Hertz Car Hire
Halifax

After collecting your luggage at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, follow the prominent overhead signs to the Rental Car Centre. The desks for all rental agencies, including Hertz, are located together in a dedicated area on the main level of the terminal building. It is a short, indoor walk from the domestic arrivals and baggage reclaim hall. Once you complete your paperwork at the desk, staff will direct you to the adjacent multi-storey car park where the vehicles are located.

For the most straightforward late-night drive to downtown Halifax, take Highway 102 South from the airport. Follow it for about 25 kilometres and then take Exit 5 for Highway 118 South towards Dartmouth. Continue on Highway 118 until it merges into Highway 111, then follow the signs for the A. Murray MacKay Bridge into Halifax. Once across the bridge, stay on the main thoroughfare which becomes Barrington Street, a direct route that runs parallel to the downtown waterfront.

During peak travel periods, it's wise to allow between 60 and 90 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you're driving away. This covers deplaning, walking through the terminal and waiting for your luggage at the carousel. The rental car process itself can also be longer when multiple flights arrive at once. Planning for this buffer ensures a more relaxed start to your visit without feeling rushed.

One of the most convenient places for a quick stop is the Enfield Big Stop, located just a couple of minutes from the airport at Exit 7 off Highway 102. It offers a large, well-lit car park, a petrol station, a restaurant and a convenience store. This is an ideal spot to programme your GPS, grab a coffee and get your bearings before continuing your journey. Another good option is the shopping plaza in Fall River at Exit 5, which has a supermarket and other amenities.

Halifax has several roundabouts, with the Armdale Rotary being the most complex. The key rule is that traffic already inside the circle has right of way. As you approach, slow down, choose the correct lane for your intended exit and yield to vehicles on your left. Signal when you are about to exit the roundabout. Taking a moment to observe the traffic flow before entering can make navigating them much less intimidating.

The downtown core of Halifax can be challenging for newcomers due to its grid of one-way streets, some steep hills and frequent intersections. Using a satnav is highly recommended to navigate the area effectively. It's best to drive defensively, pay close attention to street signs and be prepared for pedestrians. After driving a few blocks you'll quickly get a feel for the layout, but giving yourself extra time for your first few trips is a sensible idea.

For a direct route with fewer complexities, take Highway 102 from the airport to Highway 118, and then cross the MacKay Bridge via Highway 111. After the bridge, the road naturally flows onto Barrington Street, which you can follow south. This main artery runs the entire length of the downtown core, directly parallel to the waterfront. Sticking to Barrington Street will get you to your destination with minimal need for complex turns or lane changes.

Most hotels along the waterfront have designated passenger drop-off zones right at their main entrance, allowing a few minutes to unload your bags. If you're staying at a holiday rental, look for a temporary opening or a side street where you can pull over safely for a short time. It's often best for one person to stay with the vehicle while the other brings the luggage inside. Afterwards you can proceed to a nearby car park for longer-term parking.

Parking near the Seaport Market on a weekend morning can be highly competitive, especially during the peak summer season. The surface lots immediately adjacent to the market and the Cunard Centre fill up very early. To avoid frustration, plan to arrive before 10am or be prepared to use one of the larger pay car parks along Lower Water Street. These are just a short and scenic walk from the market.

The Halifax Citadel has a convenient but relatively small car park located within the historic site itself. During the busy summer months of July and August this lot can be full by mid-morning. To secure a spot it's best to plan your visit for earlier in the day, ideally arriving before 10:30am. If the lot is full you can find metered street parking on the surrounding roads or use a downtown car park and enjoy the walk up the hill.

Driving to Peggy’s Cove for sunrise is very practical and offers a magical experience with fewer crowds. The drive takes about an hour from downtown Halifax. At that early hour the primary hazards to be aware of are wildlife, particularly deer, which are most active at dawn. You may also encounter patches of coastal fog, so it's important to drive cautiously and use your dipped headlights for better visibility.

For a more scenic and less stressful drive, take the Lighthouse Route instead of the main Highway 103. From Halifax you can connect to Route 333 towards Peggy's Cove and then continue along Route 3, which winds through charming coastal towns like Chester and Mahone Bay. This two-lane road has a slower pace and offers beautiful ocean views, making the journey itself part of the experience. It avoids the high speeds and major interchanges of the main highway.

Most travellers find that visiting Peggy's Cove first in the morning makes for a more logical and enjoyable day. This allows you to experience the iconic lighthouse before the largest tour buses and crowds arrive. From there you can continue south along the scenic Lighthouse Route towards Mahone Bay and then Lunenburg. This creates a natural, one-way progression down the coast and avoids backtracking, making the driving feel more efficient.

