Riding in Canada questions
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
Lots of good info so far.
One hidden expense is the cost of converting currency or the use of most credit cards. Be aware that banks and currency exchanges on both sides usually add a percentage to the exchange rate for their service.
Also, credit cards will convert purchases in Canada to US dollars but most do it at a price. I am not affiliated with Capitol One in any way, but they are one of the few that have no charge for conversion fees.
I carry a small amount of Canadian currency for snack money, tips, etc. and use the credit card for most purchases. One to three percent isn't big bucks; I'm just a tight wad.
FEES CAN ADD UP
Currency-conversion fees charged by major banks and credit card providers
Capital One: NONE
Washington Mutual: 1%
American Express: 2%
Bank of America: 3%
Chase: 3%
Citibank: 3%
US Bancorp (U.S. Bank): 3%
Wells Fargo: 3%
Source: IndexCreditCards.com
One hidden expense is the cost of converting currency or the use of most credit cards. Be aware that banks and currency exchanges on both sides usually add a percentage to the exchange rate for their service.
Also, credit cards will convert purchases in Canada to US dollars but most do it at a price. I am not affiliated with Capitol One in any way, but they are one of the few that have no charge for conversion fees.
I carry a small amount of Canadian currency for snack money, tips, etc. and use the credit card for most purchases. One to three percent isn't big bucks; I'm just a tight wad.
FEES CAN ADD UP
Currency-conversion fees charged by major banks and credit card providers
Capital One: NONE
Washington Mutual: 1%
American Express: 2%
Bank of America: 3%
Chase: 3%
Citibank: 3%
US Bancorp (U.S. Bank): 3%
Wells Fargo: 3%
Source: IndexCreditCards.com
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: toronto canaduh
Lots of good info so far.
One hidden expense is the cost of converting currency or the use of most credit cards. Be aware that banks and currency exchanges on both sides usually add a percentage to the exchange rate for their service.
Also, credit cards will convert purchases in Canada to US dollars but most do it at a price. I am not affiliated with Capitol One in any way, but they are one of the few that have no charge for conversion fees.
I carry a small amount of Canadian currency for snack money, tips, etc. and use the credit card for most purchases. One to three percent isn't big bucks; I'm just a tight wad.
FEES CAN ADD UP
Currency-conversion fees charged by major banks and credit card providers
Capital One: NONE
Washington Mutual: 1%
American Express: 2%
Bank of America: 3%
Chase: 3%
Citibank: 3%
US Bancorp (U.S. Bank): 3%
Wells Fargo: 3%
Source: IndexCreditCards.com
One hidden expense is the cost of converting currency or the use of most credit cards. Be aware that banks and currency exchanges on both sides usually add a percentage to the exchange rate for their service.
Also, credit cards will convert purchases in Canada to US dollars but most do it at a price. I am not affiliated with Capitol One in any way, but they are one of the few that have no charge for conversion fees.
I carry a small amount of Canadian currency for snack money, tips, etc. and use the credit card for most purchases. One to three percent isn't big bucks; I'm just a tight wad.
FEES CAN ADD UP
Currency-conversion fees charged by major banks and credit card providers
Capital One: NONE
Washington Mutual: 1%
American Express: 2%
Bank of America: 3%
Chase: 3%
Citibank: 3%
US Bancorp (U.S. Bank): 3%
Wells Fargo: 3%
Source: IndexCreditCards.com
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Marquette, Michigan
I have traveled eastern Ontario several time and I have alway been advised by friends who live there to make sure everything is locked up and secured. The rate of petty thievery is allot higher than you would ever expect in rural areas. We stayed in Sault St Marie once and that motel has a large garage to store your snowmobile in while you are a guest. We asked if that was necessary and was told they could almost guaranty that one or more machines would be missing in the morning if left outside. That said I welcome every change to visit Canada as everything else is great and have always enjoyed myself while there.
J.L.
J.L.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
We have a tighter no-entry list of offenses that the Canucks. One Canadian friend couldn't cross with me for a 30 year old indiscretion as a youth (bar fight when he was 21), so how many here would be barred entry to the US if you weren't a citizen? I bet a lot.
Too bad our southern border isn't as tight.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 866
Likes: 18
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
I have traveled eastern Ontario several time and I have alway been advised by friends who live there to make sure everything is locked up and secured. The rate of petty thievery is allot higher than you would ever expect in rural areas. We stayed in Sault St Marie once and that motel has a large garage to store your snowmobile in while you are a guest. We asked if that was necessary and was told they could almost guaranty that one or more machines would be missing in the morning if left outside. That said I welcome every change to visit Canada as everything else is great and have always enjoyed myself while there.
J.L.
J.L.
I feel a lot safer leaving the bike unattended (with other bikes) than I do leaving my truck unattended. It seems that people here love to look at bikes, but are very afraid to get too close. I guess they watch too many movies. But that's good.
The place where we usually hang out is a bit touristy. Lots of people ask if they can take pictures of the bikes, but in the 6 years I have been hanging out there nobody has ever touched my bike. We leave our helmets hanging off our bars or sitting on our seats while we walk around and they have never been stolen. But that's a busy area. I wouldn't do it in any secluded places.
I guess I'm just saying, Ontario is not a hotbed of bike-related crimes, but use caution as you would anywhere.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Crossed over into Canada at Niagara Falls yesterday, and back again today. In a car not on a bike. Had no issues either way, going to Canada the agent was a bit tighter and more serious acting. Coming back the guy joked around and we breezed right through.
Question for ya about the helmets, what type are they wanting? DOT? or will a skid lid suffice? Will the border guy say anything about the helmet or is that not part of his duties?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Question for ya about the helmets, what type are they wanting? DOT? or will a skid lid suffice? Will the border guy say anything about the helmet or is that not part of his duties?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: EastCan
Jimmy,
Not sure if the border guards will pick it out, but the city cops and rcmp will. DOT is minimum in Canada. The US authorities seem tighter in my experiences, and the Canadian border guards were less intrusive as to my occupation and history, etc. Where I cross, they never joke, and neither do I.
As to the lingo in the 1st page, eh is required after each sentence eh? We're referred as being hosers, eh. And it is not zee, it is zed eh!
Not sure if the border guards will pick it out, but the city cops and rcmp will. DOT is minimum in Canada. The US authorities seem tighter in my experiences, and the Canadian border guards were less intrusive as to my occupation and history, etc. Where I cross, they never joke, and neither do I.
As to the lingo in the 1st page, eh is required after each sentence eh? We're referred as being hosers, eh. And it is not zee, it is zed eh!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
take off eh, were not all hosers!
DOT is only accepted if it is visible on the outside rear & sewn into the liner on the inside. you don't just get a ticket & off ya go. Your bike sit's there until you have a proper helmet on your head!
For more insight into Canadian lingo, Google the 12 days of Christmas by Bob & Doug McKenzie.
Hatch.
DOT is only accepted if it is visible on the outside rear & sewn into the liner on the inside. you don't just get a ticket & off ya go. Your bike sit's there until you have a proper helmet on your head!
For more insight into Canadian lingo, Google the 12 days of Christmas by Bob & Doug McKenzie.
Hatch.