Is there a ferry from Boston to Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia lies on Canada’s southeast coast, northeast of Boston. It is a peninsula that is connected to both the Canadian mainland and the province of New Brunswick. The most practical way to get from Boston to Nova Scotia is via ferry, though there are other options as well.
Ferries do not go straight from Boston to Nova Scotia. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Saint John to Digby or drive from Boston to Bar Harbor and then take the ferry to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Driving from Boston to Nova Scotia is an alternative option.
Read on for additional details on how to get from Boston to Nova Scotia, including information on other ways to get there and when to go.
Is there a ferry operating from Boston to Nova Scotia?
You can drive from Boston to a nearby port in the United States and take a ferry to Nova Scotia, but there isn’t a direct ferry from Boston to Nova Scotia. Bar Harbor, Maine, is the nearest ferry port from Boston to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where the ferry can drop you off.
Every day at 3 p.m., the CAT, a car and passenger ferry, leaves Bar Harbor, Maine. The boat leaves Yarmouth for Bar Harbor every day at 9.30am to make the return trip. May through October is when this service is offered.
Driving from Boston to Saint John, New Brunswick, then taking a ferry to Digby and sailing the Bay of Fundy to Nova Scotia, is an additional option. With the exception of planned maintenance, the ferry operates every day of the year.
To ensure that the ferry timetables are operating, please verify them in advance.
How to travel from Boston to Nova Scotia
Driving to Bar Harbor and taking the ferry is the most common way to get to Nova Scotia from Boston. The 280-mile trip will take about 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
Another option is to go straight from Boston to Nova Scotia by car. Keep in mind that road construction, bad weather, and heavy traffic can affect this estimate, so account for them when planning your travel time.
How to travel from Boston to Bar Harbor
The trip from Boston to Bar Harbor is rather simple, spending the most of the time on the freeway. Take I-95 north out of Boston, then follow the coast to I-295. You will reach Portland after traveling 100 kilometers.
Heading inland from Portland, I-295 continues north past Yarmouth and Brunswick. You’ll be back on I-95 for another 85 miles after another 50 miles, and then you’ll be in Bangor
After traveling a short distance east on I-395 from Bangor, take the US-1A, which will take you through Branch Lake Public Forest and towards Elsworth. The road follows the shoreline to Bar Harbor, where you will pass Mt Dessert Narrows and join ME-3.
With breathtaking views of the coast available for much of the way, the drive from Boston to the ferry port at Bar Harbor is a great road trip. There are many opportunities to visit the stunning Maine coastline along this easy-to-follow itinerary along major routes.
An alternate ferry route connects Digby, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. Compared to the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth route, this will require a longer ferry ride and a lengthy drive from Boston to Saint John.
If you go straight from Boston to Halifax International Airport, you can fly straight to Nova Scotia. You might think about renting a car to visit Nova Scotia, but this choice would be much more expensive than taking the boat. The flight lasts for one hour and thirty minutes.
How to drive to Bar Harbor from Boston
From Boston, Nova Scotia is reachable by car. From Boston, you go north to Portland, Maine, then beyond Brunswick to the US/Canada border at Calais, which is 330 miles and 5 hours and 35 minutes away.
The road from Calais leads north through Saint John and then across the New Brunswick border into Nova Scotia, ending in Amherst. Therefore, it will take approximately 8 hours and 50 minutes to drive 535 miles from Boston to Nova Scotia.
It takes 13 hours and 35 minutes to drive 850 miles from Boston to Yarmouth, where the ferry port is located. On the other hand, it will take 10 hours and 50 minutes to travel 670 miles from Boston to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia.
How long does it take on ferry from Boston to Nova Scotia?
| Option | Ferry Route | Drive Time | Ferry Duration | Total Travel Time |
| Ferry Option A | Bar Harbor -Yarmouth | 4 hours 50 min | 3 hours 30 min | 8 hours 20 min |
| Ferry Option B | Saint John-Digby | 6 hours 30 min | 3 hours | 8 hours 30 min |
| Driving Route (Boston to Halifax) | No Ferry | 10 hours 50 min | No Ferry | 10 hours 50 min |
Where you choose to board the ferry will determine how long the voyage will take, and this may also affect when you choose to travel. Ferries take three hours and thirty minutes to travel from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth and three hours to travel from Saint John to Digby.
