Port information & tips for Windsor
Windsor is the charming gateway to Southern Ontario and captivates visitors with its unique location directly on the Detroit River, opposite the imposing Detroit skyline. The city offers an impressive waterfront with extensive green spaces and combines Canadian hospitality with urban flair. Highlights in the immediate vicinity include the artistic Windsor Riverfront Sculpture Park, the idyllic Dieppe Gardens, and the famous Caesars Windsor. Cruise ships dock at the central Windsor International Transit Terminal, which is located right in the heart of the city. Thanks to this prime location, visitors can easily reach the most important sights, first-class restaurants, and the vibrant downtown area within a few minutes' walk, ensuring a diverse and comfortable shore excursion.
The Windsor cruise port, with the Dieppe Cruiseship Terminal as its port of call, is easily accessible for guests from the DACH region thanks to its convenient location on the Detroit River and good transport links both from Canada and via the nearby USA.
Airplane
For international guests, we recommend arriving via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in the USA, which is located only about 47 kilometers from Windsor and is a major hub with numerous international flight connections. From DTW, you can easily reach Windsor by taxi or specialized private shuttle services; the journey through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel or over the Ambassador Bridge can take approximately 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and border clearance. Alternatively, Windsor International Airport (YQG) offers good connections within Canada, mainly to Toronto. Due to the necessary border crossing from the USA, an overnight stay in Windsor on the day before embarkation is advisable to ensure a relaxed journey. Many hotels in Windsor, such as the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel or Caesars Windsor, are located close to the city center and offer comfortable accommodation options.
Car
The port of Windsor is excellently integrated into the Canadian road network thanks to direct connections to Highway 401 and the E.C. Row Expressway. The Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel also provide direct access to major US highways I-75, I-94, and I-96. Numerous parking options are available in Windsor: the city offers over 3,800 municipal parking spaces in parking garages, lots, and at parking meters. Parking fees at the meters are 2.50 CAD per hour (or 2.25 CAD via app) from Monday to Saturday (9:00 am to 6:00 pm); outside these times, as well as on Sundays and public holidays, parking is free of charge.
Train
The Windsor VIA Rail Canada station is located at 298 Walker Road, centrally between Riverside Drive and Wyandotte Street. Windsor is a western terminus of the VIA Rail Corridor network, which provides convenient train connections to major Canadian cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. From the station, you can easily reach the Dieppe Cruiseship Terminal in the city center by taxi or with local Transit Windsor bus lines.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
