April 19, 2022 • 🔗travel.gc.ca • Information below last updated April 11, 2022
COVID-19 Boarding flights and trains in Canada
For the requirements to board a cruise ship in Canada, visit the Cruise ship travel page.
Air and rail
In addition to the vaccination requirement, all existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for passengers remain in place. This includes health check questions, and wearing masks inside airports and rail terminals, and while on board planes and trains.
All passengers must wear a mask throughout their entire travel journey except for brief periods while eating, drinking, or taking oral medication, or unless otherwise exempt. Some of these exemptions include:
- children under 6 years old
- people who are unable to remove the mask without assistance
- people who provide a medical certificate certifying that they are unable to wear a face mask for a medical reason
Travelling to another province or territory or country
You’ll need to check if there are any restrictions that apply at your final destination.
Your proof of vaccination doesn’t guarantee you entry to another country. Before you travel, you must check the rules of your destination country and the countries you transit through:
Passengers with signs or symptoms
You won’t be allowed to board unless you present a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms aren’t related to COVID-19.
Mandatory vaccination to board
If you’re 12 years of age plus 4 months, or older, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated in order to board:
- domestic or international flights departing from most airports in Canada, including charter and foreign airlines carrying commercial passengers
- Medevac flights are excluded, regardless of where they depart or land
- Private flights that don’t require access to airports with a vaccination requirement are excluded
- VIA Rail, AMTRAK, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR), and Rocky Mountaineer trains
Contact your airline or railway company about their boarding requirements and refund policies.Airports with vaccination requirement
Find out if you’re ready to board
To board your flight or train, if you’re 12 years of age plus 4 months, or older, you must:
- be fully vaccinated with accepted vaccines
- be ready at any point in your journey to show your official proof of vaccination
- have received your second dose at least 14 calendar days prior to the day you travel
- have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- follow public health advice, such as wearing a mask
Accepted vaccinesConnecting flights or trains after entering CanadaForeign nationals departing Canada
COVID-19 tests: if you qualify as fully vaccinated, a COVID-19 test result is not needed to board a flight or train in Canada unless you’re flying to a country that requires it.
If you’re unvaccinated, you must provide a valid COVID-19 test result if you were given an exemption:
- from your carrier or
- through the National Interest Exemption Program (NIEP)
If you don’t provide proof of vaccination (or valid COVID-19 test result if you have an exemption), you won’t be able to travel. You could face penalties or fines if you provide false, misleading information, or evidence about:
- your proof of vaccination or
- a COVID-19 test result
Vaccination is required for travel within and to depart Canada. A valid COVID-19 molecular test result will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless you’re eligible for one of the limited exemptions.
Providing proof of vaccination
The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is a reliable way for Canadians to show your COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel, and has all the necessary information for domestic and international trips.
Travel with unvaccinated children
Unvaccinated children under 12 years and 4 months of age don’t require a COVID-19 test result to travel within or depart Canada. International destinations may have different requirements.
Exemptions to the vaccine requirement
Vaccination is required for travel within and out of Canada. A valid COVID-19 test result will only be accepted for limited exceptions.
Travellers who qualify for an exemption will also need to have a valid COVID-19 test result before boarding a flight or train.
False claims are an offence under the Criminal Code and false declaration could be subject to Transport Canada fines.
Other requirements to board
Air and rail
In addition to the vaccination requirement, all existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements
Boarding flights to Canada
Travellers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, must follow all requirements to keep everyone safe. Foreign nationals who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated will only be allowed to enter in specific circumstances: