Major city · Canada
IngersollIngersoll, Ontario
Skip as a base: Ingersoll is a 1–2 hour stop (cheese museum, town core) on the VIA line between London and Woodstock. Sleep in London or Woodstock instead.
Ingersoll is a town of about 13,700 in Oxford County, southwestern Ontario, halfway between London and Woodstock on the VIA Rail Windsor–Toronto line and just off Highway 401 at exit 218. It is the self-styled cheese capital of Oxford County and has one real sight, the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum, plus a small community theatre and a farm attraction east of town. Almost nobody needs a night here: the town works as a two-hour break on a drive or a rail stop between London and Woodstock, and London and Stratford are both about 30 minutes away by car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, few attractions open), and weekdays if you rely on the Middlesex County Connect bus
- Airports
- YXU · YYZ
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Ingersoll911 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll (24/7 emergency department)+1 519-485-1700
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 Ingersoll, 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
- SafetyIngersoll is a small, low-crime Ontario town and feels safe day and night; the real risks are winter driving on the 401…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · +1 519-485-1700 Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll (24/7 emergency department)
- 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.
- AirportYXU London International Airport (Nearest airport with local flights; about 40 km (25 mi) west, roughly 35–40 min by car).YXU London International Airport (Nearest airport with local flights; about 25 mi (40 km) west, roughly 35–40 min by car).
- Getting aroundThe town core is walkable: the VIA station on Thames Street North, the theatre and most restaurants on Thames Street South…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a bakery item$4–8 (≈ US$3–6)
- Sit-down mealMain course at a casual restaurant$12–25 (≈ US$9–19)
- Street or quick mealBreakfast special at a family restaurantcheckfrom $4.95 (≈ US$4)
- Beerdraught in a bar$6–9 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across towncheck$10–20 (≈ US$8–15)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomC$95 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomC$120 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$140 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
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
- YXU London International Airport (Nearest airport with local flights; about 40 km (25 mi) west, roughly 35–40 min by car) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International (Nearest major airport, about 140 km (87 mi) away; roughly 1 h 45 min–2 h 15 min by car depending on traffic)YXU London International Airport (Nearest airport with local flights; about 25 mi (40 km) west, roughly 35–40 min by car) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International (Nearest major airport, about 87 mi (140 km) away; roughly 1 h 45 min–2 h 15 min by car depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ingersoll: 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
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
13 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 core is walkable: the VIA station on Thames Street North, the theatre and most restaurants on Thames Street South, and the library on Oxford Street are all within about 10 minutes on foot. The cheese museum is about 1.5 km east of the core, and Elm Hurst Inn about 2 km east; both are easier by car. Two local taxi firms serve the town, and there is no local transit worth planning around.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
London, Ontario
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
VIA Rail from Ingersoll station, or about 30 min by car west on Highway 401
Bigger city for food, museums and a full afternoon; the natural base if you want more than one night in the area.
Door to door: About 20–30 min
VIA Rail one stop east, or about 20 min by car on Highway 401
Closest larger town; also the weekday connection point for the Middlesex County Connect bus.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
About 30 min by car north via Oxford County roads
Theatre festival town; book performance tickets ahead and plan an evening, not a quick stop.
Door to door: About 45–60 min
VIA Rail east, or about 50 min by car on Highway 403
Doable as a half-day, but the rail timetable is thin: check departures before committing.
Door to door: About 2 h
About 1 h 45 min–2 h by car west on Highway 401
Too far for a day return from Ingersoll; treat it as its own stop on a longer drive.
Goderich
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
About 1 h 30 min by car north-west via Highway 4 and Highway 8
Lake Huron town best paired with an overnight on the coast, not a same-day return.
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.
Elm Hurst Inn & Country Spa (Harris Street)
The only full-service stay in town: rooms from about $130, spa, restaurant with Sunday brunch; about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the core.The only full-service stay in town: rooms from about $130, spa, restaurant with Sunday brunch; about 1.2 mi (2 km) east of the core.
Highway 401 strip (Comfort Inn, Samnah Crescent)
Chain motel near the 401 interchange, from about $95, free hot breakfast; practical for one night with a car.
Jet Set Motel (Highway 19 South)
Basic roadside motel south of town; cheap, dated, fine for a single night.
London or Woodstock
Better base for a multi-night trip: more beds, more food, both about 30 min by car or one VIA stop away.
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
- $60–110 (≈ US$45–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 (≈ US$80–150) excl. bed
- High
- $200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Roadside motel room1 × 1 night × C$120 | C$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$140 | C$280 |
| VIA Rail London–Ingersoll, one way2 × C$29 · check; advance-purchase fare, economy walk-up higher | C$58 |
| Cheese museum guided tour2 × C$3 · check; entry otherwise free | C$6 |
| Leaping Deer Adventure Farm entry2 × C$12 · check; $8.50–15 depending on activity, children 2 and under free | C$24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$54 |
| Trip total≈ C$296 per person per day, bed included | C$592≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars, before sales tax; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a bakery item | $4–8 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Breakfast special at a family restaurantcheck | from $4.95 (≈ US$4) |
| Lunch combo (Thai) | $10 (≈ US$8) |
| Main course at a casual restaurant | $12–25 (≈ US$9–19) |
| Beer, draught in a bar | $6–9 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi across towncheck | $10–20 (≈ US$8–15) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No local bus network: without a car you are limited to the walkable core plus taxis.
- Middlesex County Connect route #2 runs Monday–Friday only and makes a single stop in Ingersoll, at the parking lot across from the public library.
- Many attractions are seasonal: the Leaping Deer corn maze runs Aug–Oct and its store, bakery and cafe Apr–Dec.
- Small-town hours: several restaurants close mid-afternoon and some shut early on Sundays; check before you travel.
- Winter driving on Highway 401 and County Road 119 can be poor; allow extra time in snow.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll (24/7 emergency department)
- +1 519-485-1700
Pocket card
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IngersollIngersoll, Ontario
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll+1 519-485-1700
Embassy
No embassies in Ingersoll; the US consulate general is in Toronto, and most other countries keep embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- VIA Rail Ingersoll → Toronto, one way: about $29 (≈ US$25) advance purchase, $49 (≈ US$40) economy, 1 h 47 min (check)
- VIA Rail Ingersoll → London, one way: short hop on the Windsor–Toronto route; fare check, about 20–30 min
- Taxi in town: $10–20 (≈ US$8–15) depending on distance (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Sorry / Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the washroom? — Where is the toilet?
- The bill, please — The bill, please
English is the working language; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is expected.
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 Ingersoll. 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: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, few attractions open), and weekdays if you rely on the Middlesex County Connect bus · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Station-to-bed contract for Ingersoll VIA stop: last train times field-checked, taxi fallback, one-night rung.
- Walking cluster map for the core: station, Thames Street South restaurants, library, theatre, cheese museum.
- Place pages with verified hours and seasonality for the cheese museum, Leaping Deer and the Creative Arts Centre.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so the 401 and County Road 119 rungs can go green.