Getting to Northern Ontario

Ontario has an extensive and efficient transportation system. Travelers can enjoy a wide variety of options for getting around the province, from air to land to water. 

There are eight international airports in Ontario, two national and international airlines, and five domestic airlines providing service within Ontario including service to remote northern locations. You can fly to Toronto from the United States, then easily catch a flight to whatever part of Ontario you're looking to explore. Car rental companies, airport taxis and shuttle services are often situated right on airport premises, while bus, rail lines and ferries offer services that can be tailored to suit any budget. 

For a complete list of airports, bus lines, ferries, trains, car rental agencies, and marinas, click here

Traveling times 
To use a helpful guide for determining traveling times to Ontario, click here

Get Here From Michigan 
You can also get to Ontario by flying to Northern Michigan, then renting a car to head across the border into Canada. 

For a list of Michigan Airports, click here.
For a list of Minnesota Airports, click here.
For a list of Wisconsin Airports, click here.

Driving Times to Northern Ontario

Driving Times to US/Canada Border access points: (in hours)

  Sault Ste. Marie Fort Frances Pigeon River Rainy River
Chicago, IL 8 10.5 10.75 12
Cleveland, OH 9.25 16 16.25 17.5
Denver, CO 21.5 16.5 18.25 18
Des Moines, IA 12.25 8.5 8.75 10
Detroit, MI 6 15 14.5 16.25
Green Bay, WI 5.5 8.25 9 10
Houston, TX 24 23 23.5 24.5
Indianapolis, IN 8.25 13.5 13.75 15
Kingston, ON 12.75 21 19.75 22.5
Madison, WI 7.75 8.5 8.5 9.75
Milwaukee, WI 8.5 9.25 9.5 10.75
Minneapolis, MN 12.25 5 5.5 6.5
Nashville, TN 12.75 17.75 17.75 19.25
New York, NY 19.25 23 23.25 24.5
Niagara Falls, ON 10.5 18.5 17.75 20
North Bay, ON 5.75 16.75 14.5 18.25
Oklahoma City, OK 19 16.5 16.75 18
Omaha, NE 14.5 10.5 11 10.75
Ottawa, ON 10.75 21.5 18.75 22.75
Philadelphia, PA 17.75 22.5 22.75 24
Pittsburgh, PA 12 17.75 18 19.25
Rochester, NY 12.5 20 19 21.25
Sioux Falls, SD 13.25 8.5 9.25 8.25
St. Louis, MO 14.5 13.5 14 15
Toronto, ON 9 18.25 17.25 19.5
Windsor, ON 6 15 14.5 16.5

U.S. Visitor Regulations

Whether you're traveling to Canada by air, car or sea it's important to understand all the various regulations and customs information before you get to the border. For example, you'll require a passport if you're flying but not if you're entering Canada by land. 

There are also specific laws regarding duty free items, alcohol, tobacco, hunting, fishing and firearms. You'll find that some of these area quite different in Canada from the US. It's important to know what you can and can't bring into the country, and what paperwork you'll be required to present. 

For Customs & U.S. Visitor Regulations, click here.  
For Fishing Regulations in Ontario, click here
For Hunting Regulations in Ontario, click here.
For Firearms Regulations in Ontario, click here

Sales Tax & Currency

We recommend that visitors use Canadian funds in Ontario. Currency-exchange offices are conveniently located at most Ontario Travel Information Centres at the U.S./Ontario border. They offer the current rate of exchange and are open daily.

The good rate of exchange is also offered at currency-exchange booths at international airports (Toronto, Ottawa) and at all banks, trust companies, and credit unions. Banks are generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday; to 6 p.m. Friday. Most trust companies are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturday mornings.

To use our Currency Converter, click here.

Weather in Ontario

Due to Ontario's size, temperatures may vary tremendously from region to region and even within the regions themselves. Generally, the weather is considered continental, with January being the coldest month of the year and July being the warmest.

Learn more by clicking here.

Other Resources

General Visitor Info

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