Extended waits, yet unexpectedly uneventful: My experience crossing into Canada by car

Greetings from Niagara Falls, Canada!

Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents (14 days after the last dose) are now permitted to enter Canada for nonessential travel, including tourism. Travelers must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure but are no longer required to test upon arrival.

My colleague Andrew Kunesh covered Canada's reopening for air travel, while I'm here assessing the situation from the ground at the U.S.-Canadian border that I drove through.

After arriving at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), I promptly began the approximately 40-minute drive to the U.S.-Canadian border. There are numerous entry points into Canada from the U.S., but I chose to cross via the Rainbow Bridge.

At the border, I showed my passport, vaccination card, and negative PCR test. The border agent inquired about my origin (New York City), the duration of my stay (just a few hours), and whether I had anything to declare (I did not). The agent didn’t check my ArriveCan receipt. He returned my passport, waved me through — and that was essentially the process.

Travelers entering Canada from the U.S. must possess valid identification, such as a U.S. passport. Unlike many countries, a passport card is also accepted at the land border. Children under 16 are only required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Those arriving in Canada by land or air must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR tests are allowed, while rapid antigen tests are not) taken within 72 hours before departure. Additionally, travelers need to provide proof of vaccination, with the final dose administered at least 14 days prior to entry into Canada.

Crossing into Canada by land was a straightforward and hassle-free experience, especially considering how complicated travel between the U.S. and its closest ally has been during the pandemic.

Government officials from both countries initially announced the border closure on March 21, 2020, and it was extended almost monthly until Canada declared its reopening. While Canada is now welcoming vaccinated travelers, the United States has not reciprocated this gesture, having extended the closure of the land border to nonessential travel until at least August 21, 2021.

Recently, Canadian leaders prevented an extension of a strike by border officials, which would have likely caused delays at crossings as the country reopened to vaccinated Americans.

On August 6, nearly 9,000 employees of the Canada Border Services Agency began working under strike conditions at border crossings and airports due to pay disputes and what they described as a "toxic workplace environment." However, after more than a day of negotiations, the Border Services Agency and the unions representing these workers seemed to have reached a resolution.

"CBSA employees have been at the forefront of the pandemic since the very beginning, safeguarding our borders and ensuring the safety of Canadians. Yet, they have not received the support required from the government," stated Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU), in a news release on August 6.

"At last – following three years of negotiations – we've addressed long-standing issues that will significantly improve working conditions for CBSA employees, making it a safer and better workplace for our members."

I didn't sense any tension at the border due to the strike. However, if you're planning to drive to Canada from the U.S., be sure to bring your patience — and some snacks. Lines are still quite long as border agents work to verify travel documents. I waited around 50 minutes for processing, even after being in the queue designated for those who had pre-uploaded their documents using Canada's mandatory ArriveCan travel app.

The delays seemed to stem from the challenges of verifying health documents rather than from high passenger traffic.

As reported by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, only 756 vehicles crossed into Canada via the Rainbow Bridge on August 9, the first day of reopening. This is a significant decline from the same day in 2019, when nearly 6,600 vehicles made the crossing. Travelers included a mix of American tourists (I spotted a car with Virginia plates right in front of me) and Canadians returning home. Just beyond the bridge, visitors paused to take selfies on the Canadian side of the Falls, while boat tour operators from both nations catered to tourists eager to get a closer view of the majestic Falls.

The travel industry is keen for the border to reopen on both sides. The U.S. Travel Association, representing the travel sector, has frequently lauded Canada for reopening its borders and has urged the Biden administration to overturn the Trump-era policies. The contrast was stark when I drove back to Buffalo from Niagara Falls; while long lines caused delays heading into Canada, I crossed the international Peace Bridge into the U.S. with no wait at all. Only travelers arriving by air from overseas are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test, not those driving.

"Reopening the U.S. land border to fully vaccinated Canadians would be a positive step toward revitalizing our travel economy, and the Biden administration should reciprocate this policy without further delay, especially given Canada's high vaccination rates," stated U.S. Travel CEO Roger Dow in a press release on August 9.

While the U.S. remains closed, Canada has announced plans to welcome vaccinated citizens from other countries starting September 7, provided conditions do not worsen. Unvaccinated children under 12 will also be permitted to enter Canada, but they must submit their details electronically via ArriveCAN and comply with all testing protocols.