⚖️ Side by side
Canada vs United States
A side-by-side look at the practical essentials for Canada and United States — power, safety, money and getting around.
Quick answer
Traveling between Canada and United States, you likely won't need a plug adapter, and a voltage converter is generally not needed for dual-voltage chargers.
| Detail | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Power plug | Type A/B | Type A/B |
| Voltage | 120V | 120V |
| Frequency | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Emergency (general) | 911 | 911 |
| Police | 911 | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 | 911 |
| Tap water | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Driving side | Right | Right |
| Currency | Canadian Dollar (CAD, $) | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Dialing code | +1 | +1 |
| Time zone | UTC-3:30 to UTC-8 | UTC-5 to UTC-10 |
| Best season | June to September is best for road trips, lakes and national parks. September and October are excellent for fall colours. Winter is ideal for skiing and northern-light trips, but weather can disrupt long-distance travel. | Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for many city trips because temperatures are milder and crowds are lower. Summer is popular for national parks and beaches, while winter is best for ski regions and warm-weather states such as Florida, Arizona and Hawaii. |
Full guide
Canada travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Canada.
Full guide
United States travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for United States.