At Incredible-Kingston.com we’ll do our best to entice you to visit this warm and gracious city. That being the case, you’re going to need to know more about getting to Kingston.
This page provides information about getting to Kingston, Ontario, Canada using a variety of different methods.
If you are not familiar with where Kingston is in the world, the map of North America below shows you where we are. We’re on the north eastern shore of Lake Ontario, one of Canada’s huge, shared-with-the-U.S., freshwater lakes. Lake Ontario is the international boundary between Canada and the U.S., being divided on the map via an imaginary line running roughly east to west across the center of the lake.
Getting to Kingston by road
When you’re travelling with a crowd or family, driving to Kingston is often the best way to go. Most of the roads are high speed divided highways, making vehicle travel convenient.
Those in western Ontario, or eastern Ontario can simply access highway #401 for a comfortable drive to Kingston.
From Toronto, it’s about 165 miles (270 km) driving east on the #401.
From the City of Montreal in hte Province of Quebec, Kingston is 178 miles (290 km) driving west. Highway #401 turns into either highway #40 or #20 in Quebec. You won’t actually access Ontario’s #401 highway until you pass the Quebec/Ontario Provincial border from Quebec into Ontario.
From Ottawa in the north, take #416 south to highway #401, and then travel west on the #401 for a total distance of 121 miles (195 km).
For the many folks wanting to drive into Canada from the North Eastern U.S., the best way to get to Kingston is to access I81 interstate in New York state, drive north on that highway to the 1000 Islands bridge.This is an international border crossing and you will need appropriate documents to get through the border. There is also a bridge toll of a couple of dollars.
If you are driving around the Kingston vicinity, whether on freeway or secondary roads, it is common to see whitetail deer in the fields alongside the tarmac. Sometimes they wander onto the roadways. At night they are harder to see. A deer / auto collision is no fun, so please be extra vigilant when driving these areas in darkness.
To Kingston By Bus
For those with limited travel budgets, or if you just want to leave the driving to someone else, there’s always the bus.
You know where the bus station is in your town or city. Check with them to find out which of their bus lines will bring you to Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
In Kingston, the bus terminal is located on John Counter Boulevard, about 1/2 mile (.8 km) west on John Counter from Division Street. Division Street is the exit you would
take southbound from the #401 if you were travelling west on the #401 and wanted to get to the bus station. If you are driving eastbound on #401, you would take the Sir John A. MacDonald exit and head south down to John Counter and a left turn.
Bus Terminal, Kingston
1175 John Counter Blvd
Kingston, ON K7K 6C7
Bus Services include Greyhound, Coach Canada/Trentway Wagar
General information & hours of operation telephone: 613-547-4916
To Kingston By Train
If you’ve got the time and the inclination, a trip to Kingston by rail might increase your travel pleasure.
According to city hall, Kingston has the sixth-busiest passenger rail station in Canada with approximately 20 trains arriving at the picturesque Kingston Via rail
station every day. From Kingston passenters can make connections to Southwestern Ontario, Western Canada and the Maritimes.
Kingston Train Station
Kingston’s train station is, too, on John Counter Blvd., but the west end of the road, nearer to Princess St. To get their from the east, exit south (only way you can go right
now) at Sir. John A. Macdonald, drive down to John Counter, turn right, and the Via station is on your left a couple of kilometers (1.5 miles) along.
Driving from the west, exit at Sydenham Rd. southbound, drive down to Princess Street, turn left, and then take an almost immediate left again onto John Counter Blvd. The
Kingston station is on your right a few hundred meters (yards) along.
For information about train travel to or from Kingston, please contact Via Rail Canada: www.viarail.ca .
To Kingston By Plane
Air Canada flies to and from Norman Rogers Airport Kingston out of Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
That being the case, from wherever you are in the world, simply book passage to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and catch the Air Canada commuter flight to Kingston.
Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (IATA: YGK, ICAO: CYGK) is located 4.3 nautical miles (7.96 km) west of the downtown of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
For folks driving from the west, go south on Road #38 (Gardiner’s Rd.), proceed south to the end of the road, turn right and then a sharp left onto Day’s Road. Continue south
to the end, turn right onto Front Road and proceed to the airport on your right.
If you are driving from the east, take Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard south to the end, right onto King Street West which turns into Front Road. Continue on Front Road to the airport.
Norman Rogers airport Passenger Terminal Building is open from 5 a.m. to midnight, 7 days per week.
Norman Rogers Airport
1114 Len Birchall Way
Kingston, Ontario K7M 4M1
Phone: 613-389-6404
To Kingston By Boat
Kingston is situated right on the shore of Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario, via the St. Lawrence Seaway, is ultimately connected, by water, to the world. So, of course you can get to Kingston by boat.
Immigration and customs requirements are subject to change without notice. Don’t assume you know the rules. For folks coming to Kingston by boat from the U.S. or other
areas of the world, check with the Canada Border Services Agency: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca – for current information.
There are various locations for overnight boating guests in Kingston. Two municpal docks are:
FLORA MACDONALD CONFEDERATION BASIN
Located in the heart of downtown Kingston, Confederation Basin is surrounded by one of the most historic areas of the city. We offer…
- Seasonal and transient docking at competitive rates
- Off season docking (May, June, September, October) for all sizes of boats
- Laundromat, ice, pop and showers on site
- Staffed 24 hours per day
- Just steps from boating supplies, shopping, dining and the Farmers Market
- Fair exchange on U.S. funds
- Plenty of atmosphere and lots of fun
PORTSMOUTH OLYMPIC HARBOUR
- Host site of numerous community special events & regattas
- Thriving business centre
- Meeting site for area sport, recreation & community groups
- Premiere dining at the Harbour Restaurant
- Competitive rates for boat slips
- Snack bar, showers, ice, gas, diesel, pump out on site
- Boat storage available
- Beautiful park setting is part of Kingston’s Waterfront walkway
- It’s the Hub of Portsmouth Village
For more information about docking in Kingston, visit the City of Kingston website: www.cityofkingston.ca – and follow the links to Marinas.
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