Quick answer
Every adult needs a WHTI-compliant document, such as a passport, passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's licence. Canadian and US citizen children under 16 can cross by land with a birth certificate, and school, sports and youth groups have extra allowances for minors. Book an operator that runs cross-border trips regularly, carry consent letters for children travelling without both parents, and plan 30–60 minutes or more at the border. The main crossing south of Winnipeg, Emerson–Pembina, is open 24 hours.
Key facts
- Adults need a passport or another WHTI-compliant document (NEXUS, passport card, enhanced licence).
- Canadian or US citizen children under 16 may use a birth certificate at land crossings.
- Canada recommends a consent letter for any child under 19 travelling without both parents.
- Emerson–Pembina, on the main route south of Winnipeg, operates 24 hours a day.
- It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canada–US border, even where it's legal on both sides.
- Long cross-border days often need a second driver or an overnight stop.
Charter trips from Manitoba to Fargo, Grand Forks and Minneapolis are popular for shopping, concerts, university sports and tournaments. The border is the part that trips groups up, so sort out documents before the bus leaves.
Documents for adults
Every adult needs a document accepted under the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The common ones are:
- a valid passport,
- a NEXUS card,
- an enhanced driver's licence or enhanced ID (issued by some provinces and states), or
- for US citizens, a US passport card.
Permanent residents and other non-citizens need their passport plus any required US visa or travel authorization. Check each traveller's status well before the trip.
Documents for children
At land crossings, Canadian and US citizen children under 16 may present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship instead of a passport. Children travelling with an organized school, religious, cultural or sports group under adult supervision have a similar allowance up to their late teens. Confirm the current rules with US CBP before you go.
Consent letters
The Government of Canada recommends that any child under 19 travelling abroad without both parents or guardians carry a signed consent letter from the parent(s) not travelling. It isn't legally required, but border officers may ask for it. Coaches and team managers should collect one per child before departure.
The crossing
The main route south of Winnipeg follows Highway 75 to the Emerson–Pembina crossing, which operates 24 hours. Plan 30–60 minutes for a coach at the border, and more on long weekends and holidays. Your operator may suggest a departure time that avoids peak queues.
How it usually works on a coach
- The driver pulls into the bus lane at the port of entry.
- Officers may board the coach, or ask everyone to take their documents and belongings inside.
- Each traveller answers questions and presents documents.
- Luggage may be inspected.
Have documents in hand, not in the luggage bay.
What not to bring
- Cannabis in any form: taking it across the border is illegal in both directions.
- Restricted foods (some fresh fruit, vegetables and meat products).
- Firearms and weapons, unless declared and permitted.
- Large amounts of cash without declaring them.
Choosing the operator
Pick an operator with regular cross-border experience and the authority to operate in the US. US rules require at least $5 million of insurance for vehicles seating 16 or more passengers. Long days also hit US driver-hour limits (10 hours of driving), so a Minneapolis trip usually means an overnight stop or two drivers.
| Route (one way) | Distance | Drive | Mini coach | Motorcoach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg → Gimli | 90 km | ~1 h 10 min | $500–$700 | $700–$1,000 |
| Winnipeg → Grand Beach | 100 km | ~1 h 20 min | $500–$700 | $700–$1,000 |
| Winnipeg → Kenora | 210 km | ~2 h 05 min | $600–$800 | $700–$1,000 |
| Winnipeg → Brandon | 215 km | ~2 h 10 min | $600–$850 | $700–$1,000 |
| Winnipeg → Grand ForksUS | 233 km | ~2 h 45 min | $750–$1,050 | $850–$1,200 |
| Winnipeg → Wasagaming (Clear Lake) | 265 km | ~3 h | $800–$1,150 | $900–$1,300 |
| Winnipeg → FargoUS | 355 km | ~3 h 40 min | $950–$1,350 | $1,100–$1,550 |
| Winnipeg → Regina | 570 km | ~5 h 45 min | $1,500–$2,100 | $1,700–$2,400 |
| Winnipeg → Thunder Bay | 700 km | ~7 h | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,050–$2,850 |
| Winnipeg → MinneapolisUS | 745 km | ~7 h 45 min | $1,950–$2,800 | $2,250–$3,150 |
| Winnipeg → Saskatoon | 780 km | ~8 h 30 min | $2,150–$3,050 | $2,450–$3,450 |
Frequently asked questions
Do kids need a passport to go to the US on a school bus trip?
How long does the border take on a charter bus?
Can a charter bus take us from Winnipeg to Minneapolis and back in one day?
Sources
- US Customs and Border Protection, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
- Government of Canada, consent letter for children travelling abroad
- Government of Canada, drugs, alcohol and travel outside Canada
- Live wait times, Emerson / Pembina
Regulations and event dates change. We review this guide regularly; if you spot something out of date, tell us.
