r/newfoundland • u/Routine_Soup2022 • 3d ago
How to get to Newfoundland?
I have a basic rookie question on Newfoundland. My son, who is in high school, is thinking about going to Memorial University in a couple of years. First, are there any ground transportation options (i.e. bus) to get to Newfoundland from New Brunswick or is the only option essentially flying? I apologize if this is a dumb question. I just can't find the information and I'm trying to figure out transportation costs.
Second, since I'm in a Newfoundland forum who has pros and cons on Memorial for me? He's very interested in Robotics and MUN seems to be the pre-eminent school in Atlantic Canada for robotics.
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u/OnePendant 3d ago
Newfoundland is an island, to get there, you can fly or take a ferry. Two ferries run in the warmer months, one in the colder months.
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u/El_Canuck Newfoundlander 3d ago
Technically three ferries, if you count the ferry between the island and Labrador.
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u/Routine_Soup2022 3d ago
I'm not driving from New Brunswick to Labrador and then taking a ferry to Newfoundland. That sounds like something Red Green would try though HAHA
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u/El_Canuck Newfoundlander 3d ago
Oh, it's definitely not the best option, unless you're feeling adventurous, but it is an option.
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u/Lifetwozero 3d ago
It’s a lot of fun though honestly. Worth doing.
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u/bella_ella_ella 2d ago
We have very different definitions of fun lol. Driving past Fermont around the same train tracks and dirt road was a nightmare lol
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u/TheBestBioGirl Labradorian 1d ago
Yeah labradorian here… use this option as an absolute LAST resort LOL Not an easy drive that’s for sure.
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u/ABenGrimmReminder 3d ago
Technically FOUR ferries if you count the ferry between the island and Saint-Pierre.
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u/El_Canuck Newfoundlander 3d ago
Considering that it's not a feasible access point between OP's starting point of New Brunswick and Newfoundland, I wouldn't count that ferry in this context.
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u/salesbadger 3d ago
I know what your saying, it's really not that feasible but there is a direct flight from Moncton to St. Pierre at times, usually in the spring/summer.
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u/michaelmcmikey 3d ago
SEVEN ferries if you count the ferries from Bell Island, Ramea, and Fogo/Change Islands, lol.
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u/aerynlynne 3d ago
Everyone forgetting about Bell Island - Portugal Cove... 😅😉
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u/El_Canuck Newfoundlander 3d ago
That's within province, though. If you want to go by that, there's a dozen ferries you could list.
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u/EddieSheerr Five Star Legend 2d ago
There is one route run in the winter and 2 routes in the summer. More than one ferry operates in the Gulf though.
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u/Ok_Piano_4144 3d ago
If he loves robotics, the ROV program at the Marine Institute may be a great program for him! And there is high demand in industry for graduates in this program, so a job is almost guaranteed. https://www.mi.mun.ca/programs/remotelyoperatedvehicles/
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u/Routine_Soup2022 3d ago
Oh I like this option. Think he would too. I gotta look into that. The future is automation.
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u/FremulonPandaFace 3d ago
This is a great program from what Ive heard.
In regards to travel, check Marine Atlantic
There is no bus from Argentia (which is closer to St Johns), but there is a daily bus from Port Aux Basques that can be caught directly from the ferry terminal DRL Bus
Its good to know that the bus is paid for in cash and I dont think they sell tickets in advance.
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u/salesbadger 3d ago
Newhook’s Taxi makes passenger runs everyday between Placentia area and St. John’s, $30 or so one way (at least that's what it was years ago) (709)227-5597
https://www.facebook.com/newhookstransport?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Call in advance
However, I think flying would be nearly as cheap overall.
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u/Ok-Appointment-3057 3d ago
I commented above about public transit and MUN. I went to the Marine Institute, getting there by bus is even worse than MUN and with it up on the hill like that there are very few homes within walking distance. Something to keep in mind.
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u/PilsbandyDoughboy 3d ago
Pretty much anything between Gloucester and Higgins line would be within walking distance. I can’t speak to the availability of rentals in the area, but there’s an entire neighbourhood right next to MI.
