Travel Information

General Travel Info For British Columbia

Customs Information For US Visitors

U.S. Passports are not required at this time to enter Canada however the following requirements apply when re-entering the USA from Canada.

Travel by Air

Effective January 23, 2007 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State will require travelers entering the US by air, including returning US citizens, to carry a valid passport, NEXUS Air Card, Merchant Mariner Document (MMD), or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. Children under 16, and children 18 years and under traveling with parents do not require a passport.

Travel by Land or by Sea

Travelers entering the US by land or by sea DO NOT yet require a passport but must carry identification to establish their citizenship, such as a Birth Certificate and least one Gov't issued ID card with photo. These requirements are not expected to change prior to Jan 1, 2008.

Be sure to check the US State Department website for up to the minute information.

For other Visitors

Visitors from all other countries need a valid national passport and in some cases may also require a visa . All passport legislation also applies to children. When only one parent is traveling with the child(ren), the parent needs to carry written permission from the other parent. In the case of divorced parents who share custody, the parent traveling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should carry written permission from parents or guardians that they have permission to supervise the child(ren). Check with your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Personal Goods brought into Canada

All goods must be declared. Clothing and personal effects for use by the visitor are free of duty. A person aged 19 years or over is entitled to bring the following into Canada:

up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 200 grams (7 oz) of tobacco
1.14 litres (40 oz) of spirits, 1.5 litres (51 oz) of wine, or 8.5 litres (288 oz) of beer or ale

This does not apply to merchandise or articles intended for other persons or for sale

Pets

Dogs and cats from the US must have a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian in Canada or the US, certifying that the animal has a current rabies vaccination.

Firearms and Weapons

Handguns, fully automatic firearms and other weapons, as well as self-defense sprays such as mace and pepper spray are prohibited entry into Canada. For further information check Canada Firearms Centre.

Driving Regulations

A valid driver's license is required. Any out-of-province license can be used in BC for up to six months. Seat belts in vehicles are compulsory in British Columbia. Visitors should note that an infant car seat is required for children weighing up to 9 kg (20 pounds). For residents, an infant or child car seat is required for children weighing up to 18 kg (40 pounds). Motorcyclists and cyclists are required to wear helmets. In British Columbia you are allowed to turn right on a red light, traffic permitting, and after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise indicated.

Road conditions in British Columbia can be checked at www.drivebc.ca; check the weather in the area you're going to at www.bcnetwork.com/weather/ and the distances at www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/distances/calculator.asp

BC Ferries serves almost 50 ports of call on the BC Coast, Port Angeles WA to Victoria, Washington State ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, Clipper passenger ferry between Seattle and Victoria, and up the Coast to Alaska and Prince Rupert

Air Canada and Westjet are the two main airlines

Rail travel by Via Rail Canada or the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer

Bus Travel: BC Transit - local bus services; Greyhound; Pacific Coach Lines - from Vancouver to Victoria

Find BC maps at hellobc.com, the Official Tourism Site for British Columbia.

All you need to know to travel to Canada, from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Emergency Information

In emergency situations, call police, ambulance or fire department by dialing 911.

Time Zone

British Columbia is in the Pacific Standard Time zone, and observes North American Daylight Savings Time from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November.