done in Vancouver.

Traveling by Camper Van can get cold during the winter, so let’s do some more pretending and say a really good looking girl who happens to find me incredibly attractive wants to come with and do some of that ‘heat-sharing’ I hear so much about. Let’s call her Megan…Megan Fox. I’ll need at least a 2-person camper-van as one must have a decent amount of room to make sharing heat a pleasurable experience for both, thankfully they have one in stock. Click.

Click to Zoom

According to the Wicked Camper Booking Gizmo, I can rent a campervan for $50 a day. Insurance will set me back an extra $10 a day. Knowing I’ll get lost at least once, renting a GPS is a good idea. GPS rentals go for $3 a day.  I also know that I won’t be going to the Alaska, Yukon, or Northwest Territories, so I won’t need to pay the extra $550 fixed price. With taxes and a few other small surcharges we’re sitting at $1,027.00. At first glance this might seem like quite a bit, but remember, “campervan” is just another word for “uncomfortable home on wheels“. Accommodations alone can almost cost that ($65 double bed at hostel X 14 days = $910) This could be your ticket to a budget backpacking trip through Canada. Keep in mind, this rental is for “off-season prices”, during Summer they’ll likely go up a tad.

Ride sharing is getting more popular in both Canada and the United States. Particularly due to the increase in popularity to ridesharing websites, such as LiftSurfer, PickupPal and RideShareOnline. You’re best chance of finding a ride share in Canada will be between major city centers, such as Vancouver to Calgary, Toronto to Montreal, etc. However, with enough searching, and some careful planning, you can get just about anywhere, particularly if it’s along the Trans-Canada Highway.

For anyone unfamiliar with Ride sharing, here’s how it works.

• Somebody with a car posts online where they’ll be going, when they are leaving, and how long they plan on taking to get there.
• People looking for lifts check online, contact them through the websites or by email, and decide on conditions (usually you’re expected to split the cost of gas/petrol, and sometimes a bit of driving on long haul trips)
• Somebody looking for a ride could also post a request listing, and if somebody is about to drive that way, they’ll reply to you.

I suggest you give your self at least one week to find a ride, as it can sometimes be a waiting game until you find the ride you’re looking for. You can also check Backpackers & hostel notice boards, sometimes ride sharing fliers will be found on them.

Just like hitchhiking, you should use common sense, and let as many people know who you’re going with, where you’re going, and when you’ll be getting there. Keep in contact with friends or family along the way. Feel free to confirm the identity of anyone you’ll be riding with. Despite the possible dangers, you’ve got a way better chance to see a locals perspective on Canada, and the chance to make a new friend. Ride sharing can be a great way to save some money and the environment, just remember to stay safe, use common sense, and have fun.

Start looking for Ride Shares at LiftSurfer and RideShareOnline and PickupPal

Train Travel in Canada is still very much a part of this country’s heritage. There are many ways to see Canada, but the to see the Great North by train is easily one of the most memorable. With countless different routes you can choose from, such as long haul coast to coast trains, to just city to city rides. Each of them provide a unique look into the Canadian landscape.  Below are some of my favourite train trips in Canada.

The Canadian

Easily one of the greatest train journeys in Canada, VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” runs thrice a week, 365 days a year. The Canadian links Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper, and Vancouver. This scenic journey takes 4 nights from start to finish. VIA Rail still uses the original 1955 built stainless-steel coaches to get you from point A to point B. There are two classes to choose from.

Economy Class – Comfy seats with plenty of room to stretch and relax, along with full-coarse meals, snacks, hot and cold drinks, and booze is available for purchase. Pillows and blankets are also provided during the night.

Sleeper Class – Cosy accommodations in a berth, a cabin for one, two, three, or four people, or go all out and get a suite. Delicious meals which highlight regional specialties. Exclusive access to the Park Car, with lounges, and the famous 360-degree panoramic views.

Click here for more information on “The Canadian”

The Rocky Mountaineer

For one of the most majestic train travel experiences, look into The Rocky Mountaineer Train. It’s a unique experience, considered by most to be a trip of a lifetime. The Rocky Mountaineer follows the historic route which was constructed over 100 years ago, uniting the East with the West. The journey will take two days from start to finish. The Rocky Mountaineer only travels during the day, which is probably a good thing, as you don’t want to miss a sight on this ride. Stops include Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper, Banff, and Calgary. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, and some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine.

Click here for booking information on The Rocky Mountaineer

“The Ocean”

This train departs from Montreal in the evening and arrives in Halifax roughly 20 hours later. The Ocean is an overnight journey which follows the St. Lawrence River, before crossing into New Brunswick, followed by Nova Scotia. Take a peak out into the Atlantic ocean, and on a calm night reflections of the train can put any insomniac to sleep. The Ocean is a year round train, which offers plenty of room. Stops include Montreal, Halifax, and Moncton. The Ocean is one of the best ways to view the East coast of Canada.

