Passport for Canada?

I was thinking about heading out to check out some CN and CP action out around Hamilton, Ontario, and was just curious if you needed a passport to enter Canada from the US or vice versa? I have one, thats no problem, just don't want to carry it and take a chance of misplacing it or losing it if I don't need to bring it.Chris Bogley
Syracuse New York
www.msnusers.com/AshleyPhotography
www.msnusers.com/cnytrainsWholesale Route Sales, Krispy Kreme, Syracuse NY
Bringing America's favorite doughnuts to Price Choppers in Onieda, Rome, Utica, Cicero, Clay, Fulton, and Oswego NY, even if it takes me 17 hours to do it !!!!!!

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RE: Passport for Canada??, thomil, Jul-01-04, 03:23 AM, (1) RE: Passport for Canada??, memphisdoug, Jul-01-04, 05:48 AM, (2) RE: Passport for Canada??, benny4227, Jul-01-04, 07:02 AM, (3) RE: Passport for Canada??, CPR_Malice_96th, Jul-01-04, 08:50 AM, (4) RE: Passport for Canada??, johnfrum, Jul-01-04, 08:51 AM, (5) RE: Passport for Canada??, BNSF4723, Jul-01-04, 09:22 AM, (6) RE: Passport for Canada??, erniep, Jul-01-04, 09:57 AM, (7) RE: Passport for Canada??, sd70mac666, Jul-01-04, 10:01 AM, (8) RE: Passport for Canada??, CP3084, Jul-01-04, 10:24 AM, (9) RE: Passport for Canada??, DJShepley, Jul-01-04, 11:35 AM, (10) RE: Passport for Canada??, wmalder, Jul-02-04, 04:09 PM, (20) RE: Passport for Canada??, Grimace780, Jul-01-04, 12:28 PM, (11) RE: Passport for Canada??, Macster, Jul-01-04, 01:17 PM, (12) RE: Passport for Canada??, joha107, Jul-01-04, 01:42 PM, (13) RE: Passport for Canada??, Macster, Jul-01-04, 03:11 PM, (14) RE: Passport for Canada??, joha107, Jul-02-04, 11:11 PM, (23) RE: Passport for Canada??, robertlearmont, Jul-01-04, 04:20 PM, (15) RE: Passport for Canada??, shadowr434, Jul-01-04, 08:54 PM, (16) RE: Passport for Canada??, Erick_Cantu, Jul-01-04, 10:05 PM, (17) RE: Passport for Canada??, trainmaster_1, Jul-01-04, 10:29 PM, (18) RE: Passport for Canada??, USRailFan, Jul-02-04, 02:19 PM, (19) RE: Passport for Canada??, sinclair97, Jul-02-04, 04:47 PM, (21) RE: Passport for Canada??, McCloud_River_John, Jul-02-04, 04:56 PM, (22) RE: Passport for Canada??, chucksc, Jul-04-04, 06:28 PM, (25) RE: Passport for Canada??, bigbadCN_man, Jul-04-04, 12:22 PM, (24)

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I just checked out the Canadian Immigration Website, and a passport is required to enter the country. I don'T think you'll need a visa though.I have crossed a lot of borders here in Europe, and even now, with EU and the Schengen agreement, I ALWAYS take my passport with me whenever I cross a border. I'm less worried about losing than I am about being asked for ID by the police and not having it (the Passport) with me.Hope I could help you. Below is the link for Canadian Immigrations:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/
regards
Thomas

"Damn the torpeodoes- Four bells Captain Drayton" - Admiral Farragut aboard USS Harford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5th 1864.

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I was just in Canada this past weekend. If you are a U.S. citizen, no passport is needed. Be sure to carry something that shows you are a U.S. citizen such as a certified copy of your birth certificate or a voter registration card. Also, carry a picture I.D. such as a driver's license. On my way into Canada, I wasn't asked for any I.D. Coming back into the U.S. they asked to see my picture I.D. Have fun on your travels.

