Ferry to Nova Scotia: Route Planner, Schedules & Fares
Compare schedules, fares, and crossing times for all Nova Scotia ferry routes. Get driving directions to and from terminals with our multi-modal route planner.
Plan Your Ferry Route
⚠️ Ferry schedules are seasonal and subject to change. Always confirm with the operator before travelling.
Your Ferry Route Awaits
Select your ferry route, vehicle type, passengers, and season, then click calculate to see your personalized ferry cost and route details.
Nova Scotia Ferry Routes
Nova Scotia Ferry Routes at a Glance
| Route | Operator | Crossing | 2026 Season | Adult from | Vehicle from | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digby NS ↔ Saint John NB | Bay Ferries (MV Fundy Rose) | 2 h 15 min | Year-round (schedule posted through Mar 31, 2027; reduced winter) | $21.50 one-way off-peak / $26.50 peak (peak = Jun 18–Oct 12, 2026) | Car $60.50 one-way off-peak (up to 20 ft / 7 ft high) + passenger fares + fuel surcharge | ferries.ca |
| Bar Harbor ME ↔ Yarmouth NS | Bay Ferries (The CAT) | 3 h 30 min | May 14 – Oct 14, 2026 (2027 dates announced in spring; typically mid-May to mid-October) | US$90 one-way spring/fall, US$121 summer (Jun 18–Sep 21), + US$15/person port & security fee | US$156 spring/fall / US$209 summer (up to 20 ft, under 7 ft high) | ferries.ca |
| Caribou NS ↔ Wood Islands PEI | Northumberland Ferries | 75 min | Jun 15 – Dec 20, 2026 (4 sailings/day after Oct 17) | $11.50 foot passenger (passengers travel with a vehicle on the vehicle fare) | Car $43 (round trip costs the same as one-way; NS→PEI standby free, space permitting) | ferries.ca |
| Halifax ↔ Dartmouth | Halifax Transit (Alderney ferry) | ~12 min | Year-round, daily | Regular transit fare | Passenger service, no cars | No booking |
When Each Ferry Runs: Month-by-Month
| Route | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundy Rose (Digby ↔ Saint John) | reduced | reduced | reduced | reduced | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| The CAT (Bar Harbor ↔ Yarmouth) | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Caribou ↔ Wood Islands (PEI) | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (through Dec 20) |
| Halifax ↔ Dartmouth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Sailings marked ✓ run in 2026–27; always confirm exact dates with the operator — see each route's section below.
Nova Scotia Ferry Terminals on the Map
Digby ↔ Saint John
Operator: Bay Ferries - MV Fundy Rose
Crossing: ~2 hours 15 minutes across the Bay of Fundy
Season: Year-round (reduced winter schedule)
Car + Driver: $60.50–$64.00 one-way + passengers
Foot Passenger: $21.50–$26.50 one-way
Scenic ferry across the world's highest tides. Avoid the long drive around the Bay of Fundy through Moncton (saves 4+ hours). Onboard amenities include café, outdoor decks, and comfortable seating.
Maintenance notice: The MV Fundy Rose will be out of service Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28, 2026 for scheduled maintenance - no sailings those two days. Service resumes with the 9:00 am departure from Saint John on Thursday, October 29.
View Schedule & Book →Caribou ↔ Wood Islands (PEI)
Operator: Northumberland Ferries
Crossing: ~75 minutes across the Northumberland Strait
Season: June 15 – December 20, 2026 (4 sailings/day after Oct 17)
Car (incl. passengers): $43.00 one-way (round-trip same price!)
Foot Passenger: $11.50 one-way
85 years of service! The relaxing alternative to the Confederation Bridge. Enjoy Maritime culture, sea air, and onboard amenities. Standby travel from NS to PEI is FREE (subject to availability).
Service note (updated Sept 20, 2026): The Saturday, September 19, 2026 sailings were disrupted by a high-wind weather advisory - a one-day event, with the full 8-sailing schedule restored and running on time from September 20. A standing advisory for the MV Northumberland remains in place: vehicle loading is managed at low tide to prevent low-clearance vehicles, bike racks, and trailers from bottoming out at the berth, so travellers with low vehicles or trailers should reserve ahead and call 1-902-485-6580. A permanent fix is planned before May 1, 2027. After October 17 the route drops to 4 sailings daily for the fall season. Check ferries.ca or text SAIL to 1-866-397-1961 for same-day status.
View Schedule & Book →Halifax ↔ Dartmouth
Operator: Halifax Transit (Alderney Ferry)
Crossing: ~12 minutes across Halifax Harbour
Season: Year-round, daily service
Fare: $3.00 adult / $2.25 senior/youth / Free child (0-12)
Pedestrians & bicycles only (no vehicles)
North America's oldest saltwater ferry! Frequent service every 15-30 minutes. Connects downtown Halifax with downtown Dartmouth. Woodside Ferry also available weekdays. A must-do Halifax experience with great harbour views.
View Schedule & Info →The CAT: Bar Harbor ↔ Yarmouth
Operator: Bay Ferries - high-speed catamaran The CAT
Crossing: ~3.5 hours across the Gulf of Maine
2026 Season: Starts May 14 (daily crossings, US ↔ NS)
Pricing (2026, USD): $90–$121/adult + $156–$209/vehicle one-way (plus $15/person port & security fee). Spring/Fall rates in lower range, Summer in higher range.
📈 2026 booking stats: 33,832 passengers booked as of Aug 14 - up 37% from 24,613 in early July (though about 17% below the 40,950 booked by the same date last season, as Canadian bookings drop while US bookings hold steady). 86% of CAT bookings originate in the United States (Bay Ferries CEO), making this the primary sea route from the US to Nova Scotia via Maine; book early as summer weekend sailings sell out fast.
The fastest way to reach Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores from the eastern United States. Arrive in Yarmouth, 20 minutes from Pubnico and the start of the French Shore. For the full Bar Harbor departure guide - 2026 fares, the terminal, and the crossing itself - see our Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia Ferry guide, and the Acadian Shores guide for the Yarmouth arrival itinerary.
View Schedule & Book →🇺🇸 US Citizens Taking the CAT - Border & Vehicle Checklist
The CAT is the primary sea route from the United States to Nova Scotia - 86% of its bookings are US-origin (Bay Ferries CEO Mark Wilson). Here's what US travellers need to board and clear Canadian customs at Yarmouth:
- Documents: US passport book (fastest at customs), passport card, or NEXUS card. Enhanced Driver's License also accepted for sea entry.
- Vehicle: Valid US driver's license + proof of insurance that covers Canada. If driving a rental car, you must carry a letter from the rental company authorizing cross-border transport - request this when you pick up the vehicle, before driving to Bar Harbor.
- At the terminal (Bar Harbor): Arrive 90 minutes early. Vehicle check-in closes ~45 min before sailing.
- On arrival (Yarmouth): Canada Border Services clears you at the dock. Have passports out, declare any food/alcohol/firearms. US cash works in some tourist hubs but CAD is preferred - withdraw CAD at an ATM or use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card.
- Driving in NS: Speed limits are in km/h (100–110 km/h on highways = ~62–68 mph). Right-turn-on-red is permitted after a full stop. Cell roaming can be spotty at sea - download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before boarding.
Full step-by-step: see our US Traveller Guide - By Ferry section.
Ferry to Nova Scotia: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry to Nova Scotia? Yes. Four ferry services connect Nova Scotia: The CAT (Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, ~3.5 hours, May 14 – October 14 in 2026), the Fundy Rose (Digby to Saint John, NB, ~2 h 15 min, year-round), Northumberland Ferries (Caribou, NS to Wood Islands, PEI, ~75 minutes, June 15 – December 20, 2026 (4 sailings/day after Oct 17)), and the Halifax–Dartmouth commuter ferry (~12 minutes). Our planner above compares schedules, fares, and terminals for each.
How long is the ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia? The CAT ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia takes about 3.5 hours across the Gulf of Maine. Arrive roughly 90 minutes before departure for vehicle check-in and boarding. For the full departure guide, 2026 fares, the terminal, and what the crossing is like, see our Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia Ferry guide.
How much does the ferry to Nova Scotia cost? Fares depend on route, vehicle, and season. As of 2026: the CAT (Bar Harbor–Yarmouth) runs about $90 USD per adult one-way in spring/fall and up to $121 USD in summer peak, plus roughly $156–$209 USD per vehicle and a $15/person port and security fee; the Fundy Rose (Digby–Saint John) starts around $64 CAD per car off-peak; the Caribou–Wood Islands ferry (NS–PEI) charges by vehicle only (adults free with vehicle); the Halifax–Dartmouth ferry costs regular transit fare. Use the planner above for live numbers by route and vehicle type.
Can I take a ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia? Yes. Northumberland Ferries sails Caribou, NS ↔ Wood Islands, PEI in about 75 minutes across the Northumberland Strait, seasonally May through early November. Confederation Bridge is the one-way (free to enter PEI, toll to leave) alternative, many travellers ferry one way and drive the other. The planner above shows schedules and vehicle fares.
How do I get to Nova Scotia from the US without flying? Two sea routes and one drive: sail The CAT from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth (~3.5 h, May 14 – October 14 in 2026, the only direct US–NS passenger-and-car ferry); drive I-95 through Maine and New Brunswick to the Amherst border (~8 h from Boston area); or combine a New England trip with the CAT as your ocean leg. Weekend summer CAT sailings sell out, book early.
Do I need a reservation for Nova Scotia ferries? The CAT (Bar Harbor–Yarmouth) strongly recommends reservations, July/August weekend sailings routinely sell out. The Fundy Rose (Digby–Saint John) accepts drive-ups but reserves the right to bump late arrivals; booking ahead is wise in July and August. The Caribou–Wood Islands (PEI) ferry runs turn-up-and-go with occasional capacity waits on summer weekends. The Halifax–Dartmouth ferry is walk-on transit.
Do Nova Scotia ferries take cars, RVs and motorcycles? Yes. The CAT, Fundy Rose, and Caribou–Wood Islands ferries all carry cars, trucks, motorcycles, and RVs (with length-based fares, the planner's vehicle dropdown covers them). Only the Halifax–Dartmouth ferry is passenger-only. Oversized vehicles should confirm clearance with the operator when booking.