15 Best Hostels for Travel to Canada
Here is our ultimate list of hostels in Canada, for every major city and popular tourist destination from as far west as Victoria to the eastern most city of St. John’s. 15 of the best hostels nationwide. First, check out our quick guide below for Canadian hostel details on how they may be different from hostels in other countries. We omitted quite a few destinations from our list, such as Winnipeg, Edmonton, Moncton, Whitehorse, Yellowknife etc… to narrow down the list to only the most popular destinations. Many amazing small towns can be found across Canada, but many don’t have hostels, only a local hotel, airbnb or campground.
I divided Canada into three distinct routes: Western Canada, Ontario & Quebec, and Atlantic Canada (AKA the Maritimes). Sadly the Northern Territories and the Prairies will have to wait, I haven’t had the chance to visit them yet, but I’ve explored the rest of Canada thoroughly. Route 1: Western Canada stretches from Vancouver Island to the Canadian Rockies. Route 2: Ontario-Quebec is the second most visited travel route, hitting some of Canada’s biggest and most historical cities. Route 2: Atlantic Canada, my home region, Canada’s cottage country that attracts a lot of retirees and young families for summer RV trips.
Ontario – Quebec
Atlantic Canada
Hostels in Canada
Canada is a very expensive country to travel. It’s arguably the most expensive country in the world because of three big costs: Transportation, Hotels and Food. Norway and Sweden are expensive, sure, but they are tiny more densely populated countries. Canada is enormous and mostly empty. If you want to see the good stuff, you need to drive and often very far. While there are hostels in the major cities and popular tourist destinations like Banff and Jasper, don’t be surprised if there is only 1 hostel in a small town. Camping in the summer and authentic mom and pop B&Bs are far more common in Canada than hostels. It’s not like Europe or the US at all, most travellers are older, richer than the usual backpacker, or are visiting with families in RVs.
Travel is Canada is designed for the outdoors lover. The big cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are fun, but they don’t represent the “Spirit of Canadian Travel” like the stunning rugged natural parks from the coast off Labrador to the mountains of the Yukon. Getting out into the wilderness is the hard part.
Social Atmosphere
Canadians are the friendliest people on earth. I can totally make this statement as a fellow Canadian. In all seriousness, you’ll find Canada to be incredibly welcoming. From the big city of Toronto, to the endless kilometers of highway dotted with small towns across the country. I attribute this kindness to a few big cultural difference, the first being that most Canadians are winter people, we understand that winter can be awful but it brings us together in unexpected ways. We’re like the people of the North from Game of Thrones in real life.
That Canadian-ness extends to social places like hostels. Come in, pop a squat by the fireplace and warm up. Or take a seat at the bar and get some good ol Canadian lager beer. You can start any conversation by mentioning the weather, that’s practically a Canadian introduction.
In the off-season, it can be pretty quiet at times. Canada is a big place with few people, so don’t be surprised to spend a few evenings on your own, or see some empty beds. The high season is from May to September during the summer in most of Canada. The mountain town with popular ski resorts are the one exception as peak season will be a the height of winter from January to March.
Check-in Times
Hostels in Canada are very flexible, they ask for notice for early departures and late arrivals. Notice can be as simple as a quick message, or a “hey i’m checking out early tomorrow around 5 am“.
The bigger cities and popular tourist towns like Banff are different. They are closer to fully operational hotels with full-time staff, 24 hour service and even transport buses to downtown or the ski hills. For these, the times will be posted for each individual hostel.
Cash & Credit
All the hostels in Canada accept credit, but they may charge a 3-5% credit card fee. If you are unaware of how credit cards work, the credit cards charge up to 3% as a fee to the business, that’s how you get those great 1% cash back. They aren’t supposed to upcharge for accepting credit cards, but don’t be surprised if they do to get their money back.
Cash is always accepted.
Dorm Costs
A single bed in a mixed dorm can range from $20 to $40 USD per night. A small town may charge $20 to $25 per bed but the big destination towns like Banff, Jasper, Whistler or Montreal will charge an outrageous $35 to $40 per bed minimum. Especially in the winter ski season, there are no cheaper alternatives and the hostels know that a hotel will be $90 to $200 per night.
