Hello CD's,
My parents are now in the USA. They are going to apply for Visitor's visa on Oct. 6th at Buffalo in person. I donot think that they will get it and so if and when rejected, I propose to travel to Buffalo on Saturday and stay with them in a Hotel till monday mid morning and then put them on a flight from Buffalo to NC.
My questions are :
1. Any inexpensive place to stay?
2. What route should i take ? Niagra or Fort Erie? Which route does not have the Toll road?
3. How is the airport access etc...
4. Any experiences by CD's regarding the counsulate at Buffalo. Any special precautions to be taken? Will it be too crowded?

Any and all replies appriciated.

TK A

Sidenote : SS, I would appricate if you could enlighten me on my post. Since you travel to Buffalo Airport all the time, You have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Hi,
I visited Buffalo to get my passport stamped in Sept 2005.
After some research over the internet, I decided to stay in Youth Hostel. It was the cheapest and cleanest place at that point of time. I paid $22 per day. Family rooms are available here. It is at the centre place, Just two or so stops to Consulate.
A train infront of the youth hostel, directly takes us to the consulate area.

Regarding the consulate:
My experience with the consulate was pleasant. No additional questions were asked. I submitted my passport at ~9am. The office had just 20 applicants at 9am.
I got back my passports at 1:30 pm, duly stamped. There is an enquiry counter to answer the questions on the stamped passport.

Regarding travel:
I travelled in a Bus (Greyhound) to mississauga from Buffalo. I paid $16 for the ticket. It came via Fort Irie. I understand Niagara is very crowded and it takes hours to pass the location.

thanks,

Just a word on Buffalo airport.
Airport access is fine. But, the airport has only one big line (Q) for checking in. There will be huge crowd. I almost missed my evening flight to Atlanta even after arriving well in time. I had to request and get ahead in the line.

Here's the route I usually take -

QEW to Fort Erie, cross the customs - I-190S, exit 6 (Elm St), continue for around 2 kms, turn right onto Rte 33 - takes you right to the airport. At Buffalo airport, short-term parking (30 mins or under) is free. If you want to park for more than 30 mins. use the desi brains (yep, exit and re-enter).

There's no toll on the above route.

It's a small airport, depending on the time of the day, if there are too many flights leaving or if the US Govt. raises their Security Threat level to like Orange or Red, there may be big line-ups. Also note that every passenger has to now remove their footwear & put it thru the X-ray.

On a side note: Earlier this month when I was dropping my in-laws to Buffalo, we stopped at the Tim Hortons where TK stopped the last time. That was in the duty-free, it is meant for people exiting Canada and the only exit from there is to the Peace Bridge

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SS
Reiki Grand Master

Just an update on the happenings :
To remove the uncertainity at the last moment, My parents have decided to appear for Visitor's visa this monday at Washington DC along with the documents faxed by me. In case they get the visa, then they would fly to buffalo where i would pick them up for Toronto.
In the event (most probably) that hey donot gett the visa, they will spend the long weekend of Canada at Buffalo and i will go there to play the host.
My question to CD members is :
1. Any inexpensive place to stay ( YMCA is a good option but was wondering if there was a place cheaper than that)
2. Any good places to see around buffalo apart from the niagra?
3. Any good Indian/ Chinese Buffets in Buffalo?

All answers appriciated.

TK A

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

I don't think one can get motel cheaper than $22 per day. Motels are more expensive near the falls, so you may like to check motels in farther towns.

There is nothing special to see around Buffalo. There are few museums, aquariums, and parks. There is a Teddy Roosevelt memorial building where he took oath of American Presidency, you may like to visit it.

Taste of India on Sheridan Drive is a good Indian restaurant. On Niagara Falls there are many Indian Restaurants, but none of them are good.

Google for rest of the things

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A Proud Indian Canadian

CD members!
This is to inform of recent happenings. My parents have got their visitor's visa to Canada and will be flying to Buffalo this coming saturday !
I would like CD members to share the experience with border guards when bringing people by car through the fort Erie border. Is I-94 form applicable to Visitors and if so, what am i to ensure.
Also my brother's baby was born in USA and she has a birth certificate. Can she cross the border to Canada based on the birth certificate. My brother thinks that she needs a passport and has applied for one. However this will be arriving late. So if any one has encountered similar situations, Please share it.
I am leaving Toronto (9.00 am sat) to pick them up at Buffalo airport at 12:00 noon. If any body has similar plans may be we could travel together. OTOH, If some one needs a free (under no obligation) ride to the falls / Fort Erie, they can PM me to arrange a convenient place to meet to pick them up.
On my return, I would be having lunch at Tim (a chinese buffet for $4.99 lunch) at Fort Erie.
TK A

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.