Major city · Canada
Grand Falls-Windsor
One night on the Trans-Canada, not a destination: the salmon centre, the Beothuk museum and a river walk fill an afternoon.
Grand Falls-Windsor is central Newfoundland's largest town, about 14,000 people, built around a paper mill that opened in 1909. It sits on Highway 1 between Gander and Corner Brook, so most travellers see it as a fuel-and-bed stop. The Exploits River salmon run and the Mary March museum are the two reasons to get out of the car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (ice, snow, short days)
- Airports
- YQX · YDF
- 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 Grand Falls-Windsor911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- RCMP Grand Falls-Windsor (non-emergency)709-489-2121
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 Grand Falls-Windsor, 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
- SafetyA small, quiet town; the real risks are highway driving (moose at dusk, winter ice) and long gaps between services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 709-489-2121 RCMP Grand Falls-Windsor (non-emergency)
- 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 (About 100 km (62 mi) east, roughly 1 h 15 min by car; the practical gateway.).YQX Gander International (About 62 mi (100 km) east, roughly 1 h 15 min by car; the practical gateway.).
- Getting aroundA car is the default: the town is spread across curved streets and Highway 1 cuts through it.
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)
- Sit-down mealBistro main courseC$13–39 (≈ US$10–30)
- BeerDraught beer in a pubC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryC$3–8 (≈ US$3–6) (check)
- Budget bedB&B or family suite (up to 4), a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · 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
- YQX Gander International (About 100 km (62 mi) east, roughly 1 h 15 min by car; the practical gateway.) · YDF Deer Lake Regional (About 210 km (130 mi) west, roughly 2 h 15 min by car.)YQX Gander International (About 62 mi (100 km) east, roughly 1 h 15 min by car; the practical gateway.) · YDF Deer Lake Regional (About 130 mi (210 km) west, roughly 2 h 15 min by car.)
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
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Feb (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Oct (15 rain days), driest Feb (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand Falls-Windsor: 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)
12 rd
Apr
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
15 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°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
A car is the default: the town is spread across curved streets and Highway 1 cuts through it. Walking works for High Street and the river trails. DRL-LR runs a daily bus along the Trans-Canada and stops at the Westwood Inn.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Highway 1 east, about 95 km (59 mi)Highway 1 east, about 59 mi (95 km)
Aviation museum and the international airport; an easy half-day.
Twillingate
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Highway 1 east then Route 340 north
Icebergs and whale watching in season; better as an overnight.
Lewisporte
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Route 340 north from Notre Dame Junction
Small harbour town; worth it only if you are heading to the coast anyway.
Glovertown
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Highway 1 east then Route 320
Terra Nova-area coast; combine with a Gander run.
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.
Highway 1 exits (Cromer Ave, Main St, Station Rd)
Motels and the mall cluster here; easiest with a car and bags.
Downtown Grand Falls (High St)
Museum, Harmsworth Hall and the bistro are walkable from here.
Sanger RV Park, Scott Ave
River-side serviced lots, early Jun to early Sep; the only camping option in town.
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 inn double room1 × 1 night × C$150 | C$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Mary March Provincial Museum entry2 × C$3 · check | C$6 |
| Whitewater rafting on the Exploits2 × C$135 · check | C$270 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$80 |
| Trip total≈ C$438 per person per day, bed included | C$876≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Fish and chips | C$16–24 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Bistro main course | C$13–39 (≈ US$10–30) |
| Draught beer in a pub | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Museum entry | C$3–8 (≈ US$3–6) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long: Gander is 95 km (59 mi), Corner Brook 265 km (165 mi), St. John's 430 km (267 mi).Distances are long: Gander is 59 mi (95 km), Corner Brook 165 mi (265 km), St. John's 267 mi (430 km).
- Many kitchens close by 14:00 or 15:00; eat lunch early or plan on the mall.Many kitchens close by 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM; eat lunch early or plan on the mall.
- Winter driving on Highway 1 means snow, ice and moose after dark.
- Cell coverage is thin on the highway between towns; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- RCMP Grand Falls-Windsor (non-emergency)
- 709-489-2121
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Grand Falls-WindsorGrand Falls-Windsor
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- RCMP (non-emergency)709-489-2121
Embassy
No consulates here; the nearest are in St. John's. US citizens: consulate general in Halifax or the embassy in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DRL-LR bus, Gander → Grand Falls-Windsor: about 1 h 30 min (check)
- DRL-LR bus, Corner Brook → Grand Falls-Windsor: about 4 h (check)
- Taxi across town: C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you / Merci — Thank you
- Where is the washroom? — Where is the toilet?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is that? — How much is it?
Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
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 Grand Falls-Windsor. 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 (ice, snow, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YQX and YDF: last bus and rental-desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: High Street and the museum, the river trails and Sanger park, the Cromer Ave mall strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Mary March museum, Salmonid Interpretation Centre, Harmsworth Hall) and eat pages with last orders.
- Highway 1 weather and moose fixtures so the drive legs can go green.