During morning and afternoon rush hours both the Macdonald and MacKay bridges experience heavy, slow-moving traffic. The approaches to the bridges often have lane splits and merges that can feel abrupt if you're unfamiliar with them. It's helpful to use your satnav and know which lane you need to be in well in advance of the bridge itself. Staying patient and leaving extra space between you and the car ahead can make the crossing much less stressful.

The A. Murray MacKay Bridge (Highway 111) is often considered the more straightforward option for crossing from Dartmouth to Halifax. Its on-ramps and off-ramps are generally more direct and feed into major arteries like Barrington Street with clearer signage. The Macdonald Bridge exits into a more complex series of downtown junctions. Using the MacKay Bridge can help reduce the stress of last-minute lane changes in heavy city traffic.

For events at the Dartmouth Waterfront there are several pay car parks and a multi-storey car park located near Alderney Landing. However, on busy days these can fill up completely. Many visitors find success with on-street parking in the surrounding blocks of downtown Dartmouth, though it's important to check for time limits. Arriving well before your event starts is the best strategy to secure a convenient spot and avoid a long search.

The drive to Lawrencetown Beach from Halifax is mostly on well-maintained highways and main roads. The final stretch along Lawrencetown Road is a scenic two-lane coastal route that can feel narrow in places. It's a popular area for cyclists and pedestrians, so it's important to share the road and be mindful of your speed. The beautiful views make it a pleasant drive, but it requires your full attention as you approach the beach.

Lawrencetown Beach and Rainbow Haven Beach are both excellent choices for easy access with gear. Both provincial parks feature large, paved car parks located just a short, flat walk from the main beach area. This proximity makes it much simpler to carry surfboards, coolers, chairs and other equipment from your vehicle to the sand. You won't have to contend with long trails or steep dunes to get to the waterfront.

The drive itself is not technically difficult, as it primarily follows the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 104), which is a modern, well-maintained road. The main challenge is the distance, which is about a four-hour drive to the Canso Causeway. Driving after dark can be tiring, and large sections of the highway are unlit and pass through rural areas, increasing the chances of encountering wildlife like deer on the road.

To comfortably drive the Cabot Trail over two days it's best to plan an overnight stop. Baddeck, located at the beginning and end of the loop, is a popular base. For a stop along the trail itself Chéticamp on the western side and Ingonish on the eastern side are ideal choices. Staying in one of these towns allows you to enjoy the stunning scenery during daylight hours and avoid navigating the winding, unlit roads after dark.

The most frequent wildlife encounter for drivers in Nova Scotia is with white-tailed deer. They are particularly active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk and can often be seen near the roadside. In more remote areas, especially on the mainland and in Cape Breton, moose can also be a significant hazard. It is crucial to stay alert, scan the verges and reduce your speed when driving through rural or wooded areas at these times.

Coastal fog is a common occurrence in the Halifax area, especially during the spring and summer months, and it can roll in very quickly. Visibility can be reduced to just a few car lengths in dense patches. The roads most affected are those right along the coast, such as the routes to Peggy's Cove (Route 333) and Lawrencetown Beach. Driving slowly and using your fog lights or dipped headlights is essential when these conditions arise.

To reach Point Pleasant Park follow Lower Water Street south from downtown Halifax; it continues as Point Pleasant Drive and leads directly to the main entrance. The park has a large upper car park and a smaller lower lot, but on sunny weekends these fill up very quickly. Many visitors end up finding on-street parking in the surrounding residential neighbourhoods, so be prepared for a short walk if you arrive during a peak time.

Both universities have designated pay-and-display visitor parking areas, which are the most convenient options. However, these lots can be full, especially during the working week. The surrounding residential streets have a mix of permit-only and timed public parking, so you must read the signs carefully to avoid a ticket. During busy periods finding a spot may require some patience and circling the nearby blocks.

Winter storms can significantly impact the drive between the airport and downtown. Highway 102 can experience blowing snow and reduced visibility. The most hazardous areas are often the bridges, overpasses and exit ramps, as they freeze faster than the road surface and can become extremely slippery. It's essential to reduce your speed, increase your following distance and allow for much more travel time during or after a snowfall.

When snow is predicted the safest approach is to plan your drive for the middle of the day. This allows time for road crews to plough and salt the main highways after any overnight accumulation. Driving in the dark or during an active storm on these rural, two-lane coastal roads is not recommended. Always check the provincial road conditions report before you depart to ensure the route is safe.

