Alberta Essential Travel Information
Here is some information that will help you understand what to expect when you come to Alberta.
For more information, call an Alberta Travel Specialist, toll free 1-800-ALBERTA
(252-3782). They can help you plan your getaway or extended vacation.
Call for current road reports, ski conditions plus details on accommodations, campground facilities, attractions and events. You can even purchase advance tickets for selected attractions, adventure holidays and some accommodations. Not only will you find convenient one stop shopping, but you will also find substantial savings!
Access by Air
Alberta provides two International Airports in Edmonton and Calgary, which are served by many major international airlines (Air Canada, Westjet, others). In addition, there are smaller regional airports located throughout the province including Banff, Drayton Valley Industrial, Edson, Jasper-Hinton, Medicine Hat, and Rocky Mountain House.
Renting a Car
All the major car rental companies have a strong network of outlets in Alberta. To rent a car you need to be 21 years old, hold a valid driver's license and a major credit card, preferably Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners Club. Note a small surcharge may apply to drivers under 25 years of age.
Motorcoach
Motorcoach service is available throughout the province by Greyhound Bus Lines (403) 265-9111 or 1-800-661-8747 (Cdn) and Red Arrow (403) 424-3339.
Train
Alberta is provided with scheduled transcontinental railway passenger service by VIA Rail Canada three times weekly. Stops are scheduled in Edmonton and Jasper. In Canada,call 1-800-561-8630 (Cdn). In the United States VIA Rail can be booked at 1-800-561-3949 (US) or through your local travel agent.
Customs and Immigration
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport.
Each visitor may import, duty free, a maximum of 40 ounces (1.1 litres) of liquor, or 24 12-oz cans of beer or ale into Canada as personal luggage. Up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and 400 grams of tobacco and 400 tobacco sticks may be allowed entry duty free. To import tobacco products, a person must be 18 years of age or over.
Visitors may bring sporting equipment and personal goods for their own use, duty free, by declaring them at entry.
Ports of Entry
Visitors traveling from the United States into Alberta or vice versa can use any of the following six ports of entry:
Aden, Alberta/Whitlash, Montana;
9:00 - 17:00 7 days a week
Carway, Alberta/Peigan, Montana;
Open all year; daily, 700 hrs - 2300 hrs
Del Bonita, Alberta/Del Bonita, Montana;
June 1 - Sept 15, 800 hrs - 2100 hrs
Sept 16 - May 31, 900 hrs - 1800 hrs
Wild Horse, Alberta/Wild Horse, Montana;
8:00 to 21:00 - May 15 to Sept. 30
8:00 to 17:00 - Oct.1 to May 14
7 days a week all year long
Coutts, Alberta/Sweetgrass, Montana;
Open all year, daily 24 hour service
Chief Mountain, Alberta/Chief Mountain, Montana.
7:00 to 22:00 - June 1st to August 30th;
9:00 to 18:00 - Sept 1st to Sept 30th;
October 1st to May 31st. - the gate is closed, the next nearest crossing is Caraway
For further information on border crossing please contact:
Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
Southern Alberta District
Box 220
Coutts, Alberta TOK ONO
Ph (403) 344-3766
or
Chief Mtn. Port (403) 653-3535 (Canadian side), (406)732-5572 (USA side)
Carway Alberta Port of Entry Headquarters, crossing the border information Ph (403)653-3009
The link for more information:
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/menu-e.html
Language
Canada has two official languages: English and French. The dominant language in Alberta is English, but you will find communities where there is French, German, Ukrainian, etc. spoken.
Goods and Services Tax
Alberta is the only province that does not have a provincial sales tax on goods and services. However, there is a 4% Provincial Tourism Levy on accomodations.
All Provinces apply a Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 6% to most purchased goods and services, but rebates on some of the accommodation and non- consumable products can be claimed by non-residents of Canada. Some restrictions to GST rebates apply. For more information, please write to: Revenue Canada, Customs, Excise and Taxation, Visitor Rebate Program, Summerside Tax Centre, Summerside PEI, C1N 6C6 or call 1-800-668-4748 (Cdn), Outside Canada (902) 432-5608.
Banking and Currency
Travellers cheques and credit cards are accepted at most commercial establishments. Alberta banks cash and sell travellers cheques and exchange currency. Most banks are open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many are open on Saturday as well. Most cash machines accept one or more of the following networks: Interac, Cirrus or Plus.
Health Insurance
Before you come to Alberta, make sure your health insurance will cover your costs outside of your country, or purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. And then relax, our health care professionals will take good care of you in the event of illness or injury.
Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Alberta's fishing and hunting is world famous, but you must have a license! Catch limits are set in order to preserve fish populations. Alberta has a "catch and release" program whereby all anglers are encouraged to release any caught fish they do not intend to use.
Fishing
Licenses for fishing in our National Parks can be purchased at park information centres, administration, campgrounds, warden offices and some fishing shops. Fishing licenses outside National Parks can be purchased from Fish and Wildlife offices, hardware and convenience stores, and department stores.
Hunting Regulations and special licensing requirements vary depending on the type of hunting.
Alberta is truly one of the last natural places on earth, and we value our wildlife. You are invited to fish and hunt in Alberta, but remember that doing so without a license is a crime, and will definitely result in prosecution!
For complete information contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, 9945 - 108th St., Edmonton, AB T5K 2G6 or call (403) 427-3574. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Metric Measurements
Canada uses the metric system. Distance is measured by kilometres (km), speed signs are in kilometres per hour (km/h), gas is sold by the litre
4 1/2 litres = 1 Imperial gallon
3.8 litres = 1 U.S. gallon
Miles x 1.6 = kilometres
Kilometres x 0.6 = miles
Responsibility
Charming Inns of Canada, acting only as a coordinator for the programs listed herein, assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with the services or rates as listed and provided by the operators. While every effort is made to ensure the information contained in this website is correct, Charming Inns of Canada disclaims any liability in negligence or otherwise for any loss or damage which may occur as a result of reliance upon any of this material. All information is accurate at press time, but is subject to change without notice.