Midwest - rental car from DTW into Ontario?

Anyone have any experience with renting a car in Detroit, where we will land, and then driving on across into Canada? The whole point of the proposed trip is the birding, which is at Point Pelee and other sites on the Canadian side of the border. Is it even allowed to do this? Or do we have to find some way from DTW into Windsor and then rent the car on the Canadian side?

I am especially worried because friends driving their own cars to Windsor for gambling have reported some problems with U.S. Customs coming back. One man had his entire car taken apart (door panels removed even) before he was allowed into the U.S.A. I would hate to explain that to a rental car agency, and it makes me wonder if this happens very often, maybe rental car companies wouldn't allow border crossings at all?

It would be nice if someone with experience crossing the border, for a NON gambling trip, could tell me how difficult it was to make the trip, especially in a rental car. Thanks.

P.S. I'm sorry if this is really considered a Canada question. I didn't know where to put it.

Hi peachfront,

I didn't do it in Detroit, but in Seattle.

A friend and I rented a car in Seattle in 2001 and were allowed to take it to Canada, no questions asked. Also, crossing the border either way (US --> CA in Victoria, CA --> US on Interstate 5) no problems at all, I don't think it took longer than 1 minute...they didn't even care whether it was a rental or not...

But I would definitely get permission from the car rental agency that you can take it to Canada...

David

Go ahead and ask permission just to be certain, but it is such a non-event to cross over that no-one bats an eye. People fly into Detroit and cross into Windsor for business all the time.

About the only additional question you'll be asked is "do you own the car". They may ask for the rental paperwork but no worries. Don't forget your passport and you'll be fine.

I appreciate the reassurance.

Go ahead and ask permission just to be certain, but it is such a non-event to cross over that no-one bats an eye. People fly into Detroit and cross into Windsor for business all the time.

About the only additional question you'll be asked is "do you own the car". They may ask for the rental paperwork but no worries. Don't forget your passport and you'll be fine.

I have taken Hertz rentals into Canada a number of times with no problem whatsoever. Since this is a pretty common occurance I doubt any of the other companies have restrictions against it. Nor have I ever had a customs agent ask me about ownership of the vehicle. Occasionally they conduct a search of the trunk and passenger areas, but anything more than that would only happen if they really suspect something is illegal.

FYI, if you drive from Windsor to Pt Pelee through Amherstburg and along the lake, the drive is much nicer than the direct route. You pass a couple of winerys and some nice scenery.

The man searched has an Italian name and is a professional gambler, quite a good one too by the way. They probably just thought it suspicious that he declared so much cash that they wanted to check for more. That is my thinking, anyway. Of course he knew the rules and had declared everything properly, but he was still tied up for hours while they checked it out. Of course actual criminals probably don't declare anything and just drive on through without a care.

I will avoid the casino and avoid carrying cash, and as others have advised, before I reserve a rental car, I will ask for permission to go into Canada. Hopefully that's all I need to do.

I will pass some wineries, eh? You interest me strangely. I am getting more and more excited about the proposed trip. :-)

I have taken Hertz rentals into Canada a number of times with no problem whatsoever. Since this is a pretty common occurance I doubt any of the other companies have restrictions against it. Nor have I ever had a customs agent ask me about ownership of the vehicle. Occasionally they conduct a search of the trunk and passenger areas, but anything more than that would only happen if they really suspect something is illegal.

FYI, if you drive from Windsor to Pt Pelee through Amherstburg and along the lake, the drive is much nicer than the direct route. You pass a couple of winerys and some nice scenery.

The first time I rented a car for a trip to Canada I asked the desk agent if crossing the border was permitted, just to be sure (like you). The rental was just for a weekend, so found it humorous when the agent replied that Canada was fine, I just couldn't drive the car into Mexico.

Check this site for a list of wineries: http://www.canadasouthwinetours.com/wineregion.html

and take lots of bug spray. The mosquitoes at Pt Pelee are plentiful and hungry.

Thank you, David. Living in Louisiana, and having visited Alaska in my teens before they had any kind of mosquito control, I am a firm believer in DEET. I won't be without my bug spray. :-)

Again, I thank you for the link. And my husband thanks you. I think he really prefers the "big bird" (hawks and eagles) trips so if we are seeking warblers, it will be great to have some winery breaks.

The first time I rented a car for a trip to Canada I asked the desk agent if crossing the border was permitted, just to be sure (like you). The rental was just for a weekend, so found it humorous when the agent replied that Canada was fine, I just couldn't drive the car into Mexico.

Check this site for a list of wineries: http://www.canadasouthwinetours.com/wineregion.html

and take lots of bug spray. The mosquitoes at Pt Pelee are plentiful and hungry.

U can ask when reserving the car. Hertz, Avis, National: No problem. Thrifty or Dollar or Budget may say no to Canada or require special permission.

I assume the OP is a US citizen. Canada Customs has regs against a Canadian citizen driving a US car into Canada.
Some rental co.s may want advance notice so they can prepare U an Interprovincial Proof of Insurance card, but I have never been asked for one.