Days 1–3 · Los Angeles
Hollywood, Santa Monica and a full day at Universal Studios or Disneyland.
USA & Canada travel guide
USA & Canada Holiday Packages from Australia
North America suits Australians well: direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne, no language barrier and a huge range of holidays from national parks to ski fields and city breaks. This guide covers a proven west coast and Rockies route, realistic costs, the ESTA and eTA travel authorisations and when to travel. Our Sydney consultants then tailor the route to your dates.
A classic 12-day USA & Canada itinerary
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies, combining self-drive, rail and escorted touring. Easily extended to New York, Las Vegas or Alaska.
Days 4–5 · San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars and a day trip to Napa or Muir Woods.
Days 6–7 · Vancouver
Stanley Park, Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Day 8 · Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops
Glass-domed rail through the Fraser Canyon with onboard meals.
Days 9–11 · Banff & Lake Louise
Icefields Parkway, the Columbia Icefield glacier walk and Moraine Lake.
Day 12 · Calgary departure
Transfer to Calgary International Airport for your flight home.
More ideas on the USA & Canada destination page.
What this holiday costs
Return flights Sydney–Los Angeles
From around $1,400 economy, $2,000 in peak seasons
12-day package (land only)
From $5,999 per person, twin share
Hotels, 4-star
Roughly $280–$450 per room per night, higher in Banff in summer
Rocky Mountaineer, SilverLeaf
From around $1,500 per person for a two-day journey
Meals, tipping and daily spending
Allow $140–$220 per person per day
All figures are indicative guides in Australian dollars for planning only. Final pricing depends on your travel dates, airline, hotel category, group size, exchange rates and availability at the time of booking, and is confirmed in writing before you pay.
Best time to travel
Spring · March to May
Shoulder pricing, blossom in the cities and quiet national parks. Some Rockies roads and lodges open only from late May.
Summer · June to August
Peak season: all parks and alpine roads open, long daylight, highest prices. Book Banff and Yellowstone lodging a year ahead.
Autumn · September to October
Our pick — warm days, fall colour in Canada and New England, fewer crowds and better rates.
Winter · November to March
Ski season in Whistler, Aspen and Banff, plus Christmas markets and New York in the snow.
Seasonal dates shift each year with the weather; we track the forecasts and advise on departure dates before you commit.
Visa and entry tips
- Australian passport holders travelling to the USA for tourism generally use an ESTA travel authorisation applied for online before departure.
- Entry to Canada by air generally requires an eTA, also applied for online; the two authorisations are separate.
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure and use only the official government websites — many copycat sites charge extra fees.
- Previous travel to certain countries, or a criminal record, can make you ineligible for ESTA or eTA; our consultants flag this before you book.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate and with Smartraveller before you travel. We assist with documentation but cannot guarantee entry decisions.
Ready to plan your North America holiday?
Tell us your dates, travellers and must-see stops. Our Sydney consultants sequence the flights, rail and car hire, and secure national park lodging before it sells out.