Population: 377,009 (metropolitan area)
Area: 97.11 square kilometres
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (GMT-5)
Telephone Area Code(s): 905/289
Climate
Average Monthly Temperatures:
|
High |
Low |
|
Celsius |
Fahrenheit |
Celsius |
Fahrenheit |
| January |
-1 |
31 |
-8 |
18 |
| February |
-1 |
33 |
-7 |
25 |
| March |
4 |
39 |
-4 |
37 |
| April |
13 |
56 |
3 |
46 |
| May |
19 |
66 |
8 |
56 |
| June |
25 |
76 |
13 |
62 |
| July |
27 |
81 |
16 |
60 |
| August |
26 |
79 |
16 |
52 |
| September |
22 |
71 |
11 |
48 |
| October |
17 |
62 |
6 |
44 |
| November |
8 |
47 |
1 |
34 |
| December |
1 |
34 |
-5 |
23 |
St. Catharines enjoys a unique micro-climate because of the moderating
influence of the two Great Lakes - Erie and Ontario - and the sheltering effect
of the Niagara Escarpment to the South. The city has many of frost-free days in
the Winter, while the summer season is typically hot and humid.
Getting to Saint Catharines
By Air:
St. Catharines/Niagara District Airport services general aviation as well as
chartered jetliner flights. It is located near the city's east-end in
neighbouring Niagara-on-the-Lake. St Catharines - Niagara District Airport (CYSN*/YCM)
- has all the facilities of a major airport, 24 hour customs availability, and
no curfew.
Most long distance travellers are likely to arrive through Mississauga, Toronto
or Buffalo NY and use ground transport to St. Catharines.
By Car:
The main access routes into and out of St. Catharines are the Queen Elizabeth
Way running East (at 15-Mile Creek) to West (at Garden City Skyway) and Highway
406 running north (at QEW) to south (at St. David's Road).
By Rail:
St. Catharines train station is served by VIA Rail and Amtrak trains
connecting it to Toronto and New York City.
By Bus:
St. Catharines Bus Terminal is located downtown and served by the St.
Catharines Transit Commission which operates bus routes throughout the city and
neighbouring Thorold. The station is also served by Greyhound Lines and Coach
Canada, en route to Toronto and New York City and connecting it to major
cities throughout Canada and the United States.
Currency: All visitors should use
Canadian currency when traveling within Canada. It is best to have local
currency on hand prior to arriving; contact your local bank. Visitors may
exchange their currency at Canadian banks, credit unions, or at the offices of
foreign exchange brokers. Credit card purchases will be converted to your local
currency by your credit card provider using the prevailing international
exchange rate at the time the transaction is processed.
Taxes for Travellers
The provincial retail sales tax is 8%; on accommodations it's 5%. There is
an additional 7% national goods-and-services tax (GST).
TIP: Non-Canadian residents are entitled to claim a rebate of all GST
paid on accommodations and certain categories of goods purchases (see Canadian
Travel Information on this site).
Always save the original receipts from stores and hotels (not just credit-card
receipts), and be sure the name and address of the establishment is shown on the
receipt. Original receipts are not returned. |
