I just found out that I have an upcoming solo biz trip to Canada.

I'm unsure how everything works as I have never been out of the country.

I will be leaving from my home airport on a legacy carrier (not sure which one yet), probably switching carriers (and PNRs) at a TBD US airport, and continuing on to Quebec.

Questions:

• What should I bring/leave?
• When/What will I have to deal with customs-wise?
• Should I treat it as two separate trips (customs at layover airport, manually picking up bags, etc...)?

I am moving this over to the Canada Forum. I'm sure you will receive lots of good tips re: first trip to Canada.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I assume that the country you have never been out of is the United States. Clearly, you will need a passport or passport card.

Anything you don't have, you can buy in Canada, same brands, virtually the same prices.

Get Canadian currency from an ATM upon arrival, being sure to notify the number on the back of the ATM card in advance of your travel plans...the phrase I use on the call is "travel notification."

Also do a travel notification to your credit card company, and note that most US cards have a 3% fee for international purchases.

Don't sweat it...

You will likely be on one ticket and one PNR. Depending on where in QC you end up, you may be on the same carrier the whole way.

As for customs, you will clear once in Canada. Going home, depending on your Canadian gateway, you will clear US customs at the last major Canadian departure gateway (YUL, YOW, YYZ) of your itinerary.

As for what to bring, it totally depends on where you go and when. If you are headed to Montreal, it is a major metropolitan city and can offer you anything to buy you may forget. If you end in Quebec City, it too will offer much of what you could need should you find yourself short on something.

I would suggest using Visa for and not bother changing any cash in the US - you can always pull cash from an ATM if you need it.

Enjoy your time. Be sure to have a valid passport for the border.

Thanks everybody!

Yes, I should clarify that this will be my first out-of-US trip.

Unfortunately, due to travel policies at work, I WILL be switching carriers and stopping sometime between LA and Quebec (thank you, GSA ).

Mainly worried about getting into/out of Canada, but if it's all at the Canadian end then I'm not as worried about customs/baggage while sweating a connection.

If you state that you are being paid to do work in Canada by the Canadian host, you could be required to have a work permit. Free trade laws make this relatively minor.

oh boy. There's not much time to prepare. Are you ready?

Bring: skis, snowshoes, bear spray
Leave: surfboard
customs: upon arrival. you will collect your bags at your first Canadian airport and re-check/reclear security if you have another flight.

Enjoy your trip.
--
13F

PS Be careful of Canadian beer. It's real.
PPs In Quebec, the girls smile back.

Since you are traveling to QC, and presumably to one of the two major cities (Montreal or Quebec City), learn the following two phrases and use them:

Je ne comprend pas (I don't understand) ("Juh neh comPRAHN pah")
Parlez vous Anglais? (Do you speak English?) ("PARlay voo OnGLAY?")

and, of course, Merci (Thank you) ("MerSEE")

Certainly in Montreal and mostly in Quebec City, folks are predominantly bilingual and will appreciate that you made the effort to learn those phrases and are asking them politely to speak English...many US'ers arrogantly just speak English to locals and presume the response will come in kind. My experience on many trips to Francophone Canada is that this simple effort is greeted with an appreciative smile and good service in reply.

If you ask in English that has the same effect. It you want to show you are trying - the "s" is not silent in "...vous anglais". But they won't care. Anyone who deals with tourists in Montreal or QC should understand English and speak English. If they don't, then spekaing louder won't make a difference. If you go outside the urban areas, then you might have more linguistic fun.

Lots of large wildlife in major metropolitan areas up there, huh?
RE: Beer. Not. A. Problem.
RE: Girls. I'll believe it when I see it.

RE: French. Good call @drat19, B1. I forgot that Quebec's a little... different than most of N. America.
I assume asking in English if they're OK with a tip will still be understood?

Depending how many days you are coming for, you should ensure your company will prepare the Canadian taxes for you. I believe you have to pay Canadian tax if it's over 10 days.

Does anyone else on the Canadian side of the border think this is a ridiculous post? Come on!!!!

ALL border guards speak English, millions of people cross the US-Canada border every year without issue. Unless you have something illegal to hide, you have nothing to worry about. We are much more laid back in Canada and do not assume you are a criminal and need you to prove otherwise.

Chill out, and enjoy the joie la vie in la belle province.

When in rural areas, the best phrase to utilise is, "J'ai une grande pamplamousse dans mes pantalons". Also, be forearned, the only food available is poutine, save for the occasional Timmy Ho's.

Just got back from a couple days in Quebec City (and a drive through Montreal). There is a little language barrier, but not really. Most people know english, even in Quebec City where most can at least understand the basics. The only trouble we had was with a local bartender who admitted she was poor with English and we essentially used hand gestures and a Tim Horton's in Trois-Rivieries where the cashier had to get someone else to take the order. Heck, even a druggie asked us if we had cocaine in french and then english - I'm not even kidding.

I'm really bad with even trying the basic french greetings/responses. I finally got used to saying "merci" but nothing else. It was fine, most people laughed politely at the awkwardness (especially waiters who greeted us in french and then had to change over to english). They were very interested in us as well and quite chatty for the most part.