Travelling to Canada next week, any tips?

[ekrampitzjr]

Don't forget to say "Eh?" after every sentence. They'll think you're one of them.

 

[Roert42]

As a visitor you are allowed to bring into Canada 24 cans of beer or 1 bottle of wine or 1 bottle of spirits per person, and if you drink DO IT, you won't believe how expensive booze is here

I payed $70 Monopoly money for a case of Pabst blue ribbon when I was working around Toronto back in 2019.

 

[bilbo]

Beer, wine and spirits are also only sold in dedicated stores(that's all they sell)

This is how it always was growing up in MN. They had 3.2 in the gas stations but that doesn't count. ND was the same way except for not selling 3.2. I remember being shocked seeing beer for sale in the gas stations on my first trip into Wisconsin. Over the years most of the states I've traveled to do it that way and MN/ND seem to stand on their own.

It's nice to be able to get groceries and beer/wine in the same place, although I do miss the huge dedicated bottle shops in the Midwest. I like trying new beers and there was such selection, even in sparsely populated areas, that I could always find something new to try. That's not really the case here, just ten thousand different brands of corn lager from huge breweries. I have seen many new brands from Central/South America and the Caribbean but they're usually available in cases only. I don't want to end up with 23.9 cans of terrible beer and besides, corn lagers all taste very similar.

 

[RobbieD]

I payed $70 Monopoly money for a case of Pabst blue ribbon when I was working around Toronto back in 2019.

Yes, no "runnin' the border" with weed, in either direction

If the Monopoly money bribe doesn't work, then you whip out your "Get Out of Jail Free" card.

No problem, Eh?

 

[Curious Hound]

I used to travel all over the world just by showing my military ID card. Can't believe they took that away when I got out of the Navy.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I hear it's the best place to stock up on moose and beaver grease. RonD states it's as close to a miracle lube as you will ever find.

It is an animal product though... consult with customs before returning to the US.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

You should visit Regina.
AJ

Nobody visits Regina.

One must Experience Regina.

 

[Shran]

Regina is a long drive from our destination... is there a reason to experience it other than the obvious giggles from words ending in -gina?

What's up with the alcohol costs? I have heard others complain about that. $70 for a case of PBR would be just cause for a riot here.

 

[RonD]

All in there is about a 65% tax on alcohol, 50% of retail price then 15% sales taxes when you buy it

Fuel, gas/diesel, is also heavily taxed, currently you will pay equivalent of $4.50us per gallon in Alberta, so $1.65can per liter
In BC its currently $1.90can per liter, there is more tax added in BC

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Regina is a long drive from our destination... is there a reason to experience it

Of course. Take selfies with @1990RangerinSK

 

[Shran]

All in there is about a 65% tax on alcohol, 50% of retail price then 15% sales taxes when you buy it

Fuel, gas/diesel, is also heavily taxed, currently you will pay equivalent of $4.50us per gallon in Alberta, so $1.65can per liter
In BC its currently $1.90can per liter, there is more tax added in BC

Good thing we're taking the Prius...

We thought about taking the Explorer but at 13-14mpg it would put a big dent in our travel budget.

 

[CrabGuy]

Many years ago in the early 70's my wife and I took a road trip through western Canada. We had picked up a hitchhiker going to Alaska to work the Summer salmon fishing boats. When we all tried crossing into Canada at Glacier National Park we had to state how long we would be staying and show how much cash we each had on us. My wife and I had enough to last the 6 days but the hitchhiker in the back of the van had a few travelers checks but had wired money to various locations to avoid carrying cash. They said he needed cash to get into the country. We had to turn around and drive east to the next border crossing. Same story, but this time as the border cop was walking around to the side door of the van we passed our cash to the passenger to show. We got in but I swear to God we were pulled over at least 4 times by mounties just driving to Vancouver. Beautiful country but too many weird rules at the time. We were amazed the only way to get a cold beer was to go to a government licensed bar but my wife couldn't sit at the bar; plus government stores sold only warm beer to take out. We also discovered you can't pitch a tent on grassy areas at campgrounds. I hope they have removed the corks from their behinds by now.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Many years ago in the early 70's my wife and I took a road trip through western Canada. We had picked up a hitchhiker going to Alaska to work the Summer salmon fishing boats. When we all tried crossing into Canada at Glacier National Park we had to state how long we would be staying and show how much cash we each had on us. My wife and I had enough to last the 6 days but the hitchhiker in the back of the van had a few travelers checks but had wired money to various locations to avoid carrying cash. They said he needed cash to get into the country. We had to turn around and drive east to the next border crossing. Same story, but this time as the border cop was walking around to the side door of the van we passed our cash to the passenger to show. We got in but I swear to God we were pulled over at least 4 times by mounties just driving to Vancouver. Beautiful country but too many weird rules at the time. We were amazed the only way to get a cold beer was to go to a government licensed bar but my wife couldn't sit at the bar; plus government stores sold only warm beer to take out. We also discovered you can't pitch a tent on grassy areas at campgrounds. I hope they have removed the corks from their behinds by now.

Your wife couldn't sit at the bar for what reason? And why no tents on grassy areas in campgrounds?

I'd hope with debit cards and ATMs so common today the cash requirement has been relaxed.

 

[RonD]

Western Canada was very English back in the day
Bars often had Men's entrance and areas, and ESCORTED Ladies entrance and areas, Women couldn't come in alone and could never sit at the bar, only at tables

And until 1986 there were no alcohol sales allowed on Sundays
In 1986 Vancouver hosted Expo '86 and changed the Sunday prohibition law and never brought it back
But until then there was a mass migration every Sunday across the border to bars in Washington State

 

[Saddle Tramp]

See if there is a place to Curl.
Avoid Molson Ice (bland tasting)
Try the Poutine
Don't sing Gordon Lightfoot songs while walking down the streets.
Trade the Prius in for a Suzuki Jimny