DESTINATION CHURCHILL

There are no roads to Churchill, Manitoba (and sometimes it feels like there is no way out...just kidding, sort of). So, the only way to get here is by plane or train or perhaps dogteam if you have a few months.

Getting to Churchill is expensive, there is no two ways about it. Flights from Winnipeg range from $800-$1500 return and a train ticket (for a minimum 36 hour roundtrip) is about $300-$800, depending on your options.

Still, it is very much worth it. My only tip is to spend as much time here as you can - don't just show up for one day!


The truth and gossip about Churchill's polar bears. Biology of western Hudson Bay bears, climate change stuff and polar bear photo gallery. Includes our famous Polar Bear Attack page!


Tourist's guide to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada includes hotels, tours, trip planning and some survival tips.


Churchill's monthly newspaper published occasionally. Churchill news, history, wildlife, poems and the ever popular BayLine Girl.


Inspired by Churchill, Lost City Chronicle is
a collection of remote destinations and travel stories.


Glimpse into the future through the eyes of a gifted Siberian Husky.


Links to polar bear tours, polar bear sites, churchill links and stuff that polar bear alley thinks is neat.

--- KNUT FREE ZONE ---

No Knuts is good Knuts...

--- DESTINATION CHURCHILL ---

Churchill, Manitoba is best known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World but also is home to beluga whales, 200+ species of birds and a host of sub-arctic wildlife and wild flowers.


                

                
 

Travel to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

HOW DO I GET TO CHURCHILL, MANITOBA BY AIR?

TRAVEL TIPS, VEHICLE STORAGE AND PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

TAKE THE PLANE TO CHURCHILL - The 2-1/2 hour flight from Winnipeg to Churchill takes you over Lake Winnipeg, pristine northern Manitoba's wide expanse of boreal forest and, finally, the patchwork landscapes of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. On a clear day, it is offers stunning vistas. On a cloudy day, it is still 32-1/2 hours less than the train. Sound nice? It is... but it's also around $1,000-1,200 CDN even with advance booking.

Three airlines serve Churchill, offering varying pricing and comfort levels. Calm Air is the primary carrier for the Churchill area. Kivalliq is somewhat (not much) less expensive with less frills.

CALM AIR - REGULAR FLIGHTS TO CHURCHILL
www.calmair.com     Tel:  (800) 839-2256

Calm Air is offering a summer airfare special from Thompson,
Manitoba to Churchill. This Calm Air flight is $400.00 Thompson to Churchill return, taxes included. The requirement to stay overnight on Saturday is waived with this fare, but it is subject to availability in July and August. Please see the listing for Calm Air on the Best of Churchill page, and quote code M0775YQ when you are ready to book.

KIVALLIQ AIR  - REGULAR FLIGHTS TO CHURCHILL
Tel:  (204) 888-5619 or (877) 855-1500     Intl:  001-204-888-5555

SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE CHURCHILL TOURIST

GRAB A NEWSPAPER... A newspaper with today's date is gold in Churchill. Read it on the plane then use it to trade with locals for trinkets and shiny things.

BRING WARM CLOTHES... If it's summer in Winnipeg, it is autumn in Churchill. If it's autumn in Winnipeg, it is winter in Churchill. If it's winter in Winnipeg, well, let's just say be prepared.

Carry on a change of clothes...We are not trying to scare anyone but sometimes, especially in 'polar bear season', luggage gets temporarily misplaced.  Usually only a day late, it is still a good idea to bring clothes for one night anyway...

EAT A COOKIE...  Calm Air has good cookies!!!  If you sit at the very front or the very back, you have a decent chance at seconds.

 

HOW DO I GET TO CHURCHILL, MANITOBA BY TRAIN?

TRAVEL TIPS, VEHICLE STORAGE AND PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

TAKE THE TRAIN TO CHURCHILL- Almost a day and a half from Winnipeg, this route can either leave you with a unique travel experience or bored beyond belief...it's up to you...

The trek from Winnipeg to Thompson is usually sparsely populated with fellow travellers or northerner heading back after a big trip 'South'. Don't be shy...strike up a conversation! Most people are more than happy to share a few stories - true or not... Start off by spending some time in the dining car and see what happens...

The first day of the journey takes you through Manitoba's northern forest. Okay, yes... it is technically just trees mile after mile...but give it a chance and you might see some wildlife along the way. Keep your eye out for Golden and Bald Eagles, Moose, White-tailed Deer, Red Foxes, Pelicans and other boreal critters... As well, small communities and isolated trapper's cabins pop-up here and there in addition to river crossings, lakes and creeks.

