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Your Winnipeg to Churchill Know-How [+ Handy Travel Tips!]
- What to Expect in Winnipeg
- What to Expect in Churchill
- How do you travel from Winnipeg to Churchill?
- Step 1: Prepare for your trip
- Step 2: Start your journey
- Step 3: Check out the scenic stops along the way
- Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park
- Twin Lakes Beach
- Little Limestone Lake
- Pisew Falls Provincial Park
- Step 4: Arrive in Churchill
- What are the modes of transportation when going to Churchill from Winnipeg?
- By Train
- By Plane
- By Car
- Where to Stay in Churchill
- Iceberg Inn
- Tundra Inn
- Polar Inn
Churchill is a Canadian paradise—it’s quiet, full of wildlife, and extremely cold. Sure, it’s not the easiest place to go to, but hey, there’s no traffic there (unless you come across a mama polar bear and her cubs!).
But how do you go to a remote town on the shores of Hudson Bay? No worries! We’re here to help you reach this little paradise that’s far away from all the honks of the city!
We’ve got a handy guide on how to reach Churchill, with cool sightseeing stops and places to stay! We’re not going to leave you stuck on the road, so bundle up and get ready for a fun getaway!
What to Expect in Winnipeg
Winnipeg is a charming city with a diverse population, thriving culinary scene, booming arts community, and vibrant neighbourhoods. Living in this city means you can have a laid-back kind of life yet still experience the best things about city living.
With plenty of outdoor spaces and wildlife areas, you can enjoy nature without driving far from home. No matter the season, you can find outdoor activities in these public places that are perfect for all ages.
Being the capital city of Manitoba (and also the largest) means you can enjoy urban conveniences. It’s a walkable city but still comes with good public transportation for locals and tourists.
What to Expect in Churchill
Churchill is the ultimate destination for skygazers and animal lovers. Known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, you’ll find many of these magnificent creatures roaming the town as they migrate to wait until Hudson Bay freezes up again in the winter.
Due to its location directly under the aurora oval, it’s one of the prime destinations to watch the Northern Lights. You get a higher chance of witnessing these dazzling lights up in the sky when the nights are longer, around February to March.
Located on the shores of Hudson Bay, it’s also a perfect spot for a quiet getaway. The population is only around 900 and you won’t find the usual rumbles of the city here since it’s a small town.
Exploring Churchill is not easy since there’s no public transportation system. You can get a taxi, but most hotels and tourist attraction companies will provide shuttles to get you from point A to point B—you can walk, but remember that polar bears roam around.
How do you travel from Winnipeg to Churchill?
| Distance | 645 miles |
| Travel Time | Via Train: At least 48 hoursVia Plane: 2.5 hours |
The only way to travel from Winnipeg to Churchill is by plane or by train since there are no roads connecting the town to other cities in Manitoba. If you want to visit scenic stops, you have to drive to Thompson and take a train from there.
Step 1: Prepare for your trip
Going to Churchill from Winnipeg is going to be a long trip. It’s also important to note that Churchill is a small town that doesn’t have the same features you’ll see in Winnipeg.
So, pack for the weather and don’t forget the essentials.
- Spring
Spring is really, really cold. So pack like you’re packing for the snow. Bring waterproof jackets, thermal undergarments, thick socks, hat, gloves, sunglasses, insulated boots, and thermal undergarments.
- Summer
Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, insect spray, comfortable shirts, shorts, pants, gloves, and jacket (the winds in the summer get cold).
- Fall
Since fall is the start of polar bear viewing season, pack gloves, waterproof jackets, insulated parkas, hats, and thermal undergarments.
- Winter
Winters in Churchill are very, very cold. Bring layers of clothing that will keep you warm, such as thermal undergarments, waterproof jackets, insulated shoes, socks, balaclava, hat, and sunglasses.
Essentials to bring are a water bottle, lip balm, personal hygiene kits, vitamins and medications, sunscreen, lotion, binoculars, indoor footwear, extra batteries and memory cards, and a small flashlight.
We strongly recommend you make a list to avoid forgetting things because the Northern Store is the only grocery store in Churchill.
Don’t forget to fill up your gas tank before heading off. You don’t have to worry about this too much because you’ll come across several gas stations on the way—just remember to check the gas gauge.
Step 2: Start your journey
Time to head off to Churchill. If you’re taking the train, you can find most amenities there, such as food and drinks. If you’re taking the plane, bring a light jacket to keep you warm in case it gets cold.
If you’re driving to Thompson first, pack for the long journey. Bring water and light snacks, as well as plan for some stops you might want to check out if you cannot be on the road for over 7 hours straight.
Step 3: Check out the scenic stops along the way
You can check out cool stops if you plan to drive from Winnipeg to Thompson first before taking the final journey to Churchill. Remember that if you opt to travel by train or plane straight from Winnipeg, you cannot visit these places.
If you want to drive, here are our most recommended places:
Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park
Media credit: jolynito
Time to Spend: 1 – 2 hrs
Distance from Winnipeg: 77 km
Since you’re already in Winnipeg, you have to check out Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park, a place where you can camp and enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. This family-friendly park is ideal if you’re planning a weekend getaway.
Enjoy the sandy beach on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. You can have some fun playing volleyball, cycling, fishing, and taking part in cool water sports activities.
