Nova Scotia Ferry & Route Planner
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 traveling.
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
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.
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).
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 travelers 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 Traveler Guide - By Ferry section.