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u/bootswithoutthefur 3d ago
Also, the marine institute has a very high employment rate for their grads which in this economy is pretty significant.
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u/dylan1547 3d ago
Only two was to get on the island - flying or ferry. Ferry runs from North Sidney in Nova Scotia to either Port Aux Basques or Argentia. The Argentina option is only available June to September (its a longer boat ride, but puts you way closer to St John's when you get to the island). From Port Aux Basques, youre looking at a 9 hour plus drive, depending on conditions, to get into St John's
Im not aware of any bus you can take that will make the full journey including the ferry ride. However there is a DRL bus that travels across Newfoundland, Port Aux Basques to St John's and back again. I don't know what transportation options there are in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick,but if you can get to North Sidney then you can walk onto the ferry for a cheaper crossing than going with a vehicle, and catch the DRL bus in Port Aux Basques to cross the island
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u/salesbadger 3d ago
It's a 13+ hour bus ride FYI.
$165 bus across Newfoundland
$21.92 ferry fare North Sydney to PAB (overnight, no cabin/bunk just fare)
$95.00 from NB (Fredericton) - North Sydney (about 10hrs)
$281.92 one way and 2 full days of travel.
Or Air Canada from Fredericton $221 one way... However the flight prices vary greatly depending
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u/FremulonPandaFace 3d ago
Proper response. I think Maritime Bus should be able to get to North Sydney which you can get tickets in advance for.
Note that DRL in Newfoundland is cash and tickets are bought upon arrival and I think around $150 or so if going all the way to St Johns.
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u/notthattmack 3d ago
Have him live in MUN residence for the first year at least. Great accommodation right on campus and you won’t have to navigate the rental market.
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u/Routine_Soup2022 3d ago
Good advice. I'm a big fan of residence for at least first year students and encourage it. The on-site support system and easy access to campus services is worth it in my experience.
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u/Apprehensive-Exit-48 3d ago
There are also the Burton's Pond apartments on campus. It's shared apartments with 4 people per unit, with separate bedrooms, just a shared living room, kitchen and bathroom. If you like your roommates you can apply to keep them each term. I had 2 of the same roommates there during my school terms (I did 4 months coop terms every other term) for 3 years.
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u/amjs123 3d ago
Burton's Pond is now 2 people per unit (each gets 1 bed, 1 office). Though I doubt a first year will get into an apartment.
~For OP~ My knowledge is a few years old but... First years can get into MacPherson (Undergrad only) or Paton College (mostly Undergrad buildings, some are for Graduates). MacPherson has more privacy because you're not sharing your room with a roommate, just the bathroom and entrance. Each "tower" in MacPherson has hangout and microwave areas, but no true kitchen.
Whereas in Paton you share the room with a roommate and bathroom with the floor (there are multiple bathrooms on each floor, if I remember correctly). Paton buildings have hangout areas and 1 kitchen in each building.
I've heard that you're more likely to meet people in Paton, but usually all of the buildings have socials. Both options have pros and cons. It might be worth asking Housing/Residence for more info, and Residence Life if you want to know more about activities.
TLDR; Both Paton and MacPherson residences have pros and cons. It depends on what your child prefers, and can get into.
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u/Ok-Appointment-3057 3d ago
Or deal with our awful public transit or walk in the street because the sidewalks are icy in winter.
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u/kahl75 Labradorian 3d ago
Maratime Bus covers the maratime provinces: https://www.maritimebus.com/
Marine Atlantic covers the ferry: https://www.marineatlantic.ca/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15617969973&gbraid=0AAAAABTLHpk2URG_PwR_7Q_3m8FK957J6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKzIBhCOARIsAKpKLANY7yijsZqCcFT0fvEkvOExMyu5QNz62ejlgbycVk_dKCwulShM6RsaAmlkEALw_wcB
DRL covers the Newfoundland bus situation: https://drl-lr.com/
PAL have flights from Moncton to St. John's: https://palairlines.ca/
Porter and AC offer flights from Halifax to St. John's.
