Visitors can reach Halifax, Nova Scotia, an east coast hub, by air, rail, or road. A modern international airport, long-standing rail lines, and controlled access highways all provide comfortable options for the journey.
Halifax is situated on the south-central coast of Nova Scotia, in the eastern region of Canada.
Take the Train to Halifax, Nova Scotia
VIA Rail Canada (1-888-842-7245) provides train service between Halifax and points west. Halifax is the terminus of the railway, which runs passenger service on the route six days per week. By train, the Nova Scotia capital is about 4.5 hours from Moncton, NB and 22 hours from Montreal, QC.
The Halifax Train Station is located at 1161 Hollis St., close to the downtown Halifax waterfront and cruise ship port.
Driving to Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Trans-Canada Highway does not pass through Halifax, but Highway 102 connects the Nova Scotia capital to the cross-Canada route.
To reach Halifax from the Trans-Canada, take Highway 102 south from Truro. Drive about 100 kilometers (62 miles), following the route to its end in the North End of Halifax. Alternately, take Highway 102 for about 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Truro, then cut through Waverley and Dartmouth on Highway 118. Reach downtown Halifax by crossing the harbor on the Macdonald or MacKay bridges.
From the south, Highway 103 ventures to Halifax from Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Mahone Bay, and Hubbards.
From the west, Highway 101 links Windsor, Wolfville, and Digby to the capital. Digby also has a ferry service to Saint John, NB, which lies across the Bay of Fundy.
Buses to Halifax,
A series of bus routes provide a service network between Halifax and North American cities. Acadian Lines (1-800-567-5151) runs daily routes to Halifax from communities in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. The bus network also connects to destinations such as Montreal and Ottawa.
The Halifax intercity buses operate from the same building as the train station, at 1161 Hollis St.
Flights to Halifax International Airport
Halifax International Airport welcomes arrivals from major airports in Canada and abroad. Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal provide frequent service to Halifax. In Atlantic Canada, Halifax serves as a connector to Sydney, Moncton, St. John’s, and Charlottetown.
Internationally, the airport has routes to international hubs and sun destinations, including:
- Bermuda
- London Gatwick, U.K,
- London Heathrow, U.K.
- New York, New York
- Orlando, Florida
- Paris, France
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Varadero, Cuba
- Washington, DC
Officially known as the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the airport uses the world airport code YHZ.
Planning a Halifax Vacation
Halifax is famed for its location on the Atlantic Ocean. That seafaring history means the city offers outstanding seafood restaurants, wild natural beaches, and iconic scenery (such as the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse). Like other top North American cities, Halifax has treasured museums, quality downtown hotels, varied shopping, and a fun nightlife.
Chloë Ernst - Chloë Ernst is a travel guidebook author who writes for Frommer's and Globe Pequot Press.
