- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Halifax Dartmouth Ferries
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Transportation [Edit]
5000 George StHalifax, NS B3J
(902) 490-4000
17 reviews for Halifax Dartmouth Ferries
17 reviews in English
-
Review from Philip Y.
3/21/2012 1 photo
To me, this is the only Metro Transit service that consistently doesn't disappoint me. Why? Because they are always on time (for me at least) and also it provides a chance to enjoy the beauty of Halifax and Dartmouth downtown from a ferry crossing over the Eastern Arm.
Either on a sunny day or at night, you'd get to enjoy the view for as cheap as slightly over $2. But if you're a student at one of the universities, its a free ride with your U-pass. As for me, its one of the cheap thrills I indulge in once in a while whenever I decide to take a weekend trip to Dartmouth's Public Library at Alderny Landing or perhaps walk a little bit to TIBS Cafe to enjoy a delicious croissant. -
Review from Kimberley M.
Halifax, NS
3/18/2012
There is nothing I like better than an early evening ferry crossing, just as the sun is setting and the commuter traffic rush is past. I'm not an avid public transit user, but I love that we have active ferry service in Halifax; it's a cool perk!
Often, the ferry is a go-to cheap date option (pair that with a visit to Two if by Sea!), an out-of-towner tourism pleaser, or just a nice way to get out on the water without having to shell out for a Murphy's tour.
I can't speak to how often the crossings are, or how late they go, but whenever I need the ferry, it's been available. And, seeing that spring is on it's way in, I think I'm due for a Sunday afternoon crossing very soon! -
Review from Eleanor B.
Dartmouth, NS
10/15/2011
I effing love the ferry. In fact, the ferry may have played a significant role in decision making process when I had to decide where to live and where to work. My morning ferry ride is one of the nicest parts of my day. The ferry commissionaires are a delight -- especially the ones on the Dartmouth side. And the volunteer who hand delivers my Metro every morning is lovely too.
Then my soothing ferry ride awaits. I never feel crowded (even when there's a pile of people), and you can watch the sun glint off the harbour in the morning. Unless it's foggy, which is kinda a lot of the time honestly, but then the ferry is a little trippy -- can't see a foot in front of you, feels like you're in a weird, incredibly humid bubble.
And the best part of the ferry is that they are ALWAYS on time. ALWAYS. I have never experienced a ferry that doesn't show up or a ferry that is late. Unlike the majority of the bus routes in Hfx, where a no-show bus seems commonplace. Only caveat: occasionally there are a couple of weeks where one ferry is being worked on, so the rush hour "extras" aren't available. But there's always warning when that's about to happen.
I live in Dartmouth, work in Halifax, and I will never take a bus over the bridge. Frankly, I'd rather walk. But the ferry? Sign me up!Listed in: 30 Days of Yelp
-
Review from Vanessa J.
Halifax, NS
10/31/2011
The ferry is the bright spot in Metro Transit's Service.
It's the most fun, if not always most efficient way of getting from one side of the city to the other. The price is the same as the bus, but you get better views (stick to watching the Halifax side), fewer crowds and you don't have to worry about bridge traffic during rush hour. If it's nice out be sure to sit up top and breathe in the semi-fresh harbour air.
Be sure to plan ahead to know how often and when the ferry is coming. The Ferry, unlike the buses actually keeps to its schedule, which is great.
Usually when I am headed to Dartmouth, it is to work or to visit the parents, and both of these locations are better reached on the bus, so it's a special occasion when I get to take the ferry.Listed in: 30 Day Challenge Lists
-
Review from Andrew P.
3/29/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I read about it in the Lonely Planet guide, watched Ellen Page and Jeff Douglas discuss life on it in "Touch and Go", and even took pictures of it resting in the dock. However, in 2 years I had never taken a ride on North America's oldest salt water ferry.
This all changed this past Sunday when I thought that I should take a walk on the waterfront and enjoy the warm air and sun. But I thought "Hmmm..... maybe it will be better to take a ride on the ferry..."
The ferry might have been the best descision that day. While crossing the harbour, I dont know if it was the sun, the water, being on a boat, or the soft sounds of Toni Braxton, but I could not wipe the smile off my face and fell in love with the HRM all over again. Being on the upper deck of the ferry is like watching the HRM skyline in imax as it surrounds you passively as the harbour is crossed.
The only drawbacks is that: you cannot stay on the ferry to do homework, and must disembark and re-enter every arrival, and the Woodside ferry does not run on weekends (I wanted a milkshake!)
