TRAVEL INFORMATION


TRANSFER HOTELS
We strongly recommend that international customers spend their first night in a hotel after a long haul flight. Most rental stations do not provide transfers for same day flight arrival. We offer affordable airport hotel rates throughout Canada and the USA. Transfer Hotel Rates

FERRY RESERVATION
The Inside Passage follows the waterways from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Bella Coola and Prince Rupert in northern BC, through the protected waters of British Columbia's central and northern coastline. This BC ferry actually connects with the Alaska Marine Highway to Skagway and Haines. Reservations are required for passenger and vehicle travel between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert / Bella Coola and Seattle, Washington & Skagway, Alaska. Ferry rates and departure dates

DRIVING DISTANCE
From Vancouver to Quebec, from the mountain ranges of Banff to the Boundary Waters, from East to the West Coast -- there are many sights and recreational opportunities that attract visitors on short drives and longer driving trips to Canada and the USA. Want to know how long it will take to drive from one destination to the next?
Visit our US and Canada Driving Distance Calculator

TRAVEL INSURANCE

IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS

in Canada
New Year's Day: Jan 01
Family Day (Calgary & Edmonton): Feb 20, 2006 + Feb 19, 2007
Good Friday April 14, 2006 + April 6, 2007
Victoria Day: May 22, 2006 + May 21, 2007
Canada Day: July 1
Labor Day: Sep 4, 2006 + Sept 3, 2007
Thanksgiving Day: Oct. 9, 2006 + Oct. 8, 2007
Remembrance Day (Alberta): Nov. 11


in the United States:
New Years Day: Jan 01
Easter Sunday: April 16, 2006 + April 8, 2007
Memorial Day: May 29, 2006 + May 28, 2007
Independence Day: July 04
Labor Day: Sep 4, 2006+ Sept 3, 2007
Columbus Day: Oct. 9, 2006 + Oct. 8, 2007
Thanksgiving Day: Nov 23, 2006 + Nov 22, 2007

ELECTRICITY
International travelers may need to purchase an adapter to plug their hairdryers and other electronic appliances into American / Canadian outlets. The voltage in the U.S. and Canada is 110.

TRAVEL TO CANADA
International Visitors - Persons admitted to the United States as permanent residents may travel to Canada without visas if they are in possession of their alien registration ("green") cards. International visitors who wish to visit Canada, however, may or may not need a visa. While the Canadian government requires visitors from many countries to produce visas, it exempts numerous others. For updated information and answers to detailed questions involving travel to Canada, potential visitors should consult their countries' embassies, consulates or visa offices. In addition, any individual required to obtain a visa must have a valid passport and evidence of sufficient funds for their visit, among other requirements. Foreign travelers on group tours can obtain a Collective Certificate issued in the United States that is valid for a determinate period of time for all persons in the group requiring visas for travel to Canada. International visitors to Canada returning to the United States are subject to the same customs requirements that allowed them initial entry.

FIRST TIME VISITORS - DRIVING GUIDE
Below are some driving tips for first time visitors to U.S.A.
- Always stay on the RIGHT of the road.
- Safety belts are required for all front passengers, regardless of age. Children 5 years of age and younger MUST be secured in child restraint devices. Children 3 years of age and younger MUST be placed in infant carriers or child car seats. Children aged 4 and 5 MUST be in a safety seat or wear a seat belt in the rear seat of the car.
- Turn on you headlights at dusk, in fog, or in rain (this is a legal requirement). Be especially careful while driving during or after rainfall. Slippery road conditions could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- NO drinking and driving. Always have a designated driver who will remain alcohol free.
- On approaching a “STOP” sign, your vehicle must come to a complete halt before proceeding. At 4-way STOP signs, the vehicle that arrived at the cross-section first has the right of way first, then the next vehicle and so on.
- STOP! For a stopped school bus. All vehicles are required to stop, whether approaching, turning or following a School Bus when the red lights are flashing and STOP signal is displayed. NEVER overtake a stationary school bus with flashing red lights. Cars travelling towards a school bus are not required to stop if the roadway is separated by an unpaved space of at least 5 ft. or there is a physical barrier.
- You must carry your driver’s license at all times (this is a legal requirement). You must also carry your car rental and proof of insurance documents with you at all times.
- If you are stopped by a police officer (who will always be in a marked vehicle), remain in your vehicle and the officer will approach you and advise you of the problem.
- Undertaking It's not illegal in the USA to overtake on the 'inside'. That's the right hand side... With all the other distractions, it can be bloomin scary. As you get to the busier areas, you get lots of locals literally zooming by on all sides! Changing lanes in front and behind in a seemingly random ballet. Making a decision to stick to the lane one from the right (a theoretical slow lane) doesn't work as the width of the freeway changes form 3 - 4 - 5 lanes at various points. At exits, sometimes two lanes exit, sometimes only one. Sticking to the left and keeping your foot down will only end up with you going too fast... You have to be on-top of what you are doing.
- Turning Right at a Traffic Signal. You may turn right 'against' the Traffic Light, but only if the coast is clear. You must come to a complete stop first... Cars in front of you may go through the Red Light and turn right. This is normal and you should do the same. Don't get pressured by people behind you. Take it easy and make sure nothing is anywhere near you coming from the left before you move. Move away smoothly and purposefully.


The information are provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.