Are you planning to visit the USA from Canada with your family in the near future? The United States of America is an extremely rich and diverse country, offering travelers a myriad of opportunities for fun activities, sightseeing, world-known attractions, and more. It’s a top destination for adventure seekers and travelers from around the world. The fact that it’s so close to Canada only makes it easier and even more tempting to hop on a road trip or catch a plane to a state that you’ve set your eyes on.
But before you leave with your family and embark on an unforgettable adventure, it’s worth setting some time aside to do your planning and preparation for your travels between the USA and Canada. There is a lot that you should be aware of if you want to make the most of your trip and avoid stressful situations.
In this article, we’ll share with you some tips on how to plan and organize a family trip from Canada to the USA. This will allow you to have a good time, avoid wasting time and borders, and have a journey that lives up to your expectations in full.
Take advantage of the NEXUS card
If you haven’t done much traveling between the USA and Canada, it’s highly likely that you’re not familiar with the NEXUS card or that you don’t possess one. However, the NEXUS program can turn your travels around for the best and help you save loads of time spent waiting in lines at the border or custom processing. So what’s the NEXUS card and how can it help you and your family travel better and faster?
The NEXUS program is designed to cut down the waiting times when crossing the borders between the USA and Canada. A NEXUS card can be used as a substitute for your passport and can get you a quick and easy entry into the country. This Trusted Traveler Program has been intelligently designed to offer expedited processing for NEXUS members. You’ll have access to specialized NEXUS lanes where you’ll benefit from preclearance. By separating NEXUS card owners from other travelers, border agencies can put a higher priority on higher-risk travelers. NEXUS cardholders will go through a minimum level of customs and immigration questioning, making passing through the border easier and quicker.
Some of the main benefits of applying for a family NEXUS card holder include:
- Access to specialized lines at domestic airports
- Access to self-service kiosks
- Opportunity for pre-clearance via phone before arrival
- Access to NEXUS-only lanes at Niagara Falls
- Quicker passing through customs
- Faster airport security clearance
Choose the kind of trip you’re after
Now that you’ve chosen whether you want to take advantage of the NEXUS card opportunity or not, it’s important to decide what kind of trip you want to take. Are you looking for a relaxing vacation by the beach or an action-packed adventure? Once you’ve narrowed that down, you can start thinking about where in the USA you would like to go. There are many amazing destinations to choose from, but depending on your location in Canada, some may be closer or farther away than others.
If you’re looking for a trip that’s relatively easy to get to, consider coastal states like California, Florida, or Maine. If you’re willing to travel a bit further, there are plenty of other amazing options available. For example, if you’re interested in historical sites and landmarks, then destinations like Washington DC or New York City could be perfect. Or if you’re after stunning natural scenery, places like the Rocky Mountains or the Grand Canyon could be just what you’re looking for.
Planning the details
Once you’ve settled on a destination, it’s time to start planning the details of your trip. This includes things like booking accommodation, figuring out what to see and do, and arranging transportation. It can be helpful to create a timeline and budget for your trip, so you know how much money you’ll need to save up in advance.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources online that can help. Tourism websites often have detailed information on different areas of the country, including attractions and activities for all ages.
Packing
Great, you now have an idea of where you’re hoping to go and what you want to see. You’re one able to start planning your packing as you’ll be aware of what type of weather you can expect in your destination. If you’re travelling with young children, it’s important to pack enough supplies for the journey, as well as some activities to keep them occupied. And don’t forget to bring your passports and other important documents that you might be asked for when entering or leaving the country.
It’s best to create a packing list so that you don’t miss out on any important necessities while you are traveling. Also, make sure that you’ve checked the baggage restrictions based on your means of travel. Usually, there are more restrictions when traveling via air as you’ll need to consider the weight limits of your baggage and avoid packing items that are prohibited to take into a plane.
Set a travel budget
Last but not least, don’t forget that traveling costs money and in most cases, your financial resources won’t be infinite. It’s always advisable to prepare a travel budget and explore every avenue to stick to its boundaries. However, never take with you just the amount that you’re prepared for as there could always be unexpected situations, calling for more financial resources. This is especially relevant when traveling with your family and if you have children.
Think about how many days of travel you have planned and what types of activities you’re hoping to experience. Make a list of all of the activities you’ve added to your to-do list, your accommodation costs, transportation costs, a rough calculation of food expenses, and any other paid activities that you think you’ll get involved in. Add all of these sums together to get an idea of what you can expect to pay. If the amount is higher than you can afford, make adjustments to the way you spend your time in the USA and create a plan around a lower budget.
Plan strategically and make the most of all that the USA has to offer for travelers from Canada.