Side note: There is not much to do in this part of Dartmouth on a Sunday post-5pm. Everything was closed (i.e. Two If By Sea) and there were not to many shops to be seen, so I just got back on the ferry after a short walk and went back to Halifax. So be warned! -
Review from Ben B.
2/10/2011 14 Check-ins Here
The cheapest thrill in Halifax! For just over $2 or a regular bus pass, you get a glorious and stable jaunt across the lovely harbour with magnificent views of the bridges, the islands, the downtown skyline and...uh...Dartmouth. Just face the other way, okay?
Ferries leave every fifteen during peak hours and every thirty in off-hours and take about eight minutes for you to reach your destination on either side of the harbour. Seats are comfortable enough, there's indoor seating below and rooftop seating for those looking to get a better look, and great opportunities for your own personal Halifax photography.
For visitors: keep in mind that there are two different ferry routes. One runs between downtown Halifax and downtown Dartmouth, the other runs from downtown Halifax to Woodside. You're probably not looking for this one but if you are, follow the student population that's headed out to the gorgeous NSCC campus.
For locals or locals to be: keep in mind that like most public transit in the city, you're shit outta luck any time after 11:45pm. All-night ferry rides would be life-changing but we likely have a while to wait just yet.
(Edit: Was also just reminded of the brutal 10-6 Sunday service. Be warned.) -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
11/21/2009
Perhaps my standards for ferry service are just pathetically low; I do come from the land of fast ferry scandals and boats that arrive with about as much reliability in scheduling as a newborn.
The Halifax Dartmouth Ferry is therefor a thing of beauty! The ferry costs a meager $2.25 each way and leaves every half hour! In Dartmouth there are two docks: Woodside and Alderney, depending upon whether you're trying to get to downtown Dartmouth or through to the Eastern Shore.
This ferry is extremely reliable and runs well into the night. A cheap tour of the harbour on a beautiful autumn day as well. -
Review from Kirk F.
Oh ferries, I know you think you deserve 4/5 and dream of 5/5. Alas, I cannot award you such high marks.
For those of us who are bound by use of public transit to move through this city, you are a scheduling challenge at the best of times and an impossibility at the worst of times.
Let us start with your out-of-touch Sunday schedule; no service before 10 a.m. and none after 6 either.
And, yes, I know, at some points in the day you have service every 15 minutes. But that's only for the 9 months of the year when one of your ships isn't sent away for "annual repairs." Perhaps if you're going to be down one ship a quarter of your schedule, you should invest in another ship?
You also lose points for not including extra service at times when you should know there will be excess volume. For example, when the Alexander Keiths' birthday festivities were held at Alderney Landing, ferry service was only every 30 minutes and each ferry was over-flowing with loud and rambunctious party-goers.
I shall award you points for your on-tine performance; no traffic delays for you!
You also get credit for providing a relaxing 10-12 minute journey across the majestic harbour, offering tourists and residents alike a chance to appreciate the beauty that our city has to offer on either shore.Listed in: Dartmouth rocks!
-
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
4/3/2010
The Halifax Dartmouth Ferry service is a walk on passage from one side of the harbour to the other, with boats leaving every 30 minutes. The vessels themselves are in pretty good condition for public transportation, there is an upper deck where you can stand and watch your voyage unfold, or a sheltered lower deck which can get crammed when people don't plan for rain.
The most convenient and common use of the ferry is to avoid downtown traffic and trying to find parking, especially during the summer. I don't think I've gone more than a few months at a time without parking in Dartmouth and taking the Ferry over just to save money on parking.
The passage is cheap, just $2.25 per person, the same as the fee for metro transit buses. If you can I'd stick with the Ferry, at least you have the opportunity to get a little fresh air on your trip.
Hot Hint: Transfer from ferry to bus the same way you would change buses, just get a transfer ticket from your driver. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/17/2009 1 photo
Great way to get to the other side!
Halifax and Dartmouth ferries are used for those who have fifteen more minutes in their day and want to cruise the Halifax Harbor while either going home or going to work. The ferries can take you from Halifax to the Dartmouth, Alderney Terminal or the Dartmouth Woodside Terminal. And they of course go back to Halifax.
The ride itself has always been pleasant and stress free. I have never met anyone who has bothered me, and the view is quite beautiful. About six or seven years ago, Halifax Harbor even had some Whales come into the Harbor for a month. During that time they loved playing with the ferries. I wasn't there but heard that was an amazing experience.
