The Cheapest Places to Travel in Canada in 2020

Accommodation: $55/night
Food and drink: $40
Activities: $33 in winter / from $133 in summer

A year-round budget destination, Radium Hot Springs is a nature-lover’s dream spot. Radium and its surrounding areas offer all kinds of outdoorsy activities, including visiting the hot springs themselves, located in Kootenay National Park. In the winter months, ski or snowboard at nearby Panama (and get a budget nighttime lift ticket) or skate the Lake Windermere Whiteway for a small $5 donation. If you’re visiting in the warmer months and are feeling splurgy, paddle the Columbia River or raft the Rockies with Kootenay River Runners. And expect to spot mountain goats pretty much everywhere.

RELATED: 20 best Canadian national parks to explore this Summer.

Accommodation: $60/night
Food and drink: $44
Activities: Free

If you’re looking for a destination with more of a busy vibe, Windsor is a hidden gem of a city. Often overlooked, it has a pretty decent food and drink scene — including nightlife that is perfect for every budget traveler. Take in the Detroit skyline while going on a walk along the river, hit up the casino, enjoy some of the local arts and culture and dine to your heart’s (and stomach’s) delight. Plus, it’s a quick hop across the border if Detroit is on your bucket list, too.

Accommodation: $45/night
Food and drink: $50
Activities: $9/day

This beachside town along the Baie des Chaleurs is like visiting a southern beach resort without the price or five-hour flight. Bask in the sun on the white sandy beaches (safely, of course) or hike through the trails of Mont-Saint-Joseph and take in the stunning views of the bay. Visit the local microbrewery for a snack and then cap the day off by staying in a yurt over the water.

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Accommodation: $49/night
Food and drink: $34
Activities: $59

Take in the views of the prairies and the Rockies in this Albertan town. There’s lots of local culture to peruse, from galleries and museums to a quaint small-town feel when it comes to shopping, plus lots of rural attractions to check out. TV and film buffs will appreciate Cochrane’s mystery towns scavenger hunt to find hidden movie clues around town.

Accommodation: $50
Food and drink: $48
Activities: $45

Home of the Insta-worthy 100-metre Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and Sea to Sky Gondola, which takes you 822 metres above the sea, the views are worth the trip if you can handle heights. Squamish offers all kinds of activities for nature-lovers, from hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, snowshoeing and scuba diving and snorkelling.

Accommodation: $44/night, split
Food and drink: Free
Activities: $25

Located about 90 minutes outside of Toronto, Elora Gorge is situated inside Elora Gorge Conservation Area. Camp with friends for $44 per night for a standard campsite (split between friends) and then spring for a tubing trip down through the 22-foot-drop gorge after hiking on one of the guided trails. Don’t want to stay overnight? Get day admission to the conservation area for only $7.

SEE ALSO: Best long weekend destinations from Toronto.

Accommodation: $33/night
Food and drink: $55
Activities: $10

There’s a reason this city has made the list two years in a row. Quebec City’s rich history makes it a must-see Canadian destination any time of year, but it becomes particularly vibrant in the winter months. If you make it before Christmas, check out the city’s Christmas market or plan to come in February for the annual Carnaval, complete with outdoor ice skating.

SEE ALSO: The Cheapest Places to Travel to in Canada in 2019.

Accommodation: $100/night (split four ways)
Food and drink: $38
Activities: $8

Tobermory is situated right in between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. It’s known for its scenic grotto located in Bruce Peninsula National Park (where you can also camp), but also for Fathom Five National Marine Park, which is considered Canada’s shipwreck capital. Snorkel for free or if you’re a seasoned scuba diver, you can register to dive for $5 a day. Camping is an inexpensive option, but there are also lots of affordable Airbnbs, most of which can be shared with lots of people to keep costs inexpensive.

Accommodation: $5/night
Food and drink: $26
Activities: Free

The Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park is a unique destination straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan border that has lots to offer. Visit nearby heritage village Val Marie, which is steeped in prairie history or camp out at Grasslands National Park and marvel at what is considered Canada’s darkest skies (some have even spotted the Northern Lights).