Air-Conditioning
Not all hostels in Canada have air-con, I know shocker! Most residential houses in Canada do not have air-con systems. It’s often not hot enough and most people choose to spend their money on heating in the winter for obvious reasons. So do not expect to have air-con, regardless of how much you pay for a bunk.
Long-Term Guests
Most hostels are intended for travellers, but some allow for long-term residents. Hostels in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto often get swarmed with people staying long-term in the city because finding a place to rent is so difficult and they are very transient cities. People just in the city for a short temp job or just need a place to ride out the winter will book a bed for months.
Personally, I don’t like these long-term guests because don’t participate in the same social setting as the tourists just passing through for a few days. An otherwise great hostel can become a deadzone for the social atmosphere. Some of my close friends stayed in hostels for several months in Vancouver before making their way up to Whistler or Tofino for a seasonal job. There is a demand for these long-term accommodations, but it just kills the social vibes.
Western Canada
There are many small towns and popular touristy spots all over Western Canada, I can’t possibly include them all. The best example is Tofino, BC, a popular spot for surfers, hippies and outdoor lovers thanks to its proximity to Pacific Rim National Park in these small towns like Tofino there are few choices for accommodations, you’ll have to choose what’s available.
If you are driving through this region eastward across Canada, I recommend checking out Kamloops, Revelstoke, the Kootenays, Kelowna and the Okanagan Wine Country. Or possibly taking a detour to the Yukon in the North during the summer months. For this article, we’ll focus on the top destinations most popular with backpackers: Banff AB, Jasper AB, Calgary AB, Vancouver BC, Victoria BC and Whistler BC.
Banff, Alberta
Banff is the party town in Canada. It’s close enough for a day trip from Calgary. Expect to drive for 1h 30 minutes in the summer, up to 2h 30 minutes in the fall or winter from Calgary..
Banff has a population of 7,500, but the surrounding Banff National Park sees over 3 million tourists each year. Almost everyone in Banff is only there for a temporary stay, working in hotels, bars and ski hills on holiday visas for the high tourist seasons from November to April and July to September.
We covered Banff National Park and the famous Lake Louise.
Banff Samesun Hostel
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: No, heaters Yes
- Private Rooms: No
- Bunks to a Room: 4, 8, 10, 14 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Yes
- Free to Use Kitchen: No
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes, also more available for rent
- Price: $31.80-$40+ USD for a Bunk
Banff has a few great hostels for tourists visiting any time of year. Whether it’s the middle of ski season or the beautiful mountain summers, you’ll find a bed. Samesun is located in downtown Banff, a short walk from the bars and pubs. The atmosphere is great, social, fun, but you may have to put up with loud music until late in the evening. Banff has a reputation as a party town, so expect a party anytime, to make friends, and stay out late during the high tourist season.
HI Lake Louise
- Location Score: 8/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: No
- Bunks to a Room: 4, 5 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 4 Bed Female Only Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Yes
- Free to Use Kitchen: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $32 – $47+ USD for a bunk.
Hi Lake Louise is another great hostel part of the Hi Hostel International group. Hi members will receive a discount on their bookings. Hi Lake Louise is located in a cozy side street just a few blocks from the small with shops town near Lake Louise. The famous emerald lake is just down the main road! The buildings are quite large but a little dated, with few plugs for charging so be sure to bring a powerbank.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is cowboy country. Each summer the city hosts the Calgary Stampede and real country cowboys flock to the big city for the tournament. It’s one of the most popular events in Canada, drawing in over 1.2 million attendees for the week long festivities. If you love jean jackets, leather boots, line dancing and footloose, definitely check out Cowboys Calgary Nightclub (video)!
Calgary is also one of the largest cities within easy driving distance to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, making it the perfect destination to arrive, rent a car or RV and begin a Western Canada road trip. In the winter, Calgary is just 2h 30 minutes from some of the best ski hills in Canada, including Kicking Horse, Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Valley.
