As we slowly start to put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, many are anxious to get out and travel. Some are just looking for a vacation destination, while others are seeking a more permanent get-away or new place to call home, with PEI increasingly being the destination of choice. If you are one of those people looking to travel to the Island this year, we have some travel tips that may help.
Driving to PEI
If you plan to drive, you’ll pass through hours of beautiful maritime landscapes en route. Anticipation builds as you approach the shores of the Northumberland Strait, where you have the option of taking the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, or the Northumberland Ferry which runs from Caribou, Nova Scotia into Wood Islands, PEI.
The Bridge is the most common option, and it’s quite an attraction itself. The Confederation Bridge was built in 1997 and stretches 12.9 km long, making it the longest bridge in the world that crosses ice-covered waters. It runs from Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick to Borden-Carleton, PEI. The bridge takes about 10 minutes to cross while travelling about 80 km/h, however, occasional high winds can cause delays. Below is a list of cities with the travel time to reach our two seaside communities on the Island.
| Sunset Dunes | Dunrovin |
Toronto | 16 hours | 16 hours and 10 minutes |
Montreal | 10 hours and 50 minutes | 11 hours |
Ottawa | 12 hours and 50 minutes | 13 hours |
Halifax | 2 hours and 50 minutes | 3 hours |
Fredericton | 3 hours | 3 hours and 10 minutes |
2022 Bridge Tolls: All Tolls are collected when travelling from PEI to New Brunswick
Vehicles | | Shuttle Service | |
First 2 Axles | $50.25 | Pedestrian | $4.75 |
Each Additional Axle | $8.50 | Cyclist | $9.50 |
Motorcycle | $20.00 | First Bag | FREE |
| | Each Additional Bag | $4.25 |
| | | |
A StraitPASS transponder allows for quicker passage through toll booths and charges a connected credit card. However, the Confederation Bridge does not have discounts for frequent travellers or StraitPASS holders.
The Northumberland Ferry has been transporting passengers and their vehicles between PEI and Nova Scotia since 1941. The ferry does not run during the winter months. It takes about 75 minutes to cross by ferry. Passengers enjoy onboard dining, children’s entertainment, and the fresh air at sea while crossing the Northumberland Strait.
Automobile | $82.00 |
Motorcycle | $43.00 |
Walk-On Passengers | $18-$21, Children under 12 are FREE |
Flying to PEI
Air Canada, WestJet, Flair and Swoop are the airlines that land in Charlottetown. Although the Charlottetown airport may be small, it offers direct flights from major Canadian cities. You can fly directly to and from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, and Pearson International Airport in Toronto year-round. Some seasonal direct flights get you to the Ottawa International Airport, the Edmonton International Airport, and the Calgary International Airport. There are car rental companies available at the airport.
Driving time from the airport to Dunrovin Shores is about 30 minutes, and 40 minutes to Sunset Dunes. Direct flights from Toronto to Charlottetown take just under two and a half hours, so getting to your seaside retreat in PEI does not have to take much longer than travelling from Toronto to many of Ontario’s cottage regions.
Of course, once you arrive on the Island you may just find that you want to toss your return ticket.
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