Nonstop flights to Canada
Canada eVisa (eTA): rules for British travellers
Travellers from the United Kingdom can fly nonstop to major Canadian cities. As nationals of a visa-exempt country, they need an eTA to board.
- Nationality
- British
- eTA
- Required for air travel
- Official IRCC fee
- CA$7
- Flying time to Canada
- About 7 to 8 hr to Montreal or Toronto, 9 hr 30 min to Vancouver
- Time difference
- Montreal and Toronto are 5 hr behind, Vancouver 8 hr behind
- Currency at departure
- GBP (£)
From the United Kingdom
What to check before departure
Your flights to Canada
Many nonstop flights from London to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, plus seasonal flights from several regional airports.
Schedules and routes from the United Kingdom can change. Check the full itinerary with the airline, including the formalities of every connecting country.
- Departure airports
- London Heathrow · London Gatwick · Manchester · Glasgow
- Airlines flying to Canada
- Air Canada · British Airways · WestJet · Air Transat
High season: the summer holidays (July-August) and Christmas. Book early during these busy periods.
Your passport
A valid British citizen passport. The eTA is linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new one.
Health
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from the United Kingdom. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
Get the eTA before you book
Most answers arrive within minutes, but some require additional documents. Plan ahead so you are not refused boarding.
The right passport, the right number
The eTA is linked to the passport entered in the application. Travel with that same passport and check every character of the number, without mixing up the letter O and the digit 0.
Good to know
Travelling to Canada from the United Kingdom
Trip idea from the United Kingdom
Toronto and Vancouver are the most direct destinations from the UK. A popular route combines Toronto and Niagara Falls, then a flight to Calgary for the Rockies. Ties between the two countries show everywhere: Canada is a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as head of state.
Combining with the United States
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. British citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Electricity
Canada uses type A and B sockets at 120 V, which do not fit British three-pin plugs: an adapter is essential.
Language
English is the everyday language in most of the country. In Quebec the majority language is French: a few words will help, although English is widely understood in Montreal.
To prepare
The application of a British national
A passport from a visa-exempt country
The eTA is electronically linked to this passport. It must be valid, and it is the passport you will show when boarding.
A valid email address
The answer and any request for additional documents arrive by email. Check the spelling and keep an eye on your spam folder.
Your personal details
Names, date and place of birth, nationality, address and phone number, as shown on your documents.
A payment card
Payment is made online by card, securely.
Frequently asked questions
What British travellers often ask us
Do British travellers need an eTA for Canada?
Yes, for air travel. British nationals are visa-exempt but must obtain an eTA before boarding a flight to or through Canada. By land or sea, it is generally not required.
How long is the flight from the United Kingdom?
About 7 to 8 hr to Montreal or Toronto, 9 hr 30 min to Vancouver. Many nonstop flights from London to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, plus seasonal flights from several regional airports.
Which airlines fly from the United Kingdom to Canada?
From London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow, flights to Canada are operated by airlines including Air Canada, British Airways, WestJet and Air Transat. Routes change, so check the full itinerary with the airline.
Do I need a vaccination to enter Canada from the United Kingdom?
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from the United Kingdom. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
What is the time difference between the United Kingdom and Canada?
Montreal and Toronto are 5 hr behind, Vancouver 8 hr behind. Canada spans six time zones: check the one for your arrival city.
When are seats hardest to find from the United Kingdom?
Busiest period for departures from the United Kingdom: the summer holidays (July-August) and Christmas. Apply for the eTA as soon as the trip is decided, even before booking.
Which passport do I need to apply for the eTA?
A valid British citizen passport. The eTA is linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new one.
What to see in Canada when travelling from the United Kingdom?
Toronto and Vancouver are the most direct destinations from the UK. A popular route combines Toronto and Niagara Falls, then a flight to Calgary for the Rockies. Ties between the two countries show everywhere: Canada is a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as head of state.
Can I combine Canada and the United States from the United Kingdom?
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. British citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Do I need a plug adapter for Canada?
Canada uses type A and B sockets at 120 V, which do not fit British three-pin plugs: an adapter is essential.
What language is spoken in Canada?
English is the everyday language in most of the country. In Quebec the majority language is French: a few words will help, although English is widely understood in Montreal.
Go further
Guides to plan your trip
- Trip planning
When to visit Canada, season by season
Summer, autumn colours, snowy winter: a calendar for choosing the best time for your trip.
6 min read - Formalities
Getting your eTA application right first time
Passport number, dual nationality, email address: the details that derail an application and how to avoid them.
6 min read - On the ground
Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver: choosing your city
What each major city offers, how to travel between them and how many days to plan.
7 min read
Other nationalities
Keep reading
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- EuropeSpainCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Spanish travellers.View the page
- EuropeNetherlandsCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Dutch travellers.View the page
- EuropeIrelandCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Irish travellers.View the page
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