Look out for American driving in Canada!

[Cynful1]

Can any of you fine folks who regularly travel into Canadian territory from the Americas tell me if I need any special documents for the few days will be driving around to concerts? Most likely we will rent a car in Syracuse and cross the border for Montreal and Oshawa dates. But I'm also mapping out if we fly into MTL and rent there. For example, when we drive into Mexico from California we're encouraged to purchase separate insurance specifically for driving. Sure, this may have something to do with Federal soldiers in Mexico, but perhaps there's a dangerous Mounted Police cartel of which I am unaware and should be advised will demand my papers? All help is appreciated. Cheers! :)

[sarah11918]

I don't think there's any kind of special insurance you'd need to buy other than at the car rental place. I think you're supposed to tell them when you rent that you'll be crossing the border, and they should take it from there and I'm sure will gladly upsell to you.

Do be careful driving (and pedestrian-ing) in Montreal, though. Not just because of the notorious drivers, but they actually have slightly different traffic laws there. (No right turn on red?) Otherwise, the highway driving between cities is generally pleasant and supposedly our 400 series of highways is exceptionally well marked, so it should make navigating easy.

[therealshell]

I don't think there's any kind of special insurance you'd need to buy other than at the car rental place. I think you're supposed to tell them when you rent that you'll be crossing the border, and they should take it from there and I'm sure will gladly upsell to you.

Do be careful driving (and pedestrian-ing) in Montreal, though. Not just because of the notorious drivers, but they actually have slightly different traffic laws there. (No right turn on red?) Otherwise, the highway driving between cities is generally pleasant and supposedly our 400 series of highways is exceptionally well marked, so it should make navigating easy.

I always found being a pedestrian in Montreal to be a bit scary back in the day(s) when I visited there fairly regularly.

It always struck me that the drivers there were always in a rush for some reason.

[Cynful1]

It always struck me that the drivers there were always in a rush for some reason.

Hopefully they didn't strike you repeatedly!

THANK YOU for the 'no right turn on red' rule. I am always worried about that one!

[WeedMage]

You just need your passport or legal "cross the border" ID. i.e. Washington has a special driver's license you can get/use. Not all states have them, but you might if you live in a border state.

[bnlmom]

I usually get a form from my insurance company that states I have car insurance and can drive in Canada

[Cynful1]

I usually get a form from my insurance company that states I have car insurance and can drive in Canada

Ahhhh...good one. Didn't think about that.

Any tips on border crossings? I.E. One area easier, more timely, or less congested than another?

Due to the price of flights, it looks like our best bet is going to be to fly into Syracuse, NY. Google thinks it should be a 5 hour drive to MTL and suggests using the 81 to go into Canada, then take the 401 King's Hwy. It also suggest coming the 401 to the 81 back into NY when we leave Oshawa. Would you agree with this, or is there another way you find more timely and would recommend?

[PolyesterAngel]

Do be careful driving (and pedestrian-ing) in Montreal, though. Not just because of the notorious drivers, but they actually have slightly different traffic laws there. (No right turn on red?) Otherwise, the highway driving between cities is generally pleasant and supposedly our 400 series of highways is exceptionally well marked, so it should make navigating easy.


Driving in Montreal:
- No right turns on red on the island (only us and NYC, I think).
- Drive aggressively
- Pedestrians are VERY aggressive: if you're walking, don't expect cars to stop at cross walks or if you're jay-walking. If you're driving, you'll piss off other drivers by doing what I just mentioned:

Montreal presents some hazards for drivers. Pedestrians are pretty blasé about crossing on red lights, and most road construction and repairs have to be done in the summer months so you are likely to run into occasional detours when driving around town in the summer.

Seatbelts are mandatory even in back seats. Helmets are required for motorcyclists. It is obligatory to stop when a school bus is stopping, regardless of the direction in which you are driving. On a few major streets, bus lanes are marked with a large white diamond shape and you should not use and absolutely must not stop or park in these lanes within the hours noted on the accompanying signs. Some streets have bike lanes: these will be marked.

