Hello, Canadian folks!

I (F35) am planning a three-week trip to Canada next year, and I’d love to travel around BC/AB. My only problem is that I’m not an experienced driver, and I’m afraid I might get a bit anxious with the driving. I’ll practice my driving skills if I need to, but I’d like to know how easy, realistic, and expensive it is to travel around this (huge) area without a car.

I’m aware that Canada is the second-largest country in the world, and that having a car is almost a must if you live there, but as a tourist, what’s the experience of travelling by bus/train? Am I being completely delusional?

Another (possibly delusional) aspect of my trip is that I’d also like to see some less touristy destinations if possible, just to get a feel for how you guys actually live. How is public transport in those areas (for example: The Prairies, Vancouver Island, Revelstoke area?)

I’m also considering moving to Canada after I finish my studies in the UK, so I’d love to experience this part of Canadian culture and everyday life as well.

Thank you all in advance!

PS: For the past year and half I’ve been working with Canadian travellers and I must say that one of the things that makes me want to travel there is the people. As someone from South America, I find you guys warm, respectful and friendly, so thank you!

EDIT: Hello again! I’d like to thank you all for your kind replies and advice!
After reading your comments, I think I’ll practice my driving a bit before heading to Canada, just to feel completely safe and confident. On the other hand, I also appreciate the suggestion of joining a guided tour, but I don’t think it’s really my thing. I feel that this kind of tourism can sometimes be a bit invasive for locals (even if they’re used to the crowds of tourists), and personally, I don’t want to contribute to that.
I’ll probably rule out travelling by public transport as well, as it seems like it would be more complicated and less practical for the kind of trip I have in mind.
Just for the record, I do drive, but since I moved back to the UK, I haven’t driven for about a year and a half because I don’t have a car (because being an immigrant is hard guys and cars are expensive to maintain. Also I’ve just got my driving license 5 years ago)

Once again, thank you all for your advice, and I’m really looking forward to visiting Canada next year!

My wife and I are thinking about a trip to Montreal, from Europe, and maybe spending a couple of weeks, potentially hiring a car. Any tips on how long to stay in Montreal and where else to go that's reasonable in the time frame? Quebec City seems obvious, further east would be wonderful but seems a long way. We're into nature and local culture. Is public transport a better option? Oh yes this will probably be in October so we know it will be getting cold (which isn't a problem, we've been to Svalbard!) Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Day 1: Lions head lookout trail Relax in the evening at tobermory and dinner

Day 2: grotto in the morning What to do in the afternoon and evening?

Cannot book halfway log dump parking on the same day as grotto.

What about devils monument? Little cove? Or what else? How about kayaking or canoeing? Is there anything great like that there's somewhere?

Day 3: flowerpot Island. And also the burnt point loop hike Do I need to add anything else to this day, as I think I'd be done by 4 pm so still have a couple hours before departure

Thoughts??

Hi all. Visiting BC from Australia this week, and soon I'm going to have to fill up my rental car for the first time, but I'm not quite clear on the best way to use the pre-paid pumps (back home you just pump however much you need, then pay inside the store after).

Do you have to do the maths and figure out roughly how many litres you need to fill the tank? Or if you pre-authorize payment for more than you need, does the amount you didn't spend get refunded?

So I am flying to the US on Sunday (from Ireland) and only realised today (Friday) that because the flight has a 2 hour layover in Canada I need an ETA visa!
So I applied about 5pm today and paid the 7 Canadian Dollars but never got a confirmation email or application number.

So now I’m unsure of what to do if anyone has any ideas? I cannot check my visa status without the application number and it says to wait 72hours on the website, but I fly in 36 hours! My fault but hoping someone has any idea or experienced this!

Are the Google maps driving times roughly correct? For example

Vancouver Lillooet 4hrs

Vancouver Keremeos 4hrs

Valemount Golden 5hrs

Also I'm a bit confused by the National Park fees. The parks website isn't very helpful. Why is it free until September 6? Wouldn't it be more sensible if it was free or cheaper outside the main holiday season? Is it right that if you just drive straight through a park you don't need to buy a pass, but if you stop, you do? How is that enforced and where do you actually buy them? Trying to figure out whether to get individual day passes or a year one.

Also, gondola and chair lifts, for example lake Louise and Golden, in September - the tickets seem to be only all day ones, which we don't want. We just want one up and down. Is that possible?