Dollar Car Hire
Nova Scotia

After you collect your luggage at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, proceed to the main level of the terminal. Look for overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation". The Dollar hire desk is situated in the rental car facility, a short covered walk from arrivals, keeping you sheltered from the weather while you make your way there.

Times vary, but it's sensible to allow around 45 to 60 minutes from the time your aircraft lands. That covers disembarking, walking to baggage claim, collecting your bags and then going to the hire counter. Time spent at the counter depends on how many customers are ahead of you. Having your reservation details and driving licence ready will help the transaction proceed smoothly and efficiently.

The most effective approach is to include your flight number in your car hire reservation when booking. This allows the local team to track your flight status and anticipate a late arrival. If you have a significant delay, you can also call the local Halifax airport branch directly or Dollar's central customer service to confirm opening hours and late pickup procedures.

A valid driving licence from your home state is the primary document required, but it's good practice for international travellers to have their passport available as standard identification. Specific requirements can be checked in the terms and conditions of your hire agreement. Ensuring all documentation is current and easily accessible will help the pickup at the counter go smoothly.

Rental cars at Halifax Stanfield are kept in a dedicated car park adjacent to the terminal. A convenient approach is for one adult to wait with the children and luggage in the passenger pickup area just outside the terminal doors, while the other adult completes the hire paperwork, collects the vehicle from the lot and drives it round to the pickup curb to load everything in a less congested and more relaxed setting.

For the most straightforward departure from Halifax Stanfield Airport, follow the clearly signed directions for Highway 102 towards Halifax. This is the main multi-lane route linking the airport to the city and other major roads. The signage is designed to be intuitive for visitors. Staying in the right-hand lane as you merge gives you ample time to adjust to traffic speed and flow before any further lane changes are required.

To ensure a stress-free departure, it's advisable to leave downtown Halifax roughly three hours before your flight's scheduled departure. This buffer accounts for potential morning rush-hour traffic, which can take 30–45 minutes, and allows time for the car return process, the walk or shuttle back to the terminal, airline check-in and clearing security without feeling rushed.

The approach to Halifax Stanfield Airport is generally well signposted, making the rental return clear. The key is to slow down as you near the airport grounds and watch for the overhead signs for "Rental Car Return". These will direct you into a specific lane, so it's important to get into that lane early to avoid any last‑minute abrupt manoeuvres as you approach the turn‑off for the return facility.

Most hotels along the Halifax waterfront have designated short-term drop-off zones directly in front, ideal for checking in and unloading luggage. For overnight parking you'll generally need to use the hotel's private garage or a nearby public car park, as on-street parking is scarce and heavily regulated. It's a good idea to confirm your hotel's parking arrangements and any associated fees when booking.

Driving in downtown Halifax can be challenging for first-time visitors due to its network of one-way streets and some surprisingly steep hills rising from the waterfront. The city also has several complex junctions and roundabouts, such as the Armdale Rotary, which can be intimidating. Using a GPS navigation app is highly recommended, and it’s best to drive cautiously and patiently while you acclimatise to the city layout.

Even if your focus is the walkable downtown core, a hire car provides freedom to explore beyond the city limits. It's essential for iconic day trips to places like Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg or the Annapolis Valley. A car also makes it easier to visit attractions just outside the downtown area, such as Point Pleasant Park, or to run errands like picking up groceries for your stay.

The most efficient approach is to park once in a central location and explore on foot. Consider using one of the large multi‑storey car parks near the waterfront or Scotia Square shopping centre. From there you can walk along the harbour, stroll through the Public Gardens and then make the short climb up to Citadel Hill without the stress of finding and paying for parking at each location.

At weekends, especially Saturday mornings, the Halifax Seaport Market area becomes very busy with both vehicle and foot traffic. Parking is in high demand and the lots immediately around the market fill up quickly. To avoid frustration, plan to arrive early in the morning or consider parking a bit further along the waterfront and enjoying a pleasant walk to the market.

For a more relaxed visit to Peggy's Cove, try to go on a weekday rather than at the weekend. The key is to avoid peak times by arriving early in the morning, before 10:00, or later in the afternoon, after 15:00. The main car park at the lighthouse is quite small and can become very congested, so an off‑peak arrival makes the visit much more enjoyable.

