Top 5 Newfoundland & Labrador Travel Options: A Local’s Guide

So, you’re dreaming of coming over to Newfoundland and Labrador? That’s mighty fine! Getting around this beautiful place definitely requires a plan, like you really can’t just show up and hope for the best, alright? From the rugged coastlines to the wide-open spaces, yeah it’s truly something, but travel needs a bit of know-how. I mean, it’s almost like trying to find your way through a capelin swarm if you don’t know where to look! We’ve pulled together a list, just a little selection, that we hope will point you down the road the right way so you can get the most from your visit.

1. DRL Coachlines: See Newfoundland By Land

Basically, DRL Coachlines covers a whole lot of ground, offering a comfortable and relatively inexpensive way to see the island of Newfoundland, yeah, in a manner that might remind you of the old railway days. The bus runs from St. John’s all the way over to Port aux Basques and makes lots of stops in between like Clarenville and Gander, to name just a few, and that too it’s a fantastic option if you don’t feel like driving or maybe just wanna relax and enjoy the scenery passing by. Seats are comfy, and the drivers are nearly always full of local stories; think of it sort of like a guided tour, but on a schedule, right? But so you know, DRL primarily connects places along the Trans-Canada Highway, yet smaller communities away from the main route might be harder to reach directly by bus, so remember to look over the schedule ahead of time. The buses, are pretty neat too, like each bus trip provides for sightseeing across Newfoundland’s nature!

2. Provincial Airlines (PAL): See The Entire Province By Air

Yeah, Provincial Airlines, or PAL, tends to be your go-to if you have plans to move quickly between different parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. PAL so really covers places that other transport don’t get to as easily. I mean, flying to Labrador from St. John’s sure beats a long drive and a ferry, that’s just for certain, eh? But keep in mind that flying tends to cost more than the bus or driving. If you’re in a hurry, and seeing more of the area is the goal, like that’s usually worth a splurge, so go and see their pricing! When flying with PAL be ready to capture breathtaking sights. I think that you’ll find your flight soaring over beautiful, craggy coastlines and remote communities!

3. Marine Atlantic Ferries: An Atlantic Experience To Remember

If you’re set to travel between Newfoundland and mainland Canada, is that right?, Marine Atlantic really has to be the one that you consider. It handles a fairly steady traffic between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and both Argentia and Port aux Basques in Newfoundland, usually throughout the whole year. This is almost like the best way to bring your car over. I mean, that means that you’ll have everything that you will be needing as you explore the province on your own time, just by going with this ferry system! A trip to Argentia is very appealing because it places you only about an hour outside of St. John’s; however, that route’s often just active during the summer. During the rest of the year, it’s mainly Port aux Basques which is like your landing spot; from there, it’s a long drive across the island. Make reservations beforehand, alright!, especially during peak season!

4. Car Rentals: At Your Own Pace

Renting a car gives you basically the most freedom for zipping around Newfoundland and Labrador on your own schedule. Sure enough, the island portion has a lot of rental spots, notably at airports such as St. John’s International (YYT) and Deer Lake (YDF), just for example. Keep in the front of your mind though, in Labrador the options may be kind of limited. Booking way ahead, could be more or less crucial, is that right?, mainly in summer season, when lots of travellers are coming in for a vacation, that’s for certain. When you are taking the backroads, that you’ll for certain wish to, keep a close look for moose and that the climate conditions can change real fast! You’ll quickly know you were absolutely right with your planning!

5. Local Tour Operators: The Experts Know The Region

If driving yourself sounds a bit scary or hard, there are like lots of local tour companies that know the area, you know?, extremely well and could really make your travels far more rewarding, that’s my impression. They handle everything like whale watching excursions and guided hikes too as tours around historical sites or along the coastline or of some kind, usually. In particular in Labrador, going with a local outfit just may be the one and only safe means of having access to some very remote regions and spots, you know. The tour leaders usually are loaded with details on the historical, ecological and cultural details which often can deeply enrich your vacation! The whole adventure is very different, like if the local operator has that home grown history.