US citizens can enter Canada with proof of citizenship, including a valid passport book, passport card, or a NEXUS card. However, the requirements differ slightly depending on the mode of entry.
Whether planning a trip to Canada by car, plane, or on a cruise, read on to find what document you need to carry.
Related articles:
- Do You Need a Passport to Go to Tijuana?
- Do You Need a Passport to Go to Cancun?
- Do You Need A Passport For A Caribbean Cruise?
- Where Can You Travel Without a Passport?
Do You Need a Passport to Travel to Canada: All Cases Explained
US citizens don’t necessarily need a passport to go on a trip to Canada, but it all depends on how they enter the country—by land, air, or sea.
Below, we’ll explore all possible scenarios.
Traveling by plane
To fly into Canada, you need a valid passport book or NEXUS card—a REAL ID document, passport card, birth certificate, or driver’s license isn’t enough.
Note that most airlines strongly suggest carrying a passport book even if you have a NEXUS card. According to first-hand experiences cited across forums, some US citizens have had issues where an airline refused to let them board a plane with only a NEXUS card.
| Pro tip: Bring your driver’s license to rent a car or buy alcohol in the Great White North. Canada accepts US-issued photo IDs for these purposes, which will be less of a hassle to carry than your passport. |
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Going to Canada by car
You don’t need a passport to travel to Canada by car, but it’s an accepted form of identity. However, there are other documents you can use to pass through the Canadian borders by land.
What do you need to cross the border into Canada by car:
- US passport book
- US passport card
- Enhanced driver’s license
- Enhanced tribal card or
- NEXUS card (works at eight border crossings)
You can’t drive to Canada with just a driver’s license. An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) must be issued in compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). EDLs are available in:
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Vermont
- Washington
Related reading:
- What’s the Difference Between a Passport Book and a Card?
- What’s a NEXUS Card [Benefits, Application, Use & More]
Entering Canada on a cruise
There are two types of cruises to be considered:
- Closed-loop cruise: It begins and ends at the same US port. For example, if you go on a cruise from Seattle to Seattle with a stop in Alaska.Accepted identity documents:
- Enhanced driver’s license
- Government-issued birth certificate + a photo ID
- Passport book
- Passport card
- Original, notarized or certified copy of a birth certificate (for minors under 16)
- Open-loop cruise: It starts and ends at different ports. For example, a cruise from Seattle to Vancouver that doesn’t return to its starting port. You will need a valid US passport book to enter Canada.
| Pro tip: Always check with a cruise line whether they require passengers to have a passport. |
Can you disembark a cruise in a Canadian city?
You don’t need a passport to leave and re-enter the US on a closed-look cruise. But you may naturally want to visit a Canadian city you’re stopping at. So—
Will you need a passport to get off the vessel for a few hours?
It depends. Cruise liners must submit passenger details to the Canada Border Services Agency and randomly select a pool of passengers that will be screened upon docking at a Canadian port.
So, unless you’re chosen for inspection, you won’t need to show any identity documents when disembarking in Canada for a few hours. In other cases, a passport book may be beneficial.
| Pro tip: Some cruises offer excursions when stopping in Canada, and you may need a passport to participate. For example, a US passport is necessary for a White Pass Railway excursion into the Yukon. |
Canada Entry Requirements for Children
Your child doesn’t need a passport to go to Canada if they’re under 16—they can enter the country with an original, notarized, or certified copy of a birth certificate.
Older children must follow the same entry rules as adults, so they’ll need a valid passport book or card or NEXUS card.
Permanent US Residents: What Do You Need to Go to Canada?
Lawful US residents can enter Canada if they carry the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Valid permanent resident card (green card, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization)
Do You Need a Passport for a Day Trip to Canada?
Let’s consider a scenario where you want to go on a very short trip to Canada, for example, to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.
Do you need a passport to go to Canada for the day?
Yes, even for a short visit, the same entry rules apply. To find out which document is necessary, refer to the relevant section of this article discussing different modes of entry.
FAQ
Is it possible to fly to Canada without a passport?
Do you need a passport for Toronto, Canada?
Do you need a passport to travel within Canada?
If you plan to rent a car or drive in Canada, you’ll need a driver’s license.
Do you need a passport for an Alaskan cruise that stops in Canada?
Sources
- https://www.dhs.gov/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative
- https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html
- https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/frequently-asked-questions/border-crossing-passport/americans-need-passport/
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html
Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.
