Dreaming of seeing an old friend in Syracuse from Chicago but going thru Detriot/Windsor and Toronto this fall. Schedules look good especially with overnight stays and a couple baseball games. Wondering about how to bridge over from Detriot to Windsor, do taxis or other modes make this crossing? Pass book is ready to go.
Chicago to Syracuse via Canada Question
- Thread starter SanAntonioClyde
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You can take a taxi, or you can ride a bus:
http://www.dwtunnel.com/TunnelBus.aspx
Unfortunately, the links on that site aren't working, so I can't give you a price. Here's the link for the Windsor to Detroit version:
http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/transitwindsor/routes-and-schedules/tunnel-bus-to-detroit/Pages/Tunnel-Bus-to-Detroit.aspx
I'd recommend a bus over a taxi, as the taxi meter is going to keep creeping up as you wait in customs traffic. Depending on the day and time you travel, you could be sitting in line anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
http://www.dwtunnel.com/TunnelBus.aspx
Unfortunately, the links on that site aren't working, so I can't give you a price. Here's the link for the Windsor to Detroit version:
http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/transitwindsor/routes-and-schedules/tunnel-bus-to-detroit/Pages/Tunnel-Bus-to-Detroit.aspx
I'd recommend a bus over a taxi, as the taxi meter is going to keep creeping up as you wait in customs traffic. Depending on the day and time you travel, you could be sitting in line anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
Nice trip! Sarah gave good advice to take the Tunnel Bus from Detroit to Windsor, then your best bet is a Taxi to the new VIA Station since you're not familiar with the Windsor Bus Schedules!
There are 4 VIA Trains a day from Windsor to Toronto,2 in the morning and two in the evening! Coach fare is around $40 CDN and you can upgrade to Biz Class ( similar to Acela FC) but it is Pricey! Google it @ via.can!
I'd recommend the Early Wolverine from CHI to Detroit so you can catch the 5pmish VIA train to Toronto! ( The 1pmish Train might not give you enough time to get from the Amtrak Station in Detroit to the VIA Station in Windsor!
You will need to spend the night in Toronto since the Maple Leaf leaves early in the AM! This will be a two ticket Train with a VIA ticket to the Border and an Amtrak Ticket from there to Syracuse!
Biz class in the 2x1 Cafe/BC car(its Amtrak equipment) is worth the upgrade
Even though technically the VIA part of the tripfrom Toronto to the Border doesn't have Biz Class,it only costs $1 to the Border and you'll be in the same seat all the way to Syracusel
Also Biz class gets priority on US Customs and Immigration inside the Niagara Falls, NY Station!
The crew change from VIA to Amtrak happens @ the Niagara Falls VIA Station
before you cross the bridge to the New York side of the Border, you stay on the Train!!
There are 4 VIA Trains a day from Windsor to Toronto,2 in the morning and two in the evening! Coach fare is around $40 CDN and you can upgrade to Biz Class ( similar to Acela FC) but it is Pricey! Google it @ via.can!
I'd recommend the Early Wolverine from CHI to Detroit so you can catch the 5pmish VIA train to Toronto! ( The 1pmish Train might not give you enough time to get from the Amtrak Station in Detroit to the VIA Station in Windsor!
You will need to spend the night in Toronto since the Maple Leaf leaves early in the AM! This will be a two ticket Train with a VIA ticket to the Border and an Amtrak Ticket from there to Syracuse!
Biz class in the 2x1 Cafe/BC car(its Amtrak equipment) is worth the upgrade
Even though technically the VIA part of the tripfrom Toronto to the Border doesn't have Biz Class,it only costs $1 to the Border and you'll be in the same seat all the way to Syracusel
Also Biz class gets priority on US Customs and Immigration inside the Niagara Falls, NY Station!
The crew change from VIA to Amtrak happens @ the Niagara Falls VIA Station
before you cross the bridge to the New York side of the Border, you stay on the Train!!
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The Blue Water doesn't go to Detroit. He'll want a Wolverine.
Someone has discovered emoji's
bobnjulie
Lead Service Attendant
A tick off topic but this could be a great possibility for Canadian trip. If we flew in to Detroit to visit relatives and see some old stomping grounds, is there a bus we could take from the airport to the transit center?
Which transit center? Detroit or Windsor?
the_traveler
Engineer
I guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! :giggle:
My daughter thinks it's cool that I use them. You'll have to ask Penny what her favorite one is.
bobnjulie
Lead Service Attendant
Detroit. If we can fly into Detroit and get to the Detroit transit center, catch the bus to Windsor... that would be a win-win. I could show my husband my old haunts - get some Bob Jo's custard and get to Toronto and catch the Canadian!
It takes about 90 minutes and requires two bus transfers, depending on the time of day. :unsure: It's about 21 miles.
http://goo.gl/maps/Bszbe
I would suggest either a taxi, which will probably cost around $40, or one of the private shuttle services:
http://www.metroairport.com/GroundTransportation/LuxurySedansTaxis.aspx
I found some other ones on Google as well.
bobnjulie
Lead Service Attendant
Thanks Sarah! From my memory, I thought that the airport was closer to where we used to live and Detroit seemed very far away.... but the last time I flew in, I was in my early 20's for my grandpa's funeral and we moved away when I was around 9. It's doable but.... still pondering.... but Ann Arbor has a train stop!!!! So plans A, B and C may have to be discarded but Plan D is moving up! Where there is a will, there has to be a way....! Thanks for all the ideas!
Suggestion; Fly to Chicago and take the Train to Detroit. This would require either spending a night in Chicago or taking the late Wolverine(the 2x1 Biz Class is nice!) and spending the night in the Detroit/ Windsor Area!
There are 4 VIA trains a day to Toronto
As I said, 2 Morning, 1 afternoon and one late train, (won't work without a night in Toronto!)
The Canadian leaves 8pm so if you could take the early afternoon train you could head right to the Panorama Lounge when you get to Union Station in Toronto! Remember the Canadian only runs three times a week!
There are 4 VIA trains a day to Toronto
As I said, 2 Morning, 1 afternoon and one late train, (won't work without a night in Toronto!)
The Canadian leaves 8pm so if you could take the early afternoon train you could head right to the Panorama Lounge when you get to Union Station in Toronto! Remember the Canadian only runs three times a week!
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You could also fly into Detroit City Airport, which is downtown, but I don't know if it would be worth it. I don't think very many flights go in and out of there. It's known as Coleman Young Airport now.
When I lived in Ann Arbor/Ypsi, I always flew out of DTW because it was closer and in a safer area. It also has more flights. When I lived there, it was still a Northwest hub.
If OP is still collecting suggestions, here's another (not all that different from those above): take the morning Wolverine to Detroit; take a taxi 3.5 miles to Rosa Parks Transit Center (if you like Cajun food, you'll find some upstairs); take the Tunnel Bus to Caesar's Windsor casino; and since you'll most likely have some time to kill, spend it over a drink there, before hopping another taxi for the shorter (1.5-mile) ride to the Via Rail station to catch the 1735 train to Toronto.
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