What Do I need To Visit Canada

[chuckbear]

I have tried to wade through the info in the links for traveling to Canada and I am more confused than when I started. It seems all the FAQ's deal with others than U.S. citizens. We will be crossing into Canada from Maine and some time in June and back into the United States maybe in Michigan. We have a class A and will be towing our car. What do I need to be able to enter into Canada and spend a few weeks there before coming back to the U.S. We have our passports and all documentation for our vehicles. Is there more? Thanks. Chuck

[lakeside013104]

4runnerguy wrote:
I see passports mentioned, but what about "Passport Cards"? They are valid only for land and sea travel. I know the US still accepts them upon return, but what about for entry into Canada? The Canadian website isn't very clear.

Passport cards are accepted at Canadian land border crossings.

Lakeside.

[dbob62180]

garyhaupt wrote:
You know..maybe it's a terminology thing. In Canada, we carry documentation of ownership and insurance in the vehicle. Perhaps we just figure in the US is same/same. Do you not? If not, then yes...some sort of proof of ownership and insurance would be required. If you have that, then you don't need a 'card' too.


Gary Haupt

Hi Gary - Perhaps. In the US, you are required to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle. It is either a card or a form your insurance company gives you. I was just relaying what my insurance agent told me. Allied does want you to have a Canadian card for insurance. Like I said, maybe nobody will ask to see it but I would rather err on the side of caution.

[garyhaupt]

You know..maybe it's a terminology thing. In Canada, we carry documentation of ownership and insurance in the vehicle. Perhaps we just figure in the US is same/same. Do you not? If not, then yes...some sort of proof of ownership and insurance would be required. If you have that, then you don't need a 'card' too.


Gary Haupt

[dbob62180]

We just checked with our insurance (Allied/Nationwide) about this because we are going to Canada this summer. They said we need to carry a Canadian Insurance ID card with us for our truck. True, they may not ask for it at the border as some have said but we would rather be prepared.

[phillyg]

I didn't read the whole thread, but if you're on Medicare it appears you need supplemental coverage, which can be purchased for the time you're in CDfairly cheaply.

[almcc]

Just a clarification on insurance. If you are stopped for an infraction you will probably be asked for proof of insurance ("sir, license, registration, proof of insurance please") and of course if you are involved in an accident you will have to exchange insurance info.

The other way to get across the border without a passport is to have Nexus cards for everyone on board. The Nexus lanes are faster than the normal crossing lanes.

[gemert]

IDman wrote:
Passports, vehicle registrations, proof of insurance with a CANADIAN certificate from your ins. co., If with a dog, need a vet certificate of good health (which they never look at) and rabies vaccine. NO firearms!

Most of all, keep a friendly and patient attitude toward border authorities.

Some firearms are OK! Long guns and some high caliber pistols with a barrel in excess of 6 inches.

[John___Angela]

Gas is pricey. As much as 3.30 US per US gallon in Vancouver and as low as 2.65 US per US gallon in Alberta. Interior of BC is around 2.87 right now.

Speed limits are a little slower though so you probably will not notice much of a difference in fuel consumed.

The rest stops and pull outs are not as fancy as the US stops so pick them carefully as sometimes they can be tight.

Try and take in Quebec city Quebec. Fantastic city. Most of the tourist areas have English speaking employees but knowing the pleasantries like thank you, hello, are always handy.

Welcome to Canada. Enjoy your stay.

[theoldwizard1]

If you have a passport, TAKE IT ! It will make it easier to get back in the US. I might even take the title to vehicles.

[Little_Kopit]

AHEM! New Brunswick is the one province which is officially bilingual. QC est francais! Get yourself a wee dictionary. Learn a wee bit aux francais, merci beaucoup, bonjour, au revior, & maybe you wouldn't believe the good will you learn by showing that much interest.

Try lots of roads. Sure, little ones are slower, but hey, they have more to see.

Every province has a French section. Newfoundland, it's the Port au Port Peninsula, Nova Scotia the SW coasts, PEI, Summerside, Rustico, Souris. Ontario NW bordering QC and around Sudbury......

