Montréal and Québec City have a stronger foreign flavor than other cities in Canada, and the first language of most residents is French. But pulling together information on getting there, crossing the border, exchanging money, and finding accommodations is almost as easy as finding information in your own country.
Destination Canada: Pre-Departure Checklist
If you're flying, you'll need a passport to enter Canada. If you're driving or arriving by bus, train, or boat, a passport is a good idea, too, and may be required by early 2008 .
If you're driving and are a member of AAA, bring your card -- it will be honored by CAA, the Canadian Automobile Association.
If you're flying, check with air transportation authorities about current rules for what you can bring in your carry-on bags. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, which oversees flights out of Canada, is at www.acsta.gc.ca. Rules about flights from the U.S. are overseen by the Transportation Security Administration, at www.tsa.gov.
Make sure you know the PIN (personal identification number) for your credit card in addition to your bank card. Most Canadian banks only accept PINs of four digits.
Confirm your daily ATM withdrawal limit.
To check in at an airport kiosk with an e-ticket, make sure you have the credit card you bought your ticket with or frequent-flier card.
If you purchased traveler's checks, record the check numbers and store them separately from the checks.
Bring any ID cards that could entitle you to discounts, such as AARP cards and student IDs.
Online Traveler's Toolbox
Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of handy online tools to bookmark and use.
Airplane Food (www.airlinemeals.net)
Airplane Seating (www.seatguru.com and www.airlinequality.com)
ATM Locator (Visa: www.visa.com and MasterCard: www.mastercard.com)
Foreign Languages for Travelers (www.travlang.com)
Hotel reviews (www.tripadvisor.com)
Maps (www.mapquest.com and http://maps.google.com)
Montréal tourism (www.tourisme-montreal.org)
Québec City tourism (www.capitaleculture.com)
Restaurants in Montréal (http://endlessbanquet.blogspot.com)
Subway Navigator (www.subwaynavigator.com)
Time and Date (www.timeanddate.com)
Travel Warnings (http://travel.state.gov, www.fco.gov.uk/travel, www.voyage.gc.ca, and www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice)
Universal Currency Converter (www.xe.com/ucc)
Weather (www.intellicast.com and www.weather.com)
