Traveling Through New Brunswick To Nova Scotia: Allowed?

Yes, you can travel from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia by car, bus, or train. The distance between the two Canadian provinces is approximately 196 miles, with a road distance of about 163-164 miles. The drive from Moncton, New Brunswick, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, takes around 2 hours and 47 minutes and is the quickest way to travel between the two provinces. Alternatively, you can take a direct bus or train between the two provinces, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Travel within Canada is unrestricted, and there are no current restrictions for travelling between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Travel from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia by bus, train or car

There are three ways to travel from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia: by bus, train or car.

The bus from Moncton, NB, to Halifax, NS Bus Terminal is direct and takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. The bus costs between $30 and $45 and is the cheapest way to travel between the two provinces. The bus company is called Maritimebus and departs once daily.

The train from Moncton to Halifax is direct and takes approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. The train costs between $55 and $120 and is operated by VIA Rail. The train departs three times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The distance between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is 196 miles, with a road distance of 163.5 miles. Driving is the quickest way to travel between the two provinces and takes approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. The journey costs between $35 and $55.

Travel within Canada is unrestricted

If you are planning to drive, it is worth noting that you can use your International Driver's Licence or foreign licence for up to six months. After that, you will need to obtain a valid New Brunswick Driver's Licence. New Brunswick has strict seat belt and child car seat laws, so be sure to follow the rules of the road.

There are also options to travel by train or bus, with Maritimebus and VIA Rail offering services between the two provinces. The train costs $55-$120 and takes around 4 hours, while the bus takes a similar amount of time and costs $30-$45.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, travelling within Canada is unrestricted, so you can explore the beauty of both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with ease.

Driving in New Brunswick

The most common way to travel between and within New Brunswick's communities is by car. If you are travelling from another country, you may use your International Driver’s Licence or foreign licence for up to six months, after which you will need to obtain a valid New Brunswick Driver’s Licence. This can be done at a Service New Brunswick Centre, where you will need to take a written and road test.

If you are a new resident in the province, you will need to obtain a New Brunswick driving licence within 10 days of arriving. You will need to provide two pieces of identification, one showing proof of your birth date and your immigration status. There are nine classes of the licence, but the two most relevant for most drivers are Classes 7 and 5.

Class 7 is your learner's licence, for which you will need to take and pass a written test and a vision test. You can apply for this from the age of 16 with parental consent. Once you have passed this, you can take your road test, for which you must provide your own vehicle. If you pass, you will be given your Class 5 driver's licence, which entitles you to drive in New Brunswick unsupervised.

New Brunswick has strict seat belt and child car seat laws, and it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the New Brunswick Driver’s Handbook before driving. The speed limit in urban areas is 50kph, and 80kph outside of towns and cities, unless otherwise stated.

If you are visiting New Brunswick and only need a vehicle for a short time, you can rent one from one of the many vehicle rental agencies.

Travel by air, rail or ferry

Travel by Air

Halifax is the air hub of the Atlantic Provinces. Air Canada provides daily direct service from New York and Boston, using its commuter partner Jazz, which also flies directly to Sydney, Charlottetown, Saint John, and St. John's, as well as several more remote destinations in eastern Canada.

Travel by Rail

VIA Rail offers train service six days a week on the Ocean run between Halifax and Montreal. The entire trip takes between 18 and 21 hours, depending on the direction, with a basic summertime fare of about C$250 each way, not including sleeping accommodations (which can add considerably to the cost).

The Ocean runs daily (except Tuesdays) in each direction year-round, with standard overnight sleeper-cabin service. The Easterly option is available from mid-June through mid-October.

Travel by Ferry

The CAT Ferry service between Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, is one of the most popular ways to travel to Nova Scotia. The ferry will take 3.5 hours to cross over to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

You can also take a ferry from Digby, Nova Scotia, to Saint John, New Brunswick, which takes just over two hours. This route is served by the MV Fundy Rose, which has daily crossings and welcomes all types of vehicles, including cars, RVs, trucks, tour buses, and motorcycles, as well as walk-on passengers and their four-legged friends.

Travel from Nova Scotia to the US, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland

Travel from Nova Scotia to the US

The closest part of the US to Nova Scotia is Maine, and there are a few ways to travel between the two. Flying is the quickest option, with flights from Halifax to Boston and Philadelphia, for example. Alternatively, you can drive from Nova Scotia to Maine via New Brunswick. The drive will take at least four hours from the US border at Calais, Maine, to Amherst, at the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border. The CAT Ferry service also runs from Bar Harbour, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and takes around three and a half hours.

Travel from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick

You can travel from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick by car or ferry. The drive will take at least four hours from the US border at Calais, Maine, to Amherst, at the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border. There are also ferries that run between the two provinces, such as the Princess of Acadia, which sails between Saint John, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia. This takes around three hours.

Travel from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island

There are several ways to travel from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island. You can drive, take a bus or ferry, or fly. The drive takes around three and a half hours, and you can also take a bus, which takes between seven and nine hours. Ferries run from Caribou, Nova Scotia, to Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and take around 75 minutes. There are also flights from Halifax to Charlottetown.

Travel from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland

The most common way to travel from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland is by ferry. Marine Atlantic operates ferries all year round between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, which take between six and eight hours. From June to September, there is also a ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Argentia, Newfoundland, which takes around 15 hours.

Frequently asked questions