Driving to Port Colborne

Port Colborne is an hour from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), 30 minutes from Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, and only 20 minutes from the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and Buffalo. Highway 3, a heritage highway linking Niagara with the agricultural communities of Southwestern Ontario and the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, bisects the community. Visitors driving from Toronto via the QEW can reach Port Colborne by taking Highway 406 south to Highway 140.

Here are driving instructions from Port Colborne to:  

 Navigating by boat to Port Colborne 

Port Colborne is located at 42° 54' 0.43"N, 79° 13' 58.37" W.  Large pleasure crafts may use the Welland Canal, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The canal is open to navigation from March to December. When approaching the harbour from the Lake or Canal, use VHF ch#68 for navigational and docking assistance.

For additional boating information, contact any of the following:

Sugarloaf Marina: 905-835-6644

St. Lawrence Seaway: 905-835-5441

Cycling to Port Colborne  

Port Colborne is located at the intersection of the Friendship Trail and the Welland Canal Parkway Trail, which together form part of the larger Trans Canada Trail. Cycle-friendly Port Colborne is a major destination for both recreational and experienced cyclists alike. Visit Niagara Cycling Tourism Centre for resources and information on the Greater Niagara Circle Route.

 Local Transit Services 

The City of Port Colborne utilizes NRT on Demand for local transit and Niagara Region bus transit.  Visit the City of Port Colborne transit page for more details.

 NRT OnDemand

NRT OnDemand is a partnership between Niagara Region and the City of Port Colborne. The highly successful on-demand rideshare service, already operating in six other Niagara communities, replaced the fixed route service operated by Welland Transit, which ended on Dec. 31, 2021.

Now all residents in Port Colborne will have access to transit services no matter where they live, with NRT OnDemand covering the whole city. NRT OnDemand offers riders in smaller, rural communities more equitable access to transit than conventional, fixed route bus service can provide.

How to book a ride:

- Using the NRT OnDemand mobile app for Android or Apple

- Calling the new toll-free number: 1-833-715-2061, and selecting a pick-up and drop-off location within the service zone.
Once the ride is booked, passengers are directed to a nearby stop location to await their ride. Individuals without access to a smartphone are able to purchase transit passes at Port Colborne City Hall and Vale Health and Wellness Centre. 
Hours of Operation:

NRT OnDemand operates in Port Colborne Monday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Fares:

  • $3.00 per local trip
  • $6.00 for inter-municipal trips to:
    • Grimsby (anywhere in municipality)
    • Lincoln (anywhere in municipality)
    • Niagara-on-the-Lake (anywhere in municipality)
    • Pelham (anywhere in municipality)
    • Wainfleet (anywhere in municipality)
    • West Lincoln (anywhere in municipality)
    • Fort Erie - Fort Erie is a transfer point only to and from Port Colborne - located at the corner of Dominion Road and Ridge Road. To travel within Fort Erie, Fort Erie operates a service similar to NRT OnDemand called Fort Erie On-Demand Transit.  Fort Erie On-Demand operates Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To book, use the "On-Demand Transit" app at www.fetransit.ca or call 1-833-287-5463.
  • The $4.00 fare remains in effect for riders that wish to connect to Niagara Region Transit's Route 25 (PC Link) at Port Colborne City Hall. 

The fleet’s vehicle are mini-vans, which offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers. All COVID-19 protocols are in place for the health and safety of passengers and operators.

Visit us online for more information about NRT OnDemand.

 Port Colborne - Welland Link

Please note: The Port Colborne–Welland Link is a $4.00 fare. If transferring to another Niagara Region Transit bus, it is a $6.00 fare instead of $4.00.

For more information on the Port Colborne–Welland Link bus service, please visit the Niagara Region's website.

 Niagara Regional Transit 

Niagara Region Transit gives riders the ability to reach multiple municipalities in Niagara.

Planning a trip from Port Colborne to another Niagara Municipality that does not offer NRT OnDemand?

  • If you are looking to plan a trip from Port Colborne to Fort Erie, Niagara Falls or St. Catharines, you will need to take the Port Colborne–Welland Link.
  • The Port Colborne–Welland Link leaves from Port Colborne City Hall and takes you to the Transit Terminal in Welland.
  • From the Welland Transit Terminal, you can then transfer to a Niagara Region Transit bus.

For more information on routes, schedules, fares, and how to transfer to another bus, please visit the Niagara Region's website.

 Universal Support Person Pass

Please note: These passes are issued by the Niagara Region.

 Where can I purchase a bus pass?

The following passes are available for purchase at Port Colborne City Hall, First Floor, located at 66 Charlotte Street, from Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
  • NRT OnDemand
  • Link Service 10 ride pass for the Port Colborne–Welland Link bus
  • Region 10 ride pass and Monthly pass for the Niagara Regional Bus

The following passes are available at Vale Health & Wellness Centre, located at 550 Elizabeth Street, from Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: 

  • NRT OnDemand

Accepted forms of payment for these bus passes at City Hall and Vale Health & Wellness Centre are cash, debit or cheque.

