Canada Travel Offers an International Vacation at Domestic Prices

US travelers looking to take an international vacation have numerous choices north and south of the border. Canada in particular offers many easy-to-reach destinations on both the East and West Coasts.

For US residents who live along the border, trips to Canada may require no airfare at all. Even for those US residents who have to fly, there are domestic airports within a 1-4 hour drive of some of the most popular Canadian tourist spots. For travelers who like scenic drives and plan to rent a car anyway, destinations like the ones below can save $100 to $350 per traveler.

Here are a few examples of flights that can get travelers to Canada by way of US domestic flights (taken from Kayak.com for the week of February 15 to 22):

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Flying into a US airport to visit Niagara Falls in Canada saves both money and time. The Buffalo, New York airport is just 25 miles away or about a 30 minute drive to Niagara Falls. The next closest is the Toronto Airport which is 78 miles away. The domestic airfare vs. flying directly into Canada can save $122 per person for travelers coming from Chicago for example--and many US cities reflect similar savings on domestic vs. international airfares to Niagara Falls:

Savings per passenger: $122
Total driving time from US airport: 30 minutes

Price comparison:
Chicago to Buffalo, New York (0 stops)--$189
Chicago to Toronto, Canada (1 stop)--$311


Vancouver, British Columbia

US travelers can reach Vancouver by taking a 3-hour drive from Seattle. Vancouver is a beautiful city on the coast that offers everything:  Beaches, parks and gardens, gambling and nightlife, dinner cruises, World's Fair site and more. To drive there, take Chuckanut Drive about 60 miles north of Seattle. It takes longer than the more direct route, but the views of Puget Sound and San Juan Islands travelers get on this route are truly awe-inspiring. Now, the drive is a little over three hours, but that extra time would save a couple flying from Washington DC about $700 on airfare. That kind of money makes the three hours seem a little less burdensome.

Savings per passenger: $349
Total driving time from US airport: 3 hours

Price comparison:
Washington DC to Vancouver, Canada (2 stops)--$543
Washington DC to Seattle, Washington (1 stop)--$194


Montreal, Quebec

US travelers can drive from Albany, New York to Montreal in four hours. Plus, the drive is said to be perfect for those who love lake views, mountain vistas and, above all, autumn foliage. Montreal is the most European cities outside of Europe--save maybe Quebec City, a close neighbor. Though it's just a short drive from New York state, this region feels like a different continent altogether. French is the predominant language, but this is only one aspect that gives the city its European charm. The architecture, museums, nightlife, and superb shopping make this city a great place to visit any time of year. The four hour drive would save travelers from San Francisco over $200 each.
  
Savings per passenger: $210
Total driving time from US airport: 4 hours

Price comparison:
San Francisco to Montreal, Canada (2 stops)--$583
San Francisco to Albany, New York (1 stop)--$379

A few words on driving rather than flying across the border:

• First, this saves most for travelers already planning to rent a car! If you aren't planning to rent, it may just be less expensive to pay for the international airfare.


• Next, be sure you have your documents in order. They will be checked carefully at border stops.


• Finally, while shopping rental car companies, check with each on their policies for driving over the border.

Are you willing to drive a few hours to save on airfare? Why or why not?