Washington/BC border wait times redux

[SonoranSongbird 3]

There was a link on Vancouver consulate's website for "border wait times" but it did not work. Does anyone have one? Maybe the BC or Washington DOT or border guard, I don't know. Hell, even a damn highway cam, like the one they have for Snoqualmie Pass, would be useful.

And if we must cross the border there to get my sweetie to/from the airport in Vancouver to my parents' house near Bellingham the week of US Thanksgiving, when are the best times to cross to avoid stupidly long line ups? He is thinking maybe if he flies in that Monday during the work day it won't be so bad.

If he takes the Airporter Shuttle instead of me driving up to get him, will that get to avoid the long lines?

Final question, what about taking the train? I know there is one, but how hard is it to get to the station from the airport?

This is actually kind of pissing me off because aside from getting to and from the airport, I have friends on the BC side of the border who I'd really like to see again. Personally, I hate shopping far too much to wait in line for 4 hours just to do the only thing I hate as much as waiting in traffic in a country that's cheaper. Ah well.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Eek, I sounded really whiny there. I did not mean to. I'm just a little frustrated because my fiance flew home the other day and I do not have a plane ticket in hand for our next visit yet.

Poo balls.

[trailmix 77]

Eek, I sounded really whiny there. I did not mean to. I'm just a little frustrated because my fiance flew home the other day and I do not have a plane ticket in hand for our next visit yet.

Poo balls.

There is a site here that seems to be updated regularly - plus they have cams:

http://www.borderlineups.com/

Hope this helps!

[raymaga 25]

If you and/or your fiance are planning on crossing the Canada/US border frequently, you could apply for a "Nexus" pass, which has it's own separate line just for pass-holders. There is very rarely more than a two or three car wait at the Nexus booth. The best Nexus line-up is at the Peace Arch border crossing. There are Nexus line-ups at the other border crossings, but you have to be nearly at the border before there's a separate line-up, so it's hardly worth it. I think they are going to be changing that in the future, though.

When I got mine a few years ago, I think it cost $85.00 and it's good for 5 years. Well worth the money. The border line-ups at Peace Arch can sometimes be hours long, especially now that the Canadian dollar is so strong.

[samaci 0]

www.drivebc.ca

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/border/

http://www.kirotv.com/traffic/5101582/detail.html

I use them all. Even the borderlineups.com one too.

[samaci 0]

www.drivebc.ca

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/border/

http://www.kirotv.com/traffic/5101582/detail.html

I use them all. Even the borderlineups.com one too.

If he's thinking of arriving here in Vanc, on the monday before your Thanksgiving, the border won't be that bad. (less than 1hr wait). Its typically super busy (heading south), fridays and saturdays, and now even sundays. I "predict", that week, that the border would be busy on the thursday (Thanksgiving), and of course the friday (Black Friday, and probably most that weekend). Canadians will be heading down for the shopping weekend, but before that I don't see it being long waits.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

I was wondering if Nexus might be a good idea. It's my parents who live in a border town, not us, but we almost always cross the border at least once a visit. That may change, though, since I don't think my parents renewed their passports.

It's actually freaky how empty the highway next to the Peace Arch is right now. It is only 9 am out there, but this is seriously doing my head in. It looks like we had "the rapture"!

[jonandmary 0]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

I was wondering if Nexus might be a good idea. It's my parents who live in a border town, not us, but we almost always cross the border at least once a visit. That may change, though, since I don't think my parents renewed their passports.

It's actually freaky how empty the highway next to the Peace Arch is right now. It is only 9 am out there, but this is seriously doing my head in. It looks like we had "the rapture"!

NEXUS is soooooooo worth it. I got hassled last time going up for Thanksgiving. The officer was wondering why I left at 3am, why I had a suit with me, what I'm all doing, etc - took 20 minutes to get in. Driving back home the wait time was 1 hour at Sarnia. I passed in 2 minutes. Pulled right up and didnt say more than 3 words to the officer and I was on my way

I have always watched this site - http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

I can't wait for our NEXUS card. We're approved, we're just waiting for our interview for it on Oct. 20th.

It's $50 US, or $80 Canadian if you are paying by money order. They process $80 Canadian if you use a credit card. We sent the paperwork for that on the same day we sent the Packet 3 to give you an idea of how long the processing takes. You can also use a NEXUS card in lieu of a passport at land crossings, even after they start forcing Canadians to have passports to cross.