Entering Canada with Passport only if by bus, car, rail or boat?

[RedSMS]

Hi all,

Plan on spending approx 10 days with good friends in Buffalo NY in late June- Early July.

Considering that Toronto is so close (and that I've never been to Canada before), I am thinking of doing either a day trip, or perhaps a night in Toronto.

Have just had my ESTA approved, so I headed to the Canadian Immigration site (Visit Canada - Canada.ca)

I answered a few quick questions, and since I would be entering Canada by car, train, bus or boat (including cruise ship), I should be able to enter with my Passport only.

I also checked whether I needed a VISA or eTA, and it says that I do not, unless entering Canada via an airport.

So from this I take it that my passport, relevant proof of Covid vaccination and recent test will suffice?

Has anyone else entered Canada via road, rail, bus or boat from the USA as a tourist?

Is it this simple?

Cheers!

 

[kookaburra75]

When MrsK and I traveled from New York to Montreal by train a few years ago, at the border crossing the immigration officials boarded the rain and only checked our passports. They asked me a couple of questions about the nature of my visit (the usual stuff) and we were on our way.

 

[RooFlyer]

Has anyone else entered Canada via road, rail, bus or boat from the USA as a tourist?

I crossed frequently by car, the other end of Lake Ontario, but pre covid and eTA (just). Don't think that being an Aussie and going USA/Canada things will be chummy. Canadian immigration are/were some of the toughest - probably similar to Australian.

If it allows, without a flight number, I'd get an eTA.

Beware of queues at the road crossings. The freeways around Toronto can be demon, especially the Queen Elizabeth Way and (especially) the 401. Thought about a train?

Remember there is no 'o' in Toronto. Its 'T'rana'

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Canadian here who grew up in Southwestern Ontario and can provide some thoughts here. Per the website, you don't need an ETA since you are travelling by land into Canada as an Australian. As it currently stands for Canada you just need proof of vaccination, no testing is required but will need to complete a travel declaration via the ArriveCan app. If you are returning to the US by land, you won't need a COVID test either (again just proof of vaccination will suffice). I can't comment on the situation at the Canada/US border since whenever I cross into Canada or the US by land/air/sea I don't speak to a border officer. It's all biometric entry these days as a Nexus member.

While I would ordinarily advise people to just take the train across to Canada this is no longer possible as cross-border Via/AmTrak service has been cancelled due to you know what. You can try something like MegaBus that will get you between Toronto and Buffalo for about $40 USD each way per person. This wouldn't help you for traffic (although you won't be driving) and you won't have the same flexibility as driving by car. My recommendations if you are visiting just Ontario would be visiting Toronto and do the stuff I guess people do in Toronto like attend a Blue Jays baseball game or visit the CN Tower.

Parking in Toronto is reasonable, you'll want to park at a municipal parking lot like a Green P parking, a quick search should yield parking lots that provide a reasonable flat rate. Of course you could also park at the hotel you're staying at with some offering a decent parking package. The major hotel chains in Canada would be Marriott and Hilton, and to a lesser extent IHG (Accor is virtually non-existent here). One unique feature of Toronto is the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays MLB team plays has a Marriott hotel inside with views directly onto the field. If you are using a rental car you'll need to ensure that you can drive it across the border (most agencies will let you but something to check) and you may be asked to provide proof when crossing.

On your way back to Buffalo you should stop at Niagara Falls, Ontario. Hotels are fairly inexpensive and many of the rooms offer beautiful views of the Falls. You can of course view Niagara Falls from the US side but having seen the falls from both sides, I'd say the Ontario side is better to look at and from a tourism infrastructure standpoint better equipped. You could also look at doing one of those Niagara Falls cruises to tick off the ol' bucket list too. Also, if you are a cheapskate like me, you'll sign up for the various casino rewards program to get free bets and food.

Hope that helps.

-RooFlyer88

 

[andye]

Canadian here who grew up in Southwestern Ontario and can provide some thoughts here. Per the website, you don't need an ETA since you are travelling by land into Canada as an Australian. As it currently stands for Canada you just need proof of vaccination, no testing is required but will need to complete a travel declaration via the ArriveCan app. If you are returning to the US by land, you won't need a COVID test either (again just proof of vaccination will suffice). I can't comment on the situation at the Canada/US border since whenever I cross into Canada or the US by land/air/sea I don't speak to a border officer. It's all biometric entry these days as a Nexus member.

While I would ordinarily advise people to just take the train across to Canada this is no longer possible as cross-border Via/AmTrak service has been cancelled due to you know what. You can try something like MegaBus that will get you between Toronto and Buffalo for about $40 USD each way per person. This wouldn't help you for traffic (although you won't be driving) and you won't have the same flexibility as driving by car. My recommendations if you are visiting just Ontario would be visiting Toronto and do the stuff I guess people do in Toronto like attend a Blue Jays baseball game or visit the CN Tower.

Parking in Toronto is reasonable, you'll want to park at a municipal parking lot like a Green P parking, a quick search should yield parking lots that provide a reasonable flat rate. Of course you could also park at the hotel you're staying at with some offering a decent parking package. The major hotel chains in Canada would be Marriott and Hilton, and to a lesser extent IHG (Accor is virtually non-existent here). One unique feature of Toronto is the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays MLB team plays has a Marriott hotel inside with views directly onto the field. If you are using a rental car you'll need to ensure that you can drive it across the border (most agencies will let you but something to check) and you may be asked to provide proof when crossing.

