Today: Friday, May 9, 2008

Getting to Halifax

Halifax, Nova Scotia where the best living history in Canada, countless festivals & events, and succulent seafood combine with first-rate facilities and cosmopolitan flair to make a unique and unforgettable meeting and convention destination.

Getting here is easy, with convenient connections by air, sea and land to major travel hubs world wide, we're more accessible than you may think!

Whether you want to take your time getting here or arrive with speed and style, Halifax is easily reached by air, sea, car, and rail. Travel options abound no matter what your reason to visit Halifax.

By Air

The Halifax Standfield International Airport is the Atlantic Canadian centre for domestic, regional and international flight service. With over 600 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 20 daily flights from Toronto (fly time 2 hours), 10 from Montreal (fly time 1.5 hours) and 11 from Ottawa (fly time 1.75 hours)

Click here for Air Access Map

Air carriers serving Halifax include: Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Canjet, Westjet, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, American Eagle, Air St. Pierre, Condor, Zoom, Go Travel Direct Vacations, Provincial and Skyservice.

The Halifax Standfield International Airport is currently undergoing a $110 million multi-year airport improvement program to address the long overdue needs of the facility and to help grow existing and attract new business. The first two completed projects are the Arrivals and Main Lobby areas. The Arrivals Areas provide: an international arrivals area three times larger than the previous size; a domestic arrivals area quadruple the former size; an area reserved for US Pre-clearance; expanded and upgraded customs, immigration and food inspection facilities; an Internet cafe and convenience store. The Main Lobby Retail Expansion has: tripled in size, with a 70% increase in overall retail space; offers more shops and food services with new retail concepts, with expanded hours and one 24-hour operation; a ground floor aircraft viewing area and a public observation deck.

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.

For further information and to find out about the airlines servicing Halifax, visit the Halifax Standfield International Airport. Or Flyhalifax.com

By Sea

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, 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 mid May 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 $49.50. 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.

For information visit the Halifax Port Authority

By Car

The Trans Canada Highway enters Nova Scotia from New Brunswick, and provides a connection to all points in the United States and Canada. The Confederation Bridge links Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick and then Nova Scotia by that same highway system. Various coach companies provide transportation alternates to Halifax from New York and Montreal and other parts of Nova Scotia.

By Rail

VIA Rail Canada offers trans-continental connection with Western Canadian cities, and some US destinations. The Ocean links Montreal and Halifax by night. 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 through the Matapedia valley. 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.