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You need a drivers license or picture id and your birth certificate

Benny Benoit

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If you're coming through Manitoba, let me know.I've got a big enough house for ya to stay at and were only 30-40 minutes from Portage la Prairie. CP & CN main run right beside eachother ..... The amount of trains through here in a day is insane !!Later

Tim Kent – 96th_Malice - Winnipeg Canada

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Chris,Memphisdoug has it right. No passport for US citizens entering Canada. Make sure you bring a photo ID and proof of citizenship -- birth certificate is good.Couple of tips to avoid hassles: don't wear sunglasses when talking to the border people, look them in the eye and give very brief, honest answers, clean out your car before you go and don't be carrying any guns or ammunition.This last one may seem to be a no-brainer, but it's amazing how many Americans forget that they've got a gun in their trunk or bullets in their glovebox. Big difference in gun attitudes between the two countries.When they ask "why are you visiting Canada?" or "what were you doing in Canada?", saying "I was taking pictures of trains" might raise a red flag these days.
-JF-

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Hamilton huh? Don't forget to wave I assume you'll be headed to Bayview? Rob Eull (cn_bayview) is in the area, maybe he would be interested in hooking up?

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LAST EDITED ON Jul-01-04 AT 09:58 AM (EST)

You'll always be welcome in our land, Chris, but don't you go trying to sell those Krispy Kremes to Tim Hortons. That's got to be worse than guns. cheers,
Ernie

Don't take life too seriously, just remember what not to do next time around.

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Oh that is really funny
hahahahahaI hold dual citenship so all I need to do is show my picture ID, but I carry my Canadian passport just in case. But here in VT the US Border Patrol knows who I am since I've been to Quebec on school trips. They now never ask me for ID, they are like Hi Mike school bus of kids, then they ask the adults for ID and that's it, they waive us on. Selling Krispy Kremes to Tim Hortons is the ultimate sinlolJust picking on you, nothign wrong with good natured humour
Dr. SatanI'm otherwise known as the SatanTrain

High on the roof,
Thin the blood,
Another one on the waves tonight,
Comin' in, you're home
Orange Crush: R.E.M.

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Hamilton?HAMILTON?Geez, I dont like going to Hamilton. Thats kinda like the armpit of Ontario? London is better we have the GM Diesel plant heheheheheheheheJP

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But you do not have National Stell Car!

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"but don't you go trying to sell those Krispy Kremes to Tim Hortons"I live in Windsor where we have one of the first Krispy Kreme franchises in Ontario. I LOVE their donuts but their coffee sucks big time. Sorry but it tastes like dishwater. I found the same thing driving through Upstate New York where all I could find was Dunkin' Donuts and their donuts aren't even particularly good. Needless to say we were SO glad to hit Ontario again and hit a Tim's for a real cup of coffee.BTW we head over to Detroit regularly and all we've ever needed is a birth certificate and a photo ID preferably a drivers license. And to reemphasize, DO NOT bring a gun or ammo with you or your stay could end up considerably longer than you intended. Possession of an unregistered (Canadian registration) is a crime. It's difficult for even American peace officers of any stripe to carry their guns across and impossible to get a clearance any other way.Beyond that, have a great time and be careful with the Canadian beer.
wmalderResurrecting the KVR one pixel at a time.

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I am a Canadian. For many years I have traveled to the United States and all that was required of me was a birth certificate and Driver's Licence. However I have been told that, since 9/11, having a passport is a VERY good idea.I have found that if you are a young male (18 to 30) travelling alone INTO the United States, US Customs may ask you extra questions as to what you are doing. On past visits, Customs seemed to think I was going down there to work when indeed I was just travelling.US Customs will give you weird looks and ask you to pull over if you enter Washington state from British Columbia and tell them you are doing to Alaska. *grin* Did that. I was driving to Seattle to fly to Anchorage. All they wanted was to see my return air ticket but there was a bit of a hassle.Anyone travelling through here to Alaska, send me a note. Cheers,
Gary Cameron
Grande Prairie "The last civilized stop before Alaska," AB
Canada

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All that I used for my 6 days on BC was my WA Drivers Licence and birth certificate

Brian E. Bundridge
http://Evergreentracks.tk

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usually a picture ID is all thats necessary, but they will often ask to see birth certificates especially if traveling with children. you probaly won't have any problems with canadian customs, they are usually very easy going but u.s customs likes to interrogate especially if you are traveling alone. just give short, honest answers and make eye contact. if you have a scanner/radio don't keep it where its easy to reach, some states have laws against this.joe

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Funny thing is, i got the same lady both ways.... no complaints from me of course She was a looker. She was just like "oh great, another railfan, you guys are invading BCRail"

Brian E. Bundridge
http://Evergreentracks.tk

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I had gone up to Cornwall, ON twice in the same week and got the same guy at U.S. customs, the first time he let me through without out too much hassle but the second time he made me stop and search my car. The weird thing about crossing the border was when I first started going I said I was up there to do shopping and that drew more suspicion than when I started saying I was up there to railfan. Another good tip is don't be a smart-ass, I told one of the Candadian border guys i was up there to watch trains, and he asked if I was up there to take pictures or just watch them and I told him that of course I was gonna have to watch them if I was gonna take pictures and he kinda got pissed, lol. joe

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Bring along a passport, and be ready for an inspection. However, the customs people there never asked us for the passport the 2 times I've been there. Coming into the US seems to be a bit more trouble.
Google, Google, Google!
Simplest answers are always the best!

