Travelling further on the Canadian dollar

The survey highlights a growing trend among Canadian travellers: Stretching their dollars without sacrificing the experience. In fact, 45% say they’re open to choosing destinations where their money goes further, a sign that value is becoming a top priority in vacation planning.

For many, this shift is influencing how and when they travel. Nearly half (46%) are opting for budget-friendly accommodations, freeing up more funds to spend on experiences that matter, like local tours, food and cultural attractions.

Canadians are also getting smart about timing. Roughly a third are extending their summer by travelling during the shoulder season — those quieter weeks just before or after peak summer — to sidestep the highest prices and the busiest crowds. And they’re flexible: A majority are willing to shift their travel dates to take advantage of lower fares.

According to Skyscanner, the most budget-friendly day for Canadians to fly is Friday, with the week of August 25 emerging as the cheapest travel window, ideal for squeezing in a late-summer escape.

And perhaps most telling of this mindset shift: 76% say they’re open to skipping the tourist hotspots altogether in favour of lesser-known destinations that offer authenticity without the inflated price tags.

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Popular destinations for Canadians

Given Canadians’ flexibility on their vacation plans, there’s plenty of quality travel options for them both domestically and internationally.

Of course, prices for flights change daily and you can take advantage of seat sales or by using points from your travel credit card, but currently, the 10 most affordable destinations are:

  • Calgary - flights from $364
  • Halifax - flights from $371
  • Kelowna - flights from $475
  • St. John’s - flights from $553
  • Puerto Vallarta - flights from $557
  • Nassau - flights from $619
  • Montego Bay - flights from $619
  • Charlottetown - flights from $659
  • Castries - flights from $701
  • Buenos Aires - flights from $723
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Nicholas Sokic Contributor

Nicholas completed his master's in journalism and communications at Western University. Since then, he's worked as a reporter at the Financial Post, Healthing.ca, Sustainable Biz Canada and more. Aside from reporting, he also has experience in web production, social media management, photography and video production. His work can also be found in the Toronto Star, Yahoo Finance Canada, Electric Autonomy Canada and Exclaim among others.

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