usa from canada over land

[visitedscotland]

Hi folks, going next week to Canada and going into the US at Niagara, anyone done this before? is it a nightmare at the border? does it take ages? is there a charge for it?

All help welcome :)

[sw16]

I've never done it before but I have been to Niagara, Canada. The falls are just amazing and I would totally recommend doing the under the falls thing - it is just brilliant!!

[Maz]

You don't need to go over to the US as the best falls are the Horseshoe Falls in Canada itself. We went the other way from the US to Canada and it was a pain both ways!!!

You can see the American Falls from the Canadian side and they are not as impressive.

[visitedscotland]

You don't need to go over to the US as the best falls are the Horseshoe Falls in Canada itself. We went the other way from the US to Canada and it was a pain both ways!!!

You can see the American Falls from the Canadian side and they are not as impressive.

We are crossing to go into up state new york for a few days :)

[carrieanne]

We have crossed into US from canada at niagara, we were in an RV at the time and had it searched, the immigration people were very officious and made us feel uncomfortable but it is their job. Anyway it seemed to take us about 30 -45 mins, we had to complete a green form and give the address of where you are staying -difficult if you are touring so we put down the first campsite.Other times when we have crossed it seemed to be easier.Basically its another immigration post to negoiate.

[WTP]

We lived in Maine for a while. One Labour Day weekend, we drove to Niagara Falls, staying overnight in a motel in Canandaigua (a town near the border at Buffalo). The day we went to the Canadian side of the falls, we parked our car in a multi storey car park in USA and walked across the bridge into Canada. Half way along the bridge was the immigration border point. We had to go inside a small building/hut and fill out a form. We were working in USA on H2 visas so the procedure was relitively straight forward as we had an American address and had utility bills to prove our residency. A couple behind us were British tourists entering into Canada from USA on a day trip. They were there a bit longer than us but all in all, took @ 15 mins. There was nothing horrible about the experience and it seemed much less complicated and formal as it is in Sanford/MCO. Mind you, it was quite a few years ago, before Sept 11th and heightened security

[FLORIDAHOLIC]

Done it 3 times last time was 2006, although it was usa into canada and back (2 days at Niagra).I am pretty sure you still need the green waiver forms completed so if i was at the airport in the uk before flying out to toronto i would ask at someother desk for these forms at least you would have them completed before you pull up at the Border ( save a bit of time).Parking was ok .You will be required to go inside and be spoken to.20-30 mins for family of 4.I reckon.Enjoy

[Jaydee]

I done it a few years back and they do take you in for questioning,
it can be a little daunting but if you haven't been up to anything ;) you will be fine.

Have a great time! :wavey:

[judith nicholls]

We've driven from Toronto to NYC via Niagara. We weren't held up for more than a few minutes and nothing was searched, It was a lovely and very interesting drive. I love NY State. The finger lakes are beautiful.

Judith:)

[Mickiengland]

I was there a lifetime ago (early 1980's....), stayed on the US side and walked across the bridge to Canada and back many times.

There was a line halfway across which marked the border but it didn't seem to attract any attention. I was young enough and daft enough to lay down on the line and get my friend to take pics. From then on it seemed that all the visitors were doing the same thing:d:! If it's still there, it is an unmissable photo opportunity!

[tomnj]

It was a lovely and very interesting drive. I love NY State. The finger lakes are beautiful.

Judith:)

Upstate NY is beautiful. Fingers, Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Lake Champlain.

Of course, wouldnt visit in the winter.

[mouli1]

my parents had a terrible time when they did this and were treated very badly by US immigration ,my mother made a formal complaint via her MP and they now have an official letter of apology and a 10 year visa for USA visits.

[KittyKat]

We did it just a couple of weeks ago: US-Canada and back 2 days later. It was very quick and easy entering Canada but took us a little longer to get back into America but only due to the volume of traffic. The guy at the American border on the way back was the most human Immigration Officer I have encountered in at least half a dozen occasions.

Kitty

[Bobbins]

Hi folks, going next week to Canada and going into the US at Niagara, anyone done this before? is it a nightmare at the border? does it take ages? is there a charge for it?

All help welcome :)

Just to add to what others have said:
There's a charge of about $6 or so each (you pay it when you fly too, but it's included in the ticket).

As you're travelling onwards then you have to do it, but I wouldn't do it again just for the fun - took us about an hour.

One thing you can do, is to call in at the duty free shop on the Canada side on your way over and you can get the sales tax back on some items that you have bought while in Canada, including on part of the hotel bills.
I can't remember the exact details but we got a worthwhile amount back.