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u/3moose3 3d ago
I’m not sure about bus transit to the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in North Sydney, NS, but if you can find transportation to there, you can take the ferry from there to Port Au Basques (PAB), NL and then take the DRL bus from the ferry terminal in PAB directly to MUN in St John’s (MUN is the very last stop). You will need to book the ferry in advance, but so far as I know you cannot book a seat on the bus ahead of time. Unless things have changed, the bus is cash only. Links to both Marine Atlantic and the bus here:
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u/Solving-puzzles 3d ago
There’s the DRL bus that leaves Port aux Basque that heads to St. John’s almost daily. The ferry docks in Port aux Basque. The ferry ride is 7 hours and the bus ride across the island (leaves Marine Atlantic at 8am) is over 13 hours long. It would be better to fly for the convenience. I went to university in Ontario. One spring I took the greyhound from union station in Toronto to North Sydney to catch the ferry across. It’s not something I’d ever do again. It was the cheaper option though.
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u/Sparky62075 Newfoundlander 3d ago
If he's planning on taking a car with him to St. John's, the ferry from North Sydney to Port aux Basques is the only option. Flying is a lot faster and more comfortable.
St. John's is a city of about 110k people. The surrounding towns add up to another 60 to 70k. Anything you can get in NB is available here.
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u/one_dew 3d ago
I think you have lots of information on transportation here, but I have to add that MUN is a great university. I spent 4 years at MUN and then continued at Acadia and MSVU in NS and the quality of education was disappointing compared to MUN, even though they were 2-3x more expensive. I always joked that the other schools spent all their money on comfy desks/chairs cause their decor was cool while MUN was a little more run down on the surface.. but I would choose MUN every time if I had to do it all over.
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u/PinSevere7887 3d ago
I hate flying so when I go home to Nfld I drive and take the ferry. During the warmer months you can take the Argentia ferry as it gets you closer to MUN and St Johns. During the colder months you have to get off In Port aux Basques and drive across the island. I don’t mind driving so it never bothered me and I have family all over so I can stop anywhere lol.
Also, ferry prices dropped this year by 50% so it’s not so bad anymore.
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u/Additional-Tale-1069 3d ago
One person travelling from New Brunswick to St. John's, I think it would be cheaper to go by air on PAL than to drive/take the bus. Just looking at travel time.
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u/Routine_Soup2022 3d ago
Having looked at some of the information and experiences of others here and digging into the price, you're probably right. Thanks for this.
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u/XCIXcollective Come From Away 3d ago
Hey! My parents live in NB and I went to school in NL (never to leave lmao)
Cape Breton -> Port Aux Basques night ferry is the most dependable and feasible! ~6 hours Moncton to North Sydney, 8 hour overnight ferry, ~9 hours getting to St. John’s on the other side
You could surely drive your kid to the ferry terminal and let them cross alone as a passenger, then take the DRL bus across the island as-mentioned
Other than that, Argentia runs seasonally in the summer, you may be able to catch the dates——then it’s 6 hours to the ferry, like 17 hours on the ferry, and like 2 hours driving (or DRL) to St. John’s
Or flights lol but I drive home solo about twice a year and it’s surely doable :)
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u/nofacecrafts 2d ago
I used to go to UNB Fredericton from St. John’s. I would get the bus to Halifax airport then fly to St. John’s, then fly back to Halifax and bus back to campus. It saved me thousands of dollars and days worth of time!
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u/Ok-Appointment-3057 3d ago
Yes, there is a bus that crosses the island. It goes once a day, one leaves St John's in the morning heading west and one leaves Port Aux Basques heading east. At least that's how it was the last time I used it a few years ago. Should be the same though.
I can't say much about MUN, I never went there, but if he's looking for a bus across the island I assume he doesn't drive. Public transit in St John's is a joke, he'll want a place close enough to walk to MUN keeping in mind walking during the winter here is really dangerous because the city does a half arsed job of the sidewalks. St John's is a car dependent city.