A perfect half‑day coastal drive from Halifax is to head east along Route 207 towards Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park. This route offers classic Nova Scotian coastal scenery with rocky shorelines and ocean vistas without the heavy traffic of the Peggy's Cove route. You can enjoy a walk on the beach and be back in the city within a few hours, making it an ideal short excursion.

While the Lighthouse Route is generally well maintained, the roads become narrower and more winding as you pass through smaller fishing villages and coastal communities. Expect to drive at a slower pace, particularly in popular towns like Chester and Mahone Bay, where summer traffic and pedestrians can cause frequent slowdowns. These scenic stretches are part of the route's charm, so relax and enjoy the view.

To secure a good parking spot in Lunenburg's historic core during the busy summer months, it's highly recommended to arrive before 11:00. On‑street parking within the UNESCO World Heritage area is very limited. A less stressful option is to use the larger designated car parks at the edge of the waterfront and then take a short pleasant walk into the heart of town.

An efficient plan is to drive from Halifax to Lunenburg first, making it your main morning destination. After exploring its historic streets and waterfront, stop in picturesque Mahone Bay on your return to Halifax in the afternoon. This creates a logical loop following the main highway, avoiding unnecessary backtracking and making the most of your time.

For the most straightforward and comfortable drive to the Annapolis Valley, take Highway 101 directly from Halifax. This is a modern, well‑maintained multi‑lane highway that bypasses small towns, making for a quicker and less complex journey. While the older, scenic Evangeline Trail (Route 1) runs parallel, Highway 101 is preferred for visitors seeking an easy, direct route to Wolfville or Grand Pré.

A common mistake is underestimating travel time between points of interest along the Bay of Fundy. The roads are often scenic and rural, not direct highways, so a short map distance can take longer to drive than expected. It's also easy to miss turn‑offs for sights like Burntcoat Head Park, so rely on a GPS and pay close attention to road signs for a smooth journey.

You should budget a minimum of four to five hours for driving from Halifax to the start of the Cabot Trail in Baddeck. This is pure driving time without stops. To ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight, especially outside peak summer months, it's best to leave Halifax no later than 13:00. This gives a comfortable window to get settled before evening.

The Cabot Trail is a well‑paved two‑lane road with many curves and steep grades, so it requires full attention. Use the frequent, well‑marked look‑offs to pull over safely for photos and to admire the scenery. The most exposed sections with dramatic cliffside drop‑offs are typically on the western side of the loop, particularly when traversing French and MacKenzie mountains within the national park.

Many travellers find that driving the Cabot Trail counter‑clockwise can be more comfortable for passengers prone to motion sickness. This places your vehicle on the inside lane during the winding, cliff‑hugging sections of the western coast. Being on the mountain side of the road rather than the ocean edge can provide a greater sense of stability and reduce the visual intensity of steep drop‑offs.

It's sensible to fill up in one of the larger service towns like Baddeck at the beginning of the trail or Chéticamp on the western side. Fuel stations become very infrequent within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, especially in the northern section. Many smaller independent forecourts have limited hours and may close early, so don't let your tank get too low.

Baddeck is widely regarded as an ideal base for exploring Cape Breton by car. Its central location at the entrance to the Cabot Trail makes it a perfect starting and finishing point for the scenic loop. The town offers a good selection of accommodation, restaurants and services, and provides convenient access to other island attractions, minimising long drives back and forth.

During the peak tourist season in July and August, parking areas for highly popular trails such as the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton or paths near Peggy's Cove can fill up surprisingly early. On a sunny weekend it's not uncommon for car parks to be full by 10:30. To guarantee a spot and a less crowded hiking experience, aim for an early morning start.

Driving in rural Nova Scotia after dark requires heightened awareness and caution. Most highways outside towns are unlit, so visibility relies solely on headlights. The risk of encountering wildlife, particularly deer, is significantly higher at dusk, dawn and through the night. It's essential to reduce speed and be constantly vigilant for animals on or near the roadway.

October offers spectacular autumn colours but with noticeably shorter daylight hours, so plan to finish your driving by late afternoon. Road conditions are generally good, though be mindful of wet leaves on the road which can be slippery. In higher elevations like the Cape Breton Highlands be prepared for cooler temperatures and the possibility of morning frost on the roads.

The biggest winter surprise for many visitors is the rapid and unpredictable change in conditions. Coastal areas are prone to sudden whiteouts caused by blowing snow in high winds, drastically reducing visibility. Black ice is another major hazard, often forming on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas even when the rest of the road looks clear. Always drive to the conditions, not just the speed limit.

Coastal fog is common in Nova Scotia and can roll in with very little warning, sometimes reducing visibility to only a few car lengths. When you encounter dense fog, the key safety measures are to slow down significantly, switch on your low beam headlights (not high beams, which reflect off the fog) and increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead.

Driving regulations in Nova Scotia are very similar to those in the United States, so the transition is generally seamless. One local custom you may notice on two‑lane roads is that slower drivers will often pull partially onto the paved shoulder to allow faster traffic to pass safely. As in much of the U.S., turning right on a red light after a complete stop is permitted unless a sign specifically prohibits it.

Roundabouts are used to improve traffic flow; the main rule is to give way to traffic already circulating within them. The Armdale Rotary in Halifax is the most notoriously complex for newcomers because of its size and multiple exits. The best approach is to know which exit you need in advance, enter the roundabout slowly and cautiously, and follow the overhead signs for your destination.

If your plans include taking a ferry, check the hire company's policy regarding vehicle transport on ferries. From a planning perspective, book your ferry passage well in advance, particularly in the summer high season, as vehicle spaces can sell out. Be sure to arrive at the ferry terminal by the recommended check‑in time to ensure a smooth and timely boarding process.

The drive from Halifax to the Confederation Bridge is straightforward and takes approximately three hours. You'll mainly travel on the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 104, which becomes 106), and the route is well signed as you approach the turn‑off for the bridge in New Brunswick. Remember that the bridge toll is collected only when you leave Prince Edward Island to return to the mainland.

A comfortable one‑week itinerary would be two nights on the South Shore (in Lunenburg or Mahone Bay), followed by one night in the Annapolis Valley (such as Wolfville). From there, drive to Cape Breton for two nights (perhaps in Baddeck), allowing a full day on the Cabot Trail. Your final night could be in a town like Antigonish on the mainland to break up the drive back to Halifax.

To avoid heavy traffic, try to schedule your longest driving days for weekdays, such as Tuesday to Thursday. The busiest times on main highways are typically Friday afternoons leaving Halifax and Sunday afternoons returning to the city. By arranging arrivals and departures from popular areas like the South Shore or Cape Breton mid‑week, you'll encounter fewer cars and enjoy a more relaxed driving experience.

Expect strong and reliable mobile service in Halifax and all major towns and cities along the main highways. However, be prepared for service to become patchy or unavailable in more remote areas. The most notable dead zones are within the northern parts of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and along stretches of the rural Eastern Shore, so downloading maps for offline use is a highly recommended backup.

After leaving the Halifax airport, the most convenient places to stock up on groceries are the nearby communities of Enfield or Fall River. Both are a short 10–15 minute drive from the airport and have large modern supermarkets with everything you might need. Stopping here first lets you get fully supplied before continuing to more remote coastal or rural accommodation where shops may be smaller or have limited opening hours.

When choosing a vehicle, balance the need for cargo space with the reality of driving in the region. An SUV offers ample room for bulky gear, but a more compact car is much easier to manoeuvre and park on the narrow streets of historic towns like Lunenburg and Halifax. If you have a lot of equipment, an intermediate SUV often provides a good compromise between interior space and a manageable footprint for parking.

The airport itself has limited luggage storage options; a practical solution is to drive to your last hotel in Halifax or Dartmouth before heading to the airport. Many hotels will store luggage for a few hours for former guests. After dropping your bags you can return the car and then take a taxi or rideshare back to the hotel area to explore on foot or use public transport before retrieving your luggage for your flight.