transit through Canada/ US covid entry testing

Land border crossings from Canada to the United States do not require a negative covid test.

I've thought of flying out of Vancouver Canada instead of Seattle. In some cases, it's more cost effective. Not needing a covid test is an extra bonus.

"then rent a car and drive back to the US"

What's the cost of that cross-border drop off fee?
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And just a heads up, you could be subject to a random Covid test, on arrival in Toronto.

https://www.cp24.com/news/the-time-to-act-is-now-business-leaders-want-random-covid-testing-scrapped-at-pearson-amid-significant-delays-1.5899954

And just a reminder that you will have to download and complete the ArriveCan app and be able to supply the receipt and QR code before arriving in Canada.

And yes, they are still doing random testing on international arrivals at the major airports. This would not affect any onward travel, however.

At present, you are exempt from having negative test if crossing by land. But not sure why you would look at renting a car and driving across the border from YYZ to the US. Usually a car cannot be rented in Canada and dropped off in the US. Even ground transportation costs would far exceed the cost of a rapid test (C$20-40 pp) that is needed to enter the US.

Yes, no test at land border. Also none to enter Canada if you are fully vaccinated.

Cross border car rentals are expensive but possible. You are looking at hundreds per day, but if you just drive it one day it might be worth it. Price it now to make sure, costs and possibility depend on where you need to return the car.

I'm not familiar with Toronto at all, but here it is possible to take public transport from Vancouver to Seattle. If they have something similar there that might be a alternative to the rental car.

Toronto airport to Buffalo International Airport x border, direct from airport to airport around $320-350 US $.
I see that AA has a flight from Bologna, London Heathrow, and then direct to Toronto. Even though my ticketed flight is not until August I think that the test to return is not going away. Perhaps never.

Cross border shuttle companies.
Pick up at Toronto Pearson and cross border then direct to Buffalo International Airport. These appear to be long standing reputable companies.
https://www.buffaloairport.com/toronto
There are more. Prices are around 328 -350 US$.
I just got booster #2. Even though my latest change is now in August 4-15, I think it is likely the US for complicated political reasons will cling to the requirement.

I wanted to add one more thing about the mandatory ArriveCan. Part of the process is an attestation that you have not had Covid in the previous 10 days and are asymptomatic. This is an official Federal document. Lying (and getting caught) will net you a $5000 fine. If the CBSA agent has even the slightest hunch you might be lying, you can count on being sent to the testing centre. Just something to consider.

I appreciate all the helpful information, suggestions, and replies. Thanks!

I often fly out of Vancouver instead of Seattle, not for COVID reasons specifically. The flights are sometimes cheaper, parking is generally cheaper, my dog sitter lives in that direction anyway, and my Nexus card lets me skip the line in Canadian airports too. I will say it's been quite a relief as I plan my summer trip to not have to worry about the testing requirement being lifted. I've been to Canada a few times since the border reopened and ArriveCAN is pretty straightforward. If not a huge inconvenience, why not?

I have been looking at options for flying into Vancouver and crossing border to fly home from Seattle. But shuttle options are not as numerous as from toronto airport to Buffalo International.
I see that there is a train that appears to originate from Vancouver airport and crosses border, but I am familiar with the airport at all. If you are familiar with the crossing, please share.

This is the link for the shuttle bus between Vancouver and Seattle.

https://quickcoach.com/

The train is not currently running. They will sell you a train ticket, but when you arrive at the station, they will load you on a bus. It is another option, just be aware it will really be a bus.

Using the Bus link provided above - looks like you can catch the bus for Sea Tac at the Richmond-River Rock Casino - a short 10-minute taxi ride away from the YVR arrivals. On the day I picked in June looks to be 3 departures per day for Sea Tac.

I wanted to add one more thing about the mandatory ArriveCan. Part of the process is an attestation that you have not had Covid in the previous 10 days and are asymptomatic. This is an official Federal document. Lying (and getting caught) will net you a $5000 fine. If the CBSA agent has even the slightest hunch you might be lying, you can count on being sent to the testing centre. Just something to consider.

When we were in France, someone we met in our travels told us of a story of a person changing their flight to Canada when they tested positive in Europe. They did get random tested in Canada, but didn't stay for the results and were able to rent a car and drive into the US. I wonder if they are now on a list that will ban them from Canada forever.

Unless you live close to a large airport in Canada, it seems a bit extreme to avoid the US testing requirement.

Andrea: are the Nexus lanes open? We haven’t driven to Canada since the border reopened and I was wondering if the procedures had changed. Besides arrivecan, of course.