Traveling in Canada??

[wmbrlkride]

I & the wife are going to Canada for the first time in Mid Aug. Banff,Lake louise and Jasper. What's the best way to do the money thing? First trip out of the states. And also how about the cell phone service? Do I have to get a different plan to cover Canada? Someone alerted me to that their is something going on in Canada in August and make sure I'm NOT there when it is happening.
Tia Bob

 

[Dirt_Dad]

As far as the cell phone, my data plan stopped at the border. Verizon phone still worked (voice) in Canada. I'm going back very soon and need to ask Verizon if I can get a one month data plan up there.

 

[mingo]

I'm in Canada and when I travel to the US, I have some US cash on me but for the most part, I never use it. I charge everything on my credit card.


Cell phones: call your service provider and see what the charge for roaming and see if you can get a roaming plan for the billing month you're in Canada. Roaming is a big rip off. My service provider charges me (when roaming in the US) $1.50 a minute for voice calls, 75 cents for each incoming or outgoing text message, and $6 / MB of data.. RIP OFF. I turn off data roaming and use it only when I have a wifi signal.


Something going on in Canada in August: Where about? Canada'a a big place..


You will need a US passport to return to the US. Canada Customs isn't as fussy about having a US passport to enter Canada, but they will ask you if you have any weapons on you. Leave your firearms at home. You can't bring firearms, pepper spray, tasers, etc.. into Canada.

 

[stevepsd]

You will need a US passport to return to the US. Canada Customs isn't as fussy about having a US passport to enter Canada, but they will ask you if you have any weapons on you. Leave your firearms at home. You can't bring firearms, pepper spray, tasers, etc.. into Canada.

Not exactly true about 'no firearms' but you need to do your homework first or you will have a big hassle or possibly be arrested.

See here: http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html

 

[tc9988]

I & the wife are going to Canada for the first time in Mid Aug. Banff,Lake louise and Jasper. What's the best way to do the money thing? First trip out of the states. And also how about the cell phone service? Do I have to get a different plan to cover Canada? Someone alerted me to that their is something going on in Canada in August and make sure I'm NOT there when it is happening.
Tia Bob

::025::

 

[Bigbore4]

Never had my bike out of country but...

Cell and Data, call your provider. Your phone will likely work, you will likely get a nasty surprise at billing time if you do not prepaln.

Dough rey mi. Stop at the first ATM after you cross. Easiest way, the ATM gives you money and taps your account at the exchange rate for the day. Plus a standard ATM service fee, way more reasonable than the cash change place at the bank, airport , whatever. I put most things on the card, but small business and some other places prefer cash.

 

[JonnyCinco]

what about knives? like a multiuse tool?

 

[rem]

Reasonable sized knives (likely not Bowie knives) and multi-tools should be no problem. Just don't brandish them around.


Unlike the U. S. merchants, who will either look at your like you're crazy or laugh themselves silly if you try to pass off Canadian money, basically any Canadian merchant will accept U. S. money and give you a reasonable exchange rate. Once you're up here, just collect it from the ATM or a bank or wherever. It won't be a problem for you guys up here, just for us guys down there.


I can't tell you anything about cell phone charges/coverage. Talk to your carrier/provider as Bigbore4 suggested. DO get medical coverage.


I have no idea what might be "going on in Canada" in August. Maybe we're gonna be annexed to the U. S. R

 

[immigrant]

Reasonable sized knives (likely not Bowie knives) and multi-tools should be no problem. Just don't brandish them around.


Unlike the U. S. merchants, who will either look at your like you're crazy or laugh themselves silly if you try to pass off Canadian money, basically any Canadian merchant will accept U. S. money and give you a reasonable exchange rate. Once you're up here, just collect it from the ATM or a bank or wherever. It won't be a problem for you guys up here, just for us guys down there.


I can't tell you anything about cell phone charges/coverage. Talk to your carrier/provider as Bigbore4 suggested. DO get medical coverage.


