X-mas gift: taking my bro-in-law to his first NHL game

[Eddie Bronze]

I purchased two tickets today to the Montreal Canadiens at the Boston Bruins on December 23rd. My brother-in-law is an enormous Habs fan, but has never been to see them play live.

The reason I'm posting on here about this is to get some help involving the rest of the trip. We would be departing from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia and I looked on the enterprise site about renting a car, but it says vehicles are not allowed in the USA. So what other options would we have to drive down? Do all car rental outfits hold that policy?

Also looking to book a hotel for the night of the 23rd as we'd be driving down that morning and only needing to stay for one night. Must be back for Christmas or we'd both be dead men! Hoping to find something close to the arena if possible.

If anyone on here can give me some advice on this trip, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

[RedHot25]

I don't think that all car rental companies restrict their vehicles from travelling to the US....have you phoned around? There has got to be some way to do it, because I would imagine millions of people drive a rental between the 2 countries.

[ken0042]

Yes, look around. Some places allow it; others don't. I know for example when we rented a car in Vancouver it specified BC, Alberta, and Washington only.

I'd hit up somewhere like Travelocity.ca and see what they say; you can compare several company's terms at once.

[kipperfan]

I believe Hertz allows you to take the vehicle into the US.

[Crazy Flamer]

How far is the drive? Why not fly?

[Devils'Advocate]

Avis has an outlet in Bridgewater *AND* allow cross-border travel.

Were you planning on taking the ferry? It will cut a *LOT* of time off the drive, but it's expensive. $50/person + $100/car.

I'd recommend getting a hotel outside of town. Driving around beantown is HELL ON EARTH and the hotels downtown are incredibly expensive. But the subway is wonderful and there is a stop right outside Fleet.

[Eddie Bronze]

Thanks for all the tips so far guys, I'm not well versed in cross border travel. Only been to the US a couple of times.

I thought about the ferry but from my understanding, if I rent a good economical type of car I can get there on two tanks of gas and it's about 5 hours driving, not bad at all.

The reason I didn't think flying was good was because of how cheap it would be to drive and also, it's on Dec. 23. Could be tough to get a flight at that time this late in the year, and even if we could, flying at Christmas time is a pain.

Don't we have a member here on CP who is from the Boston area? Ryan Lambert? He should know of a good place to stay I would think.

[Dion]

Booking would be tough and not mention expensive as you'd be traveling during peak holiday time. IIRC the 23rd wa the prefered travel day for Christmas travel. There won't be any bargain airfares st that time.

[STeeLy]

the 23rd is indeed within high season for the airlines... I tried to book a flight out of Ottawa back to Calgary, It will cost me over $490... and then all the airport fees and tax would come out to WAAAAAAAY more than $500... It was cheaper for me to wake up at 7:00, take the train to T.O and fly out from there... I saved about 30 - 40 dollars, and I get a little more time to sleep because of the 4 hour train ride...

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

I thought about the ferry but from my understanding, if I rent a good economical type of car I can get there on two tanks of gas and it's about 5 hours driving, not bad at all.

I think you've serious underestimated the time. Try mapquesting Bridgewater to Boston. My rough guess would be 10 hours. But nevermind the ferry suggestion... it doesn't run in winter.

[Flames89]

I just got back from a weekend in Boston, rented a van from Enterprise here in London, ON.

Just phone them. Rented Avis from TO to NY last year, it was a great deal - like $99 for the weekend.

[icarus]

Fart... I have driven rented cars into the US twice. I've never even heard of there being such a restriction.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

expedia.ca has flights Halifax to Boston leaving on the 23rd, back on the 24th, plus hotel (I went with the cheapest one there, I have no idea where'd be good in Boston or how close/far). $745.08 or $372.24 per person.

Hope that helps

[TimSJ]

are you sure about 5 hours driving from Bridgewater to Boston?? It is about 6 hours from here in Saint John to Boston and i drive quite quickly. I would reccomend staying in Portsmouth, NH only about an 1 hour to the rink from porthsmouth and the tax free liquor store is right there. Cheapest booze aorund. 60 oz of run for liek $11.... There are about 3 hotels right off the highway jsut after you go over the bridge. I would also reccomeend taking the ferry saves a ton of time from NS.

[Eddie Bronze]

I was wrong about the driving time, no doubt. I have no idea why I typed that, because I know it takes more than that just to get from Bridgewater to the American border.

It didn't end up mattering anyway, because there's nothing available to be rented at any of the close locations to Bridgewater.

I ended up getting two tickets to the game in the lower bowl, two return airline tickets and a hotel for one night for a grand total of $877. Obviously we'll end up spending more on food and cabs and whatnot, but that's still a killer deal. Pretty good when you consider I just spent twice that on a trip to Tampa Bay and that was for one person.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to repond to my questions, etc.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

glad to hear it. A shame WestJet doesn't fly Halifax to Boston, you could have booked through Sample00

did you end up going through expedia or travelocity?

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

glad to hear it. A shame WestJet doesn't fly Halifax to Boston, you could have booked through Sample00

did you end up going through expedia or travelocity?

Travelocity.