Major city · Canada
Wabush
Come only if you are passing through on the Trans-Labrador Highway or flying to the mines: one night, no more. The town is a service stop, not a destination.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (long days, road open, no blackflies at their worst)
- avoid Nov–Apr (deep cold, snow, ice roads and short daylight); May–Jun for blackflies
- Airport
- YWK
- 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.
Wabush is a small mining town in western Labrador, built in 1955 and now effectively a suburb of Labrador City across Little Wabush Lake. It has an airport, a hotel, a gas station and a handful of streets. Almost everything a visitor wants — shops, restaurants, more beds — is in Labrador City, 10–15 minutes away by road. Treat Wabush as a bed and a runway, not a place to spend days.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wabush, 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
- SafetyWabush is a small, quiet mining town and violent crime is rare.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 709-282-5412 (≈ US$4,000) Wabush Airport
- 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.
- AirportYWK Wabush Airport (On the north side of town; rental cars at the airport.
- Getting aroundWabush is small and spread out, with no public transit.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCAD 2–4
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi, short hop in townMetered; rates change — checkCAD 8–15
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekCAD 20–40
- Budget bedSelf-contained rental or lodge unit, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room (Wabush Hotel or similar), a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel double room (Wabush Hotel or similar), a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$240 (≈ US$180)
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 →
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
- YWK Wabush Airport (On the north side of town; rental cars at the airport. Flights to Goose Bay about 1 h 15 min, and to Montréal with stops, roughly 3.75–4 h. Schedules change by season: check with the airline.)
Weather and climate
Wabush: 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
−17°C1°F
−27°C−17°F
12 rd
Feb
−15°C5°F
−26°C−15°F
10 rd
Mar
−8°C18°F
−20°C−4°F
11 rd
Apr
1°C34°F
−10°C14°F
11 rd
May
9°C48°F
−2°C28°F
13 rd
Jun
16°C61°F
4°C39°F
14 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
8°C46°F
15 rd
Aug
18°C64°F
7°C45°F
15 rd
Sep
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
15 rd
Oct
4°C39°F
−2°C28°F
15 rd
Nov
−4°C25°F
−11°C12°F
14 rd
Dec
−13°C9°F
−22°C−8°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Wabush is small and spread out, with no public transit. Taxis are metered (CJ Cabs, Twin City Cabs) and a car is the practical choice: rent at the airport or drive your own. Labrador City is a short drive across the lake; the Trans-Labrador Highway (Route 500) runs through both towns.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Labrador City
goDoor to door: 10–15 min
Drive or taxi across Little Wabush Lake
Where the shops, restaurants and most beds are. Do your errands here.
Churchill Falls
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Route 500 east, about 243 kmRoute 500 east, about 151 mi
A long drive for a look at the falls and the hydro station; check access and hours first.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
overnightDoor to door: 6–7 h
Route 500 east, about 530 km from WabushRoute 500 east, about 329 mi from Wabush
Too far for a day return; sleep there.
Fermont, Quebec
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Route 510/389 west, about 25 km to the borderRoute 510/389 west, about 16 mi to the border
Quebec time zone changes at the border; a useful fuel and grocery stop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Grenfell Drive / town centre
The Wabush Hotel and most services sit here; walkable to the arena and the gas station.
Airport Road
Closest to the terminal for early departures; little else within walking distance.
Labrador City
Across Little Wabush Lake, 10–15 min by road: more hotels, restaurants and shops. Most travellers sleep there instead.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CAD 90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- CAD 140–220 excl. bed
- High
- CAD 220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room (Wabush Hotel or similar)1 × 1 night × C$180 | C$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Airport car rental, one day1 × C$90 | C$90 |
| Taxi across to Labrador City, one way1 × C$25 | C$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$65 |
| Trip total≈ C$355 per person per day, bed included | C$710≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CAD 2–4 |
| Diner or pub main | CAD 18–30 |
| Grocery run for a road day | CAD 20–40 |
| Taxi, short hop in townMetered; rates change — check | CAD 8–15 |
| Gasoline, per litrecheck | CAD 1.60–1.90 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | CAD 20–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are huge and services are thin: the next hospital east is in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, about 288 km past Churchill Falls.Distances are huge and services are thin: the next hospital east is in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, about 179 mi past Churchill Falls.
- Fuel up whenever you can. On Route 389 from Baie-Comeau there is only one intermediate stop (Relais Gabriel) before the Labrador border.
- Winter driving means snow, ice and long gaps between towns; check road conditions before setting out.
- Cell coverage is patchy outside the towns.
- Blackflies and mosquitoes are serious in late spring and early summer: bring repellent and long sleeves.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Wabush Airport
- +1 709-282-5412
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WabushWabush
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Wabush Airport+1 709-282-5412
Embassy
No embassies in Labrador. The nearest US consulate is in Halifax; most countries keep embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, in town: metered; short hops about CAD 8–15
- Taxi, Wabush to Labrador City: about CAD 25
- Airport car rental, one day: from about CAD 90 plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- How far is Labrador City? — How far is Labrador City?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
English is spoken everywhere. Tipping follows Canadian norms: 15–20% in restaurants, CAD 1–2 a drink, 10–15% for taxis.
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 Wabush. 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 (long days, road open, no blackflies at their worst) · avoid Nov–Apr (deep cold, snow, ice roads and short daylight); May–Jun for blackflies · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YWK: last flight arrivals, taxi fallback, after-hours check-in.
- Walking cluster for Grenfell Drive with the hotel, arena and gas station pinned.
- Labrador City cross-link so Wabush pages never strand a reader without food or a second bed.
- Winter and blackfly fixtures so the season advice goes green.
Sources
- officialWabush Airport
- officialLabrador West — Wabush Arena
- officialWabush Hotel
- secondaryWikivoyage: Wabush, revision 5238843 (CC BY-SA 4.0)