traveling to canada - border crossing questions (Portland, Brunswick: 2009, insurance)

[ekh32]

We are driving up to PEI and Nova Scotia and I have never crossed the border before and I was wondering if anyone knew of a website that lists things that are allowed into Canada. We were going to bring alcohol and some food with us. Is that allowed? I know some areas have problems bringing produce. We are also traveling with our dog, and I think that is ok as long as we have proof of her rabies vacinations. We have our passports, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice or knew of a website with dos and donts.

Thanks!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

For you and anybody else, you can bring a limited amount of alcohol. You need either a passport or homeland security ID to get back in. Don't plan on bringing fresh fruits and vegetables.

[peachie_in_maine]

going into Canada is different then back to the USA

When we crossed last weekend to go to Kings Landing we were asked for ID's and asked if we had tabacco, Alcohol, firearms, or pepperspray.

Asked if were leaving anything over.

I had two packs of cigerettes with me and that was all. I was searched but being searched is rare and random.

On your way back don't bring PEI potatoes or any citrus. I say that because I believe those are still some of things not allowed.
We purchased 3 bottles of wine in Canada to bring home and no worries were made there with us on that.

As far as a website.. I'm not sure .. unless I google and look around. Laws and rules change so I couldn't be up to date to the chances and officers at both ports have to do there best to keep a breast at the changes.

Enjoy your trip... YOU'll love PEI

[ekh32]

Thanks! I did find a website which helped a bit. But personal expereinces are always a little more helpful.

[DreamworksSKG]

Make usre your car is clean and doesnt have a lot of fast food wrappers, sub wrappers or any other food related items in the car, even in trash -
I was crossing the border up in Alburg VT and they wouldnt let me across at first (on the way to Montreal) until I cleaned the car out. I am a single driver and I usually leave some junk in the back seat and stuff. I learned my lesson and will clean the car out before I cross the border in the future.

Also make sure you have your pass-ports (Valid) just in case

No food from the states
no fire-arms (obviously) (common sense)

if you purchase something like cigarettes and alcohol at the duty free border shop if you can take it across?
We used to do that at the Calais ME border crossing into St Stephen

Above all don't act suspicious or have anything in your car that might make them think twice and do a full search or full questioning.



Might want to have a copy of your insurance and such as you might need it if they question you about anything

Generally its still fairly easy to cross the border

[kellysmith]

There is a limit to alcohol that you may bring in to Canada. That limit increases if you are to stay 48 hours, and you will pay duty on anything over that amount. (and it's insanely expensive if you have to pay duty) Same goes with coming back into the states. 3 bottles of wine would be subject to duty, but it's at the descretion of the officer if it's a small amount.
Call Canadian Customs to get the skinny. They will give you the guidlines. The Customs office in Woodstock is 506-325-3160. They will answer all your questions. Then call a US office to get the guidlines as to what you may bring back. Houlton office is 207-532-2131. Dozens of folks call daily to ask those exact questions.

[DreamworksSKG]

Allow at least 2 full weeks if not 3 for a vacation like this. It will take a lot of driving between places, if you want to see and do everything 1-2 weeks will not be enough time. - I would try for 2-3 weeks if you can to make sure you have enough time to drive -between places and see what you want to see so you wont be rushed. I have a suggestion for a route you can take --follow along in googlemaps.

Google Maps

MapMyWalk.com | View 07/27/2009 Route in Bar Harbor, Maine
Here's a possible route with side-diversions and such
4000 miles total -- including the FERRY miles


START In BAR HARBOR - by visiting ACADIA for a couple days then get the CAT Ferry over to Yarmouth NS.
I would highly recommend taking the CAT FERRY over to Nova Scotia -
Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia - CAT Ferry



This trip route combines overland routes with Ferry routes - maine, PEI, Nova Scotia - Cape Breton harbors, rivers, bays, small towns, country landscapes, lighthouses, historical sights, for an exciting adventure.

Enjoy!

[Maineah]

Watch your speed in Canada. I got picked up for only 6 KPH over the limit (due to oversized tires) and it cost me $100 (Canadian) and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be driving there now??? Mounties have zero sense of humor.
We did have two Nova Scotia beauty queens visit Freeport for the 4th of July this year to ride in the parade which was nice.

