Crossing Made Easy

We’re Easy To Get To!

DYK there are three border crossings to get you between Windsor & Detroit. Check out details below on how to cross – by car, boat, plane or foot (and bike)!

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, Minnesota, 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:

• Canada Customs – 519-257-6473
• U.S. Customs – 313-393-3793 ext 0

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 and United States Customs and Border Protection 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.

By Car

There are three easy and convenient ways to get to Windsor over (or under) the Detroit River.

Additional Ways to Cross

The Linq Tunnel Bus

thelinqtunnelbus.com.

Connecting you from downtown Windsor to downtown Detroit. The Linq Tunnel Bus operates with departures hourly 6am through 11pm from Bruce Avenue and Riverside Drive, with the last return bus to Windsor departing from the Tunnel Plaza at Mariner Church at 11:40pm.

• Tolls per passenger: $15.00 one way
• Payment method: Cashless (debit or credit card)

Ride Share Service

Ride share services like Uber and Lyft are able to operate through international border crossings, if available when using the apps. Please make sure you have proper documentation prior to securing your ride.

By Plane

Windsor International Airport

flyqyg.ca

Windsor International Airport (YQG) is 11km from downtown Windsor and offers daily flights from:

• Toronto (Lester B. Pearson International Airport) via Air Canada daily – aircanda.com
• Ottawa (Ottawa International Airport) via Porter Airlines daily – flyporter.com
• Calgary (Calgary International Airport) via WestJet seasonally (May-October) – westjet.com

Access to downtown Windsor can be provided from any ride share service, the taxi stand located outside the main terminal, or via the Transit Windsor Bus #135.

Detroit Metro Airport

metroairport.com

Detroit Metro International Airport is located 37km from downtown Windsor, offering connectivity to all major U.S. airlines. Several shuttle bus options are available to get to and from Detroit Metro Airport including:

CANADIAN BASED PROVIDERS

• Robert Q Airbus
• VIP Chauffeured Shuttle Service

US BASED PROVIDERS

• Metro Cars
• Detroit Airport Xpress + Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus Service

Pele Island Transportation Service

(seasonal)

Pelee Island Transportation Company offers regularly scheduled flights during the winter months from Windsor International Airport – 1-800-661-2220 or 519-724-2115

Griffing Flying Service offers daily year-round service from Port Clinton, Ohio to Pelee – 419- 734-5400.

By Boat

For a list of marinas with transient slips available in Windsor Essex in our waterfront guide – visitwindsoressex.com/boat (coming soon)

Transient slips are currently available in the following locations:

• Coming Soon

A NEXUS card is required for crossing the border by personal watercraft. For private boaters coming into Canada, please click here.  This section also provides links on bringing goods across the border, NEXUS and planning a boating event.

By Ferry

Pelee Island Ferry Service

ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries

Ferry service to Pelee Island from Ontario (1h 30mins) operates early-April through early-December on the Pelee Islander II (and the Pelee Islander in shoulder seasons). Service runs daily, and advance booking is suggested. Ferries depart from the Leamington Dock in the start of the season, and shift to the Kingsville dock in August.

Ferry service to Pelee Island from Sandusky, Ohio (1h 45mins) operates May through late September on the Pelee Islander. Service in shoulder seasons is at a reduced rate, with daily service in the summer. Limited vehicle availability and advance booking is suggested.

A variety of vehicles are serviced on the ferry, as well as walk-on passengers and passengers travelling with bicycles.

By Foot or By Bike

Gordie Howe International Bridge

The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Spring 2026 will afford visitors the opportunity to walk, run or cycle to Windsor with toll-free access on the multi-use path. Proper documentation is required. Visit our Cycle Tourism Map page for more details – visitwindsoressex.com/bike.

• Crossing into Canada the trail will connect you to the Trans Canada Trail, Great Waterfront Trail, Windsor Riverfront Trail, and Lasalle Parkway Trail.
• Crossing into the U.S. the trail will connect you to

Pelee Island Ferry Service

Visitors can travel to Pelee Island from both the Ontario and Sandusky on the Pelee Islander II and Pelee Islander on their available schedule. Advance booking is suggested – ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries

Additional Destination Information

Shopping Duty Free

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!

Duty Free Shops are available at both sides of the border at both the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge

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.

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 collect a 6% tax on behalf of the municipality subject to HST. Click here for more details.

Travelling With Pets

It’s easy to travel with your pets to and from Windsor Essex, but there are some important steps you need to take while entering and exciting Canada.

Entering Canada

If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal to Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada’s import requirements. If you don’t, you risk experiencing delays at the border and your animal may not be allowed into Canada. For the details from the Government of Canada please click here.

Entering The U.S.

Click the link below to determine what rules apply to your dog based on the dates of travel and where your dog is traveling from. For more details from the Center for Disease Control (US) please click here.

Cannabis and International Travel

In the province of Ontario, please click here for more information on where to use recreational cannabis, where to buy it, how much one can possess, the legal age, etc. 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. 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.

LEAVING CANADA

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.

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 and in Michigan and Ohio, do not attempt to cross the Canada-U.S. border with any amount of cannabis in any form. If you do so you can expect legal prosecution and fines and possibly jail time.

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.

Please click here for a 45 second video on “Cannabis and the Border”.