Please note: A single ride cash fare is paid to the bus driver directly. They do not carry change, so you must have the exact amount.

For more information on other locations available for purchasing a bus pass, please visit the Niagara Region's website.

 Rail and Bus Services 

GO transit provides regular service to Toronto through its GO bus service several times a day. The GO bus currently stops in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. Daily rail service to Toronto is provided by VIA Rail through train stations in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. Amtrack also serves these stations with daily rail service to New York City.


VIA Rail: 1-888-842-7245 
Amtrack: 1-800-872-7245

 Festival Parking 

Free parking during the festival is available at:

For more information about the shuttle schedule and route, visit our shuttle page.

 

Closer parking options:

  1. Port Colborne residents have access to free street parking when a PORTicipate Pass is displayed in their windshield. Non-residents or those without a pass can park in designated streets in Zone A, B or C and "pay as you park" using Honk Mobile. ($20/day)
    • No app is required. A QR code corresponding to the zone you're in will be displayed on signage. Pay as you park! 
  2. Park after 5:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday at the H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park boat launch ramp parking lot. Reserve your spot in advance.

 

Using Honk Mobile:

  • Signs will be displayed throughout the festival with QR codes.
  • Open the camera on your phone and point at the QR code provided on the sign.
  • Tap the link to pay the associated fee ($20/day)

Need a PORTicipate Pass?

Parking issues?

  • Email customerservice@portcolborne.ca or call 905-835-2900.
  • Parking is at your own risk.
  • By-law enforcement will be monitoring the festival grounds and the City, you may be subject to a parking violation fine and/or a tow.

Visit the road closure page for more information on road closures.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available at:

  • City Hall on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Market Square, 59 Charlotte Street on a first-come first-served basis
  • H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park, to access the Canal Days Concert Series 

 Festival Shuttle 

Ride the FREE Canal Days shuttle from the Vale Health & Wellness Centre parking lot (550 Elizabeth Street) or the West Side Plaza Parking Lot (53 West Side Road) to the heart of the action and to navigate yourself around the festival! 

Shuttles buses accommodate wheelchairs and small scooters. Shuttles run approximately every 30 minutes (subject to change without notice). Shuttles do not cross over the bridges, there is a shuttle designated to the West Side and the East Side of Port Colborne.

Schedule 
DatesHours of Operation
 Friday, August 4, 2023  4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 5, 2023 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Sunday, August 6, 2023 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Monday, August 7, 2023 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Shuttle Stops & Route Information
East Side Route
Vale Health & Wellness Centre
(550 Elizabeth Street)
Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 7
West Side Route
West Side Plaza
(53 West Side Road)
Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 7
  •  Vale Health & Wellness Centre (Craft Show, Car Show)
  • Welland Street (Kids Zone at Seaway Park/Bridge 21, Vendors, Food)
  •  King Street at Elgin Street (Museum, Carnival, Food & Kids Zone)
  • King Street at Charlotte Street (Vendors, Food, City Hall, Vessels and Main Festival
  • Sugarloaf Street at Elm Street (Concert Series, Marina, and Lighthouse Tours)
  • Fielden Avenue at Elgin Street (Roselawn Centre)

 

City bus beside a Canal Days shuttle stop sign

We ask that everyone please be kind and respectful to the bus drivers, as this is a courtesy shuttle. Traffic and wait times are beyond their control. The safety of the drivers and bus riders is a priority and any unruly behavior will not be tolerated.

 

 Road Closures 

The City of Port Colborne has put in place the following road closures to ensure the safety of all festival goers during Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival.

 

Up-close image of a road closure sign

 

Thursday, August 3, 2023:

West Street from the southern limit of Victoria Street to the southern limit of Sugarloaf Street will be closed to through traffic and street parking beginning at 5 p.m.

Friday, August 4 – Monday, August 7 – Closure to through traffic and street parking for the following roads will be in effect:

  • West Street from the northern limit of Princess Street to the southern limit of Sugarloaf Street;
  • Princess Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Park Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Clarence Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the western limit of Welland Street;
  • Charlotte Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Kent Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Victoria Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Adelaide Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Sugarloaf Street from the eastern limit of King Street to the eastern limit of West Street;
  • Municipal parking lot located west of King Street, east of Catharine Street and south of Princess Street.

The following roads will be closed to support the Canal Days Concert Series beginning at 2 p.m. ending at 12 a.m. each night of Canal Days.

  • Steele Street, from the southern limit of Steele Street at Sugarloaf Street;
  • Steele Street, from the eastern limit at Steele Street at Sugarloaf Street;
  • Isabel Street, from the southern limit of Isabel Street at Sugarloaf Street;
  • Fielden Avenue, from the northern limit of Fielden Avenue at Sugarloaf Street;
  • Fielden Avenue, from the southern limit at Sugarloaf Street.
  • Lighthouse lane, from the southern limit at Sugarloaf Street;
  • Elm Street, from the southern limit of Elm Street at Sugarloaf;
  • Elm Street, from the western limit of Elm Street at Sugarloaf Street;
  • H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park parking lot up to Fielden Avenue.