[DreamworksSKG]

With some of the CAT Ferry deals you get 2 nights in Yarmouth so stay in Yarmouth - for 2 nights

DAY 1

Day 2

Day 3 ---travel from Yarmouth to Shelburne - Stay in Shelburne

Day 4- Travel from Shelburne to Bridgewater

Day 5- Bridgewater to Halifax

Day 6 and 7 - Halifax area

Day 8 - Halifax - Port Dufferin

Day 9-Port Dufferin - Guysborough

Day 10 - Guysborough - St Peters with stop for lunch in Port Hawkesbury

St. Peter's: find us

Day 11 - St Peters -Louisburg

Day 12 - Louisburg area

Day 13 - Louisburg - Sydney

Day 14 - Sydney

Day 15 - Sydney to Neil's Harbour - Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Accommodations Neil's Harbour Nova Scotia Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Bed and Breakfasts, Campgrounds Neil's Harbour Nova Scotia

Day 16 - Neil's Harbour - Cheticamp
Cheticamp Accommodations, Acadian Motel, Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
(Acadian Motel)

Day 17 -
Cheticamp - Antigonish
Antigonish County - Travel and Tourism - Visitor Information
Antigonish Hotel Directory: Hotel & Motel listings for Antigonish, Atlantic Canada
Welcome to Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Day 18- Antigonish NS to Georgetown PEI

Day 19 - Georgetown PEI - Charlotestown

Day 20 - Charlottetown

Day 21- Charlottetown - Alberton
Alberton: Accommodations and lodging including hotels, motels and more in Alberton Prince Edward Island, Canada
Stay PEI: Premier Prince Edward Island B&B's, Hotels, Motels, Inns and other accommodations.

Day 22 - Alberton- Borden-Carleton
Carleton Motel & Coffee Shop

Day 23- Borden-Carleton - Truro

Day 24 - Truro

Day 25 - Truro - Moncton

Day 26 - Moncton - Fundy National Park Via Hopewell Rocks
to Saint JOhn

Day 27 - Saint JOhn

Day 28 - Saint John to Deer Island - Eastport ME
Stay Eastport

Day 29 - Eastport ME - Deer Islend - Campobello Island to Lubec ME
stay LUBCE

Day 30 - Luibec - Quoddy Head State Park - Millbridge ME
Red Barn Restaurant & Motel (Milbridge, ME) - reviews, motel photos, videos, special price , interative map & directions
RED BARN Restaurant and motel (Millbridge)

Day 31- Millbridge - Blue Hill
Barncastle Hotel + Restaurant
Barn castle Inn and Restaurant

Isle View motel and cottages
Trenton ME
Isleview Cottages Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Lodging


Day 32- Blue Hill - Ilseboro/Linconville ME

Belfast Maine Hotel, Camden Maine Motel, Lincolnville Maine Lodging - Ducktrap Motel, Penobscot Bay, Midcoast Maine - Duck Trap Motel

Abbington's Seaview Motel and Cottages
Linconville Beach ME
Lincolnville Camden Maine Area Motel & Cottages


Day 33- Linconville - Monhegan ISlen
Stayt on Monhegan Island

Day 34 - Monhegan Island -

Day 35 - Monhegan Island - Brunswick ME

Day 36 - Brunswick ME - Portland Via Bailey Island
and Ferry

This trip gives you an idea how long it would take to do all of this touring with 200 miles per day - its just not doable to see Novas Scotia , Cape Breton, PEI, etc. without missing a lot of stuff. unless you do a full month or month and a half of trvel and leisurely ramble around 150-200 miles a day

I would highly recommend either picking one area

Nova Scotia , and do Nova Scotia say in 2 weeks. PEI and do PEI for 2 weeks or maybe do Cape Breton NOva Scotia 1 week then PEI the next week

There's just too much to do to explore the entire coast of nova scotia Cape Breton Island, and PEI and maybe even part of Maine-New Brunswick on the way back

I would highly recommend comimg the New Brunswick Route on the way back however. stopping at the Magnetic Hill, the Hopewell Rocks, Fundy national Park, Saint John - Spending a night in Saint John - and checking out the waterfront, aquatic centre, and the marketplace, and then head for Maine - via the ferries to Deer Island and Campobello island .

