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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

Canada

Mountains, prairies and two coastlines, and people to share them with.

Studying in Montréal, working in Toronto or spending a season in the Rockies: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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The Vancouver skyline and the False Creek waterfront at golden hour
False Creek, Vancouver. Photo: Adrian Yu / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
English and French
Both are official at the federal level. French is the main language in Quebec, English in most other provinces, and many other languages are spoken too.
Currency
Canadian dollar ($, CAD)
Cards and tap payments are used almost everywhere. Prices usually exclude sales tax, which is added when you pay.
Time zones
Six zones, UTC−8 to UTC−3:30
Pacific to Newfoundland time. Most of the country moves clocks forward in summer; most of Saskatchewan and a few smaller areas don't.
Power
Type A and B plugs, 120 V
Flat two-pin plugs. Many chargers handle 120 V, but check older devices.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
Coverage is good in cities and along main highways, and can disappear in remote areas and the north.
Emergency
911
For police, fire and ambulance, from any phone.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • Fly the long distances

    Distances are huge, and domestic flights are the usual way between regions.

  • Trains

    Trains are most useful in the corridor between Quebec City, Montréal, Ottawa and Toronto, with a few long-distance routes beyond it.

  • City transit

    Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver have subway or rapid transit systems, and most cities have buses.

  • Ferries and roads

    Ferries serve islands on both coasts, and a car gives you the most freedom outside the cities.

CITIES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Canada through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

VancouverCalgaryWinnipegTorontoMontréalHalifax
Featured cities in this guide. You can explore any city in Canada in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • Real seasons

    Winters are long and cold in most places, while summers can be warm. Plan clothing for the region and the season.

  • Two official languages

    Signs and services are often bilingual, but which language people use day to day depends a lot on where you are.

  • Distances

    Travel between regions takes time, even by plane, and towns in the north can be very far apart.

  • Land acknowledgements

    Many events open with a land acknowledgement recognising First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and many services.

UNMAPPED IN CANADA

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • Meet people before you move

    Open Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, winter gear or where to find a language exchange.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike near Vancouver, a festival evening in Montréal or a dinner in Toronto.

  • Travel together

    Share a road trip through the Rockies, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend away, a class or a night out.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in Canada.

Can I use Unmapped outside the big cities?

Yes. You can explore any city in Canada through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.

Is Unmapped available in French?

Unmapped is in English for now. City Chats are open to any language, so you can ask and answer in French too.

Can locals use Unmapped too?

Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I explore a city before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Can I find people for a road trip?

Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Adrian Yu (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

CANADA WITH UNMAPPED

Explore Canada with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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