Wicked Hostels Calgary
- Location Score: 6/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: Single Twin Bed, Single Double Bed
- Bunks to a Room: 4, 6 & 8 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 8 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Tea & Coffee station
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $33 USD for a Bunk, $67+ for a Private Room
Wicked Hostels is one of the few cheap accommodations in Calgary. The location is just south of downtown. Roughly a 20 minute walk to downtown, but right beside the Stampede Park and subway station so getting around is easy. The hostel is old, needs some TLC but the staff are very friendly and do their best to help out guests with tips and recommendations. For groups, I recommend Airbnb in Calgary.
Jasper, Alberta
The road from Banff to Jasper National Park is a true example of journey before destination. The road north, highway 93, cuts through the heart of the Rockies Mountains and past 75% of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. This area, known as
the Icefield Parkway, is one of the most accessible places in North America to explore the icy glaciers that stretch down like toes from the great Columbia Icefield. The journey takes 4 hours of driving to Jasper, past beautiful lakes, rivers, canyons and local wildlife. We dived into Jasper National Park in this article.
The town of Jasper is even better than Banff for outdoor lovers. It’s way more remote and less commercialized than the towns further south like Banff, Golden and Canmore.
Japser is the perfect place for viewing wildlife early (6 to 8 am) in the morning. That’s the best time to see the large animals grazing in the fields. But don’t get too close, or even get out of your car. While camping is the best option in the summer, winter travellers can find a cheap respite from the cold in the Jasper Downtown Hostel.
Jasper Downtown Hostel
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: 1 Queen BEd
- Bunks to a Room: 6, 7, & Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: No
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: No
- Price: $30+ USD for a single dorm bed & $83 USD for a private room
Vancouver, British Columbia
I lived in Vancouver for two years and got to know the city very well. It’s where I’d live when I return to Canada… If I could afford to live there with fewer than 6 roommates. It’s crazy expensive, rightfully so because it’s the #1 big city in Canada. Nature, Art, Sports, Culture, Museums, its got it all.
Downtown Vancouver is so tiny, you can walk the entire peninsula in 2 hours or less. If you can avoid the east side near Hasting St and Main St, the rest of Vancouver is stunning and beautiful! From Waterfront Station, take a hard left to Gastown, with its cobblestone streets, old buildings and chic shops. Just don’t go too far, you’ll cross into Chinatown and East Hastings which is Canada’s biggest slum.
Right of Waterfront Station there’s the Canadian Trail, Canada Place and a nice boardwalk all the way to Stanley Park, a massive forest at the tip of the city, beside English Bay and 3rd Beach, two of the most popular relaxing outdoor spaces in downtown. Check out 3rd beach every Tuesday in the summers for the weekly drum circle. Next you have Davies St, popular for it’s lively characters, music venues and local eats. Across the water is Granville Island, you can take a ferry taxi over and explore the local shops, Public Market and comedy clubs at night. Outside of downtown you have Commercial Drive, Vancouver’s biggest hipster street, and Kitsilano Beach, the “it” spot for people in their early 30s without kids.
HI Vancouver Downtown
- Location Score: 8/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: Yes, 1 Double Bed, 1 Twin Bed
- Bunks to a Room: 4 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 4 Bed Female Only Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $27 USD for a Single Dorm Bed, $63 USD for a Private Room
HI Vancouver Downtown is located in a quieter section of the city near Sunset Beach and across the bridge from Kitsilano Beach. This hostel includes a rooftop patio, free breakfast and is part of the international network of HI Hostels.
Many of the hostels in Vancouver are in Gastown or on Granville St. which are both busy with nightlife. So this is a quieter choice but also a safer choice in downtown given all the vagrants.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, BC is the seat of the provincial government of British Columbia. Victoria is one of the oldest European settlements on the west coast of North America. The city is located at the very southern tip of Vancouver Island, first settled by the Spanish, then surrendered to the British.
In contrast to the business driven Vancouver, Victoria is primarily a government city and popular among young starter families and retirees. Where Vancouver is this multi-cultural melting pot, Victoria is almost entirely Caucasian – Its just all old white people in their golden years because the climate is mild all year with cool summers and rarely any snowfall as its always above 0°
The most popular tourist attractions include the waterfront boardwalk, whale watching tours, the Botanical Butchart Gardens. My favorite local spot is Fisherman’s Wharf where you can buy some greasy seafood, see seals and all the tiny house boats.
