International Travel

While Canada is known for having wonderful universal health care you should keep in mind that this only applies to Canadian citizens. If you’re visiting, you might want to check with your insurance provider to be certain you’re covered outside of the U.S.

Many plans don't cover travel too far from your home state and Canada strongly encourages you to consider inexpensive travel health insurance to cover you during your stay.

All U.S. citizens arriving in Canada must have a valid passport or passport equivalent such as an Enhanced Driver's License, NEXUS Card, Certificate of Indian Status. Canadian officials may also ask for the address of where you’ll be staying. Sadly the days of sauntering across the 49th parallel with just a Driver's License are gone though there is some leniency with children. Travelers 15 years old or younger need only present a birth certificate or certified copy to Canadian Border Services.

For non-Canadian, and/or non-United States citizens, a valid Passport is always required. Depending upon the country of your citizenship, a Canadian Visa may be required. Complete information about traveling to our Canadian destinations may be found on at www.Canada-NY.org or www.travel.state.gov.

Children traveling into Canada will need proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate. Those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. If a child is traveling with only one parent, they need to have a letter from the other parent giving consent for them to cross the border. (There's no official format for this, just a letter with the other parent's name, contact details and signature.)

Children traveling into the United States. will need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Under U.S. law, children under 16 aren't allowed to travel into the U.S. without an adult.

For more information about traveling to or from Canada, please visit International Travel.

Visit www.travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date information.

If you have a criminal record, you might not get past the Canadian Border Services Agency. While Canadians are incredibly friendly and encourage Americans to come visit, they don’t just let anyone across the border.

Also, you should allow extra travel time, and be prepared for additional screening if you have a DWI or DUI, if you have expired or improper identification, or if you’re traveling with minors who are not your own.

Passengers denied entry at the Canadian border will be unable to continue with their trip and are responsible for arranging and purchasing return travel.

Crossing the border by bus. It's like flying, but without having to pack travel size toiletries. But, believe it or not, there are restrictions on some food items that you can bring with you when cross the border. Rules change often so please refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency page for more information.