DID YOU KNOW THE WINDSOR-DETROIT BORDER IS THE
BUSIEST INTERNATIONAL CROSSING IN NORTH AMERICA?
Typically more than 40,000 commuters, tourists and truck drivers carrying $323 million worth of goods cross the Windsor-Detroit border each day.
ENTERING CANADA
Effective October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada regardless of nationality will be removed. Individuals are reminded that they should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19. If travellers become sick while travelling, and are still sick when they arrive in Canada, they should inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival. They may then be referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment as COVID-19 remains one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act.
Please click here for the official government update.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Since January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request. On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.
These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.
Border Crossings
Toll (passenger vehicle): $9.25 CDN or $7 U.S.
For detailed information regarding toll rates, please visit www.ambassadorbridge.com
Crossing into Canada, the Ambassador Bridge is your most direct link to:
- Highway 3
- Highway 401
- E.C. Row Expressway
Crossing into the U.S., the Ambassador Bridge is a direct link to many major arteries/destinations, including:
- I-96
- I-94
- I-75 (easy access to Southbound I-75)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport
- Duty Free Shopping
Shopping “duty free” means no GST, no federal tax, no manufacturing tax, no excise tax and no provincial tax. It all adds up to huge savings for you!
Toll (passenger vehicle):
$6.75 CDN or $5 U.S. (Windsor to Detroit)/$5.50 U.S. (Detroit to Windsor)
$5.15 CDN or $3.95 (Windsor to Detroit)/$5.25 CDN or $4.25 USD (Detroit to Windsor) when using NEXPRESS®
Note: The Tunnel is fully cashless accepting NEXPRESS® Toll Cards, Debit and Credit Cards.
For detailed information regarding toll rates, please visit takethetunnel.com
Crossing into Canada, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is a direct link to:
- Downtown Windsor/Ouellette Avenue
- Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino
- Windsor International Airport
- VIA Rail
Crossing into the U.S., the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is a direct link to:
- Downtown Detroit
- The Lodge Freeway (M-10)
- I-75 (easy access to Northbound I-75)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport
- Duty Free Shopping
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is currently under construction and is scheduled to open to traffic by the end of 2024. The new bridge will provide a new crossing option in the Windsor-Detroit gateway – the busiest commercial land border crossing between Canada and the US – and will be a direct link from Highway ON 401 to Interstate I75.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be owned by the Government of Canada and the State of Michigan. With a clear span of 853 metres / 0.53 miles it has the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America, and the fifth longest in the world. It will have six-lanes: three Canadian-bound, three US-bound and a toll-free, dedicated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.
The outside panels of the tower crane climbing system provided perfect canvasses for painting murals, with four climbing systems in place – two on each side of the bridge. Artists – Paul White, Teresa Altiman and Daisy White from Walpole Island First Nation, Naomi Peters from Caldwell First Nation, and Roberto Villalobos from Southwest Detroit were engaged as a special initiative to contribute their talents to the Canadian & US construction sites. More information can be found at www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com.
Tunnel Bus Service
Windsor offers an international transit system, giving you the option at affordable and easy transfers to and from the City of Detroit daily.
Tunnel bus service and hours of operation and frequency of busses are limited and will not accommodate special events at this time.
The Tunnel Bus, operated by Transit Windsor, is an exclusive feature of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. It offers low cost transportation between downtown Windsor and Detroit – perfect for quick, easy trips in Windsor’s and Detroit’s core areas. Buses leave from the Windsor International Transit Terminal at 300 Chatham Street West.
The Monday to Saturday scheduled is 6am to 9:41pm. The Sunday schedule is 8am to 7:41pm. There will only be one bus operating this service.
Transit Windsor strongly encourages anyone attending a concert or sporting event across the border to find other transportation. Click here for the Tunnel Bus map and schedule.
Visit Transit Windsor or call 519-944-4111 or 311 for more details or to reserve your seat.
Tunnel Bus Fare: (Exact Fare Only)
- One way (including service to Cobo Center/Hall, Rosa Parks Transit Center, Campus Martius and Hart Plaza.) – $7..50 CDN/U.S. each way.
- One way special event service to Comerica Park, Ford Field and little Caesars Arena – $7.50 CDN/U.S. each way.
Boat Crossing
With dozens of marinas along our 100 mile coast line, we are a great destination for day and over night boating trips. Be prepared before you set sail! Due to COVID-19 restrictions, crossing the border for recreation or tourism is currently prohibited – please see below for further details.