On your way back to Buffalo you should stop at Niagara Falls, Ontario. Hotels are fairly inexpensive and many of the rooms offer beautiful views of the Falls. You can of course view Niagara Falls from the US side but having seen the falls from both sides, I'd say the Ontario side is better to look at and from a tourism infrastructure standpoint better equipped. You could also look at doing one of those Niagara Falls cruises to tick off the ol' bucket list too. Also, if you are a cheapskate like me, you'll sign up for the various casino rewards program to get free bets and food.

Hope that helps.

-RooFlyer88

For Niagara, can recommend Embassy Suites.
Big rooms and decent prices for spectacular views

 

[elantm]

Hi all,

Plan on spending approx 10 days with good friends in Buffalo NY in late June- Early July.

Considering that Toronto is so close (and that I've never been to Canada before), I am thinking of doing either a day trip, or perhaps a night in Toronto.

Have just had my ESTA approved, so I headed to the Canadian Immigration site (Visit Canada - Canada.ca)

I answered a few quick questions, and since I would be entering Canada by car, train, bus or boat (including cruise ship), I should be able to enter with my Passport only.

I also checked whether I needed a VISA or eTA, and it says that I do not, unless entering Canada via an airport.

So from this I take it that my passport, relevant proof of Covid vaccination and recent test will suffice?

Has anyone else entered Canada via road, rail, bus or boat from the USA as a tourist?

Is it this simple?

Cheers!

Hi! Aussie here I came across your post today as I am going to be visiting the US this August. My family and I are planning to visit via bus to Niagara Falls (the buffalo new york side) and then crossing over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls just probably for a day and then heading back to the US. What was your experience? Did you have to apply for an ETA or a visa or anything like that? Or do you just have to have your passport only? Any problems with the borders/immigration? Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hi! Aussie here I came across your post today as I am going to be visiting the US this August. My family and I are planning to visit via bus to Niagara Falls (the buffalo new york side) and then crossing over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls just probably for a day and then heading back to the US. What was your experience? Did you have to apply for an ETA or a visa or anything like that? Or do you just have to have your passport only? Any problems with the borders/immigration? Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Canadian here who has crossed the Canada/USA border by land (and foot sometimes) several times. If you are going by bus across the US border, the bus will dump you off at the immigration/customs building, you'll clear that then re-board the bus. If you are carrying items with you (i.e. luggage) you'll likely have to take it in with you. Since you are crossing an international border you'll need either a passport or a WHTI compliant form of identification (i.e. Nexus).

As an Australian, you will need to also comply with whatever rules Canada has for non-US foreigners entering the country (i.e. ETA or Visa). Hope that helps!

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

Also planning a one-way from US to Montreal in Sep. Picking up a car from AVIS in BOS and return in Downtown Montreal. It was the same price as returning oneway to pretty much anywhere in the US northeast. Rather than slap a oneway fee, they just build it into the daily rate now.

We would have happily got the train, but still no sign of that restarting. Unfortunately the bus options weren’t great from where we’ll be nor flights for that matter, unless you limit your search to AC (alas high fares and lack of reward seats months out didn’t work).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Also planning a one-way from US to Montreal in Sep. Picking up a car from AVIS in BOS and return in Downtown Montreal. It was the same price as returning oneway to pretty much anywhere in the US northeast. Rather than slap a oneway fee, they just build it into the daily rate now.

You will want to make sure you have all the paperwork necessary to do a cross-border rental like that as this is something a border agent could potentially enquire about.

We would have happily got the train, but still no sign of that restarting.

Uhh the New York to Montreal service has restarted a long time ago. What is key though is you must book your travel through Amtrak (and not Via Rail) since your trip originates in the US:

Unfortunately the bus options weren’t great from where we’ll be nor flights for that matter, unless you limit your search to AC (alas high fares and lack of reward seats months out didn’t work).

It's certainly possible to book Air Canada flight awards using Virgin Australia points. Here's what I found for September for a Boston to Toronto trip:


If you are flying out of New York, remember that there are three airports served by Air Canada: JFK, La Guardia and Newark. Also realize too that Velocity Points can be used to book award flights with United Airlines.

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

You will want to make sure you have all the paperwork necessary to do a cross-border rental like that as this is something a border agent could potentially enquire about.

Yes, you need proof of insurance. Already spoke to AVIS to confirm all that.

Uhh the New York to Montreal service has restarted a long time ago. What is key though is you must book your travel through Amtrak (and not Via Rail) since your trip originates in the US:

That's not that long ago! We were actually in the US when it restarted but wasn't paying attention. We did search the Amtrak website as late as late March (just before we flew to the US and there was no hint it was restarting but will revisit it. Happy not to take the car in case it does turn pear shape.

It's certainly possible to book Air Canada flight awards using Virgin Australia points. Here's what I found for September for a Boston to Toronto trip:
View attachment 331694

Yes, but the availability (as per your example) wasn't great. I recall there was a 6am option (no thanks). Plus we didn't really want to head back to BOS (let alone NYC).

If you are flying out of New York, remember that there are three airports served by Air Canada: JFK, La Guardia and Newark. Also realize too that Velocity Points can be used to book award flights with United Airlines.

I was searching AC and UA with VFF and UA points....(have both). From memory, UA wasn't good for direct flights. Similarly, there were some points options hubbing with AA but mainly out of LGA and not great either....

 

[kangarooflyer88]

That's not that long ago! We were actually in the US when it restarted but wasn't paying attention. We did search the Amtrak website as late as late March (just before we flew to the US and there was no hint it was restarting but will revisit it. Happy not to take the car in case it does turn pear shape.

I would recommend Business class if possible (and as you can see in the example it's just $1 more than the economy fare) as catering on Via Rail trains in business are particularly good, to say nothing of the lounges you will have access to in New York (Amtrak) on departure and Montreal (Via Rail) on arrival.