Click here for booking information on The Ocean

Winnipeg – Churchill

Finding your way to the Arctic can be difficult, one of the best alternatives to flying up North, is grabbing VIA Rail’s Winnipeg to Churchill train. Watch as the prairies cross into boreal forest, and view what so few have seen before. The Arctic Tundra. This train journey is 1,700 km (1, 000 miles), in two days you could find yourself in Northern Manitoba. The perfect location to spot polar bears, balugas, and the Northern Lights. To top it all off, it’s a relatively cheap ride too.

Click here for booking information on The Winnipeg – Churchill

Train travel however can be expensive. In order to cut as many costs as possible, be sure to take advantage of their youth and student promotions. Students and Adults (18-25) with an ISIC card are eligible for a discount on regular adult economy class fare. Or try the VIA 6 Pak, which gives you 6 voucher for one way travel between any two pre-selected cities on VIA Rail.

Click here for more booking information with VIA Rail

For all those Facebook users, check out Mile High Flyer, it is THE application to have to find cheap flights for your friends. And who knows, maybe if they like you enough they’ll actually book the flight and say hello!

Scoring a cheap flight in Canada isn’t the easiest thing. By comparison to other countries, flying in Canada can be expensive if you don’t plan it right and use all the services at your disposal. There are several factors to take in when trying to find the best deal on a domestic or international Canadian flight.

The two most popular airlines are AirCanada and Westjet. Both of which run international and domestic flights through Canada. AirCanada Jazz and Tango are their cheapest flights, and occasionally that can be noticeable. However, since AirCanada became the official airline of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the flights are getting much nicer. The majority of airplanes in Canada will have a personal entertainment system built into the seat ahead of you, as well as those awesome fold down trays we all love so much.

Step 1

Check for specials. Airlines will occasionally have specials during certain weeks of the month. If you’re trips not for another couple months, make a habit of looking twice a week for specials. Sometimes its only 15% off, but that 15% could go towards accommodation, food, or drinks.

Step 2

Book your flights to fly during Mid week. A flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday will be cheaper than a flight on Friday or Saturday. Always! Also, try and making the initial booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday, airlines have a habit of lowering their prices mid week.

Step 3

Search Google for Coupon Codes – apply a coupon code to your flight and save sometimes up to 40% off your flight! Check out Smart Canucks and Bargain Moose, they occasionally run coupon codes for flights. I’ve used these several times without a problem.

Step 4

Compare costs of flights between Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz – some will be cheaper than others. Once you’ve found one, don’t hesitate too long. If you think it’s a better deal than what the others are offering, it probably is, dive on it before someone else does. However, check the airlines website for the exact same date. Occasionally it will be cheaper through the airlines as Orbitz takes a small fee (~$6), might save you the cost of a beer.

Step 5

Book ahead – leaving a flight until last minute can cost you quite a bit. Try and give yourself at least 3 weeks, 4 would be preferable. But when you’re Backpacking Across Canada, sometimes schedules don’t always work.

Step 6

If you’re a student or under 25 years of age, apply for a ISIC card. If you fly often, these cards are great to have, they’re valid all over the world, including Canada. With these cards you can use student sales at  http://www.travelcuts.com/ – a great canadian site used by University students for cheap flights worldwide.

Step 7

If you plan on making more than a couple flights throughout Canada, The United Stated, and Mexico, you should consider buying a North American Air Pass through Star Alliance. This pass allows you to purchase coupons (3 to 10) for flights anywhere through North America. There are serious amounts of savings to be had here, definitely worth looking into it. 

Warning

Flights between Labor Day and Thanksgiving tend to be the cheapest time to book flights. Should you try and grab a flight around Christmas, you’re sure to pay some holiday inflation. Same goes for just about any other holiday, as well as the time of the day. Airlines update costs up to 5 times a day. Check the flights as early as possible. Check at least once before 5am, and again at or around 5pm.
Fly safe!

I understand some of you may see this as stealing. I however don’t. So give it a go, you know you want to…

Read the original article here

This iPhone application allows passengers to search Air Canada flights by route  or by flight number. Passengers receive all the information they need, such as flight status and gate numbers. It even allows users to check-in using their iPhone. There have been more and more airlines trying to incorporate the use of cell phone technology to their passengers, however Air Canada seems to have been one of the first to nail it.

Included within the App is the ability to setup a car rental using Avis or Budget, which allows users to grab a rental without ever leaving the Air Canada App. Air Canada has included several other features into their application as well. If you’re an iPhone user, and you plan on traveling Canada, it’s probably worth it to download the app and check it out yourself.

Click here to find out How to Download the iPhone Air Canada App