Detroit - Windsor Connection

[MarknLisa]

Since the Amtrak-Via International was canned some years ago, would it be possible / practical to take a taxi from Detroit to Windsor to make a Amtrak - Via connection?  We'd like to go to Toronto for a baseball game some time and we were wondering if this would be an option.

[Deggesty]

MarknLisa

Since the Amtrak-Via International was canned some years ago, would it be possible / practical to take a taxi from Detroit to Windsor to make a Amtrak - Via connection?  We'd like to go to Toronto for a baseball game some time and we were wondering if this would be an option.

Yes, it is possible. My wife and I traveled both ways last year--and we have resolved to never try it again. Each time, we had to ask for a tzxi driver who has permission to travel across the border, and we had to wait quite a while before one showed up. Also, it is some distance from the Amtrak station to the north tunnel portal, and some distance from the south portal to the VIA station. We did not try to make a direct connection (it might be possible), but went under the river and spent the night in a hotel each time.

It is sad that US Customs' practices towards the end of the Toronto-Chicago service (such as having the passengers carried by bus to the highway station and then returned to the train) made it extremely difficult for the passengers. The one time we traveled from Toronto to Chicago, in 1997, we were asked one question by Customs: "You two hitched?"

Johnny

[MarknLisa]

Sounds like quite a hassle. Thanks for the info Johnny!

[aricat]

Another suggestion is to drive to London Ontario instead of Windsor. It is an easy drive from Motown up 401 or you can use the Blue Water Bridge. My wife and I had a wonderful time in Toronto in 1993 when they won the AL pennant. London has excellent service to Union Station and Toronto is railfan heaven.Light rail, the subway, and GO transit plus the Jays in FIRST place. Go for it