If you're staying here for more than a day (I don't know when the Oshawa show is), then I recommend using public transportation or walking to get around. It's WAYYYYY easier.

[PolyesterAngel]

For a little humour:

http://www.cs.umanitoba.ca/~arindam/montreal_driving.html

[Cynful1]

Driving in Montreal:
...on the island...

Holy shit! Wouldja look at THAT - Montreal is on an ISLAND! Learn something new everyday! :D

Oh them Canadian motorist are not going to like me.... :o

Thanks for the "drive aggressively" tip. It's not something I do well, but I know what you mean. And you can always tell we're visitors when we're walking around town - we're the ones who wait to cross the street on the green light.

[Cynful1]

Just saw an interview w/ Ed & Ty from a Rochester TV News station mentioning a now defunct ferry which crossed between Rochester & Toronto, which made me wonder: Is there a faster way, other than car, for me to get from Syracuse to Montreal, or Oshawa to Syracuse? Again, thanks heeps for the help. Anyone visiting So. Cal. can PM me for questions about getting around my neck o' the woods anytime! :D

[sarah11918]

Now, bear in mind that neither Joe nor I drive, so we don't generally see the need for cars, but we actually LOVE taking the train from Toronto - Montreal (Oshawa is a stop along the way about 45 min. closer to Montreal than Toronto), and for crossing the border at Niagara Falls. I personally would do the whole thing by train (depending on how many people you have - at some point a car is cheaper).

As PA said, driving in Montreal is kind of crazy. Not crazy like you should be worried about it, but crazy like cabs and the subway are all you really need, in our experience. I hate visiting friends in suburban Montreal who then want to go out downtown and because they live outside, they drive in. But you spend more time wrestling with other cars and parking than you do enjoying a night out! Toronto isn't as bad, but same thing if you're downtown Toronto - there's just no point in having a car. It's a real buzz-kill, imo.

Oshawa is a different story. A car would probably be convenient to have, as you won't want to rely on public transportation, but taxis are generally cheaper in Canada than they are in a lot of major US cities. And unlike every non-major city I've set foot in in the US, they are easy to get! (None of this, call us an hour or two ahead of time bullshit we get in PA or "nothing available today.") The GM centre is located centrally downtown (although Oshawa downtown is a bit of a misnomer - that's the deserted, almost industrial-park feeling part of the city. Don't expect it to be a hotspot of activity) so it's probably not that far to wherever your hotel might be, and a cab ride to/from the GM centre should be $10 - $20. Or, call my Dad to come get you all in his huge van. ;)

Do you have a hotel yet? Do you need any suggestions?

[Ellen from Saint Louis]

I never drove in Montreal, but I drove in downtown Toronto (in front of the train station) and on the highway that goes around the city and if I had testicles they would have dropped during that experience.

Evidently if you want to change lanes you have to nestle a corner of your bumper into the four inch gap between the bumpers in the next lane and then just dare them to hit you. Everyone seemed to be doing it though.

[bnlmom]

And remember eventhough the speed limit is in kilometres per hour, Canadians drive like it's miles per hour:D

[Cynful1]

Thanks, Ladies!

Sarah: I think I remembered you posting about the train going btwn MTL & Toronto, stopping in Oshawa, and it DID sound like a lot of fun - especially the all you can drink part! But we are a bit pressed for time - we're bummed we won't have much time in between the show on the 30th in MTL and the Oshawa show on the 1st to really enjoy what appears to be beautiful scenery along our route, but we're only up for the Friday and Saturday and then back home on Sunday, so we think a car will be our best bet. And I'm THRILLED to hear speed is embraced be Canadians - I loooves to drive fast!

The traffic in MTL seems like San Francisco, in a pretty aggressive, dammit-just-get-where-you're-going-already-and-get-out-of-my-way! sorta way, which is fine. Hmmm...this must be part of that French influence, non?