Could be a fun loop

Start by taking the CAT ferry to Yarmouth though

Make sure you see the Peggy's Cove
Stay in Lunenburg at least one night and Halifax a couple nights-
Definitely check out the Citadel and the shopping areas in Halifax

Overall you'll see you really need more than 2 weeks to explore everything

So if you can do a month vacation and see it all it would make things much easier for you

Hope this helps in your planning



Day 32 -

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by DreamworksSKG

With some of the CAT Ferry deals you get 2 nights in Yarmouth so stay in Yarmouth - for 2 nights

DAY 1

Day 2

Day 3 ---travel from Yarmouth to Shelburne - Stay in Shelburne

Day 4- Travel from Shelburne to Bridgewater

Day 5- Bridgewater to Halifax

Day 6 and 7 - Halifax area

Day 8 - Halifax - Port Dufferin

Day 9-Port Dufferin - Guysborough

Day 10 - Guysborough - St Peters with stop for lunch in Port Hawkesbury

St. Peter's: find us

Day 11 - St Peters -Louisburg

Day 12 - Louisburg area

Day 13 - Louisburg - Sydney

Day 14 - Sydney

Day 15 - Sydney to Neil's Harbour - Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Accommodations Neil's Harbour Nova Scotia Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Bed and Breakfasts, Campgrounds Neil's Harbour Nova Scotia

Day 16 - Neil's Harbour - Cheticamp
Cheticamp Accommodations, Acadian Motel, Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
(Acadian Motel)

Day 17 -
Cheticamp - Antigonish
Antigonish County - Travel and Tourism - Visitor Information
Antigonish Hotel Directory: Hotel & Motel listings for Antigonish, Atlantic Canada
Welcome to Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Day 18- Antigonish NS to Georgetown PEI

Day 19 - Georgetown PEI - Charlotestown

Day 20 - Charlottetown

Day 21- Charlottetown - Alberton
Alberton: Accommodations and lodging including hotels, motels and more in Alberton Prince Edward Island, Canada
Stay PEI: Premier Prince Edward Island B&B's, Hotels, Motels, Inns and other accommodations.

Day 22 - Alberton- Borden-Carleton
Carleton Motel & Coffee Shop

Day 23- Borden-Carleton - Truro

Day 24 - Truro

Day 25 - Truro - Moncton

Day 26 - Moncton - Fundy National Park Via Hopewell Rocks
to Saint JOhn

Day 27 - Saint JOhn

Day 28 - Saint John to Deer Island - Eastport ME
Stay Eastport

Day 29 - Eastport ME - Deer Islend - Campobello Island to Lubec ME
stay LUBCE

Day 30 - Luibec - Quoddy Head State Park - Millbridge ME
Red Barn Restaurant & Motel (Milbridge, ME) - reviews, motel photos, videos, special price , interative map & directions
RED BARN Restaurant and motel (Millbridge)

Day 31- Millbridge - Blue Hill
Barncastle Hotel + Restaurant
Barn castle Inn and Restaurant

Isle View motel and cottages
Trenton ME
Isleview Cottages Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Lodging


Day 32- Blue Hill - Ilseboro/Linconville ME

Belfast Maine Hotel, Camden Maine Motel, Lincolnville Maine Lodging - Ducktrap Motel, Penobscot Bay, Midcoast Maine - Duck Trap Motel

Abbington's Seaview Motel and Cottages
Linconville Beach ME
Lincolnville Camden Maine Area Motel & Cottages


Day 33- Linconville - Monhegan ISlen
Stayt on Monhegan Island

Day 34 - Monhegan Island -

Day 35 - Monhegan Island - Brunswick ME

Day 36 - Brunswick ME - Portland Via Bailey Island
and Ferry

This trip gives you an idea how long it would take to do all of this touring with 200 miles per day - its just not doable to see Novas Scotia , Cape Breton, PEI, etc. without missing a lot of stuff. unless you do a full month or month and a half of trvel and leisurely ramble around 150-200 miles a day

I would highly recommend either picking one area

Nova Scotia , and do Nova Scotia say in 2 weeks. PEI and do PEI for 2 weeks or maybe do Cape Breton NOva Scotia 1 week then PEI the next week

There's just too much to do to explore the entire coast of nova scotia Cape Breton Island, and PEI and maybe even part of Maine-New Brunswick on the way back

I would highly recommend comimg the New Brunswick Route on the way back however. stopping at the Magnetic Hill, the Hopewell Rocks, Fundy national Park, Saint John - Spending a night in Saint John - and checking out the waterfront, aquatic centre, and the marketplace, and then head for Maine - via the ferries to Deer Island and Campobello island .

Could be a fun loop

Start by taking the CAT ferry to Yarmouth though

Make sure you see the Peggy's Cove
Stay in Lunenburg at least one night and Halifax a couple nights-
Definitely check out the Citadel and the shopping areas in Halifax

Overall you'll see you really need more than 2 weeks to explore everything

So if you can do a month vacation and see it all it would make things much easier for you

Hope this helps in your planning



Day 32 -

We did a shortened version of that trip in about a week starting with "The Cat" out of Bar Harbor. Nice trip, sans the speeding ticket!