Temporary Housing in Canada: Your Ultimate Guide to a Safe Landing (2025)

Comparing Your Main Options: Hotel vs. Airbnb

For most newcomers, the choice boils down to two main options for their initial stay. Here’s how they stack up for someone new to the country.

Feature	Hotels & Serviced Apartments	Airbnb & Vacation Rentals
Best For	First 1-14 days; maximum security	Stays of 2 weeks to 3 months
Avg. Cost (CAD)	$$$(Higher per night)	$$ (Better value for longer stays)
Scam Risk	Very Low	Low to Medium (Varies by host)
Kitchen Access	Rarely (unless a suite)	Almost always
Booking Ease	Very Easy (Instant confirmation)	Requires host approval

Hotels & Serviced Apartments

• Pros:
  • Guaranteed Booking: Your room is confirmed instantly, providing peace of mind.
  • High Security: 24/7 staff and secure access are standard.
  • Professional Standards: Consistent cleanliness and service.
• Cons:
  • Higher Cost: The per-night rate is generally more expensive.
  • Lack of Kitchen: Eating out for every meal can quickly drain your budget.

Airbnb & Home-Sharing Platforms

• Pros:
  • Better Value for Longer Stays: A month-long booking is often significantly cheaper than a hotel.
  • Kitchen Facilities: Cooking at home is a major money-saver for families.
  • A “Local” Feel: You can live in a residential neighbourhood and experience daily life.
• Cons:
  • Risk of Scams/Cancellations: While most hosts are great, there’s a higher risk of fraudulent listings or last-minute host cancellations.
  • Inconsistent Quality: The cleanliness and amenities can vary wildly from one listing to another.

The Verdict: Which Option is Best For You?

Choosing your first temporary home isn’t about finding the single “best” option, but the best option for your unique situation.

Best for Your First 7-14 Days (Maximum Security & Ease): Hotels

• Who it’s for: This is our top recommendation for newcomers who prioritize a smooth, stress-free landing. If you are arriving after a long flight, have young children, or simply want to avoid any possibility of scams or check-in issues, a hotel is your best bet.
• Why it works: Hotels offer guaranteed bookings and professional service, which is invaluable when you’re navigating a new country.

To make your search easier, we recommend using a powerful comparison tool.

Best for 1-3 Month Stays (A Homelike Feel & Better Value): Airbnb & Sublets

Airbnb and sublets are often the best options for long stay homes in Canada, especially if you need accommodation for one to three months.

• Who it’s for: Newcomers who have saved up a financial buffer and want more space, a kitchen, and a lower per-night cost over a longer period. This route requires more research and caution.
• Why it works: Having your own apartment for a month allows you to cook, settle in, and explore neighbourhoods before signing a long-term lease. For those who don’t want the hassle of buying furniture immediately, finding furnished temporary housing is a major advantage.

If you’re considering this route, it’s crucial to be aware of potential red flags. Make sure you read our complete guide on how to avoid common rental scams in Canada.

Check today’s hotel deals near Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)

Other Types of Short-Term Housing Solutions To Consider

If your needs are different, Canada offers several other types of temporary accommodation. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Hostels: Great for solo travelers or those on a very tight budget. They offer shared dorms and communal spaces. Best for: Maximum savings and meeting other travelers.

Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs): A room in a private home, often with breakfast included. Best for: A personal, homelike experience for a short stay.

College and University Residences: Many universities rent out dorm rooms during the summer (May to August). Best for: An affordable, safe option for summer arrivals.

Sublets: Taking over someone else’s lease for a short period. Often furnished. Best for: Finding a place for a specific time frame, like 1-3 months.

Serviced Apartments: Combines the space of an apartment with hotel-like services. Best for: Business travelers or those wanting more amenities for a longer stay.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Finding the right temporary place depends on your specific situation. Here are some key things to think about:

• How long will you stay? This is the main factor determining if a short-term or medium-term option is best for you. When you’re ready to look for long-term housing, you’ll need to decide on a lease term. Learn more about whether a monthly or yearly lease is right for you.
• What is your budget? Costs vary a lot based on location and the type of place. Remember that short-term rentals often cost more per night than long-term ones. Look for affordable short term rentals, including finding cheap short term rentals, if budget is a primary concern.
• Where do you want to be? Consider how close the location is to public transportation, essential services like grocery stores and banks, areas where you might work, and neighbourhoods you’re interested in for long-term living.
• What amenities do you need? Think about what’s important to you – a full kitchen, laundry facilities, a private bathroom, reliable Wi-Fi, or if being furnished housing is a must (it often is for temporary places).
• Do you need flexibility? Some options allow you to extend your stay easily or have flexible departure dates.
• What are others saying? Always check reviews, especially when booking online. Look for comments on cleanliness, safety, and accuracy of the listing. If possible, seeing the place in person is ideal.
• Understand the rental terms and potential hidden costs. Be sure you know what’s included in the price and if there are any extra fees (like cleaning fees or utility costs). This is also important when you eventually navigate leasing in Canada for permanent housing.
• What are the lease requirements? While visitors can rent apartments, practical challenges (like needing Canadian documents or credit history) might make short term lease apartments or month-to-month options easier to access than traditional long-term leases initially.
• Specific Needs: Consider accommodation needs for families (size of unit, child-friendly), pets (pet policies and fees), or individuals requiring accessibility features.
• Security Deposits and Payment Structure: Understand typical deposit requirements (often up to one month’s rent for rentals, less for hotels) and how payments are processed (daily, weekly, monthly). Ensure you know the process for deposit return.

