Major city · Canada
Gander
Give Gander one night on a Trans-Canada Highway run: the aviation museum and the Come From Away story fill a half-day, not two.
Gander is a small town on the Trans-Canada Highway in Central Newfoundland, 330 km west of St. John's, built around an airport that once refuelled almost every trans-Atlantic flight. Its draw is aviation history and the September 11, 2001 story, not scenery. Most travellers pass through in a car or on the DRL bus and stay a single night.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, short days)
- Airport
- YQX
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gander911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gander, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyGander is a low-crime small town and safe to walk by day; the real risks are winter driving on the Trans-Canada Highway, moose on the road at dusk…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYQX Gander International Airport (About 5 km (3.1 mi) from the town centre; rental cars on site.).YQX Gander International Airport (About 3.1 mi (5 km) from the town centre; rental cars on site.).
- Getting aroundThe town is spread out and the highway runs through it, so a car is the practical choice; Budget, National…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at the storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, adultC$8 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedRV or trailer site, a night, per roomC$23 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YQX Gander International Airport (About 5 km (3.1 mi) from the town centre; rental cars on site.)YQX Gander International Airport (About 3.1 mi (5 km) from the town centre; rental cars on site.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
May
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Feb (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gander: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
14 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
12 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
13 rd
Apr
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
14 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is spread out and the highway runs through it, so a car is the practical choice; Budget, National, Thrifty and Rent-a-Wreck have desks at the airport. Without a car, taxis (Busy Bee, M&S Limousine) cover short hops. The DRL-LR bus stops in town on its Port aux Basques–St. John's route.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Twillingate
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive north on Route 340, about 1 h 30 min
Icebergs and fishing-village museums; better as an overnight in season.
Boyd's Cove (Beothuk Interpretation Centre)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive north on Route 340, about 70 km (43 mi)Drive north on Route 340, about 43 mi (70 km)
Small centre on the Beothuk; pair it with Twillingate.
Terra Nova National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive east on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 88 km (55 mi)Drive east on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 55 mi (88 km)
Coastal trails and camping; a full day if you hike.
Lewisporte
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive north on Route 341, about 45 km (28 mi)Drive north on Route 341, about 28 mi (45 km)
Ferry base for Labrador outports; little to see in town itself.
Grand Falls-Windsor
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 1 h 45 min by bus
Service town; a stop on the way west, not a destination.
Glovertown
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive east on the Trans-Canada Highway
Small marina stop on the way to Terra Nova.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Airport Boulevard and Bennett Drive
Most hotels, both malls and the grocery store sit within a few minutes' drive of each other.
Trans-Canada Highway strip
Motels and the Albatross on the highway edge; convenient if you arrive late by car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Rental car, one day1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| North Atlantic Aviation Museum, adult2 × C$8 | C$16 |
| Beyond Words tour, per person2 × C$99 | C$198 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$81 |
| Trip total≈ C$448 per person per day, bed included | C$895≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Fish and chips | C$9–15 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at the store | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) / C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Golf, 18 holes at Gander Golf Club | C$50–55 (≈ US$40) |
| Museum entry, adult | C$8 (≈ US$6) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between sights are driving distances: the aviation museum, the malls and Little Harbour are not walkable from one another.
- Winter travel is weather-dependent; highway closures and flight delays happen.
- Book the Beyond Words tour ahead: it runs on set dates and takes a group.
- Cell coverage thins on the highway outside town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GanderGander
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Gander; the US consulate-general is in Halifax and most embassies are in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, town centre to airport: about C$15–20 (≈ US$11–15) (check)
- DRL bus, Gander to St. John's: about 5 h 15 min (check)
- Rental car, one day: from about C$70 (≈ US$55) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the airport? — Where is the airport?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the working language; Newfoundland English has its own accent and slang.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gander. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, short days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YQX: taxi and rental-car desks field-checked, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Airport Boulevard and Bennett Drive, the highway strip, Little Harbour.
- Place pages with verified hours (North Atlantic Aviation Museum, Beyond Words tour) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and fog-delay fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGander Canada (official town tourism)
- officialGander International Airport
- officialNorth Atlantic Aviation Museum
- officialDRL Coachlines
- secondaryWikivoyage: Gander, revision 5240367 (CC BY-SA 4.0)