Help Planning First Overseas Trip to Canada

Lozbargainyeah on 06/06/2025 - 09:44

Hi

I'm planning my first overseas trip to Toronto (Canada) in the next couple of months and need lots of help. I will be travelling outside metro, staying for 2-3 weeks and trying to do it on a budget (around $5000). Questions I have:

  • Luggage: Good value & quality for North American market that will last 10 years (I hope) at 2 trips a year?

  • Visa: Do I just show up at the bordder? (no criminal record)

  • Mobile: SIM/eSIM 10gb will do me, but needs to work outside metro?

  • Airline: Best site for cheap tickets (I'm using expedia)? United Airlines: Is seating allocated randomly, or do I just sit in any seat when boarding?

  • Banking: Cheap way to access my money overseas (I have Ubank, NAB, and Orange Everyday accounts)? Also what is the best reliable / cheap way to transfer money to US / Canada (I'm thinking Wise?)

  • Laundry: Cheap / easy way to do laundry?

  • Food: Cheap tasty food, any tips?

  • Accommodation: Any tips, tricks?

  • Travel: What is the public transport system like? Any tips for travelling on the GO Trains?

Any other things I've missed, or great tips you know?

Thanks for all your help guys

Travel Canada North America

Comments

  • HamBoi69 on 06/06/2025 - 10:06
    +2

    For your visa/border questions check the SmartTraveller site: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/canad…

    Also, have you researched any of this to see what places like reddit or local forums have suggested?

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:28
      +1

      I didn't think of checking out reddit or local forums, thanks

  • Hardlyworkin on 06/06/2025 - 10:19
    +3

    If it's your first trip, perhaps try and avoid the US. Even if you transit in the US you still have to go through immigration. I've done it many times in LAX and it can be pain though is perhaps worse now.

    Get a direct flight to Vancouver and connect from there. Better yet stay in ir around Vancouver a few days if you can. In my opinion, a much more attractive place than Toronto. Worth noting that Air Canada charges extra for checked luggage on domestic and international flights. QANTAS doesn't.

    • JustinFR on 06/06/2025 - 10:33
      +2

      Agreed. If you can find flights that suit budget to avoid transiting through US, you'll save yourself headache. You'll also need an ESTA even if you are transiting through.

      • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:30
        +1

        Great, thanks for the tips. I was thinking of going United via the US, but won't anymore.

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:43

      This sounds crazy, but I recall something about Air Canada giving free domestic connecting flights? Might make it worthwhile over QANTAS

  • spackbace on 06/06/2025 - 10:42
    +1

    2 good sources - Youtube, and ChatGpt

    Can certainly get some good hints if you consult both of the above

  • L0zBargain on 06/06/2025 - 10:48
    +2

    Don't forget to buy your eTA visa waiver.

    I forgot once and had to buy it online at Sydney airport check in. Only got approved just before check in closed!

    https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/se…

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:32

      That was lucky!!! Thank you for the link

  • OnlyOneStar on 06/06/2025 - 11:02
    +1

    For travel luggage, I recommend this one.
    https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07Y262JZS/ref=ox_sc_sa…

    It’s relatively lightweight, making it easy to carry during travel without adding too much bulk. It’s also quite durable and offers great value for money. Plus, it’s currently on sale.

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:33

      Thanks mate, that sounds exactly what I'm looking for!

  • Downvoter on 06/06/2025 - 12:18
    +1

    Book flights direct with the airline. The end.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/06/2025 - 12:27
    +1

    Money: Wise works well.
    Food: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine

  • SBOB on 06/06/2025 - 12:52

    Any other things I've missed

    From that list it's like you've done zero investigation or research yourself. You could at least have some info on what you have found or ideas you have about each of those and ask for confirmation or extra info

    Everyone of those dot points could just be a Google search
    first time poster review 5/7.

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:37
      -1

      You're wrong, I've done a fair bit of research, but as this is the first time I will have left the country and haven't flown in over 10 years I thought I'd post to get some opinions. Sorry to have wasted your time, and I don't care what 'review' you give my post (seriously, who does that?!)

      • BobsYourAunty on 08/06/2025 - 15:07

        Here’s my “opinion” for this question. Took me 5 seconds to find on google. Couldn’t do this yourself?

        Visa: Do I just show up at the bordder? (no criminal record)

        As an Australian citizen, if you plan to travel to Canada by air, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). However, if you are arriving by land (car, bus, train, or boat), or sea, you will not need an eTA or a visa.

  • EFC94 on 06/06/2025 - 13:15
    +2

    Respectfully, almost all these things you can figure out for yourself with a website called google.

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:38
      -1

      Respectfully, I'm after opinions on the cheapest/best ways to organise this trip. I'm I not allowed to ask your opinions?

  • Bruceflix on 06/06/2025 - 14:35
    -3

    Could be a USA state by then

  • surfingedge on 06/06/2025 - 21:45
    +2

    Do not transit the USA. If a direct Aus-Can flight is too expensive, transit in Hong Kong / China / Korea / Japan.

    • ozbargainyeah on 08/06/2025 - 13:46

      Nice tip, thank you. Which out of Hong Kong / China / Korea or Japan would be the easiest transit, or would you say they're all about equal?

      • surfingedge on 08/06/2025 - 14:12

        Not much difference if you won't leave the airport. Choose based on the overall flight schedule and price first.

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