Update on Travel Costs in Canada!

[piscesman]

Just a heads up for anyone planning to travel in Canada this summer. Unless the exchange rate tanks (currently CAD$1.00=US$0.98), you better be prepared to open your wallets up here. Gas is about $1/litre = $4.00/U.S. gallon, and campgrounds are charging $35-$40 for a basic site with 2-way hookups! Wi-fi and hot showers may be "extras"! I'm sure there are bargains around like provincial campgrounds, but many of them have limited or no services. It will cost us 40% more to go to PEI through Canada as opposed to through the U.S.

[NWJeeper]

A good friend of mine who lives in Kelowna, B.C. greatly prefers to vacation here in the states. He doesn't own an RV so he usually looks for campgrounds that have small cabins for rent (like KOAs). I don't know if the prices have anything to do with it but I'm sure they are part of it.

[dezolen]

Beer and liquor is double the price here as well but you do save on bullets as guns are not necessary in Canada. (Just adding some humour).
Any medical treatments are probably much cheaper in Canada but I would not know as I have never had to pay for any.
We use many State parks and find they are almost 1/2 of what we pay at Provincial campgrounds but they usually have 30 amp service as opposed to 15-20amp.
Private parks have similar fees on both sides of the border in my experience.

[NWJeeper]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Beer and liquor is double the price here as well but you do save on bullets as guns are not necessary in Canada. (Just adding some humour)

I know my friend appreciates the lower cost of beer but on his first trip to Moab for some Jeepn' I forgot to tell him that Utah is a 3.2 state. He asked "what is a 3.2 state?" I told him the beer alcohol content is limited to 3.2% and anything higher had to be bought in a liquor store in that state, at much more cost. Wow was he ticked off. My fault, I should have warned him.

Guns aren't necessary down here either but many of us like to shoot. My friend from Kelowna owns more than I do. Looks like he is mobilizing for Iwo Jima when he loads up.

[andes2]

Just my opinion here but isn't it about time the U.S. population experience what we have been putting up with for years because of the exchange rate?

With more Canadians travelling south this year because of the dollar, there should be no problems for the rest of us to find good camping sites. Maybe less nights in the overflow camping this year.

[Kathy Morris]

I think it is much cheaper and easier to camp in United States and have better camp places to stay and enjoy. The Arizona and Virginia and many more places have good campsites to visit and enjoy a better time there.

[George]

Thanks Piscesman for the headsup. My wife and I love Cape Breton Island and had planned to go there and to PEI this summer. Fuel prices seem to be dropping around southern Maine ($2.75 gas and $3.05 for diesel).
My wife read on line that the Provincial parks are banning alcohol use between Friday and Mondays?? To enjoy a wee dram on the weekends are we going to have to hide in our campers?
Where would you recommend staying on PEI? Is it worth it to visit Isle De La Madelaine?
Thanks for your input
George

[ladywendolyn]

We live in central Canada, and so we travel to both ends of the country. My experience is that no matter where we have gone there are both expensive and cheaper parks. It takes a bit of searching but nice sites are there for a reasonable price. One hint, is that we have found that a lot of the small towns have a "town" campground where they charge just a few dollars to stay, or even free. And they do have electrical and water, just not sewer, so it is worth looking.
P.S. In California and Las Vegas, we were charged $75. per night for camping, when there were $30. hotels available . . . but we loooove our trailer.

[gizzys]

I think both countries have their expensive and cheap campgrounds. I live in southern Alberta and the most I have seen for a full service spot is $35.00 and under. Most are around $30.00. There's Waterton Lakes National Park and many little campgrounds in the Crowsnest Pass this side of the Rocky Mountains. On the flip side, there is a campground in Montana which we love that charges $50.00 power and water based on two people. Add more money for kids, dogs and getting your black tank sucked out. They just made more spots by halving some of the bigger spots in the campground. RV's are close together like sardines. But the lake is warm (for a mountain lake) and it's near shopping. I have heard that state parks are cheaper. This year we are driving down to Farragut Park in Idaho so the kids can experience Silverwood. I am expecting to pay quite a bit. Hopefully the canadian dollar will hold it's own.
Giselle

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by gizzys

. This year we are driving down to Farragut Park in Idaho so the kids can experience Silverwood. I am expecting to pay quite a bit. Hopefully the canadian dollar will hold it's own.
Giselle

Idaho State parks are exceptionally well priced, looked up Farragut and it looks like between $20-35 usd./night