Getting Here
Trains, planes and automobiles, not to mention cruise ships and ferries. Getting to Halifax couldn’t be easier. Halifax Stanfield International Airport offers direct flights to and from other Canadian cities, major city centers in the U.S. as well as the UK and Continental Europe. Click on the links below to explore your options.
The Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the Atlantic Canadian centre for domestic, regional and international flight service. With over 650 flights a week, you can travel by air to Halifax on direct flights from many Canadian, U.S., European, and Caribbean destinations. Add to that hundreds more connecting flights and it's easy to get to Halifax from just about anywhere in the world. Halifax is geographically closer to Boston (fly time 1.45 hours) and New York (fly time 2.25 hours) than any other Canadian city and over one hour closer to Europe than any other major North American city. There are over 18 daily flights from Toronto (fly time 2 hours), 8 from Montreal (fly time 1.5 hours) and 9 from Ottawa (fly time 1.75 hours).
Air carriers serving Halifax travel include: Air Canada, Air St. Pierre, Air Transat, American Airlines, Condor, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Icelandair, Northwest Airlines, Porter Airlines, SkyService, Sunwing Airlines, United Airlines, Westjet Airlines.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) puts a great deal of effort into customer service. HIA ranked first in overall passenger satisfaction for airports worldwide with under five million passengers, for the second year in a row. In addition, Halifax was rated as best airport in the Americas of any size for overall satisfaction, and best domestic airport worldwide. The survey includes such world-renowned airports as London Heathrow, Sydney (Australia), Amsterdam Schiphol, Beijing, Denver, and Vancouver.
Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) is currently undergoing a multi-year Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The latest phase of the AIP, the Air Terminal Building Expansion, is a $70-million investment to expand aviation facilities and services. The project will include: a new baggage screening area to meet regulatory requirements; the relocation of airline commuter traffic from the north end of the terminal to the south end to make way for an international passenger waiting area; separate domestic and international departure areas; additional aircraft gates and bridges, elevators, escalators, baggage belts, ticket counters and computer terminals; and a two-storey walkway to separate arriving international and domestic passengers for customs and immigration purposes. Much of this work is being done to accommodate the US pre-clearance facility, which was made operational in the fall of 2006.
Once you arrive at our airport, located 30 minutes from downtown Halifax, you will find limousine, car rental companies, taxi, and shuttle bus services to transport you in comfort to your accommodations. Limousine Service $53, Taxi Service $53, Shuttle $18 one-way, $36 return.
For further information and to find out about the airlines servicing Halifax, visit the Halifax Stanfield International Airport or Flyhalifax.com.
The Trans Canada Highway enters Nova Scotia from New Brunswick, and provides a connection to all points in the continental United States and Canada. The Confederation Bridge links Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick and then Nova Scotia by that same highway system. Halifax travel alternatives include various coach companies from New York and Montreal and other parts of Nova Scotia.
Car Rentals are also available to explore the city or Atlantic Canada at:
VIA Rail Canada offers trans-continental connection with Western Canadian cities, and some US destinations. The Ocean links Montreal and Halifax overnight. You'll travel hundreds of kilometres while you sleep in comfort. When you wake up, you are in Atlantic Canada! The Ocean leaves Montreal in the evening, and travels along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Continuing southwards across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the train reaches Halifax in mid-afternoon. In the other direction, the Ocean leaves Halifax in the afternoon, and arrives in Montreal the next morning. The Ocean runs every day except Tuesday. VIA offers learning vacations aboard VIA and culinary opportunities on route.
Bus tours are available for Halifax travel in and out of the region (visit tours in the activities section for further details)
Start your Nova Scotia experience with a scenic boat ride! Car ferries arrive from US and Canadian ports of call at the Nova Scotia ports of Yarmouth, Digby, Caribou and North Sydney. For further information visit:
The Cat is the fastest car ferry in North America! Carrying up to 900 passengers and 240 cars across the Gulf of Maine at highway speeds from June to mid October. The Cat makes the crossing up to twice daily providing the best way between Maine and Nova Scotia.
Marine Atlantic Ferries sail between Sydney, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Northumberland Ferries Why drive when you can sail? The Princess of Acadia saves 582 driving kilometres from Saint John to Digby. 3 crossings a day in high season.
The Confederation proudly plies the waters between Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island in just 75 minutes. - and, in the process, offers you a unique opportunity to park the car, relax and enjoy the beauty of the sea and the sky. Best of all, no matter how many passengers are in your car, you pay just one great rate of $57.00. Up to seven crossings a day in high season.
Ferry isn't your only option by sea however. Many cruise lines call on Halifax each year, offering the chance to see Halifax in style.