It will take four hours and fifty minutes to get to Bar Harbor, which is 280 miles north of Boston. It takes three hours and thirty minutes to get from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth through ferry.
It will take six hours and thirty minutes to drive 410 miles from Boston to Saint John. It takes three hours to take a ferry from Saint John to Digby, Nova Scotia.
The boat from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth will take nine hours and fifteen minutes if you factor in the time needed to drive from Boston and check in, whereas the ferry from Saint John to Digby would take thirteen hours and forty-five minutes.
Even if you have chosen express check-in, you should still make sure you arrive in plenty of time. You should allow an hour for ferry check-in.
The ferry from Saint John will be your only option if you intend to go outside of the May–October peak season, as the Bar Harbor–Yarmouth ferry only operates during that time.
How much does it cost to travel to Nova Scotia by ferry?
| Departure Point | Arrival Point | Adult Fare | Car Fare |
| Bar Harbor | Yarmouth | ＄115 | ＄200 |
| Saint John | Digby | ＄43 | ＄121 |
The off-season rates are displayed for the Saint John to Digby route. All costs are displayed in Canadian dollars and are based on a single trip.
Which ferry port in Nova Scotia is the best choice for your destination?
he CAT boat crossing is more secure and provides a more seamless trip with a lower likelihood of cancelation due to bad weather. The ferry terminal at Yarmouth is the most popular destination.
Useful facts about traveling to Nova Scotia by ferry
When making your itinerary, keep in mind that the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth ferry only operates during the busiest times of the year, therefore the prices are fixed.
Our best advice for getting ready for a ferry voyage to Nova Scotia will be as below:
Check the ferry operator’s website for limitations and when to arrive at the terminal.
Make sure to note when to check in, as these timings can change based on the ferry route you are taking.
The particular ferry you are taking may have an impact on when and how you receive your boarding pass; please check the operator’s website in ahead.
Ideal time to visit Nova Scotia
Although Nova Scotia is a stunning destination year-round, the main attractions are more likely to be open and the weather is generally better in the summer.
Is there a year-round ferry to Nova Scotia?
This is a crucial consideration when making travel plans because the Ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth only operates during the busiest months, which are May through October. All year long, the alternate ferry service between Digby and Saint John is available.
When is the ideal time to visit Nova Scotia?
The climate of Nova Scotia is comparable to that of Central Europe, making it one of Canada’s warmest locations. The greatest season to go is from May to October, and it does have some lovely warm weather.
The busiest travel months in Nova Scotia are July and August, so if you decide to go during these months, you won’t be alone—roughly 750,000 other tourists will share your preference. More than 80% of the biggest events take place during this time, and all of the main attractions will be open.
The cold season in winter lasts from early December to mid-March, or about three and a half months. During this time, daily maximum temperatures typically fall below 40°F.
January is Halifax’s coldest month of the year, with average low temperatures of 19°F and high temperatures of 33°F. Winter brings plenty of snow, which typically falls between late November and early April.
The Appalachian Mountains encompass the entire province of Nova Scotia, which is home to multiple mountain ranges. It is separated by sandy beaches, a range of rocky shorelines, and gorgeous, beautiful river valleys with several lakes and forests.
Nova Scotia has a wealth of wildlife, and it’s a great site to watch humpback whales in particular. They flock to the region to feed from April to October, but in the winter they move south to warmer climates.
With more than 70 mammal species, you have a decent chance of sighting bobcats, lynxes, porcupines, northern flying squirrels, black bears, and raccoons if you’re wildlife spotting on land. There are some amazing events in Nova Scotia that could affect your travel plans. We advise looking into:
Halifax Jazz Festival – An annual festival that takes place over a week in mid-July and draws over 65,000 visitors. With more than 350 performers, it’s one of the biggest festivals in Atlantic Canada.
Halifax Comedy Fest – The Halifax Comedy Fest features several shows spread throughout the city, with comedians from across North America. This four-day celebration is conducted in April each year.
The Celtic Colours International Festival – This event, which celebrates Cape Breton Island customs and culture, takes place over nine days in October and features some of the top bands in the world performing alongside the best local performers.
The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) – organized in July with the goal of fostering unity and empowering Indigenous athletes. More than 756 Indigenous Nations send more than 5,000 athletes to compete in the games.
Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie – Nova Scotia’s biggest cycling event. This amazing seaside trip, which takes place in early September, allows you to explore the area on two wheels. Although competitive racers frequent there, casual riders are welcome, and it’s a great way to view the coast.
Things to discover in Nova Scotia after your arrival
In order to experience all of Nova Scotia’s amazing sights and activities, it is worthwhile to arrange a few stops in some of the province’s larger towns and cities. Our top picks for attractions are as follows:
1.Halifax Citadel National Site – Halifax’s Citadel Hill is a National Historic Site because of its advantageous hilltop location, which was selected in 1749 as the best way to defend the city. Discover what it was like to be a soldier in the Victorian era by traveling back in time.
2.Maritime Museum of the Atlantic –Located in the center of Halifax’s historic waterfront, learn about the region’s link with the sea and Nova Scotia’s maritime past.
3.Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk – See the city’s vibrant center, which is home to many of its greatest restaurants and retail establishments, as well as one of the longest paths in the world, which is a beautiful stroll in and of itself.
4.Peggy’s Cove – A stunning fishing community with the famous Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, perched on 400 million-year-old granite, is one of Nova Scotia’s most visited destinations.
5.Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – Find out how the nation was shaped by the 20th-century migration wave. located in Halifax, Canada, the site of nearly a million immigration arrivals between 1928 and 1971.
6.Halifax Public Gardens – Wander around the 16 acres of constantly changing horticulture in these Victorian-era-inspired gardens.
7.Cabot Trail – Take the coastal route around Cape Breton Island, which is known for its breathtaking beauty and is considered one of the top road journeys in the world.
8.The Big Fiddle – See Cape Breton, the biggest violin in the world, in Sydney. This enormous fiddle and bow, which stands 60 feet tall and is made of solid steel, was created as a tribute to the Celtic folk traditions of the area.
9.Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Explore the various scenic trails and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of this stunning wilderness, which is where the mountains and sea meet.
10.Inverness Beach Boardwalk – Enjoy the warm shallow seas and silky golden sand under your toes as you stroll down the 1.5km sandy beach in this incredibly beautiful setting.
11.Victoria Park – Enjoy this 3,000-acre natural woodland park near downtown Truro, complete with gorges, waterfalls, and a vast route network.
12.Truro Tidal Bore viewing/visitor centre – With twice-daily tides that are among the highest on the planet, the Fundy Discovery scene is the scene of an amazing tidal phenomenon. Discover everything there is to know about this breathtaking natural spectacle at the tourist center.
13.Marigold Cultural Centre, Truro – The community’s center for the arts and culture, with gallery exhibitions, concerts, and classes.
14.olchester Historeum – Explore a genuine viewpoint on the history and culture of the area through an amazing exhibition of relics and displays. For a one-of-a-kind memento, stop by the museum store.
15.Lunenburg – See the charming painted buildings on the shoreline of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is regarded as Canada’s the most adorable town.
Although there isn’t a direct boat from Boston to Nova Scotia, the drive to catch the ferry is worthwhile since this breathtaking oceanfront province is one of the best places to go on a road trip, and the Cabot Trail is among the most scenic drives in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get to Nova Scotia by ferry?
Ferries from Canadian cities frequently cross the Northumberland Strait and the Bay of Fundy to reach Nova Scotia. Frequent international ferry connections are also available from the United States.
Is there a train from Boston to Nova Scotia?
No, trains do not run directly between Boston and Nova Scotia. However, there are trains that leave Boston and travel to Halifax via Saint-Lambert and Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station. With transfers included, the trip takes about 37 hours and 49 minutes.
Do you need a passport for Nova Scotia by ferry?
To enter Canada through Nova Scotia, a passport is required for everyone, including Canadians traveling back from overseas.
How many ferries does Nova Scotia have?
Seven ferries are run by the Department of Public Works.
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