I have no idea what might be "going on in Canada" in August. Maybe we're gonna be annexed to the U. S. R

+1 on the medical coverage. you will get a HUGE bill - a friend got a $7000 bill for a broken arm. And they make you sign before they treat you (except for real emergencies of course)
nothing big ever happens in Canada
also, not sure for what, but if you have a criminal record i think they will make you turn your S10 around

also be very careful of foreign tourists in jasper and banff who are not familiar with north american traffic rules. everybody is looking at the mountains and the wildlife, and a motorbike is the last thing on their mind

Enjoy Canada, it is an AWESOME country!!!!

 

[snakebasket]

I travelled across Canada last summer, Nova Scotia, Labrador across to Yellowknife and down to Vancouver, before visiting friends in Texas.
Have previously done the length of the Rockies as ocean to ocean Nth Sth.
A few things I can offer, I f your phone is unlocked, just buy a SIM card, for pay as you talk package, or for normal calls to US use an international discount phone card, avaialble at gas statiions and large stores.

French speaking Canada is anti US or anybody who speaks English (not all I am certasin, it just seemed that way).
Canada is much more expensive than USA..
The road from Jasper to lake Louise, watch out for cops and speed cameras (and planes), the fines are high and if riding dawn or dusk watch out for wildlife.
Go to Lake Louise Chateau/lakeside, it is fanatastic.

But most important, where you are going is fabulous, Have a great time.

 

[mingo]

Not exactly true about 'no firearms' but you need to do your homework first or you will have a big hassle or possibly be arrested.

See here: http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html

I don't typically think of carrying a shotgun while riding a bike!! Handguns are strictly forbidden. I had someone come to visit me from the US once and he had to leave his handgun with Canada border guards and retrieve it on his return.

Also, to the OP, be sure your health insurance covers you when you're here, or get travel insurance, this is very important.

p.s. I wouldn't say French speaking Canada is anti-US / English. Just don't assume or expect them to speak English. Ask first, and yes, in Quebec there are a lot of folks who don't speak English. ??? In my travels there, they were more than helpful if you at first attempted to say a few words in French or asked if they spoke English.

 

[limey]

French speaking Canada is anti US or anybody who speaks English (not all I am certasin, it just seemed that way).

[/quote]

You hit the nail on the head with that one, The wife and I always go through the US when traveling to the East coast.

 

[snakebasket]

I don't typically think of carrying a shotgun while riding a bike!! Handguns are strictly forbidden. I had someone come to visit me from the US once and he had to leave his handgun with Canada border guards and retrieve it on his return.

Also, to the OP, be sure your health insurance covers you when you're here, or get travel insurance, this is very important.

p.s. I wouldn't say French speaking Canada is anti-US / English. Just don't assume or expect them to speak English. Ask first, and yes, in Quebec there are a lot of folks who don't speak English. ??? In my travels there, they were more than helpful if you at first attempted to say a few words in French or asked if they spoke English.

Being English, and living and living near to the French ferry, I do speak French, this seemed to annoy them even more, and they really took a dislike to my English license plate. Would never go to French speaking Canada again, but the Yukon, Alberta and Yellowknife region will be on my list again. Labrador Highway also well worth doing, did it an XT660R, which was so good led to my buying the S10. And if anyone heads north, go to Yellowknife and visit Buffalo Airways.

 

[Twisties]

We just made the calls. Health and moto insurance are good. Phone is #$%E*%! Sharon is looking up dispo phones. Or maybe we can get a phone unlocked and purchase a SIM.

One new question has come up... I tried google but didn't come up with much.... I assume temporary registration on a new bike is not an issue? We have an insurance id for it, and they should be getting us the Canadian id card (but we have it for the other bike, and I would guess they wouldn't nitpick too much, as I understand it is not really needed anyway), and of course we are good with passports, DL, moto endorsements, etc.

 

[markjenn]

I'll second what folks are saying about phone roaming in Canada. I used to travel to BC extensively and it was ridiculous the games Verizon would play with rates and roaming - it was a crap shoot on whether a call you made would be free or cost huge $$$. Do the research for your carrier, and if you can, consider some kind of prepaid plan. I've never tried to use a smart phone in Canada - I imagine the roaming situation might be worse.

