Trip advice - Canada

[Gonçalo]

Hello guys!

So it looks like the day is finally arriving, I finally convinced my parents to let me fly to Canada, from Portugal.

First things first, here's what you should know about me: I'm 16 years old, I'm a Portuguese citizen and I have a Portuguese passport. I know the basics of flying by myself, but I've never, ever, been on a transatlantic flight. The longest flight I've been was 2 hours to London, and the first time I flew alone was to Paris this summer, 1h45m flight - I didn't need to show any permission from my parents, visa or passport, just my Portuguese ID card and I was good to go.

To meet my SO, it will be a long day inside airplanes and airports, 18 hours with airport waiting and flight times included. My flight departs from Porto to Frankfurt am Main in Germany, then from Frankfurt am Main to Toronto Pearson and then from Toronto Pearson to Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

My first question is: how complicated will it be for me to take connection flights? With this I mean, I have no idea what I should do when I get to the airport where I will take my connection flight? Will I have enough time to get to the other flight? (I booked the tickets with www.skyscanner.com), will I have to go through check-in again?

My second question is: I just need an "universal" permission signed by my parents that states that I am allowed to fly from Porto to Toronto (with all the other required info) or I need one for each flight? I mean, one saying I'm allowed to fly from Porto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Toronto and Toronto to Montreal?

Third question: I am travelling alone as I've said, my parents are divorced and my biological father has been absent since I was 3, and I refuse to talk to him. In the website it says my mom's authorization is enough since she's my legal guardian. I'm afraid about the questions they might ask in the Canadian customs. What if they ask what I'm doing there? I'll reply I'm meeting my long distance relationship girlfriend? I heard I might have to pay taxes or bonds... I have no credit card... I'm a minor, what if that happens? Can I pay with money?

Fourth question: Will I still have to go through customs from Toronto to Montreal? By logic if I'm already in Canada it's because I meet the requirements to be there.

Sorry if my questions look stupid, I'm a teen who has never leave Europe... and I'm doing it for the first time on my own to a completely unknown country with a different language and culture.

I called the embassy of Canada in Portugal and they told me I have to take evidence that I have a stable life in Portugal and that I plan to return? How am I supposed to prove that? They told me bank statements would be good, once again, I'm a teen. Should I ask for it at my school? Probably they won't even know what I'm talking about, when I ask them for evidence.

Thanks, I'll add more if I have more questions!

[Marmalade]

Okay first off congratz . Second I can only advice on connection flights. They were really scary for me too and I was flying around the same amount of time as you. Depending on if your entire trip is with one airline you won't have to check in again. When you get to your first stop get off the plane and check the monitors to make sure your gate hasn't changed. Make your way to your gate and run if you have to. When you arrive in another country you'll typically have to go through customs and immigration. I had an hour and a half during mine and barely made it before they called my group. Just breath and ask questions if you're scared or lost. The airport is filled with employees and security personal that are there to answer questions and help you out

[Gonçalo]

Okay first off congratz . Second I can only advice on connection flights. They were really scary for me too and I was flying around the same amount of time as you. Depending on if your entire trip is with one airline you won't have to check in again. When you get to your first stop get off the plane and check the monitors to make sure your gate hasn't changed. Make your way to your gate and run if you have to. When you arrive in another country you'll typically have to go through customs and immigration. I had an hour and a half during mine and barely made it before they called my group. Just breath and ask questions if you're scared or lost. The airport is filled with employees and security personal that are there to answer questions and help you out

I'm flying with Lufthansa. I'm glad I didn't choose a combination between Air Canada + Lufthansa otherwise it looks like I would be in a lot of trouble. It was cheaper but it had a stop in a North American city, even though I don't need a visa to get entry in the US I would probably have to fill in some paperwork and it would only waste more of my precious time!

What you described it's my worst nightmare! Losing my flight! Alone in a foreign country with no credit card, I wouldn't be able to re-book the flight! My father once had to fly to Saudi Arabia but he had to get his connection flight in Frankfurt, he almost lost the flight just because the airport is colossal and it took him nearly 20 minutes to reach his gate!

