Whitman Wharf House Bed and Breakfast, Canso, Nova Scotia

On this page:

- Driving from Halifax/Halifax airport to Canso via Highways 102/104
- Driving from Halifax to Canso via Eastern Shore
- Driving from Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island
- Air travel from the UK
- Air travel in North America
- Car rentals at Halifax International Airport
- Ferries to Nova Scotia
- Driving distances and times

Right: partial map of Nova Scotia showing Halifax, with Halifax airport and Canso highlighted in red rectangles.

Driving From Halifax International Airport (now the Robert L. Stanfield International Airport) to Canso: there are two routes

From the Airport via Hwy 102/104 to Canso, most direct route (total driving time approx. 3.25 hours).

As a rough guide, the route is:

• Airport to Hwy 102/104 junction at Truro (about 35 min)
• Truro to New Glasgow (about 30 min)
• New Glasgow to Antigonish (about 35 min)
• Antigonish to Exit 37 on 104 to Hwy 16 (about 15 min)
• Exit 37 on 104 to Hwy 16 to Guysborough (about 20min)
• Guysborough to Canso (approx. 45min)

When traveling from the airport I often stop at the Tim Horton’s at the airport; just as you are leaving the airport it is on the LHS before the turn off for Hwy 102.

Best places to stop are:

• New Glasgow exit 23 ~ Tim Horton's
• Antigonish. Take Exit 32 and drive into town centre (about 5 mins) to Main St. for Gabrieau’s Bistro, 902-863-1925 (reservations recommended).
• Or at Guysborough, stop in the centre of Guysborough at the Rare Bird Pub & Brewery for casual eating with a pleasing view over the waterfront; 902-533-2128.

[top of page]

Eastern Shore / Marine Drive

The Eastern Shore is one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Nova Scotia, stretching from Halifax along the Eastern Shore to the causeway which traverses the Straits of Canso and so connects the Nova Scotia mainland to the island of Cape Breton. I recommend this lovely route but do take your time because the coastal road winds its way along the shoreline.

From Halifax it is about a five hour drive and it is best to have time to enjoy the many interesting and picturesque areas along the route as well as to savour the wonderful seafood!

From Halifax take the route to Dartmouth and then Hwy 7 and Hwy 107/7 to Musquodoboit Harbour. Just past Musquodoboit Harbour is a lovely restaurant The Lobster Shack (let me know if you would like me to make lunch reservations or phone 902-889-3353/1-800-565-3353). The next good eating area is in Sherbrooke where a visit to Sherbrooke Village in the afternoon and afternoon tea or an early evening meal would work well.

There are several Provincial Parks on route. Taylor Head and Tor Bay in particular are nice if you enjoy walking.

At Port Bickerton, not far from Sherbrooke Village, there is a lighthouse museum and also a small walking trail.

From Sherbrooke to Canso it is about a two hour drive. Though there is little in the way of refreshment between Canso and Sherbrooke, a couple of small places only, there is the charm of taking the small ferry which crosses at Country Harbour, about thirty minutes north of Sherbrooke. It runs every half hour and I always forget the timings which differ depending on the direction you are travelling, but you can check that at Sherbrooke. I think it is on the quarter past and a quarter to the hour coming northwards!
[top of page]

Driving from Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island

We are located approximately 1 hr 15 mins driving time from Cape Breton (Causeway) on the Eastern Shore and approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from Pictou if travelling by ferry from Prince Edward Island, PEI. [top of page]

Air travel from the UK

This information is based on our own local knowledge and is not intended to be a definitive compilation, but to provide a quick and easy reference.

The following airlines fly direct from the UK to Halifax International Airport (Robert L. Stanfield International Airport), Nova Scotia:

From LONDON HEATHROW to Halifax:

• Air Canada
• British Airways
• British Midlands International

From LONDON GATWICK to Halifax:

• Zoom Airlines
  Tel: 1-866-359-9666 in North America
  0870-240-0055 in the UK
  Outward flights from London Gatwick to Halifax are on Mondays.
  Return flights from Halifax to London Gatwick are on Saturdays.

From GLASGOW to Halifax:

• Zoom Airlines
  Outward flights from Glasgow to Halifax are on Saturdays.
  Return flights from Halifax to Glasgow are on Saturdays.

Best prices:

• Air Canada and British Airways offer special prices for bookings made at specific times in the year. Check with the airlines for deals.
• Zoom Airlines is a new airline which started up in May 2004. It is owned and operated by a Glaswegian, and is based in Ottawa, Canada.

[top of page]

Air travel in North America

WestJet and Air Canada are the main North American carriers flying into Halifax International Airport (Robert L. Stanfield International Airport).

Car rentals at Halifax International Airport

Best value car hire in our experience has generally been from either Dollar or Budget Rentals. Avis and Hertz are also available. View comparative charges online.

[top of page]

Ferries to Nova Scotia

Travel from the US or from Canada via Montreal by The Cat car ferry from Bar Harbor (Maine) to Yarmouth (Nova Scotia).

Sailing time is approx. 2hours and 45mins.
1-888-249-SAIL
902-566-3838
www.catferry.com

Travel from the US or from Canada via Saint John (New Brunswick) by Ferry: Saint John to Digby (Nova Scotia).

1-888-249-7245
902-566-3838
www.nfl-bay.com

Daily service year round

Travel from the US or from Canada via Wood Islands (Prince Edward Island) by  FERRY: Wood Islands to Pictou (Nova Scotia).

1-800-565-0201
902-566-3838

[top of page]