Another minor thing to consider is that most credit card companies surcharge currency exchange for stuff you charge to your credit card to the tune of 2-3%. Capital One cards are one of the very few who don't tack on an extra surcharge and this is one reason I carry one.

I've taken 7-10 day motorcycle trips in BC and typically I hit the ATM for $250 in Canadian currency at the beginning and then use credit cards as much as possible until near the end of the trip where I try and exhaust my cash so I cross back over the border with as little as possible. Never had to hit an ATM again yet.

Quick note about cops: my experience (almost exclusively with western Canada vs. western US) is that you won't see very many cops on the backroads, but when you do, they won't give you as much leeway about speeding. A typical limit on most Canadian two-lane backroads is 100 kmh (62 mph), and if they radar you at 110 or above, they'll pull you over. But.... I've gotten stopped three or four times and never got a ticket. They also use photo radar in many small towns, typically a small minivan parked on the outskirts of town where the speed limit drops.

- Mark

 

[tc9988]

I'll second what folks are saying about phone roaming in Canada. I used to travel to BC extensively and it was ridiculous the games Verizon would play with rates and roaming - it was a crap shoot on whether a call you made would be free or cost huge $$$. Do the research for your carrier, and if you can, consider some kind of prepaid plan. I've never tried to use a smart phone in Canada - I imagine the roaming situation might be worse.

Another minor thing to consider is that most credit card companies surcharge currency exchange for stuff you charge to your credit card to the tune of 2-3%. Capital One cards are one of the very few who don't tack on an extra surcharge and this is one reason I carry one.

I've taken 7-10 day motorcycle trips in BC and typically I hit the ATM for $250 in Canadian currency at the beginning and then use credit cards as much as possible until near the end of the trip where I try and exhaust my cash so I cross back over the border with as little as possible. Never had to hit an ATM again yet.

Quick note about cops: my experience (almost exclusively with western Canada vs. western US) is that you won't see very many cops on the backroads, but when you do, they won't give you as much leeway about speeding. A typical limit on most Canadian two-lane backroads is 100 kmh (62 mph), and if they radar you at 110 or above, they'll pull you over. But.... I've gotten stopped three or four times and never got a ticket. They also use photo radar in many small towns, typically a small minivan parked on the outskirts of town where the speed limit drops.

- Mark

No photo radar in BC Hasn't been for 10 years or so. Vancouver has cameras at some intersections so do not run a red light

 

[markjenn]

No photo radar in BC Hasn't been for 10 years or so. Vancouver has cameras at some intersections so do not run a red light

Good catch - they were all over the place on my last sportbike tour of BC, but that was 2000 or 2001. Didn't realize they had been abolished.

- Mark

 

[EmmEff]

Quick note about cops: my experience (almost exclusively with western Canada vs. western US) is that you won't see very many cops on the backroads, but when you do, they won't give you as much leeway about speeding. A typical limit on most Canadian two-lane backroads is 100 kmh (62 mph), and if they radar you at 110 or above, they'll pull you over. But.... I've gotten stopped three or four times and never got a ticket. They also use photo radar in many small towns, typically a small minivan parked on the outskirts of town where the speed limit drops.

FYI, the speed limit on backroads is never greater than 80km/h (50 mph), which would certainly explain why you were stopped doing 110km/h or above. Highway speeds are 100km/h (62 mph). In general, doing 20km/h (12 mph) or less over the limit will keep the cops from hassling you. Check section 146 of the BC MVA for the full explanation.

I don't want anybody coming here and getting tickets... it'll certainly put a damper on the fun

 

[mingo]

In Ontario, on the 4 lane highways, if you're doing less than 120 km/h (about 75 mph), you'll get run over. Posted speed limit is 100 but the defacto speed limit is 120, go over that and you're looking for trouble. There's also a mandatory roadside 1 week license suspension and vehicle seizure for doing 50 km/h (30 mph) over the posted speed limit, and a big fine, up to $10K . (you get the vehicle back but have to pay towing and storage fees).

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I'll be spending some quality time heading up to Newfoundland in a couple of weeks. Do you guys still use those blinking green lights? I last saw them around Kingston, Ontario. I always forget what they mean.