Can I fly from Toronto to Paris with no return?
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Jan 6, 2013 8:47 AM Last Post By: Scrubb
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Can I fly from Toronto to Paris with no return?
Hello:I am a Canadian taking a year off to travel abroad for pleasure not business. I purchased a one way ticket to paris with a layover in London and I am curious if I will be able to 1) board the plane and 2) remain in the country once landed? My plan is to travel around Europe and then fly to South America before returning back to Canada. I have been so busy organizig my affairs that I never stopped to think about this simple question.
Any suggestions? I have not yet purchased a flight to SA because I figured i'd do it closer to the time or at least when I know i'll be leaving Europe.
1
I feel the same way about Toronto.2
Schengen rules mean you can only stay in (most) countries in (western) Europe 90 out of every 180 days. UK is not part of Schengen and in theory Canadians can spend up to 6 months there as a tourist. If you get your story straight and have plenty of money in a bank statement you can show immigration you'll probably be fine. But buying an amendable ticket to S. America would probably make your life easier.3
If you cannot show an onward ticket to french customsthis will raise suspicious behavior PERIOD
purchase an onward ticket before you leave Canada.
Edited by: yofletch
4
I have never been asked to show tickets or money on entering UK or France. I have been to both pretty much every year for the last ten, and several trips prior to that. They do ask why you are there, how long and where you plan to stay.5
I've never been asked for onward tickets (or evidence of funds) anywhere in Europe. That doesn't mean it won't ever happen, but it does suggest that unless you're the object of suspicion for some other reason you'll probably be fine.If you're young, unattached, appear to belong to a disfavored racial or ethnic group, or have a strong tendency to sweat copiously while shifting nervously from foot to foot without making consistent eye contact you should probably purchase a refundable ticket onwards.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
6
I've had UK customs ask for my on-going ticket, but since you have one you should be fine.I flew into Paris on a Canadian passport 8 times in the past year (from Canada, from England, from Germany from Istanboul, and from Egypt), and came in from England on the Eurostar 3 times, and from Switzerland on another train once too. Not one French customs officer spoke a single word to me. They just opened my passport, stamped it without looking at any other stamps/pages, handed it back and waved me through.
