Top 6 Canadian Staycation Reveal as Winter Approaches

Title image for top 6 Canadian staycation destinations article

Across Canada, a booming “Buy Canadian” movement is reshaping travel habits as winter nears. Local staycations are outpacing international locales and driving new demand for road trips, rustic cabins, and scenic parks. This rebound in domestic tourism in 2025 is backed by striking numbers: Canadian travel package bookings surged 75% year-over-year, according to Reuters, as pandemic-era preferences persist and rising U.S. airfare prompts even more households to look locally.

Top-6 Trending Destinations:

Banff, Alberta
Tofino, BC
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Ottawa, Ontario
Québec City, QC

The Top 6 Canadian Staycations for 2025

Destination	What Makes It Unique	Travel Style	Best Time to Visit	Entertainment/Cultural Tie-In
Banff, Alberta	Rockies views, wildlife, iconic glamping	Cabin, glamping, hiking	Winter-spring	Banff Film Fest, wildlife tours
Tofino, BC	Surf spots, oceanfront cabins, wellness	Ocean cabins, surf	Spring-fall	Indigenous art, Storm Watching Festival
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON	Wine country, historic charm	Wine tours, boutique	All year	Shaw Festival, vineyard visits
Cape Breton, NS	Coastal drives, Celtic culture	Road trip, scenic	Summer-fall	Celtic Colours Festival, Fortress of Louisbourg
Ottawa, ON	Capital culture, Rideau Canal, museums	Urban, cultural	Winter	Winterlude, National Gallery of Canada
Québec City, QC	European charm, food, and festivals	Foodie, city escape	Winter	Carnaval de Québec, culinary tours

The Stats Behind the Trend

Domestic Bookings: Flights to the US have decreased, with a 15% drop in available cross-border seats this fall, drawing attention to regional escapes. Travelling domestically is now up by more than 75% in several provinces compared to 2024, with the most significant increases in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
Local vs. International Travel: Recent consumer polls indicate that over two-thirds of Canadians now prefer road trips or cabin rentals to flying or staying in resorts, a significant shift from pre-pandemic travel patterns.
Cost Factors: The cost also plays a significant role, as domestic travel saves Canadians an average of $1,000–$1,400 per trip compared to U.S. vacations, as it combines lower transportation costs with local deals on rentals and packages.
Travel Sentiment: A TD Bank Poll reveals roughly 64% of Canadians now prefer to vacation within their own borders, citing a desire to support Canadian businesses. Support for local businesses and sustainability also factors into travel choices, with 61% highlighting eco-friendly stays and nature-focused escapes as a primary reason for their booking decisions.

How Canadians Are Travelling Now

Last-minute local getaways and flexible travel plans are replacing pre-pandemic advance bookings, as weather and work-from-home flexibility encourage spontaneous trips. This shift marks a growing preference for alternative travel options:

Cabin rentals are surging, up 48% nationally from last year.
Road trips have overtaken flights, with inter-provincial car travel now representing the largest share of domestic bookings.
Nature-first escapes, from coastal drives to forest retreats, are the new norm, especially among younger families and millennial travellers.

Your Next Great Escape is Less Kilometres Away Than You Might Think

Planning trips in Canada has become increasingly popular, thanks to its stunning hiking trails and thrilling winter activities, which offer numerous travel opportunities. Whether you’re interested in the breathtaking views of Banff or interested in testing out the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, you can find something any time of the year, for whatever excites you.

Where are you heading to for your next staycation? Share some recent travel experiences or ideas in the comments.

And while you’re in between destinations and need some respite, take a look at Jackpot City, your digital escape for seeing all that Canada has to offer.

Methodology & Sources

The data presented in this report, “Top 6 Canadian Staycation Reveal as Winter Approaches,” was compiled using public data sourced from Perplexity, with no direct survey being conducted. Sources include: