Rent car - driving from YYZ to Nova Scotia
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Air Miles
Posts: 942
Rent car - driving from YYZ to Nova Scotia
So the wife came up with the genius idea of driving from Toronto to Halifax, do the touristy thing there, Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove, maybe Cape Breton Island drive in the National Park and then back, All in 7-8 days.
Cannot fly (long story) and VIA costs $400 plus takes 29 hours. Only choice is drive and it has to be rental since we both own two very unreliable cars.
Does car rental companies allow cars to be taken out of province? And has anyone driven the 1800km to Nova Scotia. Any good masseuse in Nova Scotia as I will drive straight there for a massage before anything else.
Cannot fly (long story) and VIA costs $400 plus takes 29 hours. Only choice is drive and it has to be rental since we both own two very unreliable cars.
Does car rental companies allow cars to be taken out of province? And has anyone driven the 1800km to Nova Scotia. Any good masseuse in Nova Scotia as I will drive straight there for a massage before anything else.
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
So the wife came up with the genius idea of driving from Toronto to Halifax, do the touristy thing there, Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove, maybe Cape Breton Island drive in the National Park and then back, All in 7-8 days.
Cannot fly (long story) and VIA costs $400 plus takes 29 hours. Only choice is drive and it has to be rental since we both own two very unreliable cars.
Does car rental companies allow cars to be taken out of province? And has anyone driven the 1800km to Nova Scotia. Any good masseuse in Nova Scotia as I will drive straight there for a massage before anything else.
Cannot fly (long story) and VIA costs $400 plus takes 29 hours. Only choice is drive and it has to be rental since we both own two very unreliable cars.
Does car rental companies allow cars to be taken out of province? And has anyone driven the 1800km to Nova Scotia. Any good masseuse in Nova Scotia as I will drive straight there for a massage before anything else.
If you have no alternative, I suggest you time your YYZ departure to avoid the worst of the Toronto and Montreal traffic. Just before you reach the Montreal suburbs, turn south on Autoroute 30 (toll bridge) and stay on 30 until it reconnects with A-20. The $2.50 toll is worth the investment to avoid the unpredictability of Montreal traffic.
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13F
#3
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 162
Have you considered taking the train to Montreal (timing it so it is not rush hour) and renting there to drive the rest of the way? Still a long drive to Halifax but it will give you at least some relief and perhaps the money saved on gas and potentially a day of rental will pay for the tickets (though I don't know the relative car rental prices in Toronto vs. Montreal vs. Dorval).
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
And another thing...
Driving from Halifax to Sydney is almost five hours, which does not include stops to actually look at anything on Cape Breton.
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13F
Driving from Halifax to Sydney is almost five hours, which does not include stops to actually look at anything on Cape Breton.
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13F
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
practical advice for driving to Nova Scotia
To answer your question, you will have no problem renting a car at YYZ and taking it to NS. Just make sure the rate you book is unlimited (kilometres).
The straight driving time is 20 h. The only problem the route is BORING and 6 h into your drive, you have to navigate YUL in its 5th season - CONSTRUCTION. Do your self a favour........pack a GPS, find route 30 (south shore) and pay a small toll to transit via the south shore of the St. Lawrence.
IF you don't want to drive it straight (2 drivers), plan a stopover in Quebec City. You won't be disappointed!
There are # alternatives to the long, boring drive. For example, you can take a wonderful ferry from Saint John, NB to Digby, Nova Scotia. The problem is that will set you back $378 CAD! There is also a very scenic ferry from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth NS (The Cat). If either is an option, I suggest booking one way only.
There is even a 2-lane highway from the Eastern Townships to Calais via northern Maine. Stephen King territory. Cuts the distance incredibly. (You need to check auto insurance if you opt for either of the latter).
Final point.....Sydney is not really a tourist destination. The main destination (as you suggest) is the Cape Breton national park (drive it south to north for best views IF you are not a nervous driver).
The straight driving time is 20 h. The only problem the route is BORING and 6 h into your drive, you have to navigate YUL in its 5th season - CONSTRUCTION. Do your self a favour........pack a GPS, find route 30 (south shore) and pay a small toll to transit via the south shore of the St. Lawrence.
IF you don't want to drive it straight (2 drivers), plan a stopover in Quebec City. You won't be disappointed!
There are # alternatives to the long, boring drive. For example, you can take a wonderful ferry from Saint John, NB to Digby, Nova Scotia. The problem is that will set you back $378 CAD! There is also a very scenic ferry from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth NS (The Cat). If either is an option, I suggest booking one way only.
There is even a 2-lane highway from the Eastern Townships to Calais via northern Maine. Stephen King territory. Cuts the distance incredibly. (You need to check auto insurance if you opt for either of the latter).
Final point.....Sydney is not really a tourist destination. The main destination (as you suggest) is the Cape Breton national park (drive it south to north for best views IF you are not a nervous driver).
