taking bus from Canada to US (split topic)

[jameswhunt 12]

Has anyone taken a Greyhound Bus from Canada into the United States? Could you tell me what the border crossing was like? Rebecca is thinking about taking a bus instead of flying because it's cheaper and she would like to see some of the countryside. We're not really sure how it works though... She was planning on buying a return bus ticket. Any thoughts or ideas?

[Ryan H 3,791]

Post split from pinned topic in another forum.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

When you get the the border everyone is unloaded with luggage and questioned like normal. If they have any concerns you're basically left there until the next bus comes along.

[Lemonslice 4,563]

Getting in the U.S. we never had to remove our luggage - also, we had to wait for everyone to be processed. I've seen it taking thirty minutes, another time we were there forever...

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Getting in the U.S. we never had to remove our luggage - also, we had to wait for everyone to be processed. I've seen it taking thirty minutes, another time we were there forever...

Out of curiosity was it since 9/11? I've been through the boarder 3x on a bus. Twice was a hired motor coach which simply took all of our passports and let us stay on the bus while they ran them. Those were the quickest times

Edited July 27, 2015 by Transborderwife

[Lemonslice 4,563]

Yes, since 2007...

One time, going back to Canada we got a driver that couldn't get into Canada though - had to wait for Greyhound to send another driver :/

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Yes, since 2007...

One time, going back to Canada we got a driver that couldn't get into Canada though - had to wait for Greyhound to send another driver :/

I had a similar issue once. Our driver just wasn't insured to drive in the USA.

[Lemonslice 4,563]

We never heard the back story about our driver... No passport, inadmissible or what

[noblues 1]

I took a greyhound from Toronto to NY once. I wouldn't recommend that just because that trip is long & not very exciting, especially because I did it solo.

Your bus has to wait in a line at the border (usually a line of other buses) and then you have to get out & present your passport similarly to how you would at the airport. I didn't have to take my luggage in which actually surprised me.

The impression I had was that the time it will take is as long as the person being questioned most, so it really depends on your eligibility, but keeping the trip on schedule is also reliant on the other passengers, which I didn't love. Not sure what would happen if someone was going to be a *really* long time.

If I was interested in scenery I'd take a train instead.

[moemac59 192]

I used to take the bus all of the time from Toronto to Buffalo when I was engaged. Only 1 time did I need to pull out extra documentation and that was my ties to Canada (letter from my employer for return date to work, current utility bills, current credit card/bank statements as well as my NOA 1 to show that I had a current K1 application in progress) to show that I was not planning on staying in the US illegally. The agent was actually impressed that I knew to carry this extra info.

She may not need this but it is good to have just in case.

[TheRowgles 10]

I've taken Greyhound a few times into Buffalo from Canada to get cheaper flights... I've always traveled at night so I could sleep on the bus and the airport when I get there and take a super early flight to my destination. The first time it was stressful because it had only been my second time out of the country (first was by plane) and I got grilled hard. They asked me what I was bringing with me (try to pack light) and he handed me a form which (like the other poster said) lists a bunch of information you should bring with you to show ties to Canada (tax forms, stuff with address on it, work contract dates, pay stubs, return tickets etc.). The form actually freaked me out because I think it was titled something like "you are suspected to be inadmissible" or something but the guy said he only gave it to me so that next time I cross I'm prepared because although he did end up letting me pass through, he said he is only one agent and others can have their own suspicions so it's best to come prepared.

Every visit after that whether through bus or plane I've came with a folder with a bunch of documents that showed my ties to Canada to show that I'm not trying to move to the US.

Other than that, I only went from Toronto to Buffalo and it was about a 3 hour ride, not including time at the boarder which can take long if there's other buses ahead. She should be prepared for changes in plan as well. I planned to bus from Toronto to Buffalo airport then take a flight in the morning, but one time our bus decided it wasn't going to go as far as Buffalo airport and just dump us off at the bus terminal instead so a bunch of us from the bus grabbed a cab and shared the fare from the bus terminal to the airport.

So basically, be prepared with papers and documents (mainly a return ticket and a pay stub), travel at night if possible if it's a long ride (some of my trips by bus have taken well over 12 hours including wait around/sleep time and flight/other modes of transportation; however I once did get surprised by my boyfriend at the airport when I was supposed to meet him at the train station like 4 hours later ) AND come prepared with American cash just in case

It's worth it to do it at least once just so you can explore your many travel options