Churchill, Manitoba is the gateway to Canada’s Arctic. It is relatively easy to reach via public transportation and is accessible by both commercial flights and train service. And with the unique attractions in the area – beluga whales and northern lights and polar bears, oh my! – the long trip is worth it. Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Churchill, Manitoba.
The best time to visit Churchill, Manitoba
Where is Churchill, Manitoba?
Churchill is located at a latitude of 58 degrees north, on the shore of Hudson Bay, just a few kilometers shy of the Nunavut border. It’s at the mouth of the Churchill River, where it empties into Hudson Bay. Churchill’s geographic location is responsible for the natural attractions that draw visitors to the area. The part of Hudson Bay around Churchill is the first to freeze over in winter due to its lower salinity relative to the rest of the Bay. This attracts hundreds of polar bears every fall who are anxious to get out on the ice and begin hunting for seals. The same Churchill River is a warm, sheltered calving ground for thousands of beluga whales every spring. And Churchill’s position underneath the auroral oval makes it an excellent spot to see the northern lights.
Can you drive to Churchill Manitoba?
The most important thing to know about getting to Churchill is that there are no roads connecting Churchill to the outside world. No matter how you slice it, you will need to take a plane or a train to get to Churchill.
At a minimum, you’ll need to drive or otherwise get yourself to Thompson, Manitoba, which is a little more than halfway between Winnipeg and Churchill (as the crow flies). Beyond Thompson, there are no roads, and trains and planes are your only options.
To keep things simple, especially if you’re coming to Manitoba from out-of-province, you can take a flight or the train to Churchill directly from Winnipeg, which is Manitoba’s capital city and your likely jumping-off point. Both planes and trains departing from Winnipeg for Churchill will likely make at least one stop along the route.
How to get to Churchill by train
Via Rail, Canada’s national passenger train service, runs regular trains from Winnipeg to Churchill. This trip is 1700km long and its duration is at least 44 hours, making the train trip to Churchill almost as much of an adventure as visiting Churchill itself!
Trains typically run back and forth from Churchill a couple of times a week. Keep in mind that Churchill is a seasonal town. During the winter months, when tourism drops off and the local port closes, the population in town decreases by about half. Schedules will vary with the season so be sure to check them before you book.
44 hours might seem like a long time to travel 1700km. Truthfully, it is. But there are a few things to bear in mind. First, there are more than 50 communities along the tracks between Winnipeg and Churchill, and the train stops at the vast majority of them. Secondly, the tracks leading to Churchill have not always been well-maintained, and as a result, there are speed and load limits in effect. Finally, weather plays a big role in how efficient the trip is, and a buildup of ice or snow on the tracks will mean a slower trip. Be prepared for the inevitable delays.
(There’s an excellent documentary that tells the story of brutal winter storms that hit Manitoba in 2017 and led to a spring wash-out of the train tracks. For 18 months, Churchill lost its only land connection to the rest of civilization. The documentary focuses on a team of artists that moved in to help revitalize Churchill after the tracks were rebuilt, but it gives some incredible insight into the hardships the town endured during its period of isolation. Know I’m Here is available to stream on CBC Gem.)
Classes of train service from Winnipeg to Churchill
To make the experience a bit more comfortable, sleeper cars are available on trains running to Churchill. You can book individual berths in shared cars, or reserve a private car for 2 or 3 passengers.
To give an idea of price, a regular round-trip adult fare in a private car for 2 is $1820 CAD, and a child’s fare (under age 12) for the same is $1366. An adult berth in a shared car is $1512 and a child’s berth is $1215. Taxes are extra.
Sleeper car amenities include showers, and meals are included. However, due to the remoteness of the trip, there’s no Wi-fi. So bring all the books, games, and movies you’ll need to keep yourself occupied for 2 days (and possibly longer).
But if you want to save money for excursions and activities when you arrive in Churchill, and you can sleep just about anywhere, you’ll save quite a bit by booking Economy class. Regular round-trip adult fares are $578 CAD and child fares are $288 (taxes extra). The savings are substantial. Economy class does not include meal service, though food and drink are available to purchase, or you may bring your own. You’ll get a regular train seat that reclines somewhat. Prop your feet up and settle in for as much sleep as possible.
Flying from Winnipeg to Churchill
Churchill is also serviced by several flights per week from Winnipeg on a regional airline called Calm Air. Again, schedules vary by season, so be sure to check dates and availability before you book. The flight takes about 3-1/2 hours, including a stop in Thompson, and prices start around $1500 CAD.
One insider tip we have to share is that the route from Winnipeg to Churchill is a very cost-effective use of Air Miles. You’ll get more bang for your buck using miles to pay for this route than you would for most other routes. Book early for the best Air Miles-based rates because the routes do get more expensive as your departure date approaches.
How to get around Churchill
Churchill is an extremely small town of approximately 900 residents. So it doesn’t take long to walk from one end to the other. Kelsey Boulevard is the main commercial strip in town, and it takes about 20 minutes to walk the length of it from one end to the other.
As a visitor, you’re advised not to wander outside of town on your own. Even when walking in town, you need to be cautious. Polar bears can and do wander into town frequently. Local residents leave their cars and houses unlocked so that pedestrians can make a swift exit if necessary. If you want to explore outside of town, you’ll need to rent your own car, take a taxi, or arrange a guided tour.
There is one car rental agency in Churchill, Tamarack Rentals. Tamarack has a number of vehicles available to rent, and will supply you with maps and suggestions of things to see and do if you’d like to do a DIY tour of Churchill and its surroundings. They also perform a shuttle service for airport and train station pick-ups.
There is one taxi in town, North Coast Taxi. This is a single vehicle and driver, not a fleet of taxis, so if you have plans you might want to book their services in advance. Hours are limited and can be canceled altogether due to poor weather.
Many hotels and guest houses in town offer an airport shuttle service that coincides with routine flight arrivals and departures. Inquire with your host to learn more.
You can find our recommendations for Churchill tour operators here: The best Churchill, Manitoba tours
In conclusion…
Churchill, Manitoba is not on most tourists’ radar. Low demand from travelers, coupled with Churchill’s geographic isolation, mean that there’s not not a lot of options for how to get to Churchill. But that’s also part of the beauty of visiting this quiet corner of the world. Being in Churchill, it really does feel like you’ve discovered a hidden gem before the masses arrive. And that makes taking the sometimes-long-and-adventurous trip well worth it.
How to spend one week in Churchill, Manitoba
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