Border Questions: Traveling from US to Canada

[aristocatz]

We are in process of booking a trip to the Niagara Falla (Canada side), and will be traveling from the US. This will be our first time driving over the border.

I checked some websites, but they were kind of vague. It's a long drive, so I just want to be certain when we get to the border, so we know what to expect....

-I read that we do not need to bring a passport. We are planning to bring our drivers licenses & birth certificates.
-Is there any food we are not allowed to bring over? We will have snacks in the car, but we are also wanting to bring PB&J & bread to keep in our hotel room.
-Can we bring closed bottle alcohol?
-Will we need to get out of our car at the border? I know they randomly do full searches, but do they do this with all cars nowadays?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Really? Are you sure about the passport thing? I'm fairly sure you do... it was a change made a couple of years ago. I go to Canada often (but on the west coast).

 

[luvlife]

I'm pretty sure you do need a passport.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm pretty sure you do need a passport.

I just googled it and it says you can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate... the rub is that you can't drive BACK into the US. OP you need a passport to get home.

 

[aristocatz]

I just googled it and it says you can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate... the rub is that you can't drive BACK into the US. OP you need a passport to get home.

UGH, really?? I read several sites that said you don't need a passport to get there (but you do need proof of citizenship), but nothing about home. I just assumed it was the same. Well, that stinks-our trip is officially postponed We were planning to go next month, but I read it takes 6-8 weeks to get a passport

 

[Poohforyou]

I'd check the policy on alcohol. There was a time when that wasn't allowed.

 

[Poohforyou]

I'd check the policy on alcohol. There was a time when that wasn't allowed.

 

[ronandannette]

We are in process of booking a trip to the Niagara Falla (Canada side), and will be traveling from the US. This will be our first time driving over the border.

I checked some websites, but they were kind of vague. It's a long drive, so I just want to be certain when we get to the border, so we know what to expect....

-I read that we do not need to bring a passport. We are planning to bring our drivers licenses & birth certificates.

I just googled it and it says you can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate... the rub is that you can't drive BACK into the US. OP you need a passport to get home.

Do you have passports, OP? If so, why wouldn't you just bring them whenever and wherever you travel outside your own boarders?

 

[Poohforyou]

I'd check the policy on alcohol. There was a time when that wasn't allowed.

 

[luvlife]

I just googled it and it says you can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate... the rub is that you can't drive BACK into the US. OP you need a passport to get home.

So I actually found conflicting information on different sites but this is the official page which requires a passport for US citizens but BC is accepted for minors.
I could be wrong but I had friends and family visit there and we did talk about the need for a passport.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/canada.html

 

[sonnyjane]

So I actually found conflicting information on different sites but this is the official page which requires a passport for US citizens but BC is accepted for minors.
I could be wrong but I had friends and family visit there and we did talk about the need for a passport.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/canada.html

Yeah that's what I found too. That under 16 can get away with BC, but adults need passports.

OP, usually passports don't take the full 6-8 weeks. That's the long end. I've received mine in 3 I think?

 

[aristocatz]

Do you have passports, OP? If so, why wouldn't you just bring them whenever and wherever you travel outside your own boarders?

We don't have current ones. My husband has one that is probably 15 years old. I *might* have one from when I was 17 years old, but I am in my 40's now, so I'm sure it's useless, even if I could find it.

 

[Albort]

OP, usually passports don't take the full 6-8 weeks. That's the long end. I've received mine in 3 I think?

i can vouch for this, i did the standard renewal process, it took 2-3 weeks for it to come. You can also, get it expedited for an extra fee as well. If that doesnt work, u can head to a local federal building and get it taken care of right there and then. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/expedited.html

 

[Gigi@Disney]

We are in process of booking a trip to the Niagara Falla (Canada side), and will be traveling from the US. This will be our first time driving over the border.

I checked some websites, but they were kind of vague. It's a long drive, so I just want to be certain when we get to the border, so we know what to expect....