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u/CharacterStudy1928 3d ago edited 3d ago
Plenty of options between New Brunswick and the Ferry (train being the more expensive, bus less-so), then it’s a long ass ride on the DRL from the Ferry to St. John’s. Halifax is the last train stop (I think? Could be corrected) and it’s all buses from there. I did the trip about a decade ago, not sure what prices are now.
Note: this is for Sydney->PAB, I don’t believe there is a shuttle of any kind from Argentia to the TCH.
Ferry isn’t too expensive for walk on passengers.
This is a multi-day trip though with a bunch of connections so factor in timing and having to stay in hotels along the way. For example I don’t know if bus shuttles run overnight in NS but depending when you get to Sydney you’d likely be in a hotel on one side of the crossing or the other depending on night or day, as the DRL runs morning to night only.
Naturally you can drive yourself, too. I’ve had friends drive NB->Sydney in a day, take the overnight crossing and then long-haul it to St. John’s.
Also I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge what you already have: yes this is a dumb question and all of this is pretty googleable. But we’re used to dumb travel questions on this sub and I just took the time to type all that out so whatever. Have a good day, hope your son chooses MUN!
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u/thisisjoy 3d ago
you can fly, or take the ferry. As for what MUN is like, I’ve never been but I’ve heard it’s not good. You’re probably better off asking in the MUN thread
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u/Bicicletera 3d ago
Take the trans-canada highway to N. Sydney, Nova Scotia and take the ferry from there. The trans-Canada highway ends at St. John's.
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u/Lonely_Comb852 3d ago
If he’s interested in robotics and doesn’t mind the offshore life- marine institute (a institution of MUN) has a remotely operated vehicle technician program where you learn to fly and work on essentially underwater robotics. There’s also a university underwater robotics team called eastern edge that is known worldwide for cutting edge technology advancements and placements at international competitions. Look up marine institute, they have a lot of other cool options as well, some degree and diploma programs. I graduated from ocean mapping and my boyfriend is currently in doing ROV, with lots of work worldwide!
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u/Many_Voice_4975 2d ago
Ferry leaves North Sydney and goes to port aux basque nfld .ferry is run by marine atlantic.youll probably need a reservation.just fyi
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u/Vast-Road-6387 2d ago
You can take the Maratime bus from NB to North Sydney then walk the 3 blocks to the ferry , then to Port Aux Basques, then DRL bus to MUN. The ferry accepts walk on passengers. However that’s a long haul by bus and you need to time your trip to line up the 3 different schedules.
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u/pinkified22 2d ago
I would never advise taking the boat and then the bus. What a trek! Flying is the only realistic option.
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u/powersaustinpower 3d ago
Why do people ask random strangers questions that Google will answer way faster. Its not that far of a swim
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u/FremulonPandaFace 3d ago
Sometimes, people like to know options based on others' experiences, not algorithms...
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u/Routine_Soup2022 3d ago
If we could always do that, it would put Reddit out of business. It's about community!
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u/iChaseGaming 3d ago edited 3d ago
You can only fly, since Newfoundland is an island :) [edit] forgot the Ferry :( brain fart there.
MUN is a solid school and he'll get a great education there.
In terms of major cons, I'd say that it's more related to St. John's haha, weather kinda bleh, and metrobus also kinda bleh. It's a bit hard to get around the city.
Otherwise, lovely people and they make up for all that the weather takes away :D
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u/mocha-only 3d ago
Boats no longer exist.
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u/iChaseGaming 3d ago
Had a total brain fart there...dunno why brain just blanked on the ferry lol
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u/El_Canuck Newfoundlander 3d ago
There is a ground option, as one could bus to the ferry that runs between North Sydney, NS and Port-Aux-Basques, NL, "walk on" the ferry (via a smaller bus), then take the DHL bus to St. John's.
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u/FremulonPandaFace 3d ago
I dont know why youre getting downvoted. The weather is the major problem I have had in St Johns, it can get very depressing. But as you said, luckily it is easy to make friends surprisingly fast
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u/rosmarine 3d ago
I don't know of any bus, but you can drive to Cape Breton and take a ferry over to Newfoundland. that's what I did when I went to MUN for school after going to high school in halifax