Open interactive price map to estimate total stay cost

Finding Temporary Housing

Ready to start looking? Here are some places to search:

• Online Platforms: Websites like Booking, Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels.com, Expedia, HostelWorld, and local classified sites like Kijiji are popular starting points. When using online platforms, always prioritize safety and know how to spot potential rental scams.
• Specialized Websites: Look for sites that focus on temporary or corporate housing rentals.
• Consulting Newcomer Services and Settlement Agencies: This is incredibly valuable! These organizations often have resources, lists of temporary housing providers, or even their own programs for newcomers. They can offer personalized, localized advice based on your needs and the city you are moving to. We highly recommend connecting with them!
• Checking local newspapers or online classifieds for sublet opportunities.
• Directly contacting hotels, motels, B&Bs, or university residences.
• Considering Seasonal Variations and Booking in Advance: Availability and prices can change depending on the season and local events. Booking your temporary accommodation well in advance is a really good idea, especially if you’re arriving during peak times or in a popular city.

Practical Steps Upon Arrival While in Temporary Housing

Your temporary address is more than just a place to sleep; it’s your first anchor in Canada. While you’re there, you’ll be setting up the essentials for your new life. This is the perfect time to:

• Establishing Proof of Address: You’ll need a Canadian address for many essential services like getting your Social Insurance Number (SIN), opening a bank account, or applying for a health card. While temporary addresses might require extra documentation, they are often accepted. If needed, ask your temporary housing provider for a letter confirming your stay, or explore options like using a friend’s address with permission (and mail forwarding) or a mail reception service. This proof of address is also vital when you eventually begin the process of leasing in Canada for a permanent home. For a complete first-week action plan, see our Arriving in Canada guide before you fly.
• Setting Up Essentials: Having a temporary address makes it much easier to set up that crucial Canadian bank account and get a local phone number or SIM card. These are vital for staying connected and will be needed when you start your search for long-term housing.
• Internet Access: Ensure your temporary place has reliable Wi-Fi. You’ll need it for job searching, researching neighbourhoods, contacting landlords, and accessing online resources.
• Insurance: If you are a visitor, make sure you have adequate travel insurance. If you are a newcomer staying in a furnished rental, consider getting limited tenant insurance (often called renter’s insurance) to protect your belongings. Clarify what coverage the property owner provides, if any.
• Start your financial journey. A key part of this is learning how to build your Canadian credit score from scratch.
• Get your new home connected. We’ve compared the best and most affordable internet plans for newcomers to make your choice easier.
• Plan for your permanent home. Once you find your long-term rental, our complete first apartment setup checklist will ensure you have everything you need.”

Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

It’s smart to be aware of potential issues as you search:

• Scams and Fraud: Be very cautious of suspicious listings. Never send money upfront without verifying the legitimacy of the listing and the provider. Research thoroughly and consider on-site verification if possible. To protect yourself further, be aware of popular rental scams in Canada and how to identify them.
• Inaccurate Listings: Photos online might not always match reality. Check reviews carefully to get a sense of consistency and real-world conditions.
• Hidden Costs: Clarify all fees and exactly what is included in the price before booking. This is part of understanding your rental agreement, just like knowing the terms when leasing in Canada.
• Understanding Bylaws: Be aware that short-term rental regulations can vary significantly from one city to another in Canada.

Pro-Tips for Your Temporary Stay

• Book Near a Transit Hub: Choose a location near a major subway station or bus route. This will make it much easier to explore neighbourhoods and attend appointments without needing a car.
• Confirm Mail & Package Delivery: Before you book, ask about the policy for receiving mail. You will need to receive important documents from Service Canada and your bank.
• Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi: Use the reliable Wi-Fi at your temporary stay to do all your heavy lifting: job applications, apartment hunting, and video calls with family. This will help you conserve mobile data.
• Extend, Don’t Pre-Pay: If possible, book a shorter stay (e.g., one week) with the option to extend. This gives you flexibility if you find a long-term apartment sooner than expected.

As you transition to your long-term search, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to look for a place that’s already furnished. Our guide breaks down the pros and cons of furnished vs. unfurnished apartments to help you decide.

On a Tight Budget? Exploring Low-Cost & Emergency Options.

We understand that budget is a major concern for many newcomers. While finding a place completely for free for a month is very rare and often depends on community support, there are ways to find cheap temporary housing options.

Consider reaching out to local settlement agencies, as they sometimes have connections to transitional housing programs or short-term host families. Options like hostels or shared accommodations are also excellent for minimizing costs in your first few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Temporary housing is the critical first step to a successful life in Canada. By understanding the pros and cons of each option and choosing the right one for your specific timeline and needs, you can provide yourself with a stable, secure foundation.

This will make your transition as smooth and positive as possible, setting the stage for finding your long-term Canadian home. Once you’re settled in your temporary spot, the next step is the exciting search for your long-term home. Think of temporary housing as Phase 1. When you’re ready for Phase 2, our complete newcomer’s guide to renting in Canada will walk you through the entire process.

What’s the one thing you’re most concerned about when booking your first stay? Share it in the comments below—your question might help another newcomer!