Your Guide to Niagara Falls!

Crossing The Border

Many visitors spend all their time in Niagara Falls on one side of the border - either the American or the Canadian side.  However, if you would like to visit both sides, here is some important information that you should know.

U.S. Citizens:

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law.  Please see the CBSA’s website for details.  Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 18 must present proof of citizenship and identity.  The CBSA website provides further details about bringing children into Canada.

When crossing one of the bridges to return to the United States from Canada, U.S. citizens will need to present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document.  The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

Canadian Citizens:

When entering the United States by land, Canadian citizens are required to present one of the following valid documents: a passport, a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card or an enhanced driver's licence/enhanced identification card or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (when this certificate is available and approved by the United States).

When returning to Canada, the Government of Canada recommends that its citizens travel with a valid Canadian passport because it is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel.

All others:

International visitors are required to carry a passport and a valid visa (unless originating from a country where both the U.S. and Canada do not require a visa for entrance).  If you are a non-citizen permanent resident of the U.S., you must bring your permanent resident card with you to enter Canada.

Bridges

Travelers may cross one of four bridges to get between the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border.

Rainbow Bridge - Connects the tourist districts of Niagara Falls, New York, with Niagara Falls, Ontario.  Signs on roads on both sides of the border direct you to the bridge.

Lewiston-Queenston Bridge - Connects Lewiston, New York with the Village of Queenston, Ontario.  The bridge feeds into I-190 on the U.S. side and Highway 405 on the Canadian side.  The crossing is 12 miles north of the Falls.

Whirlpool Bridge - A NEXUS pass is required to use this bridge, located a couple miles north of the Falls.

Peace Bridge - Connects Buffalo, New York with Fort Erie, Ontario.  This bridge is located abour 20 miles south of Niagara Falls.

American and Canadian Exchange Rates

American Dollar Exchange Rate

Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate

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