Thank you for the reply!

[Marmalade]

Don't worry about it you'll be fine. And If you're running out of time airports can transport you from one end to the other, so just stop someone and ask them for help.

[Moon]

I don't know about the parental authorization stuff, it's not something I've ever had to worry about, but as for connections, follow your signs for Connecting Flights. It's not too hard, I promise, and the airport personnel will help you, especially in Canada. Just ask your flight attendant first, but not in the middle of meal service, take off, or landing. They're usually pretty sympathetic to young people flying alone. Then, if you still aren't sure, go to any info desk in the airport. If they can't help, they'l point you in the right direction of someone who can. Also, check out the airport maps online. If you kind of know the layout of the airports, it helps a lot.

You'll have to go through customs in your first stop in Canada, but shouldn't have to for your second, you'll be considered domestic then. Since you have no financial life at this point, it can't hurt to get a note from your mom that you will be returning on such-and-such a date. If you have any papers showing you're in school, they couldn't hurt. Have proof of your return flight. Students travel, lots of students are tourists, and a lot go to Toronto and Montreal, you may want to say you're a tourist visiting your friend. I don't mean lie necessarily, just avoid "girlfriend" if you can. Good luck, don't sweat the flights, you'll be absolutely fine.

[Gonçalo]

Don't worry about it you'll be fine. And If you're running out of time airports can transport you from one end to the other, so just stop someone and ask them for help.

I don't know about the parental authorization stuff, it's not something I've ever had to worry about, but as for connections, follow your signs for Connecting Flights. It's not too hard, I promise, and the airport personnel will help you, especially in Canada. Just ask your flight attendant first, but not in the middle of meal service, take off, or landing. They're usually pretty sympathetic to young people flying alone. Then, if you still aren't sure, go to any info desk in the airport. If they can't help, they'l point you in the right direction of someone who can. Also, check out the airport maps online. If you kind of know the layout of the airports, it helps a lot.

You'll have to go through customs in your first stop in Canada, but shouldn't have to for your second, you'll be considered domestic then. Since you have no financial life at this point, it can't hurt to get a note from your mom that you will be returning on such-and-such a date. If you have any papers showing you're in school, they couldn't hurt. Have proof of your return flight. Students travel, lots of students are tourists, and a lot go to Toronto and Montreal, you may want to say you're a tourist visiting your friend. I don't mean lie necessarily, just avoid "girlfriend" if you can. Good luck, don't sweat the flights, you'll be absolutely fine.

Thank you both for the answers. It kinda relieved me a bit to be honest.

I've always had a "phobia" to flights with stops simply because I'm always afraid that my flight will get cancelled, or delayed, making me lose the next connection flight and as a teen with no credit card I wouldn't be able to re-book another one for later (are they obligated just to get me a seat to my next destination if I'm a minor?).

I will talk with my school director in order to get him to write me an official letter stating that I'm studying in Portugal and I intend to come back to my home country after two weeks there.

I would be glad if someone else who knows the answer to the other questions could post here!

Thanks once again!

[Gonçalo]

Bumping.
Anyone else knows the answers to my other questions?

[silvermoonfairy3]

Tha
I've always had a "phobia" to flights with stops simply because I'm always afraid that my flight will get cancelled, or delayed, making me lose the next connection flight and as a teen with no credit card I wouldn't be able to re-book another one for later (are they obligated just to get me a seat to my next destination if I'm a minor?).

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for reasons not your fault, they re-book everyone, not just minors.

What if they ask what I'm doing there?

They almost certainly will, so just tell them the truth. That you're a tourist taking a 2-week vacation, staying with your friend/girlfriend and then returning to Portugal.

I heard I might have to pay taxes or bonds... I have no credit card... I'm a minor, what if that happens? Can I pay with money?

Taxes or bonds for what?

Will I still have to go through customs from Toronto to Montreal?

No.

Have a safe flight.