day trip to canada from new york?

[Immortal298]

more new york questions: is it possible to go for a day trip to canada from new york city?  any ideas?

[bradleyy]

If you flew you could. I belive it takes a couple hours to fly.

[Bangkok]

Not sure on the total travelling time to Montreal, but I went from NY to the Catskill mountains on Amtrak and the scenery (in winter) was stunning.  Fly one way, train the other?

[luckystrike]

The overland trip to Niagara would be about 410 miles each way, so no, a single day would not be long enough.

[Golem]

Well Canada's a big country, a VERY big country. You're only realistic options are the cities of Ottawa (the capital), Toronto or Montreal; all in the province of Ontario. You would definately need to fly, there are daily flights to each of these cities from New York. Ottawa has one airport with a 30 min. bus connnection to 'downtown' and enough to fill a day trip easily. Toronto is much the size of London and you'd spend a lot of time travelling from the airport unless you fly into the city airport which is on an island in the city harbour! A trip up the CN tower and something to eat on Yonge Street will fill your day. Montreal is very cosmopolitan and the most interesting of the three, but a day trip will probably leave you more disatisfied than not because you were unable to see more. Be aware also of visa and re-entry requirements to the US depending on your status. Is it possible? With determination and organisation, yes. Would I do it? Not a day trip, no. An overnight trip? A definite maybe.

How do I know what I'm talking about?

I live in Ottawa!

[Cathyhuns]

We took a day trip to Niagra Falls from New York, catching a early flight from JFK to Buffalo with Jet Blue airlines (a no frills airline), hired a car in Buffalo, did all of the touristy things at Niagra, including walking across to Canada and then flew back on an evening flight.  It was a long day but worth it.

However you need your passport.  Our only downer was the very officious US immigration official as we walked back into US who got quite shirty until we said that we were staying in New York City rather than just New York.  And there were several non-US and non-European passpost holders who were having difficulty getting back into US.

[Immortal298]

cathy thanks for your answer.  how much does that way cost?

[Cathyhuns]

As with most no frills airlines, depends very much when you want to fly.  Google Jet Blue and you'll find the web site.  Currently showing $104 each way for next few days or $49 each way for June (plus tax of course).  You also need to avoid Mondays or Fridays as it looks like people use the flight to commute.

Car Hire - we got a good deal with Hertz as my husband uses them for business and it wasn't expensive.  However there are buses or minibuses for tourists from the airport.

Other costs depend upon what you do - Maid of the Mist etc but it does cost to get into Canada and you have to pay in cash.  Unfortunately I cannot remember how much.