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Planning a trip from Canada to the US? Whether you’re heading to New York for a weekend getaway or driving to Florida for a sunny escape, crossing the border requires preparation. From entry requirements to staying connected without roaming charges, we’ll walk you through everything you need for a smooth journey.

Peace of mind before you fly


Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.

Ports of Entry and Transportation Methods

Drive down and stop at several places! Source: Pexels.

When going from Canada to the United States, you have various options for ports of entry and numerous transportation choices available for traveling. Depending on your own preferences, you’ll know which suits you best.

Through the Air

Flying is the most convenient and time-efficient choice for long-distance travel. Regular flights between Canadian and American cities are operated by major airlines. Airports such as Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport are among the most common.

Popular routes are New York/Toronto, Chicago/Toronto, Toronto/Los Angeles, Montreal/Fort Lauderdale, and plenty more. If you intend to travel to a small town, then generally, you’ll have to travel to the closest airport and, from there, take a bus that will drop you off at your final destination.

Some airlines that fly between the US and Canada are Air Canada, WestJet, Flair, American Airlines, and many more.

Traveling by air has become cheaper over time. For example, a round-trip Montreal-Orlando costs around $290. A flight from Vancouver, BC, to Dallas, TX costs $513.

Traveling to Los Angeles? Experience a stable connection through Los Angeles with Holafly’s eSIM for Los Angeles.

By land

Major land crossings are also possible in places like the Peace Arch in British Columbia and Niagara Falls in Ontario. Look up your options and choose an entry point based on your destination and convenience.

Driving can be a suitable option if you prefer an enjoyable and slow-paced travel or want to visit different locations. In case you have your own car, you can drive to your destination, and make sure you get insurance for the road. You’ll need it in case of any mishap, as well as an extra tire and tools, as well as all the essential papers, such as a valid driver’s license, passport, and any other needs, such as an International Driving Permit.

There are also public transportation methods like buses and trains. Companies like Greyhound and FlixBus offer routes from different cities in Canada to the United States. For example, a bus ticket from Toronto to New York City costs around $80 and takes almost 13 hours. If you want to opt for going on a train, Amtrak is the way to go. They operate railways across the United States and a few in Canada. To give you an idea of the costs, a ticket from Toronto to Union Station in New Jersey will cost you around $218, and travel time is estimated at 14 hours. Consider the fact that if you take a train, you’ll need to board several different trains to get to your destination.

Travel by train and admire the scenery! Source: Pexels.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements from Canada to the US

Canadian Citizens:

  • By air: Valid Canadian passport only (no visa or eTA required)
  • By land/sea: Valid Canadian passport, NEXUS card, or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)
  • NEXUS program: Pre-approved trusted traveller program that speeds up border crossing ($50 USD for 5 years)

Permanent Residents of Canada:

  • Valid passport from country of citizenship
  • Valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
  • May need US visa depending on citizenship (check travel.state.gov)

Important: Canadian citizens do NOT need ESTA for US entry. ESTA is only for visa waiver program countries, not Canada.

What Border Officers Might Ask

  • Purpose of your visit
  • How long are you staying
  • Where you’re staying
  • Whether you’re bringing prohibited items

Pro tip: Have your accommodation address and return travel plans ready to show.

Essential Documents to Bring

For the border:

  • Valid passport
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
  • Return travel tickets or itinerary
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Prescription medications in original packaging

For driving:

  • Valid Canadian driver’s license (accepted in all US states)
  • Vehicle registration
  • Proof of auto insurance (check if your policy covers US travel)

For families:

Letter of consent from non-travelling parent (recommended to avoid delays)

Staying Connected

Among everything that we’ve previously mentioned, staying connected is just as imperative as taking your meds with you. Even though you may want to get data to share your adventures with friends and family back home. Perhaps you want to post all the spectacular places that you’ve been to. But other than that, you definitely want to use it to check maps and routes of where you wish to go. Moreover, with a data connection, you’ll be able to keep your reservations and tickets on your smartphone just in case and it’s more convenient.

There are plenty of options to connect in the US. From Pocket WiFi to the revolutionary eSIM. Although some options may be too cumbersome or expensive, the new eSIM is the current trend in the consumer industry. You just have to make sure that you have a compatible cellphone and that the provider also supports eSIMs.

Holafly’s eSIM

The Holafly eSIM for the USA is the way to go when it comes to a reliable and stable connection. They offer unlimited data for any and all their plans, which is a huge perk. Additionally, you can easily get an eSIM from their official website or their user-friendly app. Their plans go from 1 day to 90 days, and prices range from $6.90 up to $139.90.

eSIM for USA with unlimited data
Unlimited data eSIM for the USA.

One added benefit is that you won’t have to worry when it comes to completing your purchase because payment methods available are PayPal, Master and, Visa debit or credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. With Holafly, you won’t miss a beat!

Holafly eSIM pros
Holafly eSIM pros.

For frequent travelers, we also recommend the eSIM for North America, which offers coverage in both destinations with a single data plan.

Final Checklist for your travels

Before the Trip:

  • Valid passport
  • Visa or ESTA (if applicable)
  • Travel insurance
  • Check entry requirements and travel advisories
  • eISM

Travel Documents:

  • Copies of passport or visa, and travel insurance
  • Itinerary, hotel reservations, and transportation tickets
  • Emergency contact information
  • Driver’s license or ID (if planning to drive in the US)
  • International Driving Permit (if required)

Money and Payments:

  • US dollars (cash)
  • Credit/debit cards (notify your bank about your travel plans)
  • Travel wallet or money belt

Medications and Health:

  • Prescription medications (carry in original packaging with prescriptions)
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Travel-size toiletries (complying with TSA guidelines)
  • Personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Hand sanitizer

Electronics and Accessories:

  • Phone, camera, or other electronics
  • Chargers and adapters
  • Power bank
  • Travel adapter (if needed)
  • Headphones

Clothing and Accessories:

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (consider layering options)
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Swimwear (if applicable)
  • Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
  • Umbrella or rain jacket (if needed)
  • Sleepwear and undergarments
  • An extra pair of socks

Travel Comfort:

  • Neck pillow and travel blanket
  • Snacks and a refillable water bottle
  • Entertainment (books, magazines, music, etc.)

Miscellaneous:

  • Maps and guidebooks
  • Travel locks and luggage tags
  • Backpack
  • Travel-sized laundry detergent (if needed)
  • Reusable shopping bag

Personal Items:

  • Wallet, cash, and cards
  • Keys
  • Sunglasses
  • Any necessary personal items (e.g., glasses, contact lenses)

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Brenda Beltrán

Brenda Beltrán

Content Manager

Hi, I'm Brenda Beltrán. I'm passionate about travel, technology, and video games. In 2019, I started my career as a journalist in entertainment and technology. Then, I discovered that content creation was my true calling. Now, at Holafly, I'm dedicated to sharing travel tips and experiences that will make your adventures unforgettable. ✈️ Hola, soy Brenda Beltrán, apasionada por los viajes, la tecnología y los videojuegos. Desde mis inicios en 2019 como periodista en entretenimiento y tecnología, descubrí que la creación de contenido era mi verdadera vocación. Hoy, en Holafly, me dedico a compartir consejos y experiencias de viaje para que cada una de tus aventuras sean memorables.✈️

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