Canada Reopens to Travelers Today … And Flights are Cheap!

It’s been off-limits for more than 16 months. While much of Europe reopened to Americans, our neighbor to the north remained closed. But at long last, Canada finally opened its borders to vaccinated Americans on Monday.

It’s not as simple as waltzing across the border: On top of a vaccine card, you’ll still need a negative COVID-19 test result to get into Canada – and then another to get back to the U.S. Still, this is huge news for travelers who have been waiting f or nearly a year and a half to get back to Canada.

And that’s not the only good news. In the past few months, we’ve seen flights to Canada drop in price … as low as $200 roundtrip to destinations like Banff, Montreal, Whistler, and more. Whether you’re planning a late summer hiking adventure, a winter ski trip, or are planning ahead for summer 2022 – you’ve got to see the cheap flights we’ve been finding.

Details on Canada’s Reopening

Today’s reopening is a “first step” toward its eventual goal of opening its borders to all vaccinated travelers next month.

Here’s what you’ll need to enter Canada as of Monday, Aug. 9:

1. Be fully vaccinated
2. Provide all COVID-19 related information through the ArriveCAN app, including proof of vaccination
3. A negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before your flight departs for Canada – or 72 hours before you enter the country if you’re driving over the border
4. No current COVID-19 systems
5. Have a paper or digital copy of your vaccination documentation

Travelers heading for Canada must use the country’s app called ArriveCAN to submit their information. If you are an American citizen and have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to your arrival, you will be allowed to enter without a quarantine period.

But all travelers – no matter their vaccination status – still have to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before entry, according to the Canadian government’s travel requirements.

And yes, you still need a negative COVID-19 test to fly back home to the U.S. So while quite a few requirements are still in place, this is a big step for one of the most popular destinations to reopen.

Read more: Tips to Find a COVID-19 Test Abroad Before Flying Home to the U.S.

Recent Flight Deals to Canada

Itching to head up north? Getting there doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s a look at some of the recent flight deals we’ve found and sent to our Thrifty Traveler Premium members in the past few months.

If Banff National Park is on your bucket list – and it should be – then you’ll want to fly into Calgary (YYC). For views like this, it’s hard to beat flights starting as low as $219 roundtrip…

This deal wasn’t just available from major U.S. airports – it was a nationwide deal with all cities under $400 roundtrip!

Ski bums, this one is for you. Fly into Vancouver (YVR) and hit the slopes in Whistler this winter. We found flights under $350 roundtrip recently:

Get more flight deals like this one and other cheap international and domestic fares sent to you with Thrifty Traveler Premium!

Not a skier? This deal was available all the way into June 2022. Explore the sprawling city of Vancouver, and take a day trip out to Whistler.

You don’t have to cross the Atlantic (and multiple time zones) to practice your French! Check out Montreal (YUL) for a European experience closer to home. Again, multiple smaller cities even got in on these cheap fares from $254 roundtrip to Canada.

Want alerts when prices drop this low? Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and we’ll send the deals straight to you!

Bottom Line

Finally, Canada has reopened to vaccinated American travelers as step one in their reopening plan. And exploring the stunning nature and magical cities Canada has to offer doesn’t have to break the bank. We’ve been finding rock-bottom fares to several Canadian hubs lately as low as $200 roundtrip.

Skip the time zone jet lag and long international flights: head north!

Original Article