Howdy!
Bob
E-mail: robertlearmont@realcountryfan.com

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Yes, even 10 yrs ago it was easy to go into Canada ( Driving tractor trailer) but coming back into the US was always a hassle. Its really strange when you think about it. Its easier to get into a foreign country than to get back into you own country. As said that was 10 yrs ago, now with 9/11 and all forgetaboutit.

Frank Roberts
P&D Tractor trailer Driver for R&L Carriers
"Sometimes I dream about being carried off by a big giant squirrel. Does that make me a nut?"

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My plan, for when we Mexicans take over Canada, is to just marry a Canadian girl...see, then there's no problems. Plus, my chances with women in my own country are nil, and Canadian women are better anyway. "The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!"

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LAST EDITED ON Jul-01-04 AT 10:32 PM (EST)

Things for me to do:
1. Get into CP (want a career as a Locomotive Engineer)
2. trash a couple 100 AC4400's and get the SD40-2's back
3. Get my senority and work on the main
4. Take a week off or maybe two
5. Plan a trip to Norway and relax there and find the right girl
6. Marry her then let her come back to Canada with me
7. Any girl that asks to go out with me will be denied *shows wedding ring*There 7 things for me to do please don't follow my footsteps and don't get upset. But seriously everything is changed and as we know security is tight between both countries because of 9/11 so it is best to carry I.D. and any info with ya so they know where your from and what you will be doing here.Mike
Future CPR Locomotive Engineer

Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - Built For Drivers

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>5. Plan a trip to Norway and relax there and find the right
>girl
>6. Marry her then let her come back to Canada with me Forget it, when you see our girls, you'll never wanna go back!
(well, that is, until you see our beer prices..)

Leiv Eiriksson was first - Christoffer Columbus used a Viking map!

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A bad experience!Before I recount the experiences of my friend and neighbour I would just like to say that if I get the opportunity to visit the USA, the first place I'm going to is Seattle and Washington state and then on to British Columbia to see the last of the big forests (large trees).One bad apple
My neigbour (English and of a European appearance)has been all around the world: Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tibet, China. You name it he's been there, and in each case he's come back safe, and none the worse for his experiences. However, he has vowed never to go back to the USA (his decision), because of a bad experience from a customs official from Seattle. He visited Seattle nearly a year after 9/11 and was part of group of visitors who were going straight onto a coach; anyway, everyone was duly checked through and boarded the coach, but my friend and neighbour was harassed for about half an hour with aggressive and unfriendly questions like "what are you doing here? Why have you come? where are you going? Where are you going after that?".This harassment went on long enough for the coach driver to come back and ask what was going on. The customs official relented, and let my friend go.My friend (a seasoned traveller) assures me that the nastiness of this person has put him off visiting the States again.Mike

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If you fly into Canada, you need your passport, never been asked driving over the border though.

It's not a lie, if you believe it.

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OK Mike with all due respect let's put this in perspective...
The guy hassling your friend was a Civil Servant. As one myself I tend to believe that stuff doesn't happen with out a good reason...
Before I was a Civil Servant we used to call it work aversion!
Just Kidding...Seriously your friend did not get hassled for no reason. You can take that to the bank no matter what he told you. He fit a profile somewhere or gave a "wrong answer" to a question...Now you might think we are paranoid but it seems there is documented evidence of would be Jehadists coming in from Canada in general and Vancouver in particular. Evidence I might add supplied by the Mounties (so you can't call it Yankee paranoia)....If your friend thinks American Customs Agents were nasty I suggest he travel to some 3rd world countries I've been in...
Like France! (Again I'm just kidding)Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO

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Yeah, us Canadians are pretty easy going. I recently went to Florida with my parents, brother and another familly. Going into the US was pretty scary. In my opinions they peppered us with questions. When we came home at the border we were asked:
1. How many people in the vehicle?
2. How long have you been out of Canada?
3. How much did you spend? and
4. Do you have any drugs, Weapons alcahol.
We said yes to alcahol(dad coulden't resist at the duty free shop). We said what kind and we were free to go.

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