Do your homework before a trip to Canada
Canada is set to open its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers next month, but travelers will notice a few differences compared with pre-pandemic trips.
From coronavirus testing and vaccination requirements to lodging prices, things have changed up north since nonessential border travel between the two countries was shut down in March 2020. Since then, only essential trade and travel have been permitted.
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents will be permitted to enter Canada for nonessential travel starting Aug. 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, even as the United States continues to enforce strict travel restrictions at its land borders.
Canada requirements
American travelers wanting to visit Canada by land, air or water must complete a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before entry.
The government of Canada accepts the Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines.
Cruises are not permitted to enter Canadian waters, but the country’s ban on cruise ships with more than 100 passengers is set to end Nov. 1.
Everyone needs negative test
All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will need to show proof of a coronavirus molecular test to enter. Fully vaccinated travelers will not need to take a post-arrival test unless they are randomly selected to do so.
Bring vaccine card
Travelers must show proof of vaccination in either English, French or a certified translation.
Airlines will verify passengers’ vaccination status through the ArriveCAN app or website before passengers board their flights. Those driving across the border must use ArriveCAN before departing. Information must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival.
Travelers are advised to carry their vaccine documentation to show officials at border entry points and should keep their test results and a list of close contacts and locations visited on hand.
Check for symptoms
Fully vaccinated travelers won’t need to quarantine upon arrival, but visitors with COVID-19 symptoms will need to self-isolate. All visitors must provide a quarantine plan.
Children can enter Canada
Children under the age of 12 and unvaccinated dependent children will be allowed to enter the country with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, tutor or guardian who is eligible to enter Canada.
People with health conditions that prevent them from becoming fully vaccinated can qualify for eased quarantine and testing requirements but must follow a modified quarantine.
More details will be announced in the coming days, according to the Canadian government.
You may run into restrictions
Travelers will be required to follow public health measures, including monitoring for signs of COVID-19 and keeping a copy of vaccine documentation and test results 14 days after entry.
Canada’s government suggests mask wearing in shared spaces, and certain provinces – including Quebec and Ontario – enforce mask mandates.
Travelers entering by air will need to wear a mask in Canadian airports and on flights to and from the country, regardless of vaccination status.
Some provinces impose other restrictions. Newfoundland and Labrador require a travel form to enter. Ontario has capacity limits on organized public events, retail spaces, museums, casinos, theaters and more.
The country’s national parks are open and welcome visitors, but access to facilities and services may be limited.
Airlines add flights to Canada
Airlines are adding flights to Canada to accommodate the anticipated uptick in air travel demand.
Air Canada announced a summer trans-border schedule with up to 220 daily flights between the USA and Canada as of Aug. 9. The initial schedule will include 55 routes and 34 U.S. destinations, and the airline plans to restore service to all 57 U.S. destinations previously served “as conditions allow,” according to the airline.
United, which flies to Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, said Monday it would add flights to Toronto and Vancouver in September.
American Airlines services four airports in Canada – Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver – and is set to resume operations in Halifax, Quebec and Ottawa in the spring of 2022, according to a statement in June.
Pricing from flight search tool Skyscanner showed airfares for August trips from the USA to Canada start at $251 for Vancouver, $266 for Toronto and $300 for Calgary.
Effective Aug. 9, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at nine Canadian airports:
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Calgary International Airport Vancouver International Airport Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Edmonton International Airport
Canada hotel rates low but rising
In May, the average daily room rate – or ADR – across Canada’s hotels was $113.40 in Canadian dollars (U.S. $90.27), down 32% compared with 2019, according to hotel analytics company STR.
Hotel room prices should rebound when border restrictions ease; STR expects ADR to hit $116.22 by September, according to a statement in June. The firm expects smaller cities and resorts to lead the recovery.
“International demand plays an incredibly important role in the recovery process, and we expect a jump in hotel leisure and corporate demand once the U.S./Canada land border reopens,” the news release read.
Canadians are vaccinated
Canada’s vaccine rollout had a slower start, but the country has surpassed U.S. vaccination rates.
Nearly 70% of the Canadian population was at least partially vaccinated and nearly 44% fully vaccinated as of July 10. In the USA, 56% of the population was partially vaccinated and 49% was fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.
US extends border closure
The United States extended border restrictions on nonessential travel, keeping its borders with Canada and Mexico closed through at least Aug. 21. The restrictions to entry affect land and ferry travel.
The move is meant to help the country decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the highly contagious delta variant.
International travelers who plan to return to the USA by air will need to get tested no more than three days before travel and show a negative test result or documentation of recovery to the airline before boarding, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.