Depart Winnipeg: 8:45 PM Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Depart Thompson: 5:55 PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Arrive Churchill:

scheduled for 8:30 AM - in real life, 11AM-1PM

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Depart Churchill: 8:30 PM Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Arrive Thompson: 11:30 AM Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Arrive Winnipeg: 8:05 AM - same deal, expect 11AM Thursday, Saturday, Monday

WARNING: DO NOT TAKE THE TRAIN TO CHURCHILL FOR A ONE-DAY TRAIN TO TRAIN TRIP. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE TRACKS HAVE DEGRADED AND THE TRAIN IS CONSISTENTLY LATE NOW (ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATE). IT WILL MESS UP YOUR PLANS AND LEAVE YOU TIRED AND FRUSTRATED.

WINNIPEG - CHURCHILL RETURN - Budget travellers, booking seven days in advance, can travel for $317.58 CDN on VIA Rail Economy Class. Roomettes are available (an additional $400 CDN or so...) but are usually booked well in advance during peak tourism seasons. There is also the opportunity to book a roomette once the journey has begun. Your best option is just to ask one of the VIA employees and see what happens. Don't rely on this option but its worth a shot if you would like a bit of privacy...

THOMPSON - CHURCHILL RETURN - The 'Bay Line' is a bit more reasonable than the 36 hours from Winnipeg. Scheduled at 14-1/2 hours, this overnight trip is a great introduction to the north. The dining car temporarily becomes a moving community hall as locals from the communities of Pikwitonei, Ilford and Gillam return from shopping and visiting in Thompson. After Gillam, the ride is quiet with northern lights often decorating the sky. At $112.41 (seven-day advance), this is an affordable and attractive option.

The drive to Thompson is also quite enjoyable. The 762 km (474 mile) stretch from Winnipeg to Thompson is paved with gas stations at least every 200km. The average trip runs approximately 8-10 hours so depart early (6:00am!) or stay overnight in Thompson. If you are ahead of schedule, stop at Pisew Falls, one of Manitoba's nicest wilderness areas.

GILLAM - CHURCHILL RETURN - It's a late-night start (boarding at 11:50pm - if the train is on schedule...) but at $62.92 and only 8-1/2 hours to Churchill, you might consider staying up that extra hour or two. Of course, the drive from Thompson to Gillam is...interesting... and there probably won't be anyone at the train station when you get there so be prepared to sleep in your car or just wander around town...of course, it all adds to your adventure...

SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR CHURCHILL TRAIN TRAVEL

40 winks at 4 mph... A travel pillow and blanket are mandatory for economy class!!! For some reason, the train can range from sauna hot to goosebump cold. A nightcap is optional but be prepared nonetheless...

Books Are Fun and Make You Smart... Bring a book or two or four...if you finally want to tackle War & Peace - seize the moment!!! An IPod is also quite helpful...

Double Your Pleasure...Get seats that face each other. If its crowded, find a partner in crime or one will be assigned to you (of course, it's an easy way to meet new people...)

Met up with A Gambler...The dining/ lounge car is always interesting. Residents from Pikwitonei and Ilford hop on at Thompson and the dining car becomes a big gambling house and gossip room for a few hours. (Hint: Don't join their card games - they'll kick your butt.)

Bar service is also available until 10:00pm (and ABSOLUTELY NO LATER if the wrong employee is on board). Plus thanks to our modern society, it is now smoke-free all the time! (althought there are smoke break if the right employees are on board). And speaking of board... it's a change of scenery if you're a little bored...

Stretch Your Legs... Take the opportunity for a walkabout in The Pas, Thompson, or even Gillam. VIA personnel are helpful and will let you know how long the stop lasts.

Healthy Snacks For Healthy Minds... There is decent food onboard and not overly expensive but snack food is relegated to chips and chocolate bars. Bring some veggies!!!

Speaking of veggies...ask for their veggie burger or veggie chili. It's always on the menu but rarely listed (???). Is it one of the best veggie burgers I've had? Darn-tootin'!!!

Help us change VIA for the better...even if you want to use your own mug, serving staff still have to throw away a styrofoam cup for inventory purposes. Fill out a comment card or contact VIA to make them start recycling!!!

 

Polar Bear Alley is a real place but not this place. It is a strip of white sand beach along the coast of Hudson Bay near the former site of the Churchill garbage dump. A beautiful place for a picnic if you know how to handle a shotgun.

This version of Polar Bear Alley is created by Kelsey Eliasson in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada - specifically at Camp Nanuq -a 'cottage suburb' twenty kilometres (15 miles) east of Churchill. I run a tour company called Polar Bear Alley Expeditions and write a few books, including the Polar Bears of Churchill guidebook, when not chasing polar bears off my porch.

Reley.

Polar Bears of Churchill is a comprehensive guide to the Polar Bears of western Hudson Bay and their relationship with Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. It combines seven years of guiding experience in Churchill with the latest scientific research and some colourful local history. Independently published in Churchill, Manitoba.

Second Edition, ©2006, Written by Kelsey Eliasson
Photography and Map Design by Kelsey Eliasson
Additional photography by Northern Soul Adventures
and Polar Bears International
Retail price $14.95, 64 pages, full colour throughout.

Email polarbearalley here.

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