If you live in Canada where the winter months can be pretty bleak, you probably know the joys of checking travel sites for vacation package deals. There’s nothing more exciting than planning a getaway from the snow and sleet to the sand and sun!
These days, though, there are so many travel sites for vacation packages that it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and created this guide to the best travel package sites. We studied 14 different sites and compared their prices, services, and features so that you can find the best flight and hotel packages that work for you and your family.
Here’s the lowdown on what we found and what you should consider. Bon voyage!
A comparison of the 14 best travel sites in Canada
I’ve conducted an experiment with 14 leading travel sites that offer vacation packages.
To do so, I chose a fictional vacation and planned the same trip with each site, using the same information.
Details of my fictional vacation
Here are the details of the (unfortunately) fictional vacation we’ll be taking:
| Detail | My trip |
|---|---|
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Destination | Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Departure date | April 1, 2023 |
| Return date | April 8, 2023 |
| Type of lodging | All-inclusive resort |
| Preferred resort | SeaGarden Beach Resort |
| People travelling | 2 |
| Date searched | January 17, 2023 |
The results of my search on travel websites in Canada
The following table outlines what options each of the 14 sites gave me. Please note that all prices have been converted to CAD and are per person.
Also, sites designated with an asterisk (*) automatically changed the preferred dates – usually just by a day, and usually in order to get a better price.
| Website | Preferred Resort Price (Seagarden Beach Resort) | Cheapest Resort Found | Cheapest Price Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| itravel2000.com | $1,913 | Royal Decameron Montego Beach | $1,833 |
| lastminute.com* | $2,056 | Deja Resort | $1,882 |
| Travelocity | $1,621 | Royal Decameron Club Caribbean | $1,546 |
| Expedia | $1,621 | Royal Decameron Club Caribbean | $1,546 |
| redtag.ca | $1,913 | Royal Decameron Montego Beach | $1,833 |
| Selloff Vacations | $1,913 | Royal Decameron Montego Beach | $1,833 |
| tripcentral.ca* | $2,292 | Royal Decameron Club Caribbean | $2,335 |
| Priceline | $1,736 | Deja Resort | $1,422 |
| Orbitz | $1,514 | Royal Decameron Club Caribbean | $1,490 |
| transat* | N/A | Royal Decameron Montego Beach | $1,949 |
| sunquest.ca | N/A | Ocean Coral Spring | $2,934 |
| Sunwing | $2,410 | Samsara Cliff Resort | $1,724 |
| escapes.ca | $1,913 | Royal Decameron Club Caribbean | $1,673 |
| Flight Centre | $1,913 | Royal Decameron Montego Beach | $1,933 |
A deeper dive into our Canadian travel site analysis
Here’s a chart that might help you visualize the information better:
The average cost for staying at the SeaGarden Beach Resort came to $1,898, with Orbitz offering the lowest price – a shocking $1,514. This would save you $384 off the average, which is pretty impressive.
The worst option was Sunwing at $2,410. And there were 2 websites (Transat and sunquest.ca) that didn’t even have the SeaGarden Beach Resort as booking options for the travel dates.
Travel sites in Canada: Sneaky charges to look for and extra perks to look forward to
Travel sites try to draw your attention to the vacation deal you’re getting, and in turn, potentially downplay other costs, such as fees or taxes. But, on the other hand, there can also be some sweet perks included that change a price from seeming over-the-top to completely reasonable.
Hidden costs when booking with the best travel package sites
Let’s look at the hidden fees you may encounter with even the best travel package sites. Be aware of the details and look for the following:
- Taxes and fees: Most of the sites I researched included this amount in their price, but it’s always wise to take another look just in case. Be mindful of this extra charge and always make sure it’s included – it could mean up to $500 extra per person if it isn’t.
- Shuttle service: Don’t forget to factor this price into your budget. It’s included in itravel2000.com, redtag.ca, and escapes.ca prices, but most of the other Canadian travel sites mention a surcharge for airport shuttles.
