5 Canadian Cities Where You Can Still Enjoy a Luxury Vacation for Cheap

According to a recent survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), 61% of Americans plan to travel for leisure in the next four months. If you’re still deciding where to take your family this summer — and balancing your budget with everything you want to do — consider crossing the border into Canada.

GOBankingRates found Canadian cities and destinations where you can still enjoy a luxury vacation for cheap. Average prices of flights and hotels from the U.S. were provided by Priceline. 

You can’t write a list about Canadian travel without mentioning Toronto. Its proximity to the American border makes it easy to fly in.

“Ranking 27th in the cost-of-living index, Toronto is not only one of the world’s most liveable cities but also a welcoming and budget-friendly choice for travelers, especially families,” said Stephanie Ciccarelli, the co-founder of Lake, an online vacation rental platform.

What Can You Do in Toronto?

Ciccarelli said, “A city sightseeing boat cruise on Lake Ontario, a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, or ascending the iconic CN Tower are all must-dos.”

Toronto has plenty of green space if you want to enjoy nature on your trip. You can pretend to be a local and explore High Park, Trinity Bellwoods and Toronto Island Park. You can also taste culinary dishes from around the world.

What Would This Cost? 

• Average round-trip flights: $354
• Average daily hotel rate: $328

The good thing about flying into Toronto is that you’re close to other popular destinations, such as Muskoka, Ontario, where many celebrities have migrated to in recent years. The 2.5-hour drive up north will bring you to the luxury destination referred to as the Hamptons of the North.

Hotels average a little more expensive here, so you might want to spend most of your trip in Toronto and take a day or two in Muskoka.

What Can You Do in the Muskoka Region?

Aside from boating and enjoying conversations around the campfire, there are numerous low-cost activities worth checking out. Ciccarelli added that a sunset cruise to get ice cream at Walker’s Point is always worth the splurge.

What Would This Cost?

• Average round-trip flights: $354
• Average daily hotel rate: Around $478

If you’re flying into Toronto, you may also consider spending your vacation in Niagara Falls. You can get there within two hours from Toronto, or you can even drive across the border from Buffalo, New York.

What Can You Do in Niagara Falls?

It goes without saying that you’ll want to arrange a tour to experience this spectacular natural wonder. Depending on your budget, you can arrange a helicopter tour or a boat cruise to enjoy the waterfalls.

You can also arrange a winery tour of one of the 40 vineyards in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region close by.

What Would This Cost?

• Average round-trip flights: $354
• Average daily hotel rate: $235

Montreal is a great place to visit if you want to brush up on your French or experience European culture without traveling overseas.

What Can You Do in Montreal?

The city is known for its festivals, ranging from music to literature, with around 100 multiple-day events, so there’s always something happening. You can explore the architecture to see why Montreal is considered the most European city in North America. If you have time, you can take a road trip to Quebec City to enjoy the picturesque scenery.

What Would This Cost?

• Average round-trip flights: $223
• Average daily hotel rate: $331

“When it comes to a luxury vacation on a budget, nothing is better than Vancouver, because it’s a big city with an unbeatable location practically,” said Echo Wang, founder of Cool Travel Vibes. “Mountains touch the city, the ocean breeze is always refreshing, and you’re close to the U.S. border for shopping sprees or epic road trips.”

Easy public transportation and gorgeous scenery allow you to design your own luxurious vacation within any budget.

What Can You Do in Vancouver?

A location like Vancouver offers many different types of activities for every budget. You can bike around Stanley Park, sample the seafood on Granville Island or spend your day on Kitsilano Beach.

What Would This Cost?

• Average round-trip flights: $371
• Average daily hotel rate: $336

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.