Most affordable way to travel to Eastern Canada?

[steeped]

I am have the summer off, so I want to accomplish one of my dreams and travel from Toronto to Nova Scotia.

I plan to either bus or train it there, and then fly it back. Are there any affordable deals, or travel options you would recommend to me?

Thank you!!

[Hot Ice]

may need to disclose age. How many people going? If you're going by yourself, consider room, board, work? what do you need for entertainment/leisure activities?
If it's a whole summer, where you stay and how you eat will be important. It's more fun doing trips in a group and split the cost. Bus or train is more fun. It's easier to sleep on the train.

[steeped]

may need to disclose age. How many people going? If you're going by yourself, consider room, board, work? what do you need for entertainment/leisure activities?
If it's a whole summer, where you stay and how you eat will be important. It's more fun doing trips in a group and split the cost. Bus or train is more fun. It's easier to sleep on the train.

There are 2, and maybe 3 people going, ages 20-30. I prefer to take the train, but via rail is incredibly expensive (over $1500 is looks like just to get to Nova Scotia). I have a very strict diet, so I don't plan to order and room server or go to any restaurants. If I don't end up sleeping on the train/bus at nights, I don't require any fancy hotel as long as I sleep in a clean bed.

[jason9945]

Walk.
Bring water.

[steve-0101]

I am have the summer off, so I want to accomplish one of my dreams and travel from Toronto to Nova Scotia.

I plan to either bus or train it there, and then fly it back. Are there any affordable deals, or travel options you would recommend to me?

Thank you!!

It's an easy drive, I'm doing it in a few weeks.

[steeped]

Walk.
Bring water.

That's definitely within my budget.


It's an easy drive, I'm doing it in a few weeks.

I think it will be hard to enjoy the trip if I drive. If I bus it or take a train, what companies out there are recommended?

[Hot Ice]

It's actually more fun to drive. If all of you can share the driving, it'll be a good experience. There is a scenic route all the way from TO to Kingston. You need to plan ahead and plan sleeping/resting arrangement along the way. Take the scenic route. It's been more than 20 years for me so my memories are vague.

[Biff88]

............
I think it will be hard to enjoy the trip if I drive. If I bus it or take a train, what companies out there are recommended?

I don't recommend bus or train over taking a car. If you don't take a car, you are going to miss a lot..possibly most of what there is to see. This is not like going to New York and then taking the subway to see things. A lot of the attractions are not in the cities(Cape Breton, Peggy's cove, Lunenburg for example)..and even if they are, public transportation down east is not that good.

[Arrgh]

A car is a must. You can go at your own pace, stop everywhere and sightseeing everywhere. Buses won't be very frequent in a lot of the more rural areas where you'd want to visit.

Get a map, and research a bit of the places you'd want to stop and see. Take the example of New Brunswick. Saint John and the reversing river/fall, caves in St. Martin, Bay of Fundy, and so on. You need a car.

[woobie]

A bunch of us did a motorcycle trip and rode down there a few years back to do the Cabot trail. I wouldn't want to do it on a bus or train and be tied to their schedule for everything.

[Talamasca]

+1 on a car being the best way to go if time is not an issue. Driving the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island at your own pace, exploring the attractions, small towns and villages along the way is one of the greatest things you can do in this part of the country.

[FunSave22]

The main bus company in Atlantic Canada, Acadian Lines, has locked out all of their workers in New Brunswick and PEI since early December.


Their workers in Nova Scotia are in a different union and there still is bus service within Nova Scotia. But only within Nova Scotia. There are no Acadian Lines buses leaving the province.

So if you want to bus to Nova Scotia, as far as I know your only option is going to be an expensive tour bus.



And as mentioned, public transportation is not very good in Nova Scotia (with the possible exception of the city of Halifax, which has half-decent transit). You probably are either are going to need a car or join some type of tour. A quick search shows that there are backpacker tours which may fit more into your budget.

But seriously, rent a car.

[barricuda]

+1 to going by car. As mentioned, there are many lookouts where you would want to stop and enjoy the vistas at your own pace. Plus bring a tent and sleeping bag to save to hotels - there are plenty of camping sites and summers the time to enjoy them :).... I am jealous that you are getting to do it all summer... I had 2 weeks and it was still so much fun.

[IceBlueShoes]

There are 2, and maybe 3 people going, ages 20-30. I prefer to take the train, but via rail is incredibly expensive (over $1500 is looks like just to get to Nova Scotia). I have a very strict diet, so I don't plan to order and room server or go to any restaurants. If I don't end up sleeping on the train/bus at nights, I don't require any fancy hotel as long as I sleep in a clean bed.

$1500?! Maybe if you have the top end sleeping/dining car to yourself. It's not even that much to go out west.

I went 4 years and it cost me $220. In my case I simply slept in my seat. Not too big of a deal since the ride itself is only a day/night.
Check out the VIA Express deals and you should be able to luck out.

Another option would be to make stops along the way. Say Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax. It all depends on where you want to go exactly.

Now if you're expecting nice scenery, I hate to break it to you but it's not all that exciting, Maybe after Moncton it is, but from Moncton > TO, there's nothing.

[RandomCDN]

$1500?! Maybe if you have the top end sleeping/dining car to yourself. It's not even that much to go out west.

I went 4 years and it cost me $220. In my case I simply slept in my seat. Not too big of a deal since the ride itself is only a day/night.
Check out the VIA Express deals and you should be able to luck out.

Another option would be to make stops along the way. Say Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax. It all depends on where you want to go exactly.

Now if you're expecting nice scenery, I hate to break it to you but it's not all that exciting, Maybe after Moncton it is, but from Moncton > TO, there's nothing.

What about Montreal and Quebec city?

[1LuckyGuy]

FYI, there are a couple of deals on travel right now.
VIA rail is having a promotion for Youth travellers, $59+tax one way between TO and MTL, $117+tax one way between MTL and Halifax.
Youth is up to 25 years old, but you can pick up your tickets at the kiosk, and I've never been asked to confirm my age anyways (though I am 25).
This would be for only a seat though, not a sleeper/cabin.

http://www.viarail.ca/en/fares/discounts/youth-12-25

Porter is having a 50% off sale right now, use coupon code GOING to check fares for Halifax.

Also, Air Canada and Porter have a bunch of $75 (incl tax) fares between TO and MTL right now, in case that helps.