Architect8 wrote: We plan to cross into Ontario from New York (to go to Ottawa). Does anyone have any suggestions as to which border crossing point might be most convenient?
Also, I wanted to ask forum members whether Canadian border officials stamp your passport upon entry into Canada. If not, can one ask them to do so?
We have never done this before, so would also appreciate it if you could let me know what the routine questions they tend to ask for entry into Canada. Thank you.
What part of NY State are you coming from?
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We will actually be driving from Connecticut to New York and then to Ontario. In this case, would the Thousand Islands be the ideal crossing, as suggested by online maps? Does anyone else have any experience with this border crossing?
Do they usually stamp your passports on the Canadian side? Just curious.
If you're coming from Connecticut, I would recommend coming up I-87 to Plattsburgh, NY to Exit 38N, then take Rt 374 to Rt 190 (east) for 25 miles to Rt 11 (south) to Rt 122 to Rt 37 (South).
Go through the Indian Reservation (past the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino) to the Bridge to Canada (There is also an ALCOA and GM plant on that exit).
The bridge to Canada will take you to Cornwall Island, where you will come to Canadian Customs.
After clearing Canadian Customs, proceed across the second bridge into Cornwall.
At the bottom of the bridge, go halfway around the traffic circle and proceed straight away from the bridge on Brookdale Avenue.
Go until you come to a Stop sign and turn right onto Cornwall Centre Road.
Go less than a mile on Cornwall Centre Road, then turn left onto Highway 138 (north).
Take Highway 138 to the 417 (It would be an interstate highway in the US).
Take 417 west to Ottawa.
Crossing at the 1000 Islands is beautiful, but will add close to 100 miles to your trip. When you cross into Canada at Cornwall, you are about 60 miles from Ottawa and still about 60 miles from the 1000 Islands.
Thank you very much for the detailed suggestions. That is really helpful. I wonder why all these online directions/maps services told me to take a longer route through the Thousand Islands.. But I will follow your directions instead. One question I have about this route through Plattsburgh, NY: is the Exit 38N before reaching Plattsburgh or right afterwards?
Also, is the Cornwall Island crossing open late in the evening or only during the day?
The mapping sites may be taking yo across the NYS Thruway from Albany to Syracuse and sending you up I-81. You would have more interstate that way, but it would be much further.
There are 3 Plattsbugh exits (36, 37 & 38, from south to north, so 38 will be your last one).
If you want something to eat, fuel or shopping, you can take 37, which will come out on Rt 3, which is in the heart of the business district.
Exit 38 is a couple miles further, but you won't have the traffic to deal with.
The Cornwall crossing is open 24/7. It is a medium sized crossing, but waits (especially at Canadian Customs) are usually minimal.
This is my neck of the woods, so if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Thank you again for the useful information on Cornwall crossing. Our travel date is getting close, so I wanted to ask a few things about crossing into Canada. Will we need to declare anything (such as what we are carrying as luggage, etc) to the Canadian customs? For example, I heard that laptops sometimes create problems. Secondly, do they routinely stamp your passports as you enter Canada? We plan to have our passports with us, but we are just wondering whether Canadian customs usually ask to see and then stamp passports? Thank you.
It never hurts to declare anything, but the main things that Canadian Customs will care about are tobacco, booze, guns or large amounts of cash (I think $5,000 or over, is the number they care about). They will also want to know about anything you will be leaving in Canada (gifts or things you are taking to Canadian friends). They will ask your reason for visiting Canada (business, vacation, etc.).
If you are carrying any medication, make sure it is in it's original (labeled) container.
If you're taking pets, make sure you have immunization records for them.
I doubt if Canadian Customs will even ask for your passport and I don't think they will stamp it.
On your return to the US, American Customs will want to see some proof of citizenship, so that's where you will need your passport or birth certificate with a (government issued) photo ID.
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