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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
Hi folks,
My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex |
#2
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
In article ,
Alex wrote: My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Technically, you don't need a passport. But since you need a photo ID *and* proof of whatever citizenship you hold, a passport is the easiest way to do both. Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Not unless you drive your car onto a ferry. ;-) Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? If you have a bank card that works in other countries (i.e., it has a Cirrus or other interbank logo on it), you can just get cash from an ATM when you get to Canada. Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? A friend and I had a very nice time for a couple of nights at Banting House (http://www.bantinghouse.com/). Yes, a former home of the doctor who discovered insulin. It's a Victorian house on a quiet residential street, yet it's just a few blocks from Bloor St. I'm sure there are many other very nice B&Bs in TO that you can choose from depending on which part of the city you want to base yourselves in. Patty |
#3
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
"Alex" wrote in message om... Hi folks, My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex Passport not necessary, good solid ID is; should be able to show residentail address & photos; employment details useful, ditto military card, etc. Checkpoints are non-threatening; you can save a bit on booze, perfumes, etc. if you can find a duty-free store on the US side, ditto on return trip; do *not* take food products across in either direction, chocolates excepted, of course! Remember the universal rule: there are *no* funny jokes at borders. Currency exchange is almost always cheaper at the destination; use ATM's and your bank will do the exchange at that day's best rate; be sure to use BANK ATM's, not free-standing no-name machines that charge double or triple service fees; |
#4
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
Alex wrote: Hi folks, My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex Make sure in advance you can take your rental car across the border. Birth certificate and photo ID with same name are enough proof. Peace Bridge toll is $2.50 U.S. going to Canada. Not collected on way back. N Falls bridges charge each way. There's a Duty-Free Shop on the Buffalo side. On your left after you clear the toll booth. You can buy stuff - beer, cigs, perfume, etc - in US $ and ask for Canadian change. There's a currency exchange right after the Canadian Customs booths before you hit the Queen Elizabeth Highway to Toronto. There's a Duty-Free on the Canadian side where you can get rid of Canadian currency on your way back. |
#5
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 06:34:37 GMT, "David Gee"
wrote: "Alex" wrote in message . com... Hi folks, My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex Passport not necessary, good solid ID is; should be able to show residentail address & photos; employment details useful, ditto military card, etc. Although you may be let in if you have the stuff listed above, it is not what is legally required and thus you could be turned away. Personally I wouldn't take the risk. Assuming that you are a U.S. citizen you need proof of identity (e.g. driving licence) AND proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate or naturalization card). A passport serves both purposes in one. |
#6
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
Ohh..and dress warm..its damn cold there in January what with igloos and Eskimos
everywhere..lol "Alex" wrote in message om... Hi folks, My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex |
#8
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
What they all said above me, plus, bring lots of warm clothes, January can
be very, very cold, or quite nice. So be prepared. Also, Buffalo seems to get nasty winter storms. "Alex" wrote in message om... Hi folks, My girlfriend and I want to spend a week in Toronto next month for our vacation, but neither of us has ever been to Canada. We live in Texas, and to save on flight costs, we hope to fly to Buffalo, NY and drive the 100 miles to Toronto. I guess the issue is we aren't sure what to expect. I know a passport isn't needed (or is it?), and I assume there's some sort of checkpoint when passing between the US and Canada.. but what do we need other then standard ID? Also, is there any fee to cross into Canada? Oh... and should we get Canadian currency before entering? The flight we hope to take is on Sunday (cheapest), so would it be a good idea to get a couple of hundred Canadian dollars before hand? Thanks for any info and assistance... oh, and one more question. Any suggestions on a nice B&B in the Toronto area? Take care, Alex |
#9
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
In article 1oWyb.91842$oN2.66116@edtnps84,
"David Gee" wrote: Passport not necessary, good solid ID is; should be able to show residentail address & photos; employment details useful, ditto military card, etc. More is needed on the way back, to get into the US, than to get into Canada. Be prepared for some questions that may seem intrusive, and possibly a half-assed search of the trunk. Checkpoints are non-threatening; you can save a bit on booze, perfumes, etc. if you can find a duty-free store on the US side, ditto on return trip; do *not* take food products across in either direction, chocolates excepted, of course! Remember the universal rule: there are *no* funny jokes at borders. Currency exchange is almost always cheaper at the destination; use ATM's and your bank will do the exchange at that day's best rate; be sure to use BANK ATM's, not free-standing no-name machines that charge double or triple service fees; It's also a great convenience to use credit cards abroad, including Canada. The exchange is automatic and at the best rate available that day - minus, it's true, a service charge imposed by the card issuer but it shouldn't matter much during a short trip. -- Bill Pittman; change for e-mail as indicated |
#10
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Driving to Canada, what to expect...
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