Welland Canal

The cost to transit the Welland Canal depends on the vessel type, with tolls calculated using the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System toll schedule. For 2025, the Welland Canal tolls are based on a Gross Registered Tonnage GRT charge and vary for different cargo types. For example, bulk cargo has a Welland charge of $0.9278 per GRT, while passenger ships also have a Welland toll of $0.6293 per GRT. Tolls are calculated based on vessel type and cargo, using the vessel's Gross Registered Tonnage GRT. There is a specific toll rate for transiting the Welland Canal.

Yes, you can visit the Welland Canal. The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and is a popular spot to watch ships navigate the canal. You can observe the vessels from the observation deck or the 2nd floor Lock View Lounge.

The maximum permissible length of a ship in the Welland Canal is 225.5 metres 740 feet. It takes ships an average of about eleven hours to traverse the entire length of the Welland Canal.

Yes, cruise ships go through the Welland Canal. For example, at Port Colborne, some Holland America cruises begin their journey through this engineering feat that links the Great Lakes. Passengers can watch the ship rise and descend through the locks that bridge Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is a primary attraction, offering excellent viewing opportunities of ships transiting the canal. The surrounding areas also offer beautiful parklands and scenic viewpoints perfect for observing this remarkable feat of engineering.