My 17 year old daughter and I will be in Toronto end of June beginning of July for Irish Step Dancing competition at the Westin Harbor Castle. What type of i.d. do we need entering Canada from US? From Pearson airport-what is the most reliable, safest transportation to Westin hotel? In the city, what is the best way, other than walking, getting around attractions closeby hotel?
Irish Step Dancing Nationals in Toronto...how to get around city
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The Westin should have a shuttle going from the airport to their hotel (it is a nice hotel in Toronto, right on the water). Call them and they can tell you about any direct bus. If you take a taxi, pick a limo (dark coloured cars). When you exit from the arrivals area just look for signs for fixed rate limos (which should be around $30-40 Cnd one way).
If you are flying in try to bring your passport, if none then a birth certificate and picture id should be okay. You can also call your airline to see what they recommend (some require to see id before you go to customs, at least in Canada).
Grab the subway for getting around Toronto. Also get the ferry to the island, right beside the Westin. The CN Tower are within walking distance from the Westin. The Westin is at the bottom of Bay Street, so you can hop on the bus heading north (away from the lake) to get into the heart of downtown.
Glad to see you will be in TO this summer.
If they do not have a shuttle from the airport then take a cab. It should be around $50.00CAD. Look at the website WWW.Toronto.com and you will see a variety of information about the city.
There is lots to do and Toronto is a very safe place to walk in and being at harbour castle the Downtown is right there. They have an underground trolly that will lead you to the Subway where you will have full access to the city. The subway is CLEAN and safe.
SHOP SHOP SHOP... the exchange rate for you is great....
Anything else please email me.
You can take the Airporter bus to the Westin, it will drop you off directly at your hotel and pick you up at your hotel going home. If I remember correctly it should take about an hour.
Found the website for the bus
www.torontoairportexpress.com
Thank you so much for all the info....I feel a little bit more at ease with the ground transportation. Sounds like taxis will work well. That is what Westin recommended as well. We are getting excited about visiting TO next week. How is the weather now...very, very hot?
Toronto weather;
Yesterday, 90 and humid and sunny.
Today, 72 and raining
Tomorrow, who knows, but betweent he two above.
About transportation. Taxis are good for short distances. TTC is excellent for longer distances, when the destination is on the subway route.
BAK
BAK
You need two pieces of ID to enter Canada from the US. I live near the border (Windsor/Detroit) and often they don't ask for any idea, sometimes just for a license, but technically you need two and I have been asked for two. I bring my driver's license and voter id card. You could also bring birth certificate, I can't remember what the other acceptable id forms are...
that should be ID, not idea
To enter Canada if you are a US citizen you need to have proof of citizenship - meaning a passport, or birth certificate or voter registration card (not recommended as immigration/customs officers are suspicious of these. A drivers license is technically not acceptable as it doesn't prove anything. If you are not a US citizen then passport. If you are a resident alien of the US then you know to have your green card with you also. These are the regulations.
As a former customs inspector, I can also tell you the reality. If you "sound" American and "look" American your drivers license will be fine. If you have an accent other than American you may be asked to provide more.
What is Customs like? Just a quick check of i.d. and then you are on your way?
No, not nearly that simple. Main steps:
1. Fill out form provided by flight attendant on plane.
2. Present form to Immigration Officer, who will ask a few questions, scribble a code number on the form and return it to you.
3. Hand form to Customs Officer at exit to baggage claim area, who will look at code and either wave you through or take you aside for search. Unless you have said something in step 2 to make the Immigration Officer suspicious, this latter possibility is very unlikely.
Thank you for the very detailed explanation of the customs check. Now we will know what to expect. I vaguely remember similar procedures when we went to Ireland last year. Thanks again. Really looking forward to going to Canada.