- Site currency: Make sure you double check what currency the site is displaying. Orbitz and Priceline both show up in USD, and lastminute.com is in GBP.
- Luggage allowance: This depends on the airline, but it’s good to figure out what the flights in your package offer. Some airlines include your carry-on bag in the price and you have to pay extra for checked luggage.
- Sorting order: The vacation package you see at the top of the results list is not always the cheapest of the bunch. Most travel sites display results by “recommended” as a default. Make sure to adjust your filters according to your preference.
Extra perks included on some Canadian travel sites
Some travel websites offer specific perks when you book with them, such as free cancellation.
In addition, some sites offer reward points for choosing their services over others: Orbitz gives you Orbucks, Expedia gives you points, etc.
It’s also important to keep in mind that using your credit card to book trips via certain websites can gain you some pretty serious points.
There are many credit cards that offer different types of incentives. For instance, with a TD Visa you can collect 200 points for each $1 spent on Expedia, and you can redeem these points for further travel.
How does Costco travel compare to other travel sites?
Okay, now let’s look at Costco's travel options.
I’m a huge fan of Costco, but I have to admit, I hadn’t considered using their travel services before.
As it turns out, I should have.
Using the same parameters as the previous travel site searches, I checked out what Costco had to offer for vacation packages.
While it definitely does not offer the cheapest option for this particular Jamaica trip, it does add some pretty sweet bonuses onto the package, like a Costco cash card, lounge access, etc.
What Costco has to offer for vacation packages
The SeaGarden Beach Resort was not listed as an option here, so I went with the cheapest all-inclusive on the list.
This ended up being the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa for a total price (both guests) of $7,587.97.
The price may seem a bit steep in comparison to the previous options, but it’s important to note that this package includes:
- shuttle to and from the airport,
- Costco cash card worth CA$472, and a
- Club Mobay VIP Fast Track and airport departure lounge access ($160 value).
I checked Expedia to see what their price for this same vacation would be, and it came to $7,164 – without these perks.
And so, my Costco conclusion is that you should always consider it. Their bonuses can easily make it the most budget-friendly option, depending on the details of your preferred vacation.
The 3 upsides of booking with Canadian travel sites
But why should you even bother with these Canadian travel sites? Can’t you just book directly with the resort?
Here are 3 reasons why you may want to go for a travel site.
1. Travel sites are very convenient
At the end of the day, it’s all about convenience.
It’s a one-stop shop, done from the comfort of your own home (your own couch or bed even!), you can do all the research about your destination at the same time, and you don’t feel like any salespeople are pressuring you.
It’s just so simple and easy.
2. All the travel info you need is available
There’s SO much information online about package vacations.
Whatever teeny weeny question you might have, it’ll only take seconds for a quick Google search to put your mind at ease.
And, again, you don’t have to worry about the salesperson, that you’re annoying them, being repetitive, wasting their time…none of it. It’s all you.
3. The best travel package sites can help customize your experience
Using the best travel package sites means that you’re really sitting in the driver’s seat. You get to plan and control where you go, when you go, and precisely what the trip will look like. And let’s face it, planning is half the fun!
Have you been dreaming of a room with an ocean view? You control that. Need accessibility features? You control that. Prefer to have a kitchenette in your room? Yup, you control that too.
Most travel sites have a list of filters and preferences to choose from, so you can look for things like:
- specific star ratings,
- branded resorts,
- number of bedrooms,
- resort amenities, and
- business or family-friendly locations.
You might be surprised when you see how many customizations are available for you on your chosen travel site. Just adjust the various filters, narrow down the results, and choose the vacation that looks best to you.
How social media can help you find travel deals
Another travel planning tip is to watch social media for alerts on upcoming sales and specials.
My boyfriend scored us return flights from Halifax to Hawaii for $400 each, simply because he noticed a post on a travel-focused Facebook page. We can’t even fly to Toronto for that most of the time…
So yeah, pay attention.
