Getting Here

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Checkout some important info on Windsor Essex (and the province of Ontario) that you should know before travelling here.

Driving

Seat belt use is mandatory in Ontario. Distance is measured in kilometres – 1 kilometre is equal to .62 of a mile. The speed limit for most city driving is 50 km/hr (31 mph), while highway driving ranges from 80 km/hr to 100 km/hr (50-62 mph). Gasoline is sold by the litre (1 U.S. gallon is equal to 3.785 litres). To calculate the U.S. price per gallon, multiply the Canadian price per litre by 3.78. Police radar detectors are illegal in Ontario.

• 1 kilometre = 0.62 miles / 1 mile = 1.6 kilometres
• 50 kilometres = 31 miles / 50 miles = 80 kilometres
• 100 kilometres = 62.1 miles / 100 miles = 160 kilometres

Weather

We enjoy warm summers with temperatures climbing into the high 20s/low 30s Celsius (80s/low 90s Fahrenheit), and winters that are mild by many Canadian standards.

Local Information

For local news – along with weather, traffic, sports and more – tune to AM800 CKLW, The Information Station. For more breaking news, local issues and in-depth coverage, pick up a copy of the region’s newspaper, The Windsor Star or visit their website at windsorstar.com.

LGBTQ+

Countless experiences are awaiting you in the southernmost region of Canada! By working proactively with Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, Travel Gay Canada and our various industry partners, we are ensuring our region is destination ready for the LGBTQ+ market through various industry networking events, market-readiness assessments, diversity training and awareness programs, and innovative marketing and promotions. Learn more about our LGBTQ+ offerings here.

Currency

The official currency is the Canadian dollar. The U.S. dollar is widely accepted at par within the region. To get more for your dollar, we recommend that you exchange your US dollars to CDN dollars. This means more fun, more enjoyment, more of everything. Currency exchange is available at banks throughout the region. You’ll find cash machines/ATMs in most banks, hotels and shopping centres. Travelers cheques and credit cards are accepted at most (but not all) major retailers. Check today’s rate.

Language

English and French are the two official languages of Canada, with English being the primary language spoken by the majority of residents in our region. Signage, documentation and service at any government office is, by law, in both official languages, as are road signs. You will also find package labelling in both English and French.

Age of Majority

By law, you must be 19 years of age and possess valid picture I.D. to enter any drinking or gaming establishment or to purchase alcoholic beverages. You must be 19 years of age to purchase tobacco products.

Smoke-Free Initiative

The province-wide restriction includes all indoor and enclosed work and public places, including bars, restaurants, casinos, bingos, arenas, etc.

Tipping

If pleased with the service you receive, a 15-20% tip on the pre-tax bill is standard for dining, taxi rides, etc.

Taxes

The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is a 13% tax that is applied to most purchases of taxable supplies of goods and services in the Province of Ontario. The HST consists of a 5% federal portion and an 8% retail sales tax portion.

As of October 1, 2018, hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, as well as other short-term accommodations in the City of Windsor purchased through companies like Airbnb and VRBO will begin collecting a 4% tax on behalf of the municipality. Click here for more details.

Official Holidays

Banks, liquor stores and government offices observe these holidays, as do most stores and business offices. Holidays that occur on weekends are observed the following Monday. Click here for a full upcoming holiday schedule.

BY PLANE, TRAIN OR BUS, IT’S EASY TO FIND YOUR WAY TO WINDSOR ESSEX!

TRAIN

VIA Rail Canada Windsor’s train station operates out of the historic Hiram Walker Distillery District district and is just a short cab or bus ride from the city centre. There are four daily departures and return trips along the Windsor-Toronto corridor with VIA Rail. For more details or to book tickets now click viarail.ca.

AIR

Windsor International Airport Your Quick Gateway (YQG), is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Windsor.

The airport offers frequent service to and from Toronto with easy connection with Porter Airlines and Air Canada Jazz, in addition to seasonal trail with Flair Airlines and WestJet. Upon arrival, transportation to and from the airport is easy with major rental car, taxi and public transit just steps from the luggage terminal.

For more details visit yqg.ca.

DRIVING

DRIVING? Windsor is only a four hour drive from Toronto down the 401 and easily accessible from Michigan through our two international border crossings

BUS

FlixBus offers a cross-border bus route running from Toronto Union Station to the Detroit Bus Station with a stop in Windsor at 181 Goyeau Street. You can reach Windsor through FlixBus routes from 8 cities. For more details visit flixbus.ca

MegaBus provides two daily trips between Detroit, MI and Toronto, ON.  The cross-border service includes stops in Windsor, Chatham, London and Paris, ON. The pick-up location is at the Windsor International Transit Centre on Chatham St. W in downtown Windsor. Click here for schedules and more details.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Click one of the links below to check out local transportation options.

* Transit Windsor offers public bus service for the City of Windsor, Town of LaSalle, Municipality of Leamington and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Bus.

CROSSING THE BORDER

Windsor is home to both the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, giving easy access between Windsor and the City of Detroit. Click ‘Crossing Made Easy’ for more details on what you need to cross the border.

Are you planning to enter Canada from the U.S.? Click crossingmadeeasy.com for border crossing details into Windsor.

TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE LOCATIONS

Please feel free to contact any of our Tourism Information Centres listed below where our friendly staff are standing by to share all that our region has to offer.

CAESARS WINDSOR KIOSK

AMHERSTBURG WATERFRONT CABIN

ONTARIO TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE

SATELLITE LOCATIONS