Trip to USA then Canada then USA again

[ladyalex]

We are fortunate enough to be able to go to the USA in September for about 3 weeks. We are going to New England and would very much like to include a trip to Canada (Niagara Falls) during our stay. We will be borrowing a car from relatives to do the trip and will make sure that we are insured for Canada as well as the US.
We have ESTAs for the US and of course will have our return air tickets.
Is it likely that we could run into any trouble getting back into the US after our few days in Canada? If so, is there anything we can do now to get round this.
Also, has anyone any advice etc re visiting Niagara Falls ?
Thank you.

[Eve]

A Canadian friend of mine was treated very badly by US immigration (not a tourist, was a work visa issue) and was treated incredibly badly, dumped at the Canadian border in the middle of the night with nothing and told not to come back.

Make sure you have everything that you need and details of where you are going and staying and do everything by the book. One thing I do as a matter of course when travelling is leave copies of all important documents (passport, anything visa related, insurance - unless accessible by email/web) etc...) with someone I know can fax them wherever they might be needed in case of emergency.

I'd have loved to have seen an eagle! I got a little overexcited when I thought I'd seen one and had got a photo but apparently it was probably a turkey vulture - still quite an amazing sight!

Look out for chipmunks too and hummingbirds in Canada generally. I really wanted to see a Racoon (word of warning, locals will think you are wierd - they are pests to them) and managed it on my last night in Toronto. They are scavengers though so you are only likely to see one around rubbish bins and some of them are apparently rabid so you should keep a definite distance - gorgeous creatures though.

[ladyalex]

Thanks to everyone for their answers.

I'm certain that I want to see Niagara Falls, but am now having even more doubts about the immigration people. Perhaps we'll confine ourselves to the US side.
Would it be worth contacting the US Embassy to get their advice ?
:-))

[dr b]

This site seems quite useful and up to date.

http://www.niagarafal...falls_travel_tips.htm

Contacting the US Embassy also seems sensible.

[dzug2]

<<I know of a couple who drove out of the USA into Canada and some days later back to the border intending to re-enter the USA. They had some awful hassle at that stage because at least one of them did not have an exit stamp in their passport from the previous crossing of the border>>

Whilst not disputing that they had hassle, that cannot have been the reason - the US does not stamp passports on exit (or even check them come to that), so none of them will have had a stamp.

[ladyalex]

Thank you , drB that site was very good and had some helpful links.

As far as I can see, we have to be sure to hold on to the green coloured form stub and also to hold a 'notarized copy ' of a letter from our son saying that he gives us permission to borrow his car. (Seems a bit OTT, but I guess 'rules is rules' ).
Any ideas about where to get 'notarized' ?

Thank you too, dzug.

I am beginning to think it is all getting too risky/complicated for us to bother. Seems a shame, though. Going all that way and being so close to Canada without visiting. It's more than the Falls I want to see. My parents lived in Canada for a while when they were first married and I have some very old photos of places in Ontario that I would like to see.
Thanks all. :-))

[Eve]

It would be such a shame not to see some of Canada - just make sure you get the right advice and have everything you need. Albeit there are horror stories, think of all the people who must make the border crossing daily.

It's a big place though so be prepared for a lot of travel, even around Ontario.

[dzug2]

Notarising will be very easy in the US - there are plenty of notaries there to do it for say $5. (It doesn't mean the same thing as here where it's a lot more complicated and expensive) Your relatives should be able to do it in advance of you arriving.

If you've arrived by air in the US you won't get a green stub so don't panic because you haven't got it. They've been phased out at airports.

I've done similar trips (rent car in USA, travel to Canada and back) three or four times with no immigration problems whatsoever. Ignore the doomsday merchants

[dzug2]

It's not complicated either. You drive over the bridge to the Canadian Immigration post (there is no US exit post). You show your passports to the Canadian guy, he asks you a few questions, stamps your passport and says welcome to Canada.

In the reverse direction, you drive to the US immigration post (no Canadian exit one), show your passports and you should be waved straight in on the strength of your original US entry stamp.

[Whickerman]

I did this two weeks ago.

Here's the thing. It's no hassle at all. None. Not a bit.
You cross via a brdge and get your passport stamped by the (Incredibly) courteous Canadian staff. You go to the Canadian side because the US side is a bit sh1te and even my Amaerican friends advise this. Enjoy your day - bring cameras! It's breathtaking. Parking etc is not at all a problem and there are excellent cafes and restaurants.

On the way back, you again get your passport checked by US immigration (whilst you sit in your car - think toll booths). they'll ask where you were but they don't care. They then give you back your passports and you go on your way.
If you're re-entering and heading towards buffalo or erie, have a look at the SIlver Creek stores on the reservation - great for 'real' presents rather than the tat you can pick up. Enjoy!

[ladyalex]

Thank you so much for your answers, dzug2 and whickerman.
I think we'll go for it.
It just sounds too good to miss.