One of the most prominent themes emerging from 2025's preliminary end-of-year travel data is how Canadian globetrotters adapted to the year's widespread affordability concerns and geopolitical tensions. The data signals that Canadian travellers chose to redefine how they travel in the face of these challenges, rather than not travelling at all, turning affordability concerns into travel opportunities.
But how did Canadian globetrotters do it? By planning strategically, broadening their horizons, and recognizing the value in travel.
Globally, travel demand in the post-pandemic era hit record highs again in 2025, and it is expected to remain strong in 2026. Affordability concerns, however, are likely to persist this year as well. That's why we want to share the top destinations, travel tips, and trends that will help Canadian residents adapt to these challenges and travel more affordably.
Goway works daily with on-the-ground partners and real booking data to help you get the most out of your travel budget. In our experience, travellers who are flexible with travel dates and destinations often see the greatest savings without compromising on the quality of their trip. These are the destinations and travel tips you should be aware of if you want to travel more affordably in 2026.
Best Destinations with Favourable Exchange Rates for Canadian Travellers in 2026
Travelling to destinations with favourable exchange rates is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of accommodations, meals, transportation, tours, and day-to-day spending. Although exchange rates naturally fluctuate over time, Canadian residents have historically enjoyed favourable exchange rates and savings in several destinations offering unforgettable travel experiences. The destinations below are the ones we expect to stand out again in 2026. Be sure to contact a Goway Destination Specialist who can help you navigate the latest exchange rates and find the best prices available.
Australia (AUD)
Despite the long flight, Australia is a more affordable destination than many Canadian residents expect. The Canadian dollar has remained relatively strong against the Australian dollar since 2012. This helps reduce the effective cost of everyday expenses, hotel stays in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, entrance fees to major attractions, and souvenirs. Mixing major hubs with coastal drives or regional stays in places such as the Great Ocean Road or tropical North Queensland also provides excellent value to Canadian travellers, as there are plenty of reasonably-priced boutique lodges, apartment‑style stays, and local eateries. But best of all, Goway's deep roots in Australia and trusted on‑the‑ground partners make finding the most efficient and cost-effective transport, tours, accommodations, and unique experiences to create a bucket-list worthy trip easier than ever.
"Australia has so many different options when it comes to truly unique experiences," says South Pacific Destination Specialist Alice Teramoto. "You can sleep underwater in the Great Barrier Reef Suites, stargaze in the outback, watch the sunrise at Uluru, enjoy wine tasting in the Yarra Valley, cruise through the Sydney Harbour, and take guided tours of Aboriginal culture all in one trip."
Book an affordable trip to Australia with Goway, the number one downunder, today.
New Zealand (NZD)
The neighbouring New Zealand is another destination that combines bucket-list travel experiences with a currency typically favourable to the Canadian dollar, giving you more purchasing power once you land. Every day travel costs like coffee, wine tastings, meals, and domestic transport feel quite reasonable for a destination with such iconic scenery. "New Zealand is great because 20% of the country is made up of national parks, forests, and nature reserves that are free to enter," says South Pacific Destination Specialist Mary Georgiou.
Choosing locally owned accommodations and self-drive itineraries will help you keep your per-day costs in check, while still allowing you to enjoy a quintessential New Zealand Adventure. These include wandering the laneways and cafes of Wellington, exploring the world-renowned Marlborough vineyards, or road‑tripping between Queenstown and the South Island's breathtaking fjords.
Thailand (THB)
Thailand is another long-haul destination for Canadian travellers, with on-the-ground costs largely offset by a consistently favourable exchange rate. Prices are affordable even in the capital, Bangkok, where you can ride modern public transit like the SkyTrain, visit major temples, and indulge in sizzling street food and upscale dining at Michelin-recognized restaurants at far lower costs than most other world capitals. Destinations like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand offer even lower daily costs while still offering breathtaking national parks like Doi Inthanon National Park and Doi Suthep–Pui National Park, as well as lively markets and cultural sites that make even long stays realistic for value‑focused travellers. Lastly, if you're dreaming of lounging on Thailand's famous beaches to the south, we advise planning trips around the shoulder seasons between March and May and September and October, and opting for smaller, locally owned hotels and excursions in places like Krabi or Koh Lanta.