Twin Lakes Beach
Media credit: betterthanspringroll
Time to Spend: 15 – 30 minutes
Distance from Winnipeg: 89 km
As one of the best-preserved and cleanest beaches in Manitoba, you have to see Twin Lakes Beach. It has over 6 km of natural beach, where you can dip your toes as a way to kick off your long journey on the road.
If you’re driving very early in the morning, you can watch the sunrise here.
Little Limestone Lake
Media credit: travelmanitoba
Time to Spend: 15 – 30 minutes
Distance from Winnipeg: 502 km
This is one of Manitoba’s best-kept secrets, known as the largest and most spectacular marl lakes in the world. The water changes colour because of the calcite—it’s turquoise when the water’s warm and crystal clear when it’s cool.
Pisew Falls Provincial Park
Media credit: travelmanitoba
Time to Spend: 1 – 2 hrs
Distance from Winnipeg: 690 km
This is an ideal final scenic stop before you reach Thompson. Witness the magnificent Pisew Falls, the 2nd highest waterfall in Manitoba, where the Grass River plunges down at 42.7 ft, changes direction, and dashes through a gorge.
Step 4: Arrive in Churchill
Once you arrive at Churchill, you can hail a taxi to reach your hotel. Churchill Airport is a quick 7-minute drive to the town, while Churchill Train Station is right in the middle and close to several lodgings.
It’s a small town, so the inns are within walking distance. But keep in mind that you’ve now arrived in a place where polar bears roam, so always be aware of your surroundings.
Keep an eye out for warning signs, and it’s best to contact the hotel regarding a shuttle service, which many offer. We recommend taking a taxi or a shuttle because Churchill is extremely cold if you walk, especially in the winter.
Once you reach your lodging, you can unpack and start getting ready for your activities. Check this out if you need ideas for fun things to do in Churchill.
What are the modes of transportation when going to Churchill from Winnipeg?
By Train
Media credit: viarailcanada
Price:
- Economy: $
- Sleeper Plus: $$
Taking the train is a convenient and one of the most scenic modes of transportation to Churchill because you’ll see magnificent places in Manitoba. VIA Rail offers a Winnipeg to Churchill route every Tuesday and Sunday.
The train ride will take approximately 48 hours. Your ticket already includes 1 carry-on item and 1 check-in baggage (up to 2 bags if you purchase the Sleeper Plus ticket).
If you want a more convenient trip, save up for the Sleeper Plus class, which has 2 facing couch-style seats that convert into stacked beds at night—it has privacy since it turns into a semi-private curtained compartment.
By Plane
Media credit: calmair
Price: $$$
For a faster route, you can take the plane, but it is a pricier option. This will only take 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is much faster compared to 2 days of travelling.
You can book Calm Air to get to Churchill from Winnipeg. It’s actually the only airline that offers flights for this route, available several times a week but is limited in the winter months.
By Car
Media credit: tourismwinnipeg
Travel Time on the Road: 7.5 hrs
Additional Train Travel Time: 16 hrs
Additional Plane Travel Time: 1 hr
I know we already said you cannot drive straight from Winnipeg to Churchill. But if you want to take to the road, you can drive to Thompson for approximately 7.5 hours and then ride VIA Rail or the plane.
The Thompson-Churchill train rides are available 3 times a week. Your travel time will need an additional 16 hours on top of your hours on the road.
This is the ideal transportation option if you want to stop by several places in Winnipeg and Thompson for a quick weekend getaway! You can also choose to drive if you’re bringing your pet, so they don’t have to take a longer plane or train ride.
Where to Stay in Churchill
Iceberg Inn
Media credit: iceberginn
Address: 186 Kelsey Blvd
Contact: 1-204-675-2228, [email protected]
Check-in & Check-out: 2 pm & 9 am
Pricing: $
If you want a hassle-free trip, Iceberg Inn offers accommodation and package tours. Another thing that makes this convenient is it’s only a 3-minute walk from the train station.
There are 8 rooms in total, available with 2 single beds, a queen-sized bed, and an A-frame chalet (this one’s ideal for families). It provides all the basic amenities, such as WiFi, a hairdryer, a kettle, and a small desk.
It offers polar bear tours, beluga whale tours, and dog-sled rides, as well as Northern Lights experiences.
Tundra Inn
Address: 34 Franklin St
Contact: 1-800-265 8563, [email protected]
Check-in & Check-out: 3 am & 11 am
Pricing: $$
Situated in the heart of Churchill, Tundra Inn is the place to stay if you want comfortable accommodation. The rooms are simple but spacious, providing a homey atmosphere in this subarctic town.
The main floor has a sitting area and a kitchen, perfect for lounging and interesting conversations. All rooms have fridges, coffee makers, satellite TV, and WiFi.
Two restaurants are located just a stone’s throw away. It also provides free shuttle to the airport and train station.
Polar Inn
Media credit: northstartours
Address: 153 Kelsey Blvd
Contact: 1-204-675-8878, [email protected]
Check-in/Check-out: 3 pm & 10 am
Pricing: $$
Polar Inn has 21 rooms in total, all with a 32” flat screen TV, work desk, ergonomic chair, coffee maker, fridge, and climate control. The apartment studio suites get the extra feature of a fully equipped kitchenette.
This log cabin-style inn makes things comfortable and convenient for guests. All rooms get a complimentary continental breakfast to ensure you’re ready to face the day, and there are pet-friendly rooms to welcome your furry companion!
When it’s not snowing, you can enjoy the small courtyard at the inn. And during the winter months when you need extra layers, you can rent down-filled clothing at the inn.