Ocean Island Inn
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: Yes, 1 Twin Shared Bath, 1 Double Shared Bath, 1 Double Bed w Ensuite,
- Bunks to a Room: 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Free Dinner 5-8pm daily. Free Coffee & Tea
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No Breakfast, Free Dinner
- Towel: No, available for rent
- Price: $22 USD for a Bunk, $46-80+ USD for a Private Room
Ocean Island Inn is a 4 story hostel in central Victoria with 23 bathrooms, a front desk open 24/7, no curfew, a shared kitchen and a free communal dinner of Indian Curry or Pasta each night. A classic hostel that encourages guests to hang out in chill rooms, cook your own food, stay up late playing games and with expert staff to help you explore the city.
Whistler, British Columbia
Winter wonderland, Whistler is the ultimate ski destination in Canada. The town hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic games. The main ski hill Whistler-Blackcomb is a set of two massive peaks connected by a cable-car. The town comes alive over the winter as workers and guests flock to the mountains for the snow and ski season. Most of the staff are young adults, Canadians, Australians, Kiwis and Brits looking for an experience of a lifetime working the slopes and skiing everyday.
Prices for accommodations in Whistler skyrocket in peak season, with Airbnbs soaring well over $100 USD/night, up to $300/night for winter chalets. But travellers can find a few local hostels in the $40-$50 range per night. Prices are lower on weekdays as those living in nearby Vancouver are usually busy working. If you are staying in Vancouver, consider a day trip to Whistler to save money. If you plan to stay on a long weekend, best to book far in advance.
In the summer, the hills turn into a popular mountain biking course (Youtube) and hiking trails. Consider staying in the nearby town of Squamish if you have a car, it’s just a short drive to Whistler. For those without their own transportation, shuttle buses are available from most hostels in Whistler.
Local Hostel Fireside Lodge
- Location Score: 7/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: Yes, 1 Double Bed, 1 Loft Sleeps 5
- Bunks to a Room: 18 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: No
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $27+ USD for a single dorm bed and $82+ USD for a private room
Fireside Lodge is a member’s owner hostel that rents out bunks. The location is great between Whistler Village and Creekside. A bus stop is down the street to take you to the village. There is a fully equipment kitchen for your use in the common room. Lots of games, fireplaces and very hygge!
There is a storage room for boards and other ski equipment that is locked at night for security purposes. This is not a party hostel, as many of the members are older so expect relatively quiet evenings. Bathrooms are shared and there is a sauna on site!
Ontario & Quebec, Canada
The Windsor, ON – Quebec City, QC Corridor is the most populous area in Canada, home to some 18 million of Canada 36 million residents. It’s half of Canada’s population and the second most popular route to travel in Canada.
Start from Toronto and work your way southeast to the Niagara region, wine country and home of Niagara Falls. Go west of Toronto to a number of small towns along the Fleuve St. Laurent (St. Lawrence River) and Lake Ontario. The region is dotted with campgrounds and great inlets to kayak and canoe. Ottawa is the nation’s capital city and home of our Parliament. Just 2 hours further east is Montreal, the great cultural hub of Canada. Finally, Quebec City, the majority French, oldest and most historical city in Canada, the closest we have to a European city in North America.
Montreal, Quebec
Montreal, QC Canada’s most interesting city and #2 on my list of cities to visit in Canada behind Vancouver, BC. Montreal is a melting pot of cultures and languages. The city is very bilingual with most residents speaking English and French, plus a number of other languages such as Greek, Italian, Yiddish, Native West African Languages, Arabic, Cantonese, Polish and Russian. Montreal’s world famous old district attracts everyone from rich posh celebrities, international sports stars, to budget backpackers. Old Montreal restaurants aren’t too pricey all considered, but it’s certainly not Thailand prices. Located right downtown is the the Basilica of Notre-Dame, just one of many stunning Gothic Revival architectural delights in the city dating back to the 19th century.
The Montreal scene is all about rich culture, high fashion, great foods, lively nightlife and once a year – Formula 1 Racecars. Take a walk across town to Mont Royale and the great lookout viewpoint at the top. You’ll get a wide view of the city’s amazing street art that peppers the buildings walls across the downtown core.
