Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 27
Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
Hi all,
We are planning to land in Canada around July. Flying from US to Fredericton, NB.
There are no direct flights, so we need to either buy a ticket that stops in Toronto or Montreal. I believe that the PR landing is done at the first port of entry.
From previous landing experiences, is it usually considered easier/problem-free to land/customs in Toronto or in Montreal?
Also, I understand the stop needs to be long enough to finish landing processes and make sure we are not late for the second flight to Fredericton.
When buying a ticket, how long of a wait should we choose between the flights?
Thx in advance for sharing your insights
We are planning to land in Canada around July. Flying from US to Fredericton, NB.
There are no direct flights, so we need to either buy a ticket that stops in Toronto or Montreal. I believe that the PR landing is done at the first port of entry.
From previous landing experiences, is it usually considered easier/problem-free to land/customs in Toronto or in Montreal?
Also, I understand the stop needs to be long enough to finish landing processes and make sure we are not late for the second flight to Fredericton.
When buying a ticket, how long of a wait should we choose between the flights?
Thx in advance for sharing your insights
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
Hi all,
We are planning to land in Canada around July. Flying from US to Fredericton, NB.
There are no direct flights, so we need to either buy a ticket that stops in Toronto or Montreal. I believe that the PR landing is done at the first port of entry.
From previous landing experiences, is it usually considered easier/problem-free to land/customs in Toronto or in Montreal?
Also, I understand the stop needs to be long enough to finish landing processes and make sure we are not late for the second flight to Fredericton.
When buying a ticket, how long of a wait should we choose between the flights?
Thx in advance for sharing your insights
We are planning to land in Canada around July. Flying from US to Fredericton, NB.
There are no direct flights, so we need to either buy a ticket that stops in Toronto or Montreal. I believe that the PR landing is done at the first port of entry.
From previous landing experiences, is it usually considered easier/problem-free to land/customs in Toronto or in Montreal?
Also, I understand the stop needs to be long enough to finish landing processes and make sure we are not late for the second flight to Fredericton.
When buying a ticket, how long of a wait should we choose between the flights?
Thx in advance for sharing your insights
#3
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
If you land in Montreal they will probably expect to see clear evidence (such as airline ticket) of onward travel to New Brunswick.
All things equal, it would be better to land in Toronto.
All things equal, it would be better to land in Toronto.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 112
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
For us landing in Toronto, the immigration part was very quick (less then 10 minutes). But be aware that you have to collect your bags before your onward flight (think this is the same at all Canadian airports for international arrivals). Due to problems with the baggage handlers - our whole flights bags took over 2 hours to arrive! This is exceptional, of course. We then declared our goods to follow which took another 20 minutes or so.
Your bags should get tagged as priority so that they will arrive first. You may also have to change terminals so allow time for that.
Your bags should get tagged as priority so that they will arrive first. You may also have to change terminals so allow time for that.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 225
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
How good is your french? If it's really good, Montreal might be ok. If it isn't, I'd opt for Toronto. Toronto also avoids the issues of Quebec being different from the rest of Canada for immigration.
Don't they give you the option of flying via Halifax? At least if you flew via Halifax, you wouldn't be flying past NB just to fly back again. (that said, I don't know whether there are flights from Hali to Fredericton or not...I'm just assuming they are). Depending on how 'adventurous' you are, you might find it cheaper to fly to Halifax, land, and rent a car and drive to Fredericton (it's only about a 5 hr drive).
Don't they give you the option of flying via Halifax? At least if you flew via Halifax, you wouldn't be flying past NB just to fly back again. (that said, I don't know whether there are flights from Hali to Fredericton or not...I'm just assuming they are). Depending on how 'adventurous' you are, you might find it cheaper to fly to Halifax, land, and rent a car and drive to Fredericton (it's only about a 5 hr drive).
#6
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
You can fly direct non-stop from Halifax to Fredericton on Air Canada - it's £187 single in July or $232 if booked stating place of residence is Canada.
Flight from LHR to Halifax is £543 - or $656 + taxes if booked stating place of residence is Canada.
It all depends on the exchange rate
Total charge for 1 adult
Base Fare
656.08
Options 0.00
Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges 192.92
Converted Total - Canadian dollars - for information only $849.00
Grand Total - pounds Sterling £543.50 GBP
A flight from LHR - Fredericton via Halifax is also an option (through booking).
London, Heathrow (LHR) Halifax, Halifax Int'l (YHZ) Wed Jul-14 departs 10:05 arrives 12:45 9hr57 (non stop)
Halifax Int'l (YHZ) Fredericton (YFC) Wed Jul-14 departs 15:10 arrives 16:02 (non stop) 52m
Total charge for 1 adult
Base Fare
940.77
Options 0.00
Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges 248.14
Converted Total - Canadian dollars - for information only $1188.91
Grand Total - pounds Sterling £761.10 GBP
It appears cheaper to book them separately (by around £30)
Flight from LHR to Halifax is £543 - or $656 + taxes if booked stating place of residence is Canada.
It all depends on the exchange rate
Total charge for 1 adult
Base Fare
656.08
Options 0.00
Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges 192.92
Converted Total - Canadian dollars - for information only $849.00
Grand Total - pounds Sterling £543.50 GBP
A flight from LHR - Fredericton via Halifax is also an option (through booking).
London, Heathrow (LHR) Halifax, Halifax Int'l (YHZ) Wed Jul-14 departs 10:05 arrives 12:45 9hr57 (non stop)
Halifax Int'l (YHZ) Fredericton (YFC) Wed Jul-14 departs 15:10 arrives 16:02 (non stop) 52m
Total charge for 1 adult
Base Fare
940.77
Options 0.00
Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges 248.14
Converted Total - Canadian dollars - for information only $1188.91
Grand Total - pounds Sterling £761.10 GBP
It appears cheaper to book them separately (by around £30)
Last edited by Siouxie; Apr 24th 2010 at 2:58 pm.
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Sydney, Aus
Posts: 101
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
i landed in montreal with no problem when i had a canadian pr visa. i never had to show intention to leave quebec but did provide an ontario address for pr card etc. immigration at ontreal took forever, we had to wait in line for over 2 hours before seeing an officer to process our pr. i saw someone said that toronto immigration is quicker, so not sure if you want to take that into consideration. i think it should be fine, esp. if you book a ticket to elsewhere in canada and can produce this upon request
btw. the immigration officials etc and most ppl in downtown montreal are bilingual so i wouldnt worry about french when just staying a short period or having a layover in montreal
btw. the immigration officials etc and most ppl in downtown montreal are bilingual so i wouldnt worry about french when just staying a short period or having a layover in montreal
#8
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
Helpful as ever. But the OP is starting from an unspecified US location.
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 225
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
Oh Geez. I completely missed the "US" part too! Ok, ignore what I said, I was thinking you were coming from the UK.
#11
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
This always puzzles me. Is Quebec not part of Canada? I appreciate that Quebec, donning its Provincial hat, has its own system, but, with its Federal hat on, can it not process on behalf of the Feds?
#12
Re: Need landing advice (fly through Montreal or Toronto)
It can, and does - but the agreement between Canada and Quebec is that those who intend to settle in Quebec should have a CSQ.
So if you want to land in Quebec without a CSQ, better be prepared to show that you're not intending to stay in Quebec. For simplicity, better to avoid landing in Quebec completely.