Canadian border crossing

Poppy78

My husband and I are doing some travelling around America in a couple of weeks. We plan to spend a couple of nights near Niagara Falls. There is a hotel called Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls which is supposed to have good views and is quite a bargain. The only problem is it is in Ontario on the Canadian side of the falls. Does anybody know if Irish people holidaying in the States are allowed to cross the border overnight? Has anyone stayed at this hotel, is it good?

mikedragon32

Of course.

Canadian border control is a lot more relaxed than the US.

Given the nature of that particular border crossing, it's not at all unusual to cross for short periods.

Benedict XVI

Poppy78 wrote: »

My husband and I are doing some travelling around America in a couple of weeks. We plan to spend a couple of nights near Niagara Falls. There is a hotel called Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls which is supposed to have good views and is quite a bargain. The only problem is it is in Ontario on the Canadian side of the falls. Does anybody know if Irish people holidaying in the States are allowed to cross the border overnight? Has anyone stayed at this hotel, is it good?

The border at Niagara Falls is actually a bridge that you can walk or drive across.
When crossing between US and Canada be sure to have your return flight details back to Ireland with you as this will prove to both US and Canadian immigration that you do not plan on hanginging around.
Crossing is no problem at all.

BTW the US side of Niagara Falls is a bit rundown, it's kinda a throwback to an era when people did not go too far away for their holidays, it's seems stuck in the fifties.
Aparently the Canadian side is more upmarket

Naked Lepper

do they take your visa waiver form back off your passport upon exit of the usa and when you return grant you an extra 90 days?

so you could leave after 80 days and then return a few days later for a fresh 3 months visa (waiver)?

Poppy78

Benedict XVI wrote: »

The border at Niagara Falls is actually a bridge that you can walk or drive across.
When crossing between US and Canada be sure to have your return flight details back to Ireland with you as this will prove to both US and Canadian immigration that you do not plan on hanginging around.
Crossing is no problem at all.

BTW the US side of Niagara Falls is a bit rundown, it's kinda a throwback to an era when people did not go too far away for their holidays, it's seems stuck in the fifties.
Aparently the Canadian side is more upmarket

#

I know you can cross for a few hours, but i mean could you stay two nights, i am planning on booking the hotel so i do not want to end up paying for a hotel that i cannot stay in.

mikedragon32

Poppy, you'll be fine. As I said, it happens a lot and they're well used to it.

I agree with Benedict, the Canadian side of the falls is much better.

lynchie

It may help to bring your travel details with you but I have never been asked for details when crossing the border. They usually look at your passport and when they see the visa waver stapled to it they generally just wave you on once they ask the usual where you going, how long you staying sort of questions.

Stayed in Windsor which was right across the river from Detroit and we used to go back and forth across the border 2-3 times a day and never had any issues.

Benedict XVI

Poppy78 wrote: »

#

I know you can cross for a few hours, but i mean could you stay two nights, i am planning on booking the hotel so i do not want to end up paying for a hotel that i cannot stay in.

You can stay 90 days if you want.

Crossing at Niagara is no different from crossing the US Canadian border at any point.

You go to the Canadian side, you tell them the reason for your visit, if they ask you show them your return tickets to Ireland (or wherever) and they let you in.

Coming back to the US you tell them the reason for your visit, if they ask you show them your return tickets to Ireland (or wherever) and they let you in.

I am not sure if they take the green slip off you exiting or re-entering the US but it is not a problem.

Enjoy the trip

mcgrate

mikedragon32 wrote: »

I agree with Benedict, the Canadian side of the falls is much better.

Wow i was only on the canadian side so cant comment on the US side, but canadian side i Pretty Tacky too. Cant imagine what US side is like if its "worse".

mikedragon32

mcgrate wrote: »

Wow i was only on the canadian side so cant comment on the US side, but canadian side i Pretty Tacky too. Cant imagine what US side is like if its "worse".

It's worse in that it's a little rundown compared to the canuck side and there's less to see because the American falls are on that side, but yes, it's all pretty tacky. Luckily the falls themselves are a natural beauty.

I've never been to Las Vegas, but I imagine that Niagra Falls is just a little less tacky than that!

biZrb

Naked Lepper wrote: »

do they take your visa waiver form back off your passport upon exit of the usa and when you return grant you an extra 90 days?

so you could leave after 80 days and then return a few days later for a fresh 3 months visa (waiver)?

No it doesn't work like that. If you enter Canada from the US you get a 6 month tourist visa if you go back to the US then return within that 6 months to Canada you don't get another stamp and have to leave on the last day of the 6 month visa

Works the same way for the 3 month US visa.

You don't even need to show your return flight details, they just ask you what you are doing going to Canada for ie tourist.

robo

Hi Poppy, hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread a bit. But I am doing the opposite. I am flying in and out of Toronto in June and staying over there for 3 weeks (return flight home is booked).
So I can travel down from Canada to the US and stay in the US for 2 weeks if I want?

Also, if I hire a car in Canada, can I drive it over the border and travel through the US with it for a few weeks?

I think from most posts above, it seems to be no problem. But I would just like to be sure.

lynchie

robo wrote: »

Hi Poppy, hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread a bit. But I am doing the opposite. I am flying in and out of Toronto in June and staying over there for 3 weeks (return flight home is booked).
So I can travel down from Canada to the US and stay in the US for 2 weeks if I want?

Also, if I hire a car in Canada, can I drive it over the border and travel through the US with it for a few weeks?

I think from most posts above, it seems to be no problem. But I would just like to be sure.

Yeah, you can travel into the US with a rental if ya want. Most hire companies allow it but double check their T&C first. Also, when entering the US, make sure you have US dollars on you. They may charge you a small fee for processing your visa wavier to enter and wont take credit cards or any other currencies.

jjbrien

I have done it many times i am assuming you are going to cross the boarder from the US side? Make sure to keep the green piece of paper US immigration staple into your passport it will save you alot of hassel when you are going to cross back. The canadian immigation is very simple as others said they just look at your passport and stamp it. They might ask to look in the boot of your car but no hassel really make sure you have 50c canadian to pay the toll once you cross the boarder. there is a tool bridge at the qew. The fastest board crossing is infact the peace bridge there is also a good duty free there. If you are entering the US for the first time from Canada then make sure to have $6 is usd cash or a visa or master card to pay the immigation processing fee. It will take about an hour to get your to complete all the formaties if this is your first time to enter the usa on this trip. You dont need to pay this if you entered the us alreay and have the visa waver green slip stapled in your passport already and also only takes 5 mins. I hope this is what you need to know. If you need to know anything else let me know.