-I read that we do not need to bring a passport. We are planning to bring our drivers licenses & birth certificates.
-Is there any food we are not allowed to bring over? We will have snacks in the car, but we are also wanting to bring PB&J & bread to keep in our hotel room.
-Can we bring closed bottle alcohol?
-Will we need to get out of our car at the border? I know they randomly do full searches, but do they do this with all cars nowadays?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

You'll love Niagara Falls, but you need to have correct information before you go.

Are you checking the official US and Canadian Border Crossings websites?

Definitely bring passports.

And these are my opinions, after living in both countries:

• Definitely don't cross with alcohol. Not worth the hassle - so either buy at the duty-free store AT the border or get your alcohol after you cross.
• Don't try to bring fruit veggies or dairy.
• And EXPECT to be questioned, expect to get out of the car. Expect to have your person and/or car searched. It may not happen but be prepared.

This goes both ways. US-> Canada and then Canada -> US

I find Canadians are more cautious about border crossings, maybe Americans tend to be unused to being questioned/searched at the borders. So just know it can happen and if there are any issues you may be detained. You don't want any surprises ruining your trip.

 

[sunshinehighway]

i can vouch for this, i did the standard renewal process, it took 2-3 weeks for it to come. You can also, get it expedited for an extra fee as well. If that doesnt work, u can head to a local federal building and get it taken care of right there and then. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/expedited.html

I recently renewed mine and the whole process from me mailing it to getting it back was just under 2 weeks. I was very surpassed to get it back so quickly and glad I didn't pay for expedited service.
Definitely get a passport. Even if you can get away with not having one, it'll probably go smoother if you do.

 

[BearFamily]

We live in a border state and travel through Canada on a regular basis. You definitely need a passport, passport card or Nexus card if you are over 16. Birth certificate works for under 16, although you may get asked questions if only one parent is present. (Under 16, expect them to perhaps get asked some questions like "What's your name" and "Are these your parents?") The rules changed a while back and a HUGE deal was made of it here because it affected so many people. There are a lot of outdated websites out there still listing the old rules.

We never get asked about alcohol, and there are no signs at the border about it. There are signs about firearms, firewood, fruit and other items. We always get asked about guns coming into Canada, and often fruit. Here is a link to the restricted items in both directions: http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/clearing-customs/prohibited-items/

We have never had our vehicle searched in many, many crossings. We have seen vehicles being searched.

 

[Colleen27]

Anyone 16 or older needs a passport or enhanced drivers' license (if your state is one of the few that issues those - MI is, so that's what my family has). Kids only need a birth certificate.

Land crossings tend to be pretty seamless. There's a lot of commercial and commuter cross-border traffic at the busier crossings so the border patrol is generally quite efficient at making the process quick and painless. Most of the time you never leave your vehicle. In maybe a hundred crossings, I've been singled out for additional screening once (and it probably wasn't coincidence - we were two teens traveling without adults on that trip, and my friend who was driving mentioned we were coming back from Woodstock. I'd probably have searched the car too! )

I've never taken alcohol into Canada, but I've brought it back from wineries we visited while there without any problems. If you want it for your trip, your best bet is probably to buy at the Duty Free at the border anyway. Food isn't a problem either, as long as it isn't produce or dairy. PB & J, bread, packaged snacks, etc. are fine.

 

[tvguy]

I'd have Passports even for the kids. I had a nasty experience in Calgary (flying not driving) with Canadian officials with my then 2 year old. I had all the documents saying that we DIDN'T need a Passport for him, but they caused a huge stink. Subsequent trips were a breeze with a Passport.
I always brought alcohol with me, there is a limit of 1 liter per adult you can bring into Canada. It was a gift for my Uncle who love his Vodka and hated that fact that a bottle that cost him $35 a the Provincial liquor store cost me $2.99 in the U.S..

 

[CarolAnn856]

The regular passport would probably arrive in time, but I'd do the expedited to be on the safe side. No need to call off the trip for something that is so easily resolved!

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you guys-so glad I posted this!

QUESTION: Can I use a Passport CARD instead of a Passport BOOK?
It's way cheaper & I found this online:
https://travel.state.gov/content/st...ssports/whatisapassportcardandhowtoapply.html