Boston/Canada

[cherries]

hi we flying into Boston next year for a road trip, we are thinking about driving over niagara falls into Canada, do you need a visa or will passports and usa esta be enough. Have been told you only need a visa if you are flying into Canada, so a bit unsure. Thanks...

[neilhd]

I think you only need the Canadian ETA when flying in. However, for the low cost I'd possibly just get one anyway.

You will need to do a old-style Visa-waiver on your return to the US. Your ESTA won't cover it. You'll have to pull over and go into a processing centre. It doesn't take long and costs about $6 each.

The drive through Vermont is lovely so I recommend that. We took the car ferry over Lake Champain and it was really nice. I'd say its worth crossing into Cananda and checking out Montreal and Toronto, and maybe Ottawa if you have time.

[snowbelle]

I agree with everything Neil said including going to Ottawa and Montreal if you have time .
You may get pulled over for extra questions at the border we did so build that into your day.
The officer was nice and quite humorous when my DH said we were going over to the US to shop ( we went from CA to Us on the niagara side)he said “ yep I always blame the wife too !
We did wait about an hour as it was busy.

[Astrid]

I got a Canadian visa when we crossed the board by road to visit Montreal from New York, as NeilHD says for the cost involved I’d get one anyway to save an inconvenience.

[Twiggy1953]

We flew into Seattle and crossed into Canada via Amtrak. We didn’t have a ETA and it was fine. We flew back to Seattle from Calgary and still didn’t need one. It’s only if flying INTO Canada.

[Hudson]

In August we drove over to Canada and back at Niagare Falls no problem...no extra visas required. Eta only needed when flying in. Entering Canada by land or sea a eta isn't necessary