Two out of the three ferry terminals have the famous, iconic coffee and donut shop known as Tim Hortons. The third one in Woodside does not have anything but is close to a Tim Hortons and several fast food restaurants.
The ferry service is connected to the Metro Transit so it costs the same to go on the ferry as it does the bus, $2.25. But if you start on the bus and move to the ferry, you can just use a "transfer" ticket that you get from the bus driver and give that to the person working at the ferry terminal so you don't have to dish out another $2.25. And you could also get another transfer from the ferry person so that when you get to the other side you can use it to get back onto a bus.
The ferry service hasn't changed at all since I started cruising on it over fifteen years ago. The biggest improvement I would like to see would be longer hours for the ferry service and perhaps one more ferry to cut down the wait time. But I always have a good time on the ferry and love standing on the deck, looking at the city and smelling the salt water. So for a fun experience and helping me get to where I want to go, four stars. -
Review from Paul B.
One of the most enjoyable - and inexpensive treats - on a sunny day or a snowy evening!
-
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
9/29/2009 1 photo
The ferries linking Halifax and Dartmouth are officially part of the Metro Transit system that provides public transportation all over the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The reason the ferries are worth mentioning separately is that they can be one of the cheapest ways to get a boat-ride on the harbour - just for fun. Why pay tons of money for a cruise on a tall ship? Just jump on the ferry for $2.25 and cruise over to Dartmouth, maybe do a little walkabout over there and then hop back across the harbour again.
You can ride out in the open air on the upper deck, and marvel at the skilled parking job by the ferry's captain when you arrive at the opposite terminal. For cheapskates like me, this is a great way to get some fresh air and a fun little ride. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
1/8/2010
The Halifax Dartmouth Ferry is not just for those of us needing to commute, it can also be a real pleasure cruise. I have, from time to time and without any real reason, hoped aboard a ferry to Dartmouth simply to get out on the water without paying a ridiculous amount for a chartered boat! Those of us on a budget have to use a little imagination, but our pocketbook almost always thanks us.
If you do actually feel the need to use the ferry as a legit means of transportation it works just as well. I have often times driven my bike down, crossed to Dartmouth and carried on. It's much easier than the bridge for those of us who may be a little short of breath or in a hurry.
The ferry runs every 30 minutes and cost's $2.25, not a bad price for the convenience! Definitely consider this alternate form of transportation the next time you're looking to go to "The Dark side!" -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
1/5/2010
The Ferries are one of the best forms of transportation for work. Given that there is no parking anywhere downtown Halifax, or if you do find some you are paying through the nose. A lot of people count on the Ferries
You have to be able to hustle, sometimes there is a large crowd, so grab your coffee and hang on.
My favorite time to ride the Ferry is on a night of the Fireworks. It is the best seat in the house. -
Review from Lacey H.
5/18/2010 9 photos
It was like being on a water-bound vacation, crossing the open waves, with the wind in my hair and the sun on my shoulders. I see the ferry as more a fun activity verses a mode of transportation. The sheer fact that I end up on the other side of the harbour is simply a bonus, and not necessarily my total reason for paying the $2.25.
Opting to take the ferry with a bike in tow is easy. There's a rack on the lower level so once you board ship, you can easily secure your velo and head up to the deck to enjoy the weather (if it happens to be a lovely day like it was today).
The ride is surprisingly short, but a perfect length to peer out over the ocean and to enjoy the scenery as you move effortlessly through the water. I wondered today what would happen if the ferry sank, and when I looked around I noticed life jacket bins along with life boats, so my answer was right before my eyes.
Take the ferry; for fun or as a lovely mode of transportation. It's easy, safe, cheap and provides a nice reprieve from cars, walking or biking! Now if only I could become a pirate, I could set sail all the time... -
Review from Aaron B.
Wilberforce, ON
7/8/2010
Cheap, fast, reliable and kinda fun way to get across the harbour. My girlfriend took me across on a beautiful sunny day and we sat on top, out in the open and took in the view of the harbourfront(s).
-
Review from Anna H.
Halifax, NS
12/7/2009
Ferries are near the top of my list of ways I like to travel, and I'm glad there's one in Halifax. I think it's really nice to get out on the water, even for a few minutes, as a way to break up your day. This ferry is a quick and affordable way to cross the harbour which totally beats driving or taking the bus. If it's possible given where I'm going, I always chose to make the ferry part of my trip.