Downtown Halifax is built on a drumlin, resulting in several very steep streets, particularly those leading up from the waterfront. When parking on a hill always engage your handbrake and turn your front wheels towards the kerb when facing downhill, and away from the kerb when facing uphill. When starting from a stop on an incline you may need to apply a bit more acceleration than usual to prevent the car rolling backwards.

Yes, some satnav apps, in an effort to find the absolute shortest route, may direct you through narrow, steep and congested residential streets in Halifax's North and South Ends. These shortcuts can be more stressful than they are worth, especially for drivers in an unfamiliar vehicle. It's often better to stay on the main arterial roads like Robie Street, Quinpool Road or Barrington Street, even if your satnav suggests a detour.

The Halifax Public Gardens does not have its own dedicated car park. The most practical plan is to look for metered on-street parking on the streets that border the gardens, such as Spring Garden Road and South Park Street. These are busy areas, so you may need to circle the block a few times to find an available spot. Be sure to note the time limits on the meters to ensure you have enough time for your visit.

The most straightforward route is to take Highway 102 north from Halifax to Exit 4B, then merge onto Highway 101 West. This highway is the main artery through the Annapolis Valley. You can simply follow it west and take the clearly marked exits for key towns like Wolfville (Exit 10), New Minas (Exit 11) or Kentville (Exit 12). Most wineries and attractions are located just a short drive from these main exits.

The drive to Burntcoat Head Park involves travelling on secondary highways and rural roads that are paved but can be winding. The most critical factor is timing your arrival for at least an hour before the published low tide time to maximise your time on the ocean floor. The park is in a rural area, so allow ample driving time and be aware that mobile coverage can be spotty. It's a lovely drive but requires planning around the tide schedule.

On summer weekends Highway 102 heading north from Halifax can get very congested. Traffic typically starts to build on Friday afternoons as people head to cottages and campsites, often beginning as early as 2pm. Similarly, Sunday afternoons and evenings see heavy southbound traffic returning to the city. To avoid the worst of the backups try to travel during off-peak hours, such as mid-day on Saturday or earlier on Sunday.

The best place to wait is the airport's designated Cell Phone Lot. This is a free parking area located just a minute's drive from the terminal where you can wait comfortably in your car. Have your friends call you once they have collected their luggage and are standing outside at the arrivals curb. This system prevents you from having to circle the busy terminal roads and helps reduce traffic congestion.

During the winter months it is prudent to add at least 30 to 45 minutes of extra travel time for an early-morning drive to the airport. This buffer accounts for potentially slower driving speeds on snowy or icy roads and gives you time to thoroughly scrape ice and snow from your vehicle. Always check the weather forecast and official road reports before you leave the hotel to make sure there are no unexpected closures or delays.

The Halifax Shopping Centre is easily accessible from Highway 102 by taking the Bayers Road exit. The mall has extensive surface and covered parking, but the car parks can become very congested, especially on weekends, during the holiday season and on wet days. To find a good parking spot without a long search it's best to arrive in the morning before the peak shopping crowds.

For activities departing from the Halifax waterfront the most convenient option is to use one of the many pay car parks or surface lots located along Lower Water Street. The Foundation Place Parkade and the Salter Lot are both popular choices that are just a short walk from the Cable Wharf and the ferry terminals. Parking in one of these designated lots allows you to leave your car for several hours while you enjoy your time on the water.

Driving and parking directly beside the Scotiabank Centre right before a major event is extremely challenging. The surrounding streets become congested and the nearest car parks, like the one at Scotia Square, fill up quickly. A less stressful strategy is to park a bit further away in a downtown car park, perhaps closer to the waterfront or Citadel Hill, and then walk the remaining 5–10 minutes to the venue. This also helps you avoid the post-event traffic jam.

On the drive from Halifax towards New Brunswick there are several great places to stop. The Enfield Big Stop, just north of the airport, is a full-service stop perfect for the start of your trip. A very popular option for families is the Masstown Market, located just past Truro at Exit 12. It features a large market, a restaurant, a lighthouse-themed ice cream shop and clean restrooms, making it an ideal midway break point.

There are several petrol stations conveniently located just a few minutes from the airport, making a pre-return fill-up very easy. You will find multiple options in the communities of Enfield (Exit 7) and Fall River (Exit 5) right off Highway 102. Planning to stop at one of these stations on your way back to the airport is much more convenient than searching for one in an unfamiliar area right before your flight.