Border crossing into Canada
Greeting everyone, I'm planning a trip from Florida to Canada this coming Spring. I'm planning to travel I-95 and crossing into Canada at Watertown, NY. Drive and stay in Canada for maybe the Summer ...
Forum Discussion
We just visited Canada a couple weeks ago, Niagara Falls. Son and I were just in a car. The Canadian guard was polite and very quick, with simple questions. She had not seen a CDL, Commercial Driver's License so we talked a bit about that, then she said to have a good time.
On our return, the traffic over Rainbow Bridge was pretty much horrible, well over an hour wait. The US guard quizzed us at length on where we went, where we live, what we did in Canada, and did a quick look through our car. He was gruff, barely polite. When we first pulled up I asked if he wanted to see my driver's license or passports first, and he rather brusquely asked "why would I want to see your driver's license?".
Now, opposite to this, when we towed a camper up to Niagara a few years ago the Canadian guard was the brusque one, and the US guard on return basically just said "Welcome Back!" and let us through.
If you have a camper, pay attention to the signs as you approach the crossing. You may very well have to be in a special lane - at the Rainbow Bridge, I find the signs to be confusing going into Canada... campers have to go into a special lane way to the left, not through the "normal" booths.
Yes, having a passport will be easier. Just answer the questions the guard asks, don't elaborate unless they ask for more information. Don't be surprised if they ask a couple questions that are the same but worded differently, it is just one way to double check. Also, some questions will seem silly, they are more interested in your reaction and general "look". Asking for your license plate number is an example of this... the cameras have already taken your plate number and run it through a check, they have all that info on their computer screen. Both times I've crossed I have not remembered my plate number, they just went on to different questions.
Not a big deal crossing the border, just be polite and have all your passports, registration, whichever in order. Careful about joking around with the guards... a friend of mine did, and ended up having his camper thoroughly searched.
On our return, the traffic over Rainbow Bridge was pretty much horrible, well over an hour wait. The US guard quizzed us at length on where we went, where we live, what we did in Canada, and did a quick look through our car. He was gruff, barely polite. When we first pulled up I asked if he wanted to see my driver's license or passports first, and he rather brusquely asked "why would I want to see your driver's license?".
Now, opposite to this, when we towed a camper up to Niagara a few years ago the Canadian guard was the brusque one, and the US guard on return basically just said "Welcome Back!" and let us through.
If you have a camper, pay attention to the signs as you approach the crossing. You may very well have to be in a special lane - at the Rainbow Bridge, I find the signs to be confusing going into Canada... campers have to go into a special lane way to the left, not through the "normal" booths.
Yes, having a passport will be easier. Just answer the questions the guard asks, don't elaborate unless they ask for more information. Don't be surprised if they ask a couple questions that are the same but worded differently, it is just one way to double check. Also, some questions will seem silly, they are more interested in your reaction and general "look". Asking for your license plate number is an example of this... the cameras have already taken your plate number and run it through a check, they have all that info on their computer screen. Both times I've crossed I have not remembered my plate number, they just went on to different questions.
Not a big deal crossing the border, just be polite and have all your passports, registration, whichever in order. Careful about joking around with the guards... a friend of mine did, and ended up having his camper thoroughly searched.