Here’s a few tips regarding social media:
Instagram travel deals
Rather than merely a haven for food pictures and pet selfies, Instagram can become a valuable source of savings. A lot of companies use the site for marketing and you can often find limited-time deals and contests if you look in the right places.
For example, Just Travel Deals posts beautiful photos of a variety of destinations and includes details on deals to get you there.
Make sure to watch the official accounts of airlines, hotel chains, and travel sites. They often run Instagram contests where users can enter by posting a picture with the corresponding hashtag.
Twitter travel deals
Twitter’s hashtag system is a useful way of searching for exactly what you want.
In your case, following hashtags like #traveldeals or #cheapflights can keep you up to date with the most recent offers from a variety of travel deal sources.
There are also Twitter accounts like airfarewatchdog who track airline deals across a variety of platforms, taking over a lot of the grunt work for you.
Facebook travel deals
As of 2022, Facebook is still in the lead for the most popular social networking site. This means companies will put extra effort into advertising on the platform, including marketing for their upcoming deals and discounts.
Following your favourite airlines, hotels, and travel sites can keep you up to date with their newest offers.
I recommend Budget Travel (@budgettravelmagazine), which posts everything from travel safety tips to lists of the most affordable winter getaways.
The verdict on the best travel sites in Canada
Checking out the offers on Expedia or Priceline will get you a pretty good deal most of the time, but always remember to check out Costco.
If you have the time and value saving a couple hundred dollars, consider researching your preferred resort on a variety of travel sites, just to make sure you’re getting the absolute best deal.
Always pay attention to what is and what isn’t included in your package. Look out for hidden fees, but also don’t forget the perks that could be included (like free cancellation or shuttle service).
To maximize your savings, consider getting a travel credit card and book your trip through the card’s preferred site.
But most of all, remember that this is your time for relaxation. Make a budget, stick to it, and don’t worry about anything else.
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What’s the best travel site in Canada?
The site that got us the best deal in our research was Orbitz, but this won’t necessarily be the case for your own trip. It’s best to compare several sites every time you want to book a trip, because you never really know which travel site could have the cheapest price. Check out our comparison of the 14 best travel sites in Canada here.
What’s the best site for vacation packages?
Most travel sites will also provide options for vacation packages, including all-inclusive trips. Usually, all you have to do is check a box and the site will filter your results by showing only locations that are all-inclusive. All of the travel sites we looked at above offer this filter, and while choosing the best is really up to you and your preferences, we did notice that Orbitz and Priceline had fantastic prices.
Are there hidden fees I should look out for when booking on travel sites?
Yes, there are a few things you should look out for. Make sure you consider shuttle prices, since the airport will likely be far away from your hotel. But if you’re planning on renting a car, make sure to consider that price as well. It’s also important to make sure the prices you’re looking at are in CAD and not USD – which is very easy to get mixed up.
What are some benefits of booking online with travel sites?
Booking online with a travel site puts the power in your hands to do the best research possible. Everything is at your disposal, so you’re in control of getting the best deal you can and customizing the trip to your liking. Not to mention it’s extremely convenient to do everything from the comfort of your own home.
Should I consider Costco travel?
Costco travel had pretty high prices at first glance – but that’s because their offering had many more perks, like a cash card, lounge acccess, and shuttle service. They’re definitely worth a look when you’re considering all your options.
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Comments
Hey Bryan,
Thanks for the tip! Happy saving :)
Hey Mike,
That's a good point, calling companies directly can usually save you money – vacation packages are no different.
Great advice, thanks Sherri!
Hey David,
That's a great idea for a future article. The research and results might be a bit different because places like Europe and Asia are less likely to have all-inclusive packages, which is the focus of this article. But it'll still be informative for sure.
We'll definitely look into it. Thanks!
Great idea! We'll look into it for sure. The results might be a bit different since there are fewer resort options in Europe, but it'll definitely be informative!