The Canada Border Services Agency is reminding boaters that with the onset of warmer weather, boat and pleasure craft owners may be inclined to take their boats across the border on inland or coastal waterways, or to come to their cottages in Canada. These activities are considered discretionary (non-essential) travel according to temporary travel restrictions currently in place, and are, therefore, prohibited. Boaters are still permitted to navigate across international waters if needed, but are not allowed to enter Canadian territorial or boundary waters for discretionary, leisure (non-essential) reasons, including entry for touring, sightseeing and pleasure fishing.
Boaters who enter Canada without reporting to the CBSA (including for the purpose of re-fuelling) may face severe penalties, including monetary penalties, seizure of their vessels and/or criminal charges. The minimum fine for failing to report to the CBSA upon entry to Canada is $1,000. Furthermore, non-compliance by foreign nationals may affect their immigration admissibility and ability to re-enter Canada in the future.
In addition, failure to comply with the current border entry restrictions is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to 6 months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines. Further, a person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while wilfully or recklessly contravening this act or the regulations could be liable for a fine of up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to 3 years or both.
By Ferry (via Pelee Island, ON)
- Ferry service between Pelee Island, Ontario and Sandusky, Ohio runs from April 29th to September 5th, 2022. P
- For the complete sailing schedule & reservation from Pelee Island, ON to Sandusky, OH and Pelee Island, ON to Kingsville, ON or Leamington, ON, please click here.
Passport Information
A valid passport (or other supporting documentation) is needed to cross the border between Canada and the United States.
All persons, including U.S. citizens, travelling between the United States and Canada are required to present a valid passport, or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.Recent legislative changes have introduced new documentation (alternative to a passport) that are accepted at land or sea border crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. These include a Passport Card and/or an Enhanced Driver’s License, issued by the following states: Michigan, Washington state, Vermont and New York. For further information on all of these documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, please visit cbp.gov for more information.
If you have additional questions, please call 313-393-3793 ext 0 for U.S. Customs or call 519-257-6473 for Canadian Customs.
NEXUS Program
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travelers into Canada and the United States.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossings for members, while enhancing security.
To become a member in this program, you must:
- submit an application and go through a registration process;
- satisfy the eligibility criteria;
- be admissible in Canada and the United States; and
- pass risk assessments by both countries.
Cannabis and International Travel
In April 2017, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, to legalize, strictly regulate and restrict access to cannabis. On June 21, 2018, the Cannabis Act received Royal Assent. This marks an important step in the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis in Canada. For more information, visit Health Canada’s Cannabis page.
Entering Canada
Under the Cannabis Act, the legalization of cannabis in Canada does not change Canada’s border rules. Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada will remain illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.
This will be the case even if you are travelling from places that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis. Transporting cannabis used for medical purposes will also remain illegal.
Travellers entering Canada can contribute to a smooth border crossing by understanding and complying with their obligations at the Canadian border.
It is illegal to bring cannabis into Canada. If you do have cannabis or products containing cannabis with you when you enter Canada, you must declare them to the Canada Border Services Agency. If you do not declare cannabis products when you enter Canada, you can face enforcement action, including arrest and prosecution.
Taking cannabis across the border is and will remain illegal.
Leaving Canada
Under the Cannabis Act, the legalization of cannabis in Canada does not change Canada’s border rules. Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis across Canada’s international borders will remain illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.
This will be the case even if you are travelling to places that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis. Transporting cannabis used for medical purposes will also remain illegal.
Cannabis is illegal in most countries. Previous use of cannabis, or any other substance prohibited by local law, could result in a traveler being denied entry to their destination country.
Each country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements. Involvement in the legal cannabis industry in Canada could also result in your being denied entry.
Travelers are responsible for learning about the laws of the countries they intend to visit. See our Travel Advice and Advisories for information on your destination.
Travelers to the United States
Although the possession of cannabis is legal in some U.S. states, it remains illegal under U.S. federal laws in any form and quantity, making it illegal to bring across the Canada-U.S. border.
Previous use of cannabis, or any substance prohibited by U.S. federal laws, could mean that you are denied entry to the U.S. Involvement in the legal cannabis industry in Canada could also result in your being denied entry.
Even after cannabis is legalized in Canada, do not attempt to cross the Canada-U.S. border with any amount of cannabis in any form, even if you are travelling to a U.S. state that has legalized possession of cannabis. If you do so you can expect legal prosecution and fines, and possibly jail time.
Please click here for a 45 second video on “Cannabis and the Border”.
Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out.
If you are entering Canada from another country, remember: if you have cannabis with you in any form, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. Not declaring cannabis in your possession at the Canadian border could also lead to arrest and prosecution.
If you are leaving Canada, remember: you may not take cannabis out of the country either. You may be subject to criminal charges if you attempt to travel to other countries with any amount of cannabis in your possession.