M Montreal Hostel
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: Yes, 2, 3 and 5 Bed Apartments
- Bunks to a Room: 6, 8, 10, 12 & 14 Bed Mixed Dorms
- Female Only Room: 10 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Cafe
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Free, 7-10 am daily
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $23+ USD for a Bunk, $140-180+ for the Private 2, 3 or 5 Bed Apartment
M Montreal is a massive hostel with 490 beds, 2 jacuzzi spas, the M Cafe and M Bar on site, pool table, lounge and computer stations. It’s like a 5 star hostel that still preserves the things we value most as travellers: Free breakfast, a fully equipped kitchen, hangout rooms and event nights like Karaoke and live music. The bunks were designed from scratch, with privacy curtains, a place for hanging clothes, lockers, plugs and even shelves to your small belongings.
The M Montreal is the ultimate hostel.
Auberge Saint-Paul
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: No
- Bunks to a Room: 6, 10 & 15 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 & 10 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Cafe
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $15+ USD for a Bunk
Auberge Saint-Paul is located right in downtown Montreal, above a night club which by default makes this a party hostel. Just a few minutes from the beautiful and culture rich Old Montreal, this hostel is much cheaper than M Montreal but still offers the essentials for travellers. The facilities are a little bare-bones, beds a little squeaky, lockers aren’t great and your bunk makes may be out until the late evening enjoying Montreal’s famous nightlife. But you’ll get a small breakfast is included, a great social vibe and a great location to walk the city.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is in the middle of the Niagara wine country in southern Ontario. The town is very small and quaint, not exactly a booming party destination. Most people only visit for a few days to see the world famous Niagara Falls, and maybe visit a few orchards and vineyards out of town. There are a number of boat tours available at the Falls, however a budget traveller can also enjoy them on their own guided bike tour around town.
Being in wine country, Niagara is a great place to try IceWine, as many of the famous vineyards that produce the sweet and refreshing drink can be found nearby-ish. Of course, wine country attracts a specific kind of tourist, the older and more cultured variety willing to drop a few hundred dollars for dinner, or wine & cheese brunch at a vineyard restaurant. It’s not exactly a backpacker kind of attraction but worth it if you have the budget.
HI Niagara Falls
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: 2 Twin Beds, 1 Twin Bed, 4 Bed Family Room
- Bunks to a Room: 4 & 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 8 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Cafe
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes, until 11am
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $30+ USD for a Bunk, $81+ USD for a Private Room
Hi Niagara is only a 15 minute bike ride from the famous Niagara Falls. The hostel has bike for rent to also explore the small town and countryside of small vineyards, orchards and farms.
HI Niagara is cozy, which is hostel speak for a little crowded. The facilities, bathroom, kitchen and beds are very basic but well maintained. Each stay includes a breakfast of toast, cereal and oatmeal with coffee or tea served until 11am.
Let’s Bunk Niagara
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: 1 Double Bed
- Bunks to a Room: 4 & 8 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 4 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $20+ CAD for a Bunk, $30+ CAD for a Private Room
Let’s Bunk is a brand new hostel located in Niagara, Ontario. When we first wrote this article, we noticed a lack of options in the Niagara area despite the famous Niagara Falls being one of Canada’s top tourist attractions. We are excited to say Let’s Bunk just opened in late 2019 and offer clean new dorm bunks and bike rentals for backpackers. Say hello to owner Maria on your next visit!
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, home of the Federal Government and Canadian Parliament. Ottawa is actually a set of sister cities: Ottawa, Ontario (1 million people) and Gatineau, Quebec (400 thousand people). They are side-by-side across the river and canals. Ottawa is English and Gatineau is French. The relationship between these cities kind of summarizes the English-French dynamic in Canada. People tend to stay on their side of the river and rarely cross over unless it’s for work at the Federal Government offices, where both languages are commonly spoken.
Many people see Canada as this great bilingual country, but that’s not really correct. For generations the three main language groups have lived in separated communities: English towns, French towns and Aboriginals (Native American) towns. Walk around Toronto or Vancouver and ask people if they speak French, do the same in Quebec City for English… It’s very segregated. Montreal is probably the only exception.