Once we get to MTL we'll leave the car at the hotel and hoof it. I think the afternoon before the concert might be the most sightseeing we get - which means a couple hours at the most, but I think hubby will be wanting to hit HMV for "imports" so who knows how much "culture" beyond that we'll get to enjoy. Hopefully we'll get some "main street" sights and window shopping in. Just check out the hustle and bustle, have a brew or two, a brew or two, a brew or two (or three or four).

We're staying at the Hyatt in MTL, which looks like it's just a couple of blocks away from the theatre. On Saturday we're planning on staying at the HI Express in Gananoque, 1/2 way btwn MTL and Oshawa, and close to HWY 81, leading back into NY. I'm usually amped after concerts, so the 2.5 hour drive back to Ganaoque from Oshawa shouldn't be too bad after the concert. I chose that location because we have to be back in Syracuse by Noon on Sunday for our flight home, so I'd rather be closer to Syracuse then Oshawa on the night before our flight. Any thoughts on that, like, 'OH GOD, NO! NOT Ganaoque!' or 'Hmmm...I could've sworn the MTL Hyatt just had a bed bug infestation last week?' Please let me know.

Perhaps next time we'll have more time to sightsee, meet your dad, and hire him for a grand tour and shuttle service! :D

I really appreciate all your tips, so don't hesitate if you think of something. About the only other thing I need is a place to get GOOD pancakes and maple syrup along King's Hwy. I'm not an IHOP kinda gal, I'm more of a Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives woman.

[sarah11918]

I really appreciate all your tips, so don't hesitate if you think of something. About the only other thing I need is a place to get GOOD pancakes and maple syrup along King's Hwy. I'm not an IHOP kinda gal, I'm more of a Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives woman.

I don't know whether they have the "Golden Griddle" chain in the US, but that's the Canadian pancake house. I've always liked them, but of course, some locations are open 24 hrs. (and others just REALLY late) and I approve of all 24 hr. dining establishments. So you can keep an eye out for that.

If you're a night owl and you don't mind driving a couple of hours after the concert, you'll have no trouble at all leaving Oshawa and hitting the road. It's quite relaxing to take the highway late at night. It won't be crowded at all, and as I said, apparently we're known for our well-marked highway system. A perfect time to get a bunch of the driving out of the way.

[PolyesterAngel]

Holy shit! Wouldja look at THAT - Montreal is on an ISLAND! Learn something new everyday! :D

It's not "on" an island, hun... it IS the island. :P

[Cynful1]

It's not "on" an island, hun... it IS the island. :P

LOL!
For the last week I've been asking friends, family and clients, 'Did you know Montreal is on an island?' No one else knew this either. Most said they'd have to get a map to see. Now I have to tell them I was wrong - Montreal IS the island. I promise to stick my tongue out at them as well! :D

[PolyesterAngel]

LOL!
For the last week I've been asking friends, family and clients, 'Did you know Montreal is on an island?' No one else knew this either. Most said they'd have to get a map to see. Now I have to tell them I was wrong - Montreal IS the island. I promise to stick my tongue out at them as well! :D

To be fair, for a while it was just a city on the island (there were many other cities, such as West Island, Pointe-Claire, St-Leonard, Anjou to name a few). The city was divided into Central (downtown), East and North (the other cardinal points were separate cities). Then, in 2002 the catastrophe of "One Island, One City" happened and the island of Montreal also became the city of Montreal. Since then, a few boroughs have voted to become their own city again.

Want any more info? :D

[Cynful1]

Want any more info? :D

SURE! Whenever we go somewhere "new" I love having info. in my back pocket I can impress people (read bore husband) with - I'm a regular Cliff Clavin that way, there Normy.That whole "city divided" and the "boroughs rising up from the ashes of separation to once again take charge of their own destiny" thing will go over like gang busters! Cheers!

[sarah11918]

It's not "on" an island, hun... it IS the island. :P

But it's not THE island, because that would be PEI. ;)