← All countries§ 01 · Power in Canada

🇨🇦Power in Canada.

Canada uses Type A and B outlets at 120V/60Hz, identical to the United States. If you're traveling from the US, you need absolutely nothing - your plugs, chargers, and appliances all work as-is.

Visitors from Europe, Asia, Australia, or Africa need a North American adapter. Canada's vast geography creates some electrical quirks: downtown Toronto and Vancouver hotels are fully modern, but remote fishing lodges in British Columbia, wilderness cabins in the Yukon, and eco-lodges in the Maritimes may run on generators with limited power hours.

Winter travelers should note that extreme cold (-30C and below) significantly drains battery life.

§ Compatibility check

Do I need an adapter?

§ 04 · More about Canada

Things worth knowing before you go.

Quick facts to keep in your back pocket — currency, language, the time difference, which side of the road they drive on.

Capital
Ottawa
Currency
CAD – Canadian Dollar
Language
English/French
Time zone
UTC-5
Driving
Right
Tap water
Drinkable
Emergency
Save this before you fly. Police, ambulance, fire — all on 911.
911
§ Travel essentials

What every traveler should pack — and why.

Four picks for any international trip — what they actually do, and the moments where they pay for themselves.

Stay secureFrom $3.09/mo
NordVPN

Hotel and airport WiFi in Canada is open and shared. NordVPN encrypts everything you do — banking, email, streaming — so no one on the same network can snoop.

When it pays off
  • Banking from a café in Ottawa
  • Streaming your usual subscriptions abroad
  • Working from co-working spots without trust issues
NordVPNTry NordVPN
Stay connectedFrom $4.99
Saily eSIM

Skip the SIM card hunt and the roaming charges. Saily activates the moment you land in Canada — turn on your phone, you have data. No physical card to swap, all on your existing line.

When it pays off
  • Calling a taxi from the airport
  • Google Maps the second you step outside
  • Translating menus and signs on the go
SailySaily for Canada
Cover the unexpectedFrom $0.99/day
Ekta Insurance

One unplanned hospital visit abroad can wipe out a year of vacation budget. Ekta covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost baggage — the three things that actually go wrong on real trips — for less than a coffee a day.

When it pays off
  • Got food poisoning on day 3 of 10
  • Bag never showed up at baggage claim
  • Flight cancelled, hotel non-refundable
Ekta Travel InsuranceGet Ekta
Roads worth drivingFrom $25/day
EconomyBookings

Canada is a country you actually need a car for — most of the best places aren't well-served by public transit. EconomyBookings compares rates across 800+ companies so you book the best rate, not the first one you see.

When it pays off
  • Picking up at the airport, returning to a different city
  • Comparing big names and local agencies side-by-side
  • Multi-day road trips through national parks or coastlines
EconomyBookingsCompare cars in Canada

We may earn a commission from purchases — it keeps PlugHopper free.

§ The PlugHopper shop

Everything we'd actually pack.

Curated Amazon lists, organized by what you actually need at each phase of the trip — from packing the suitcase to landing in a new country.

Available on Amazon
Browse the full PlugHopper storefront
Visit storefront

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep PlugHopper free.

§ 02 · Plan with Pluggy
Pluggy AI · Online

Pack for Canada in about a minute.

Tell Pluggy where you're going and your dates. We handle weather, packing, the right adapter, eSIM, transport from the airport — all in one conversation.

Plan my Canada trip — free
Weather
10-day forecast
Packing
Tailored list
Power
Type A / B ready
Food
Local picks
Transport
Airport → city
Tips
From real travellers
§ 06 · Type A plugs
A

The plug used in Canada.

Urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have modern Type A and B outlets with reliable grounding, while rural areas and older buildings may lack proper grounding on Type A outlets. Northern territories and remote locations often rely on diesel generators with inconsistent power quality. Tourist areas in the Rockies, Maritime provinces, and cottage country frequently use older electrical systems that may trip easily with high-wattage devices like hair dryers or multiple chargers.

Full Type A guide →
§ 08 · Common questions
What type of power plug is used in Canada?+

Canada uses Type A and Type B power plugs and electrical outlets. The standard voltage is 120V with a frequency of 60Hz.

Do I need a travel adapter for Canada?+

Canada uses plug types that may be compatible with your devices, but carrying a universal travel adapter is still recommended for convenience.

Do I need a voltage converter for Canada?+

Canada's 120V is compatible with devices rated for the 100-127V range. If you're coming from a country in a different voltage zone, check your device labels. Single-voltage appliances may need a converter.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android phone in Canada?+

Yes. All modern smartphone chargers (including iPhone and Android USB chargers) are dual-voltage (100-240V) and work in Canada. You only need a plug adapter to fit the Type A/B outlets.

Can I use my laptop charger in Canada?+

Yes. Laptop chargers from Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other major brands are universal (100-240V). You only need a Type A/B plug adapter for Canada.

What is the emergency phone number in Canada?+

The emergency phone number in Canada is 911. Save this number in your phone before your trip.

§ 09 · Ready to go

Plan your Canada trip with Pluggy.

Get my packing list — free
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