HI Ottawa Jail Hostel
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: 1 Twin Bed, 2 Twin Beds, 1 Double Bed
- Bunks to a Room: 4 & 8 Bed Mixed Dorms
- Female Only Room: 4 & 6 Bed Female Dorms
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Cafe
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes, Continental Breakfast
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $27+ USD for a Bunk, $36-$82+ USD for a Private Room
Yes, an actual jail, converted into a strange and spooky hostel but located right downtown near Parliament, the Byward Market and Rideau Canal. The building still has prison doors, metal bars and a cryptic feel despite the the modern and bright renovated space. Its probably the most unique hostel experience in Canada. This authentic space has a downside, weird squeaky bunks, its 9 floors without an elevator and the air-conditioning/fans are hit and miss, which can be tough in peak summer.
Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City is one of Canada’s oldest European settlements. Canada celebrated its 150th year in 2017, while Quebec has celebrated over 400 years of history. That long history is the foundation of Quebec Pride and why Quebec is often seen as a nation on its own. Often I’ll hear Quebecois travellers say “We are from Quebec“, not “Canada“. The city has a European vibe unlike anywhere else in North America. The official language is French, of course, but the province also has its own legal system where civil cases are regulated by “French Heritage Civil Law” first enacted under King Louis XIV of France in 1667, 200 years before Canada became a country.
Quebec also has a different provincial tax system, where individuals and businesses operate in cash and don’t pay any taxes and then bribe corrupt politicians for more subsidies. Bring cash, cash is king in Quebec. Through this system of heavy taxation, Quebec also has some of the cheapest college tuition rates in Canada.
Quebec City was built into a stronghold fortification as the French fought against the British during the colonization era in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is the only heavily fortified city north of Mexico City in North America. The old quarter still has it’s famous citadel fortress, where Canadian Armed Forces can occasionally be seen performing ceremonies, or firing off (blank) cannons. Other popular attractions include Chateau Frontenac and the popular boardwalk along the river where performing artists put on great, professional busking shows.
HI Quebec Auberge
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: No, Ceiling Fans
- Private Rooms: 1 Double Bed w Ensuite
- Bunks to a Room: 4, 8 & 12 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 4 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Cafe
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes, Kitchen + Coffee & Tea
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $18+ USD for a Bunk, $65+ USD for a Private Room
HI Quebec is located right in downtown, within the walls of the old city. It’s the perfect location from which to explore the city on foot. But for those traveling by car, you’ll find parking hard to find, or expensive. Being the center of the city, expect a lot of foot-traffic on the cobblestone streets and a pretty lively nightlife in the summer, that you’ll definitely hear as you try to fall asleep. A continental (cold) breakfast is available from the cafe-bistro but it’s not included in the dorm price. No air-conditioning is a big downside on a hot summer night. The rooms are spacious but with 266 beds you may find the social atmosphere lacking if its not booked up.
Toronto, Ontario
I admit, I criticize Toronto more than any other travel blogger. Toronto is a lovely city, clean, friendly and very multi-cultural. For such a massive metropolis of 5 million people, its pretty quiet and down to earth, with great locals eats, nice cafes and spacious public parks. Toronto is located right on Lake Ontario, visitors can rent a kayak or hop on a tour boat and set sail from the waterfront.
The city is well known for producing famous actors, movie stars, musicians and has a wonderful film festival held each year in the summer. Toronto is also home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, obviously one of Canada’s most famous museums!
Despite how often I call it “Canada’s least Canadian City“, it’s a lovely city to visit as an international traveller and this year became a rallying point for all Canadians as the Raptors won the NBA finals for the first time. I watched the city explode with fans, parading down the streets towards downtown in celebration. The atmosphere was electric, the people cheering “We The North“. For the next week, the city was buzzing with excitement.