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Accommodations: $121/night (split 6 ways)
Food and drink: Free
Activities: Free

Port Renfrew is a small coastal town on Vancouver Island that has a ton to offer. This hidden gem has surfing and has some of Canada’s tallest (and “gnarliest,” as the tourism site states) trees in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, as well as lots of tide pools and marine life to take in. Save even more cash and camp out instead.

Accommodation: $40/night
Food and drink: $48
Activities: $80

Seeing aurora borealis is on a lot of people’s bucket lists and it’s more affordable than you think. Yellowknife’s Airbnb offering is extensive and, while there are ways to view the northern lights for free — in fact, some accommodations boast being able to see them — there are tours that offer transportation, snacks, warm drinks and even professional photos to commemorate the experience.

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Accommodation: $13/night
Food and drink: Free
Activities: Free

Algonquin Park is a must-visit for the nature-lover. A popular camping destination, Algonquin offers all kinds of accommodations from the camping newbie to the backcountry veteran and is an inexpensive choice because you can bring your own food and drink and once you’re there, the park is your oyster. Camp, portage, hike, swim and just enjoy the splendor of the nature around you.

Accommodation: $106 (split four ways)
Food and drink: $40
Activities: $19

Drumheller is considered the dinosaur capital of the world and boasts tons of natural beauty unlike anywhere else in our country. Visit the Royal Tyrell Museum to take in the world’s largest dinosaur displays or take in the Drumheller Hoodoos, which are large natural sandstone pillars that will make for some epic snaps.

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Accommodation: $50/night
Food and drink: $39
Activities: $99

Revelstoke’s Airbnb offerings are as impressive as its breathtaking mountain views. This quaint mountain town is packed with things to do and is a winter lover’s paradise. Come for the skiing and snowboarding, but stay for the museums, cafes, cute shops and hot springs.

Accommodation: $135/night (split 4 ways)
Food and drink: Free
Activities: Free

Milk River is another awe-inspiring destination in our lovely nation—and is one of the southernmost as it neighbours Montana on the other side of the border. Home of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, which has the largest concentration of Indigenous petroglyphs, dating back nine thousand years and are easily visible while hiking the park’s many trails.

SEE ALSO: 12 Canadian road trips you need to experience at least once.

Accommodation: $45/night
Food and drink: $39
Activities: $10

Fredericton’s food scene boasts an impressive list of plant-based restaurants, microbreweries and cideries and even a cold brew coffee brewer. There are lots of cultural ways to experience this city, including art galleries, historical buildings and enjoying the outdoors, but the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market is a must-hit for local arts, crafts and food vendors (including food trucks). Come to Fredericton hungry and leave very, very full.

Accommodation: $80/night (split two ways)
Food and drink: $50
Activities: $8

Cavendish is a part of the widely known Green Gables Shore, which is a literature-lovers must-see destination. Expect sandy beaches, gorgeous historical homes (including Anne of Green Gable’s house, which you can visit) and lots of green shores dotted with lighthouses. Bonus: It’s just a 40-minute drive from equally inexpensive Charlottetown.

RELATED: 20 Canadian beaches to get excited for this summer.

Accommodation: $34/night
Food and drink: $40
Activities: Free

Winnipeg is a vibrant city that is often overlooked but has tons to offer. Visit The Forks Market for lots of food offerings or wander around one of the many museums or historic buildings. Aim for the end of May and you can coincide your trip with Winnipeg’s Doors Open, which offers free admission and tours to over 90 local attractions.

Accommodation: $40/night
Food and drink: $40
Activities: $68

Lunenburg is a colourful town that is full of maritime charm. Sample some of the local cuisine with fresh seafood or visit the Bluenose II, a replica of the Bluenose schooner that appears on our dime. You can even take a harbour cruise of Lunenburg in it!

RELATED: 20 underrated Canadian Towns you should visit.

Accommodation: $10
Food and drink: Free
Activities: Free

If you’re searching for some outdoor winter fun for your travels, but don’t want to splurge on a regular lift ticket, head to Pemberton. Its close proximity to Whistler means the backcountry skiing is impressive, but without the price tag. In fact, many of the local lodgings sleep large groups and are a fraction of the cost of most hotels. If you’re passing through in the summer, make sure to pay Joffre Lakes’ turquoise waters a visit.

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