Canada Border Crossing - Buffalo (best place, place, rain)

[Jdawg8181]

Hello-

I'm a newbie to the border crossing world. Hubby and I are making the journey to Buffalo NY to visit a family member and then we want to head up to Canada. What is the best place to cross and what is generally the process/protocol for crossing? I know we need passports, what else do we need?

Additionally, is there a way to know ahead of time if you will be denied entry or not? My husband got a DWI about 10 years ago and I know that in Canada this is a serious offense. Is there a way we can know if he will be allowed in or not? Is there some kind of document we can show to show he has been "rehabilitated" or something or is there a certain amount of time that has to pass before they let you in?

How long does it generally take to cross? Is the border open for crossing 24/7? Additionally, is there any way an American citizen can be refused entry back into the US? I think we're just being paranoid but I'd like to know what we can expect before we get there.

Thanks in advance if anyone has experience with this sort of thing.

[stufried]

Read the border crossing thread for info on crossing with a DWI. There are four crossing spots in your region to Canada, but the Whirlpool street bridge is Nexus (trusted traveller) only and you can't use it if you are not part of the program. Avoid crossing at the Falls (Rainbow Bridge).

Either the Peace Bridge or the Queenston/Lewiston crossing are fine. I prefer the Queenton/Lewiston because it is freeway to freeway and bypasses downtown Buffalo New York. See this link for more info:

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

[Magnatomicflux]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

Hello-

I'm a newbie to the border crossing world. Hubby and I are making the journey to Buffalo NY to visit a family member and then we want to head up to Canada. What is the best place to cross and what is generally the process/protocol for crossing? I know we need passports, what else do we need?

Additionally, is there a way to know ahead of time if you will be denied entry or not? My husband got a DWI about 10 years ago and I know that in Canada this is a serious offense. Is there a way we can know if he will be allowed in or not? Is there some kind of document we can show to show he has been "rehabilitated" or something or is there a certain amount of time that has to pass before they let you in?

How long does it generally take to cross? Is the border open for crossing 24/7? Additionally, is there any way an American citizen can be refused entry back into the US? I think we're just being paranoid but I'd like to know what we can expect before we get there.

Thanks in advance if anyone has experience with this sort of thing.

Americans only need passports to get back to the States, not into Canada. So if you don't have that...........

[The Highway]

Peace Bridge is crowded. Woo-whee, there was a backup onto tbe QEW for about a mile, over the bridge, and through customs. It took us 30-45 minutes to get through.