Planet Traveler Hostel
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: Yes
- Private Rooms: 1 Double w Shared Bath, 1 Double w Ensuite
- Bunks to a Room: 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Free Coffee & Tea
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes, until 1 pm daily
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $40+ USD for a Bunk, $100+ USD for a Private Room
Planet Traveler is an amazing green hostel, the building is designed to be energy efficient, suing solar panels and geothermal heating. The dorms all have memory foam mattresses, lockers, lamps and plugs. Breakfast is included, with unlimited coffee and tea. There is a rooftop patio to enjoy in the summer, a cool lounge area and fully equipped kitchen. Best of all, the hostel does not allow any locals to book a bed and maintains a 14 day maximum stay policy, meaning no long-term guests or quasi working homeless people. The hostel is only for short term visitors.
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Trois Rivières is a small town along the Fleuve Saint Laurent (Saint Lawrence River). It’s a popular town to overnight between Montreal and Quebec City. The town is very small, with a boardwalk along the river and a walk-able downtown core of restaurants and cafes. The town used to be a big industrial hub for lumber, iron and pulp and paper production. The Forge de Saint Maurice was Canada’s first large industrial forge and ran continuously for over 150 years producing materials for France’s growing navy fleet.
Auberge Int de Trois Rivières
- Location Score: 9/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: 1 Double Bed w Shared Bath
- Bunks to a Room: 4 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: Free Coffee & Tea
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: No, Available for Rent
- Price: $21+ USD for a Bunk, $45+ USD for a Private Room
Check in time is from 12 noon until 8 pm, message the hostel in advance if you need a late check-in. Part of the HI hosteling group, this hostel is very cozy and simple. Its a no frills stay, with small wobbly bunks, a well equipped kitchen, bikes to use for free (limited supply) and comfy common area.
There aren’t any lockers or locks on the doors, so security is questionable at best but this is Trois Riviere, small town Canada where crime is pretty rare. If you need to, ask the staff to place your valuables in a safe space overnight.
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the heart and soul of Canada and Canadian Values. It’s Canada’s cottage country, main fishing hub, and has a diverse population of settlers due to the long and storied history of European immigration. Atlantic Canada happens to be my home region.
Atlantic Canada includes the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. Popular destinations includes Charlottetown, Halifax, Cape Breton, Grand Pré, St. Andrews, St. John’s, Sydney, the Fortress of Louisburg, New Glasgow and Moncton.
Hostels are not the way to experience travel in Atlantic Canada. No one visits the region in the winter unless it’s for work, but the summer is stunning as the entire region is just one massive cottage country of small towns. You need a car or RV. The hostel selection is poor, you are better off camping, RVing or staying all B&Bs. But none-the-less we’ll pick the best of what’s available.
A little History
Vikings first landed on the shores of Newfoundland & Labrador in the 8th century. By the 16th century, the French and English, Dutch and German empires began settling the Atlantic region for its rich natural resources like fish, furs and lumber. The First Nations suffered greatly, some tribes even being pushed to extinction during the colonization. In 1755 the British began the mass deportation of the local French Acadians, who had already settled the land for generations. The “Grand Dérangement” separated families as people were forced onto boats and relocated to France, Lousiana (origin of cajuns), Quebec or to the very edges of the territory. Parts of Atlantic Canada remain very “colonial”, with Irish, French, Scottish and British influences still very prominent in small towns.
Charlottetown
Atlantic Canada is where Canada was formed as a confederation. It all came together in Charlottetown, PEI. My favorite town in Canada by far and large, Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, a province with only 135,000 residents, a fusion of hardcore British and French settlements.
You can drive across the whole island in just a few hours, or ride the old rail-line trail by bike over a few days. You absolutely need either a car or decent road bikes to travel PEI. The countryside is littered with small farms, little fishing villages and golf courses. The entire island is slowly eroding into the sea, which coincidentally creates some of the most stunning natural beaches in Canada. The best ones are Cavendish Beach, Brackley Beach, West Point and Greenwich.
Every year thousands of tourists visit Charlottetown because of Margeret Montgomery’s famous novel series “Anne of Green Gables” or “Akage no Anne/ 赤毛のアン”. The book is an international best seller and incredibly popular among women in Japan. Every summer you can see a live theatrical play of Anne at the Charlottetown Theater. PEI has a circuit of small venues each summer where visitors and locals can see small budget live theater plays. The Victoria Playhouse is one such local theater. The winter is a freezing wasteland, not recommended.