Morocco (MAD)
Canadian travellers wanting to experience North Africa's rich culture without premium price tags should look to Morocco. Daily expenses for local meals, taxis, and guided walking tours remain competitive for Canadian travellers. This is especially true when travelling with Goway, which can help you dine where locals eat and shop in neighbourhood markets instead of tourist‑only venues. Visits to major cities like Marrakech and Fes, as well as multi‑day journeys into the Atlas Mountains or the Sahara Desert, can be surprisingly affordable when booked with reputable local operators. Goway's Destination Specialists can help you embark on desert treks and overnight desert camping trips beneath the stars at a fraction of what similar bucket-list adventures can cost elsewhere.
Mexico (MXN)
Mexico continues to be one of the most reliable value destinations for Canadians, pairing relatively short flight times with a favourable exchange rate and a wide range of price points. Lesser‑known coastal towns and interior cities often deliver the best value on hotels and dining, with Puerto Vallarta offering authentic coastal experiences at lower costs than icons like Cancun. Meanwhile, destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula, including Mérida, Uxmal, and Campeche, offer a mix of Mayan archaeological sites, fortified Spanish colonial towns, and local markets at affordable daily costs.
"Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours, is a stunning freshwater lagoon with vibrant turquoise and blue shades in Quintana Roo," says Latin America Destination Specialist Amanda Lunn. "It's much quieter than Cancún or Tulum."
Destinations like Mexico City and Oaxaca offer museum visits, guided walking tours, and excellent meals at local restaurants for significantly less than comparable experiences in Canada and other North American cities. Staying in boutique hotels, haciendas, and family‑run guesthouses over large international chains will also help you stretch your budget while immersing you more directly in local communities.
Poland (PLN)
Canadian travellers seeking a high-value trip to Europe but wary of high Western European price tags should look to Poland, which has historically offered favourable value against North American currencies. Once again, this means that hotel rates, dining, and attraction costs in cities such as Kraków, Warsaw, and Wrocław are much more affordable than in comparable destinations. Travellers can explore UNESCO‑listed old towns, powerful historical museums and memorials, and lively cultural districts while spending noticeably less than they would in hubs like Paris or Rome. Poland's central location also serves as an attractive base or starting point for a larger multi-destination European journey, helping keep your overall spend more manageable when you utilize efficient public transit, reasonably priced regional trains, and a growing selection of boutique and family‑run accommodations.
Affordable Domestic Travel in Canada Is on the Rise
Canadians' appetite for travel in 2025 grew despite significant affordability concerns. Canadian residents took over 99 million trips within Canada and abroad from April to June in 2025, an 8.5% year-over-year increase, despite 79% of Canadian residents saying that travel has become less affordable in the past five years and 31% saying budget limitations influenced their travel decisions. Yet, the most noticeable change in the behaviour of Canadian travellers was the understandable steep decrease in trips to the US, which dropped nearly 22% from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025.
These travellers did not just stay home. Well, they kind of did. The number of domestic trips by Canadian residents rose by 10.9% during the same period from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025. While the "Buy Canadian" movement, stemming from frustrations over US tariff threats, played a significant role in the rise of domestic travel, affordability concerns did as well.
Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index data found that travel and flight prices declined for the 14th straight month as of September 2025. In fact, airline ticket prices decreased 7.6% year over year, and travel service prices in Canada fell 3.8% year over year. When you pair these trends with new provincial and federal tourism incentives, such as the Canada Strong Pass from Parks Canada, which offered free or discounted admission to parks and landmarks across the country, it becomes clear that domestic travel is becoming a more popular choice for budget-conscious Canadian travellers. The Canada Strong Pass was linked to a 6.5% increase in Via Rail ridership, a 13% increase in Parks Canada visitors, and a 15% increase in national museum visits. The pass will be available again in 2026.
The recent trend of falling gas prices and declining airfares is making domestic travel more affordable for Canadian residents, and luckily, there are several world-class destinations to choose from. Road trips through Jasper National Park, stays in Niagara Falls and its surrounding vineyards, skiing in Whistler, visiting cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, or even a trip to the local polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, are all becoming more aspirational choices for Canadian travellers who are conscious about travelling with more intention.
Canadian travellers are facing today's affordability concerns head on by changing the way they travel. Travel remains a priority for these globetrotters, and fortunately, there is a whole world, at home and abroad, to explore.
Born to two parents who met travelling, Sael has always wanted to travel the world. Sael has hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, visited blue-footed boobies on the Galapagos Islands, stood on both hemispheres of the equator in Ecuador, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hiked the base of Uluru, surfed Pacific Ocean waves in Mexico, and skydived over the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Meeting new people and sharing stories are some of Sael's favourite parts of travelling, and he hopes he can help ignite this passion for discovery in others.
Get Inspired
Inspire your wanderlust with our globetrotting tales.
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way