Ways to drive, fly, float, cycle, and more across Nova Scotia

Nestled along the rugged North Atlantic, Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s trio of Maritime Provinces. But you don’t always need a boat to navigate the area.

The best way to explore this stunning province is with your own wheels. However, there are many alternative transport options to enhance your adventure, including picturesque ferry rides, unforgettable helicopter trips, and premier cycling routes.

Here’s your guide to exploring this magnificent, untamed region on Canada’s east coast.

Kick off your Nova Scotia adventure by flying into Halifax

Referred to by the Indigenous Mi’kmaq as “K’jipuktuk” (Great Harbor), Halifax stands as the largest Canadian city east of Montréal. It features daily flight connections to major urban centers across Canada and the eastern USA, along with direct routes to Europe (with London about 5 hours away). The main airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), is a well-equipped hub providing car rentals, dining options, hotels, and a friendly tourist information desk.

Getting from the airport to downtown Halifax is a breeze, even without a car. Seek assistance at the ground transportation desk right after you arrive. Your options include taxis or airport limousines (both have the same standard flat rate), a public bus (Metro X Route 320), Driver Dave’s (a popular door-to-door rideshare for students and budget travelers), and Uber.

Soar above the breathtaking coast with a private air charter

It may seem lavish—and it certainly is. If you’ve got a group of friends and a bit of cash to spare, a helicopter ride offers an unforgettable perspective of Nova Scotia’s dramatic coastline and islands. Halifax-based Vision Air Services features a “heli-picnic” island escape package (C$650 per person) along with private charters, while Breton Air, located at JA Douglas McCurdy Airport in Sydney, provides private charters and transportation to the island's most exclusive lodges, retreats, and golf courses.

You can travel by train from Montréal to Halifax

The sole train route to Nova Scotia is provided by VIA Rail’s Halifax–Montréal service, known as the Ocean, which takes around 21 hours. Many former rail lines in Maritime Canada have been transformed into “rails to trails” pathways, making walking or biking along these routes one of the best free activities in Nova Scotia.

Catch a taxi (or maybe a rideshare) in Halifax

Halifax boasts a solid array of taxi companies that utilize a traditional meter system and accept credit, debit cards, and cash. While rideshare services are commonplace in other global cities, heavily regulated Halifax was slow to adapt. It wasn’t until November 2020 that rideshare options were approved, despite pushback from traditional taxi companies. You might find that saying “let’s grab an Uber” feels a bit different in Halifax compared to other cities.

Take your vehicle on one of Nova Scotia’s numerous ferry services

Traveling by sea is one of the most enjoyable ways to enter or exit Nova Scotia. Spacious, comfortable car ferries run between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor, Maine ( hours); Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick (2 hours, 15 minutes); and Caribou, Nova Scotia to Wood Islands in Prince Edward Island (1 hour, 15 minutes). All travel times are approximate and may vary with the weather conditions.

If you truly enjoy being at sea, you can also use the ferry service from Sydney in Cape Breton to two locations in Newfoundland: Port Aux Basques (7 hours) and Argentia (16 hours).

In Nova Scotia, small car ferries often take the place of bridges or causeways. These quaint blue, flat-decked ferries fill up quickly and complete their crossings in just a few minutes—and the ride is free. You'll find seven provincial car ferries scattered across Nova Scotia, perfect for adding some extra maritime charm to your journey.

Additionally, the 15-minute ferry ride connecting Halifax and Dartmouth holds the title of the oldest saltwater ferry in North America and costs no more than a bus fare for a round trip. Grab a front seat on the upper deck for stunning views. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk back across the MacDonald Bridge.

For those who enjoy venturing off the beaten path, North West Arm Boat Tours offers an economical ferry service to McNabs Island using a RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat)—an exhilarating way to discover Halifax Harbor and the Northwest Arm.

When is the ideal time to visit Nova Scotia?

Owning a car or motorcycle enables you to fully experience all that Nova Scotia has to offer.

An extensive network of highways connects most towns and cities in Nova Scotia, making cars and motorcycles the most practical way to navigate the province.

The major highways in Nova Scotia are known as “100-series” highways (like 101, 103, etc.), which circle and traverse the province. However, as a traveler, you might enjoy taking the “old roads” (for example, Hwy 1 or Hwy 3) instead. You’ll discover beaches, hidden coves, yard sales, and antique shops along the way, and you might even encounter fruit and vegetable stands operating on an “honesty box” payment system (so keep some change handy).

Tourism Nova Scotia has conveniently given catchy names to some of the most scenic drives in the province, like the Lighthouse Route or the Glooscap Trail, each marked with distinctive signage. You can easily follow these routes using the Nova Scotia Tourism Regions Map, which you can pick up for free at the airport and various tourist information centers throughout Nova Scotia.

When driving in winter in Nova Scotia, it's wise to equip your vehicle with winter tires. If a freezing rain forecast is issued, it's best to avoid the roads entirely. The provincial government provides a handy real-time highway report that details construction and roads that are impassable due to snow or ice.

Catch a bus for an affordable way to get around Nova Scotia.

Maritime Bus operates a coach service covering over 50 locations across the Maritimes. It's popular among students and budget travelers, and locals also use it to send large packages more cheaply than through the post office. In Halifax, the Maritime Bus station is conveniently located next to the VIA rail train station, just a short walk from the Halifax waterfront.

Within Halifax, Halifax Transit offers bus routes that weave through the city. You can pay your fare with cash (exact change needed) or via the HFXGO app.

Top destinations to explore in Nova Scotia

A lengthy bike ride offers a fantastic opportunity to take in Nova Scotia’s beautiful landscapes.

Nova Scotia boasts an extensive network of bike trails. The rails-to-trails system features routes like the Rum Runners Trail (connecting Lunenburg and Halifax), the Harvest Moon Trailway (stretching from Annapolis Royal to Grand-Pré), and the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail (from Port Hastings to Inverness).

Whether you’re embarking on a guided tour or exploring solo, Cycle Nova Scotia offers assistance with trip planning, resources, and GPS downloads. In Halifax, you can rent bikes and e-bikes from I Heart Bikes, conveniently located on the waterfront.

If you find yourself in Nova Scotia in September, consider joining over 1,000 cyclists for the Grand Fondo, Baie Sainte-Marie, which features an up to 128k (80-mile) ride through the Municipality of Clare in southwest Nova Scotia, culminating in a delicious lobster dinner for participants.

Accessible transportation options in Nova Scotia

Unfortunately, Nova Scotia still has significant improvements to make regarding accessibility, with limited options for accessible accommodations, particularly in rural areas. In Halifax, while the waterfront boardwalk is accessible, the steep streets leading to the iconic Halifax Citadel pose challenges.

Most taxi services in Halifax provide wheelchair-accessible vans, which must be booked in advance. Additionally, Halifax Transit buses accommodate wheelchair users, with drivers lowering the bus and securing wheelchairs with straps for safe transport.

A notable recent advancement in accessibility in Nova Scotia is the viewing deck at Peggy’s Cove, designed to allow wheelchair users to get an up-close view of the lighthouse and surrounding rocks. In Cape Breton, Inverness Beach aims to be the province’s most accessible beach, featuring two beach wheelchairs, floating chairs, and sand mats to facilitate easier movement on the sand.

Parasport Nova Scotia offers a comprehensive list of accessible parks, beaches, and barrier-free fishing locations in the province. Additionally, the local YouTube channel Accessible Adventurers features straightforward (and often personal) video stories that showcase the challenges faced when navigating Nova Scotia as a quadriplegic.