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
But if you fly then Porter is having a seat sale - each way is less than $200. Then you don't have to drive so much and can rent a car with limited kms. I found that renting in downtown Halifax (Priceline) and dropping off at the airport is half the price of YHZ pick-up. There is a transit bus from YHZ to the car rental location downtown for about $3.50. The cost for fuel for about 2000 kms is significant plus the car rental. The problem with driving to Halifax is that if you stay in Canada you have to go considerably out of your way. The direct route requires a boat.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Air Miles
Posts: 942
But if you fly then Porter is having a seat sale - each way is less than $200. Then you don't have to drive so much and can rent a car with limited kms. I found that renting in downtown Halifax (Priceline) and dropping off at the airport is half the price of YHZ pick-up. There is a transit bus from YHZ to the car rental location downtown for about $3.50. The cost for fuel for about 2000 kms is significant plus the car rental. The problem with driving to Halifax is that if you stay in Canada you have to go considerably out of your way. The direct route requires a boat.
For Baddeck, it will be leave 7am, go to CP NP, hike the Skyline trail, make the Cabot Trail loop, then make way down to New Glasgow or somewhere for dinner and catch either the 6pm or 9pm ferry to PEI, then drive to Charlottetown? Am i mad? i calculated the mileage to be 87.9 + 116 + 302 to Caribou. Not bad. And once i crossed over to PEI, the drive to Charlottetown is not bad.
We will make the crossing on Monday June 13th,. Call the ferry company and they say it is free but first come first serve.. They say show up 1 hour prior, anyone seeing any problem with this?
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
what ferry?
You know, I have made this trip many times, and (even I) can't figure out what ferry you are asking about? Is it the Wood Islands ferry?
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
(Your original request did not refer to PEI, which is why I ignored it in my original post!)
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
(Your original request did not refer to PEI, which is why I ignored it in my original post!)
Last edited by Antonio8069; May 26, 2016 at 1:42 pm Reason: added info
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: Aeroplan, Westjet, Marriott, Nexus
Posts: 447
Looks like we will be driving after all. We will drive our own car. Fingers crossed. Going there, we will be go YYZ to Grand Falls, NB and stay overnight. Basically it will be GF, Halifax, Halifax, Baddeck, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Montreal and then back home, with short stop at Ganananoque for a thousand island boat tour, Can't believe the wife has been in Canada 20+ years and not done any of these.
For Baddeck, it will be leave 7am, go to CP NP, hike the Skyline trail, make the Cabot Trail loop, then make way down to New Glasgow or somewhere for dinner and catch either the 6pm or 9pm ferry to PEI, then drive to Charlottetown? Am i mad? i calculated the mileage to be 87.9 + 116 + 302 to Caribou. Not bad. And once i crossed over to PEI, the drive to Charlottetown is not bad.
We will make the crossing on Monday June 13th,. Call the ferry company and they say it is free but first come first serve.. They say show up 1 hour prior, anyone seeing any problem with this?
For Baddeck, it will be leave 7am, go to CP NP, hike the Skyline trail, make the Cabot Trail loop, then make way down to New Glasgow or somewhere for dinner and catch either the 6pm or 9pm ferry to PEI, then drive to Charlottetown? Am i mad? i calculated the mileage to be 87.9 + 116 + 302 to Caribou. Not bad. And once i crossed over to PEI, the drive to Charlottetown is not bad.
We will make the crossing on Monday June 13th,. Call the ferry company and they say it is free but first come first serve.. They say show up 1 hour prior, anyone seeing any problem with this?
Edit #2: At first I said you can make a reservation online but I just checked and you can't make a one-way reservation on the Caribou (NS side) to Wood Islands (PEI side). My apologies for the wrong information.
You know, I have made this trip many times, and (even I) can't figure out what ferry you are asking about? Is it the Wood Islands ferry?
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
(Your original request did not refer to PEI, which is why I ignored it in my original post!)
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
(Your original request did not refer to PEI, which is why I ignored it in my original post!)
Edit: ...and why the ferry is 'free' is because you only pay when you leave the island either by boat or by bridge. Note: the bridge is cheaper!
Last edited by radnub; May 26, 2016 at 2:26 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
Edmunston is a better place for an overnight stop. Many reasonable quality motels/hotels to choose from and a few restaurants. Not much choice in Grand Falls.
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#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,803
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Air Miles
Posts: 942
Staying at a place in St Andre, 25km from Grand Falls.
Should be a nice trip. hope it doenst rain any of the days.
and thank you everyone for suggestions and stuff. ^
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
Enterprise does not allow their cars to be taken out of province. Not sure if you can pay extra to have that restriction limited.
Sister brand National and other majors like Hertz, Budget and Avis do not have that restriction.
Sister brand National and other majors like Hertz, Budget and Avis do not have that restriction.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Georgia
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 37
......Is it the Wood Islands ferry?
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
http://www.ferries.ca/nova-scotia-to...erry/schedule/
If so, this is a little-used ferry since the fixed link (aka the bridge) was opened several years ago. (If not, PM me please).
The bridge and ferry serve different markets. The end point of the bridge near Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick is about 175 km from the ferry terminal at Caribou, Nova Scotia (or 225km via the TransCanada Highway). On the PEI side.....the terminals are 110 km apart.
I only take the bridge in the winter. It’s a much longer drive via the bridge if you are going to PEI from eastern Nova Scotia or Cape Breton.