Toronto, Detroit, Chicago

Newcarneeded

Travelling to Toronto in August. Was thinking of hiring a car and travelling to a city in North America, possibly Detroit or Chicago which both seem within driving distance.

Has anyone hired a car and travelled across the border? Are there any issues with doing this? I've been onto Avis and Hertz websites and can't find any information regarding this. They say that picking up a car and returning it to a location in another country is not possible, but as we'll be returning to Toronto to fly home that won't be an issue.

Has anyone got any recommendations on what to do in Toronto, Detroit or Chicago? I reckon Detroit (motor city) probably hasn't got that much to it, bar car factories which to be honest I can live without seeing. So any other suggestions would be welcome.

Alternatively, if we can't drive cross border, how much are intercity trains in the USA? Say from Toronto to NYC, or Chicago?

Cheers for any advice.

lynchie

Yeah, you can bring the cars across the border. There is definitely something on hertz site about it as I used them last year. Their terms allow you to drive between US and Canada. On Hertz site, when you get the list of cars etc.. select the "Rental Qualifications and Requirements link. Then select Rental Restrictions.

Vehicles cannot be driven into Mexico.

Driving into the U.S. is permitted, however, you will need a copy of your rental agreement and will need to obtain a pass from the Border Guard, at time of entry. Advise counter upon arrival of your intent to cross the U.S. border and return to the renting location.

Its a good drive to Detroit, and a hell of a lot further to chicago. I drove around the lake last year from Detroit -> Cleveland -> Buffalo -> Niagra -> Toronto -> Windsor -> Detroit. Crossed back and forth between the US and Canadian borders. No hassle at all. Toronto to Detroit is about 4-5 hrs driving. Chicago is a further 5 hrs from Detroit.

Slow Motion

Don't know about Detriot but I was in Chicago, and had great craic ! Do not go into any Kitty O'Sheas Irish bars, got seriously ripped off, stick to the American ones ! The Sears tower is well worth a visit, also do the boat trip from Navy Pier it gives you a great view of the Sky Line (Bring a jacket whatever the weather, it gets bloody cold and windy on that lake), the aquarium is well worth a look as well, I had a great time there ! (I was with another adult but thought the place seemed very kid friendly) Don't entertain any of the beggers / panhandlers I found them very persistent and in your face if you give them any time at all. Enjoy !

Zaph

Make sure you have US dollars with you when crossing the border. There's a fee of $6 (I think) each and it's payable in US cash only.

2rs

I would recommend staying away from Detroit, downtown at least. I was there about 4 years ago and it is a rundown city, high crime and high unemployment, legacy of the old automotive industry slowdown.

Chicago on the other hand is fantastic. It's a clean easy city to get around with a huge amount to do. I was there last year and did the boat tour (great for seeing all the different architecture), and the gangster tour.

Newcarneeded

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice.

Yeah I had imagined Detroit would be a bit grim. Big automotive city in decline. Chicago is a long drive but I had heard it's a great city to visit so I might just go for it. I looked up internal flights, and trains and coaches, as obviously if I'm the only driver in the party i'll be well and truly knackered by the end of the trip, but some of the prices really need to be seen to be believed.

Amtrak Toronto to Detroit was $270 one way, the bus was $120 one way. For a 4-5 hour journey I was astonished. Bus Eireann would drive you to Poland for next to nothing these days!

There's 3 or four lads on the trip, all early twenties, so any particularly good spots or areas to check out in Toronto/Chicago appreciated.

We want to do Niagra, and hopefully some white water rafting (not at Niagra obviously) but other than that, any other activities we should consider?

Cheers.

Newcarneeded

Six dollars to cross the border??? Christ. That's a bit Irish!

jjbrien

You should do the loop not the Chicago loop. I mean when you drive from Toronto to Chicago on your way go via Detroit and on you way back go trough Cleveland, Buffalo and Niagra Falls that is a very nice drive. The Chicago loop is worth doing as well a good walk but theres lots to see.

lushballs

Bypass Detroit. Chicago is similiar to TO in many ways, so what about going to Montreal instead. YOu would get to experience a different culture, French. No border to cross. About 7 hours driving East down the 401 Highway. You could stop off and do some white water rafting/camping around Ottawa on the way. Ottawa about 5 hour drive from TO.
When in Niagara Falls, do the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour!!

Zaph

Never been to Chicago so I can't comment on it, but I agree, Montreal is great and well worth a visit. We did a trip from Toronto to Montreal, across the border into upstate New York and back to Toronto via Niagara Falls. We did it in two weeks, stopping in several places along the way, but if time is tight it could be done comfortably in a week.

bombidol

I spend a lot of time in Detroit but theres nothing there for tourists so avoid it. Some of the other towns and smaller cities in Michigan are nice but hardly tourist hotspots. which is one of the reasons i like it there. Chicago is nice but a bit boring. Stick to Canada and visit Montreal or Calgary etc

sallygap

Toronto is amazing. I lived there for a while but didn't do many touristy things however the CN tower is defo worth doing. Don't visit Toronto without trying 'Poutine', its a Canadian classic. The best place I found was Dunns Famous on King St.