Plan a trip: itinerary, budget and booking checklist

Price the whole trip—not only the ticket—and verify entry, health, cancellation and insurance details before paying.

Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.

Start with the trip’s purpose, dates, mobility needs and maximum total budget. Compare the full door-to-door cost: transport, baggage, transfers, lodging, meals, local transit, insurance and activities.

Before you book

1. Check passport validity, visa or electronic authorization requirements and child-travel documents for every destination and transit country.
2. Read current Government of Canada travel advice and local entry rules before choosing non-refundable bookings.
3. Compare baggage, seat, change and cancellation conditions—not just the advertised fare.
4. Read the travel-insurance policy exclusions, pre-existing-condition rules and emergency-assistance contacts.
5. Keep confirmation numbers, receipts, policy details and an itinerary in a secure offline copy.
6. Leave a trusted person your itinerary and a way to reach you; plan a backup for missed connections.

After booking

Recheck travel advice and carrier notices close to departure, confirm transportation to the airport or station, and keep essential medication and documents accessible. If a disruption occurs, contact the provider promptly and save written notices and receipts before making replacement arrangements.

Government of Canada traveller checklist · Travel advice by destination

Sources and limits

Source: Government of Canada traveller checklist and destination advice. Entry rules, advisories and carrier terms change; verify current requirements before departure and before non-refundable purchases.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.