Best Time to Visit Canada

When is the best time to go to Canada? It really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. From coast to coast, Canada is a beautiful country that is fantastic to visit at any time of year, but every traveller has their own ideas of what they want from a trip.

Some want Winter festivals or sports, others love to hike in nature looking at Fall colours, and some prefer exploring a city in the Summer. In this post, we'll give you an idea of when you'll get the best weather in Canada and the best times to travel to Canada for your own preferred interests and sights to see.

[ Explore: Trains Across Canada ]

Best Season to Visit Canada

Canada is a vast country whose climate varies extensively from the East to the West. Although many people favour Summer for their vacation, as they think it's too cold the rest of the year, the best time of year to visit Canada is between September and November for a number of reasons.

Some parts of Canada can get very hot during summer, so the weather can be much more comfortable during the fall months, with the fall foliage providing a beautiful backdrop to your visit. However, everyone has their preferences for weather, so we'll break it down by the seasons for you, looking at the best months to visit Canada.

1. Winter — December 21st to March 19th

January is the coldest month in Canada for most of the provinces. Although northern regions and the flatlands can experience temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit during this time, inland cities like Vancouver are much milder, with lows of around 40 degrees. While snow can come as early as October and appear into April, but snowfall is heaviest from December through February. The month with the most snowfall is usually January. But don't let that discourage you — there is a lot to love about Winter in Canada. 

This is an excellent time of year to visit Canada for winter sports such as skating and skiing. It's also the perfect time to observe the Northern Lights. Winter in Canada is the ideal time to visit a mountain lodge and spend a few days cozied up with your family, warming up by the fire after a day outside exploring. There are also many festivals during this season, so if you wrap up nicely for the cold, this can be a wonderful time for a visit.

A Winter train trip is a magical experience, where you can stay cozy in your private cabin and watch the snowy landscape roll by the window.

Travel across Canada on our Trans Canada by Rail in Winter train trip.

2. Spring — March 20th to June 20th

Springtime in Canada is still a little chilly, with temperatures not getting much above the mid-fifties Fahrenheit, and most parts of the country experience heavy rainfall in April, making it the rainiest month in Canada. That said, with all the plant life and flowers springing into life, it can be a beautiful time to visit, especially on the West Coast of Canada where the Spring come earliest. Spring can also be the best time for some wildlife viewing, with migrating birds and bears leaving hibernation. 

If you're well-equipped for the weather, Spring can be an excellent time to book your trip, as this is when you can find the best deals on accommodation and travel. In addition, with the lengthening days leading up to the summer solstice, it's a great time to explore the glaciers and mountains of the Northern Territories.

[ Explore: The Canadian Train by VIA Rail ]

3. Summer — June 21st to September 20th

As in many other countries, Summer is the peak season for visitors to Canada. However, temperatures vary across the country, with highs between 70 and 95 Fahrenheit in Toronto and 65 to 80 in more temperate Vancouver. This gives plenty of opportunities to visit Canada's many sites of natural beauty. Generally, July is the hottest month in Canada.

From July through August, school is out in Canada, so many families take their Summer holidays. It is also the peak season for outdoor festivals and celebrations, from the Calgary Stampede to the Canadian National Exhibition.

Train tours, such as our trips on the Rocky Mountaineer train, run primarily in the Summer and Fall, which may make these seasons the best time of year to trave to Canada if this is the vacation you are looking for.

Read more: Best Summer Festivals Across Canada

4. Fall — September 21st to December 20th

Fall is a spectacular season in Canada, making it one of the best times to visit Canada. During these month, there are comfortable temperatures, around 60 degrees in September in Toronto, steadily falling towards winter. Rain is common this time of year, although not as much as in April. 

You can expect the first snow in November. Overall, Fall is a great time to travel in Canada, neither too cold nor too hot, with little in the way of extreme weather.

A major draw of visiting Canada in the Fall is the leaves changing colour, which creates vivid red, orange and gold landscapes. For this reason, many believe October is the best month to visit, when colours are at their peak.

Final Thoughts

While every season has its draws and much depends on what you want to do, our Canadian Insiders recommend Fall as the best time to go to Canada because of its ideal weather and reduced crowds. For those travellers looking to relax on a rail journey with Canadian Train Vacations, the Fall is also ideal, as both VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer offer trips at this time of year.