Travel Information

Weather

In June, the weather in Edmonton is warm. Summer clothing with some medium weight apparel for cool evenings is advised.

Average max:  21.0 ºC  [70 ºF]
Average min:  10.0 ºC [50 ºF]

Time Zone

Edmonton is in the Mountain Standard Time Zone (MST), and is 7 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-7).

Daylight

In June, Edmonton enjoys up to 17 hours of daylight per day.

Electricity

Electricity in Canada runs on a 110-120 volt alternating current (AC). The electrical outlets
within Canada are usually different from those outside North America.

Currency

The currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
This online currency calculator provides up-to-date foreign exchange rates.

Opening Hours

Banking hours are usually:
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Some banks are also open Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Post offices are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Core opening hours for shops are Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Many shops have extended hours until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 (noon) to 5:00 p.m.

Taxes

Sales Tax
Alberta has a five percent hotel tax but no Provincial Sales Tax.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)
A five percent Goods & Services Tax (GST) is applicable to all transport, accommodation, restaurant meals and most goods and services. Foreign visitors may claim a full rebate of the GST on non-consumable goods (items purchased in Canada that they take out of the country within 60 days of purchase), and on short-term accommodation. There is no rebate on consumable items such as meals, liquor, tobacco, and gasoline. There are two ways to apply for this refund:

1) Present your original receipts at a participating Canadian Duty Free shop for a total cash refund of up to $500 Canadian when leaving Canada.
2) Mail a completed refund application along with the original receipts to the address on the application. Forms are available in hotels and tourist offices. Allow six to eight weeks for a refund.

Keep your receipts if you wish to apply for a GST rebate. Simply pick up a copy of Tax Refund Application for Visitors at any Customs office when you fly into Alberta, or at most Tourism Information Centres, duty-free shops, and some hotels. For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website or within Canada call 1-800-66-VISIT; outside Canada, call +1-902/ 432-5608.

Calling to and within Canada

Dialling into Canada:
1 + area code + local number

Dialling out of Canada:
011 + country code + area code + local number 

Emergency Numbers

Emergencies: dial 911 (police, ambulance, fire), free call.
Information: dial 411 (for telephone numbers), free call. 

Tipping

The average tip in Canada is 15 percent. Depending on the level and the nature of the service, tipping can range from 10 per cent to more than 20 per cent. Tips are generally given for good service by food and beverage servers in bars and restaurants, taxi drivers, tour guides and hotel bellmen.

Visa

A valid passport, and in some cases a visa, is required for all visitors entering Canada. For visa requirements please check the following link, which lists those countries requiring a visa. For more information on visa requirements, contact the closest Canadian Visa Office (here listed by region).