:C

[DrewE]

4runnerguy wrote:
I see passports mentioned, but what about "Passport Cards"? They are valid only for land and sea travel. I know the US still accepts them upon return, but what about for entry into Canada? The Canadian website isn't very clear.

Passport cards are acceptable. Passport books are acceptable, of course, as are Nexus cards and enhanced driver's licenses. For minors, a birth certificate is also okay. Only a few states issue enhanced driver's licenses; but if you're from one of those states and don't have a passport, it's often the easiest and least expensive way to get suitable documentation for crossing the border.

[chuckbear]

We have traveled all over Central America and the Caribbean so crossing borders are no big deal. Just needed to know what paperwork is required. Thanks. Chuck

[qtla9111]

I guess because we are from Mexico they pretty much trashed our rv. They confiscated our passports and held us for two hours. We were lucky to escape when all the agents went running out of the building because two illegal Asians were found hiding in a van under the seats.

Other than that, they were pretty nice 🙂

Great country though, wonderful people, beautiful countrysides and cities. We went to Vancouver Island first and then worked our way across to Ontario. We flew from Ottawa to Nova Scotia.

Would do it again anytime. Gas is expensive, alcohol prohibitively expensive and food, compared to Mexico, is very very expensive. But they have it all and it is a very clean country.

You get what you pay for.

[garyhaupt]

Money...a person can bring as much as they want..in either direction. But..they do have to declare it if they have more than $10,000.

Border...don't get all weirded out about these things. Be yourself. Trying to do all the things people will tell you to be is such a waste of energy. Yes, for sure, dark glasses off and shut off the engine..exhaust fumes and a racket are ugly to work with all shift. But..the Border staff are looking for unusual behavior, so.a person being all stiff and kinda all shifty like? they wonder...what is this person hiding. You won't get scolded for smiling and saying hello or a thank-you. Should you run afoul of the folks at the border because you have an apple or tomato or some pet food they take away? They'll give you the evil eye and maybe twist your tail a bit..because they can, I guess...but they don't put a mark beside your name. As long as you are honest and cool? then so are they.


Gary Haupt

[CA_Traveler]

From another post:

For Canada crossing the big 5 are guns (very limited and by permit only), alcohol (limited), firewood (not allowed), cash ($10,000 limit per person) and criminal/DUI record (you won't be allowed to cross). Passports or equivalent are required. Regulations on what is allowed each way are constantly changing so remove your hat and sun glasses and directly answer the questions, don't chit chat or volunteer information. Questions that don't seem necessary may be used to determine if you are being truthful. We've had a couple of refer checks but never a full rig search. US wanted our tomatoes and green onions one year. Restricted fruit/tomatoes with the small labels indicating US or Canada may be allowed. Unopened store wrapped meats are more likely to be OK than opened packages. Always be polite and respectful. Never had an issue, but there are random searches. Passports or equivalent documentation is required to return to the US.

We take a little US cash and charge everything on Visa. Our Capital One has a fair exchange rate with no foreign transaction fee. Amex has a foreign transaction fee of 2-3 percent. Canadian fuel is more expensive so fill before the border and after you return.

Some incidents: US Border agent took 6 tomatoes while I ate one. He had us cut the tops off of green onions, he kept the tops. Petted the cat and never asked a question about her. The tomato and onion restriction started that day. Canadian customs at Skagway stood in the door so she could see us for the questions. In Victoria we boarded the ferry to the US and observed agents carrying many armloads of alcohol from a rig that just arrived, we guessed that person was not a happy camper. Another time arriving in Victoria from the US I sailed through customs in the motorhome. The agent grilled DW in the car for 30 minutes with questions like: where are your clothes, why don’t you have hotel reservations, etc. With each question she answered “I’m with that motorhome that just went through, we’re camping with no reservations.” Finally they let her through. A fellow camper had $19,000 in cash (2 people) and said he had to remove the cash from the safe and count it with 2 Canadian agents watching. At the Port Townsend, WA ferry I asked the US custom agent what I could do with my firewood. He pointed to a truck with firewood and said that when it’s full they auction it off to the employees and donate the money to children’s charities.