Need Help! Traveling to Canada for the first time!

[kmccain]

I would appreciate any advice that anyone can give me!!!

We are planning our first trip to into Canada this July. We are less than 5 hours away but the kids and I have never gone across the border.

We are going to camp at Niagara Falls Jellystone Park so will have to bring our travel trailer across the border.

DH used to be a truck driver and has seen many searches and is very concerned about it. It is the reason we have never gone across the border. I understand that next year everyone will need passports so I thought we better do it now. We have never seen Niagara Falls and I heard that it is the nicest on the other side.

Also, not sure what to do about the money exchange. I see my credit card was charged less for the deposit.

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[cabmom]

Hi, hope you have a fantastic trip. You do get a better view on this side of the falls. You can buy a package to do the Maid of the Mist(boat that goes very close to the falls), the Journey under the falls, the Butterfly conservatory, and a few other things. It's best to buy the package to get the most for your money.
American money is worth more than Canadian, that's why you noticed that your deposit was less perhaps. A money exchange site to look at is called www.xe.com.

Here are a few sites to check out:
http://www.niagaraparks.com/
http://www.tourismniagara.com/

Our boys all under 10 loved the Butterfly conservatory!

Enjoy!

Marilynn

 

[cslittle999]

Crossing the board should be straight forward. I imagine that what your husband has seen are commercial searches. Usually it's returning home when vacationers are checked more closely crossing the border. Everyone wants to make sure that you aren't over your duty-free limit.

There is lots to do in the Niagara falls area. You'll have a great time.

The exchange rate shown on www.xe.com is the ideal rate. You can't get that unless you're a money trader. Your CC will take a one to two cent commision on the exchange. When we travel to the US we get travellers checks from CAA (AAA in the US). They work every where and can be replaced if they are lost/stolen. Any Canadian bank will cash them as well. You will want a small amount of cash for simplicity.

 

[kmccain]

Thank you so much!

This is really great information!

My kids are a little older, 16 and 14. I will have to check out the tour packages when they come out. I guess we can start them right from the campground.

That is really great information about the commercial searches! That will put DH's mind at ease!

So, when they search, what are they looking for? What can I bring back with me and what do suggest I get, is there something that I cannot get here?

I see on the campground web site that we cannot bring firewood with us. I would have never thought about that!

Someone told me that you can exchange your money right at the border, is this true and is this where I should exchange it or should I find a bank?

Chris, I see you are going to Disney August 2007 too! We made our reservation at Fort Wilderness last Wednesday. It was 500 days from our last day, the 18th. We can't wait!

Thanks again for all the really great info!

 

[cslittle999]

Clearing customs on both sides should be straight forward. Here's a web site about what you can bring into Canada. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-e.html. You should be able to find a similar one for the US.

The big no-no is non-packaged foods. Both countries are worried about contamination from outside sources. That's why you can't bring firewood. Everyone is worried about bringing in a foreign bug that would damage the local trees (google for the asian longhorn beetle to read about what has already happened).

If you claim that you have nothing to declare after staying a week they won't believe you and then you might be pulled aside to be searched. Crossing the border with a camper is fairly common though so I wouldn't worry.

What to bring back is hard to say. I'm sure you'll end up with the usual collection of tourist items. The Niagara area is known for its wineries so if you like wine you should be able get something nice. If you like ice wine (I don't personally) some of the best is made in the greater Niagara area. Do remember to keep you receipts. You

I would find a bank to exchange your money. There is likely a place to exchange at the border (I'm thinking that you can change money at the duty free shop on the US side) but it won't give you the best rate. Niagara Falls is used to US vistors, you won't have a problem. Your bank card should work in the bank machines for that matter.

Next August is a long way off but I'm still excited. I'm driving DW crazy planning for something that we can't even book yet (we're still waiting for our DVC purchase to close and wouldn't be able to book until September anyways). It will be a very different kind of trip from the others because we will be staying a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen. Less commando and more hanging out at the resort. I think we'll be checking in on August 19 and staying for 12 nights.