Getting to Northern Cape Breton

We’re talking about the northern-most part of Nova Scotia, Canada, just above the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. At the mouth of St Lawrence seaway. Just south of Newfoundland.

There are airports in Sydney (2 hours away by car) and Halifax (5 hours). We’re just 16 hours drive Montreal or Boston. Twenty-two hours from Toronto or New York City. And what a drive it is! National Geographic Traveler calls the last two hours “a drive of a lifetime.”

Driving Directions

Getting here is half the fun. The drive through the Cape Breton Highlands Nationals Park is famous around the world – the stuff of legend for automobile enthusiasts, bicyclists and motorcyclists. And a perennial favorite for car ads on TV.

All drive times assume you’re driving the speed limit. Count on some extra time for scenic stops, moose-crossings, meals, etc. Drive carefully and watch out for moose, especially in the park and especially at night.

Driving via the east (Ingonish) side of the island
  • Google directions from Halifax to Cape North via Ingonish
  • Follow signs for Ingonish/Cape North
  • Estimated driving times to Cape North from
    • Halifax: 6 hours
    • Sydney: 3 hours
    • Canso Causeway: 3 hours
    • Baddeck: 2.5 hours
    • From Cape North, you can: subtract 20 minutes for Neil’s Harbour
    • add 15 minutes for Bay St Lawrence
    • add 45 minutes for Meat Cove
  • You have a choice of taking the Englishtown Ferry or the St Ann’s scenic route. Kids love the ferry. Tired drivers love the ferry. People that get squeezy stomachs on long winding roads love the ferry. Both routes have their charms. St Anns
  • has a great restaurant (Chanterelle). St Anns usually takes a lot longer, unless there’s a lot of cars waiting for the ferry.
  • Best places to eat along the way: sandwiches and salads at the Herring Choker on the highway just south of Baddeck fine dining at the Chanterelle in St Anns
  • Fill up the tank at the Canso Causeway if you’re driving at night. During the day you can find gas in Whycogomah, Baddeck, Ingonish, Neil’s Harbour and Cape North.
Driving via the west (Cheticamp) side of the island
  • Google directions from Halifax to Cape North via Cheticamp
  • Follow signs for Cape North
  • Estimated driving times to Cape North from
    • Halifax: 6 hours
    • Canso Causeway: 3 hours
    • Cheticamp: 1.5 hours
    • From Cape North, you can: add 20 minutes for Neil’s Harbour
    • add 15 minutes for Bay St Lawrence
    • add 45 minutes for Meat Cove
  • Make the drive in the early morning to improve the chance of seeing moose on North Mountain
  • If the weather is clear, take the western side and enjoy the view. If its raining, low clouds, or foggy, take the Ingonish side and save Cheticamp for the return trip.
  • If you’re driving at night, gas up the Canso Causeway or Whycogomah. But really, you should do this drive during the day to enjoy the spectacular view. During the day you’ll find gas in Margaree, Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay and Cape North.
Car rental agencies at the Sydney airport
  • Avis
  • National/Alamo
  • Budget
Car rental agencies at the Halifax airport
  • National/Alamo
  • Avis
  • Budget
  • Enterprise
  • Hertz
  • Dollar/Thrifty
More information
  • The flight from Halifax to Sydney is often expensive. Families and larger groups should consider renting a car in Halifax and driving from there. Save your money for lobster and crab.
  • If you’re driving directly to Cape Breton from the Halifax Airport, you can reduce the estimated driving times by 25 minutes.
  • In the summer, Air Canada operates direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Sydney. WestJet offers a Toronto-Sydney flight in the summer as well.