Travel Tips

Climate – And What To Wear

Kingston has a moderate humid continental climate. It has cooler summers than most of Southern Ontario. Kingston enjoys warm, comfortable weather with moderate temperatures that are tempered by the Great Lakes.

July weather in Kingston is warm:

  • Average temperature: 21.5ºC
  • Average high: 26ºC
  • Average low: 17ºC

Languages

Canada has two official languages – English and French. English is the predominant language in Ontario. Kingston is multicultural and also multilingual. After English and French, the most common mother tongue languages spoken are Chinese, Punjabi, German, Italian, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.

Metric Measures

Canada follows the International Metric System. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, velocity are expressed in metric units. Distance is measured in kilometres.

Electricity

Outlets and voltage (120 volts) are the same as in the United States. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada. For those from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.

Currency

The currency of Canada is the Canadian dollar (sign: $ or C$; code: CAD).

To avoid exchange problems, visitors are advised to exchange their funds to Canadian dollars at a bank or a foreign currency exchange outlet.

Money

Paper bills: $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green), $50 (red) and $100 (brown) denominations.

Coins include the nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢), ‘loonie’ ($1) and ‘toonie’ ($2).

Electronic Transactions

Credit cards, ATMs, and direct-debit cards are commonly used in Canada.

Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards are widely accepted in most stores and restaurants.

Banks

Banking hours are generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some banks are open on Saturday.

ATMs (Automated Teller Machines or cash machines) are found at the airport, banks and in retail areas.

Smoking And Alcohol

Smoking is restricted at many places in Ontario, including public transportation, restaurants, places of work and enclosed public areas.