HI Charlottetown Backpackers Inn
- Location Score: 7/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: No
- Bunks to a Room: 6 Bed mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: No
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No, Coffee & Tea
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $25+ USD for a Bunk
Hostels are not the best way to experience PEI. It’s cottage country, so there are dozen upon dozens of little cottages to rent by the seaside across PEI. Next, are the amazing campgrounds like PEI National Park. Lastly are the B&Bs, not Airbnbs (although you can find them on there), but real mom and pop run Bed and Breakfast Inns. If you do find yourself in need of a hostel, HI Charlottetown is your only option.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS is my hometown. The city was founded on the edge of the deep harbor as a military camp. It’s one of the few harbors so north that doesn’t freeze in the winter. The British chose well, as the harbor is protected by fortifications on many small island and the peninsula. Today we call these areas Point Pleasant Park and McNabs Island.
Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada with 200,000 people. Another roughly 200,000 people populate the some 300 outlying communities. The core of downtown Halifax is a dense area along Spring Garden Road, Barrington St. and Lower Water St. The city is very popular among tourists for its summer festivities like international buskers week, tall ship festivals, and lively atmosphere along the main boardwalk. An awesome nightlife and easy-going vibes draws many young folk to the city. It’s the kind of place you can get completely “paralyzed” drinking and still feel safe and relaxed. Downtown Halifax is a student town with 7 local universities and just doesn’t attract the kind of creepy vagrants and miscreants that come out at night in larger cities, most of them stay in neighboring Dartmouth, although the infamous Dome Nightclub is an exception.
Hi-Halifax
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: No
- Bunks to a Room: 6 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 6 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No, Free Coffee & Tea
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $26+ USD for a Bunk
HI Halifax has been around for ages, as such it could use some TLC, a modern renovation. Since there are only 2 hostels in the city,. it still sells out very quickly in the peak summer months. It’s the kind of hostel with wild pain on the walls, too many forks and not enough spoons in the kitchen and amazing staff to help you with everything you need for your stay. Although the toilet may breakdown, the beds are pretty bare bones and there may be a mouse in between the floors, that’s the price for staying right downtown near all the action the city has to offer.
St. John’s, Newfoundland
St John’s is my great travel shame, it’s one of only two destinations on this list I’ve never personally visited despite being relatively close to my hometown. Most fellow maritimers visit at least once for St. Patrick’s Day festivities on St. John’s famous bar street for an all nighter pub crawl. St. has more bars than any other street in Canada.
St John’s is arguably the friendliest city in Canada. Newfoundlanders are the kindest and most welcoming Canadians, that’s a pretty high bar already. The town made international headlines after 9/11 as flights re-routed to its airport, stranding hundreds of passengers in travel limbo. The locals drove out to the airport en masse and began offering guestrooms and couches to all the stranded travellers, free of charge, until flights resumed and they could make their way home. Many stayed over a week and forged lasting friendships in the city.
St John’s is simply a jumping off point for exploring the stunning island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador. The rugged terrain, raw natural landscape, icebergs drifting off the coast and picturesque brightly painted fishing villages draw travellers from all over.
City Hostel
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: 1 Twin Bed w Ensuite, 1 Double Bed w Shared Bath
- Bunks to a Room: 4 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: 4 Bed Female Dorm
- Security Locker: No
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $28+ USD for a Bunk, $47+ USD for a Private Room
City Hostel is located centrally in the very tiny downtown core of St. John’s. The hostel runs on a volunteer staff, who work for room and board at the hostel. I’ve done such volunteering “exchanges” in Japan, it gives the hostel a very social vibe but service is totally dependent on who is working at the time of your stay. The owners pop in and out.
The facilities are very basic, with a small kitchen for for three, tiny shower room. The vibe is more like staying at a friend’s house than a hostel, which fits the St. John’s seen since the town is so small and friendly. This way, it’s easy to meet other travelers and team up to explore the countryside and go hiking on the popular trails.
More Info for Travel to Canada
For your pre-trip downtime, check out our List of Recommended Books, Movies and Podcasts all featuring Canada! Lastly, I recommend picking up a Prepaid SIM Card for your own hotspot device or mobile phone. You can order in advance on our Tallypack Store and have delivered to your hotel upon your arrival!
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