We are driving from Chicago to Niagara Falls and do not have passports

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prizynstile

The above answerers are correst about the passports. As a family of 6 you shouldn't have any problems getting through the border at all. The rainbow bridge is usually pretty busy at night when the kids from NY cross over and always on weekends.

TCM

Not until Jan 2008 for travel by land.

fab101jh

I went last year while staying in Buffalo and I did not need a passport.

Traffic wasn't too bad; nothing to really complain about at least.

kent_shakespear

Land crossings do not yet require passports. you are correct.

Crossing the border can take time at peak hours (beginnings/ends of weekends, in particular), so I personally try to cross at an off-hour on an off-day. If you cross from Michigan: I've never crossed via Detriot, but I've done Sarnia-Port Huron a number of times with only moderate-to-light delays. If you cross from New York: the Buffalo-Fort Erie crossing can be quite busy; the three northern ones (two at Niagara Falls, one at Lewiston/Queenston) are usually better.

I prefer to stay on the Canadian side; that's where most things of interest are. The NY side has a few, and most are walking distance for a healthy adult (there is a bridge toll, even for pedestrians, however).

9-10 hours is probably more accurate. For about an hour on either (CA or US) side of your route to NF, you are in relatively thickly settled regions (maybe not Chicago levels, but still), so I'd avoid arriving around rush hour as well.

It's worth the trip, BTW. Have fun!

Rockin' Mel S

You are correct about not needing a passport - ignore people who tell you otherwise.

Sometime traffic can be bad at the border crossings but most times it moves quickly. If you can log in on the road, check this site out and pick the border crossing that is moving the best.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

Enjoy your stay.

pmls1974

You do not need a passport yet to cross into Canada. I just crossed 2 weeks ago, and asked the border agents. The agent told me that traveling by vehicle you do not need a passport. This will not be implemented until 2008 at the earliest.

torskie

You need a passport to travel to Canada these days.

Even when you used your driver's license in the last few months, they slowed you down immensely for the inconvenience.

It is a nice trip tho. Niagra on the Falls is a neat light wine country and a wonderful place to stay and visit.

Take a side track to Toronto and see a wonderful city there too. A great Chinatown area and historic Canadian buildings.

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We are driving from Chicago to Niagara Falls and do not have passports - is that OK? Is traffic bad near NF?