Driving Across the Border from U.S. to Canada: Options & Experiences
#511
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,104
If you are selected to test at PoE; dont think you have a choice.
If given a test kit, you have 24 hours to do test virtual monitored and submit the sample for courier to pickup. Speculating if you dont comply you may calls from health department and/or have some explaining to do next attempt at entering Canada.
If given a test kit, you have 24 hours to do test virtual monitored and submit the sample for courier to pickup. Speculating if you dont comply you may calls from health department and/or have some explaining to do next attempt at entering Canada.
#512
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,497
A relative just entered Canada through the land border at Sarnia. She is an unvaccinated Canadian citizen who lives in the US. She had completed ArriveCan prior to arrival. The guard took her passport, scanned it, and then simply waved her on without questions. She was given no test, was not told to quarantine, etc. Very odd...
#513
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 807
A relative just entered Canada through the land border at Sarnia. She is an unvaccinated Canadian citizen who lives in the US. She had completed ArriveCan prior to arrival. The guard took her passport, scanned it, and then simply waved her on without questions. She was given no test, was not told to quarantine, etc. Very odd...
#515
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 807
#516
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Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike...
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Posts: 35,339
Can a Canadain immigration official prevent a Canadian citizen from entering the country? I think not. I'm not sure what other step was expected here. Health declarations are made via ArriveCAN so the arriving person had already made a declaratin about that.
#517
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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#519
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Posts: 14,413
#520
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TUL
Programs: Delta, Marriott, IHG Platinum
Posts: 227
We visited Toronto last month (via YYZ from the U.S.) and then took the train to Niagara, ONT to visit prior to driving to Cooperstown, NY. I was unable to find a single major rental company or itinerary that would let me rent in Toronto or Niagara and return to an NY location (Utica, Syracuse, Albany). I know it's allowed, I just could not find anything in reality. So we ended up taking a cab across to Niagara, NY and renting there (we tried two Ubers, neither could or would take us across the border. It was pouring rain or we would have just walked across to the NY side. Would have been cheaper!!). We got the car and drove back across to the Canadian side where we discovered we should have done another ArriveCAN to cross back in via land - but the border agent admonished us and let us cross anyway. So just a heads up if you're a Yank visiting and planning to go back and forth make sure you complete your ArriveCAN each time.
#521
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,620
We visited Toronto last month (via YYZ from the U.S.) and then took the train to Niagara, ONT to visit prior to driving to Cooperstown, NY. I was unable to find a single major rental company or itinerary that would let me rent in Toronto or Niagara and return to an NY location (Utica, Syracuse, Albany). I know it's allowed, I just could not find anything in reality. So we ended up taking a cab across to Niagara, NY and renting there (we tried two Ubers, neither could or would take us across the border. It was pouring rain or we would have just walked across to the NY side. Would have been cheaper!!). We got the car and drove back across to the Canadian side where we discovered we should have done another ArriveCAN to cross back in via land - but the border agent admonished us and let us cross anyway. So just a heads up if you're a Yank visiting and planning to go back and forth make sure you complete your ArriveCAN each time.
#522
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,629
We visited Toronto last month (via YYZ from the U.S.) and then took the train to Niagara, ONT to visit prior to driving to Cooperstown, NY. I was unable to find a single major rental company or itinerary that would let me rent in Toronto or Niagara and return to an NY location (Utica, Syracuse, Albany). I know it's allowed, I just could not find anything in reality. So we ended up taking a cab across to Niagara, NY and renting there (we tried two Ubers, neither could or would take us across the border. It was pouring rain or we would have just walked across to the NY side. Would have been cheaper!!). We got the car and drove back across to the Canadian side where we discovered we should have done another ArriveCAN to cross back in via land - but the border agent admonished us and let us cross anyway. So just a heads up if you're a Yank visiting and planning to go back and forth make sure you complete your ArriveCAN each time.
Toronto- buffalo and Vancouver- Seattle has enough traffic they allow these rentals without charging your first born.
you can walk over the rainbow bridge then Uber/ taxi/ Lyft.
my sister has a bunch of Canadian friends. Once leaving from where I live to get a flight back home during snow threat…she coukdnt fly back to buffalo. She flew to Toronto and had one friend driver her to Hamilton, another drove her to the falls. She walked over rainbow bridge, another friend brought her home. I think another came to her home the next day to take her back to the airport in Buffalo to get her car.
i was born and raised between Niagara Falls and buffalo in the tonawandas ( north, city, town)
could have told you….
Last edited by djp98374; Sep 8, 2022 at 12:52 pm
#523
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As a US citizen, can you drive across the border with just a drivers license and a birth certificate? Or has that program ended? The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative page on the government website says its still possible, but the Canada entry page contradicts it. Anyone know if you can cross the border as a US citizen without a passport or passport card by land?
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike...
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Posts: 35,339
As a US citizen, can you drive across the border with just a drivers license and a birth certificate? Or has that program ended? The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative page on the government website says it’s still possible, but the Canada entry page contradicts it. Anyone know if you can cross the border as a US citizen without a passport or passport card by land?
U.S. Citizens/Nationals
Although exempt from document entry requirements, U.S. citizens must satisfy a CBSA officer of their status and identity. Documents that can be used for proof of U.S. citizenship are:
Although exempt from document entry requirements, U.S. citizens must satisfy a CBSA officer of their status and identity. Documents that can be used for proof of U.S. citizenship are:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card (for land and marine travel only)
- NEXUS card (see Part 6 for more information)
- Enhanced Driver's License (for land and marine travel only)
#525
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TUL
Programs: Delta, Marriott, IHG Platinum
Posts: 227
MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA all offer enhanced driver's licenses. Otherwise you're gonna need a passport or other document listed above to enter Canada (and go back).