How much does it cost to travel to Halifax?
You should plan to spend around $114 (CA$157) per day on your vacation in Halifax. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 (CA$43) on meals
- $17 (CA$23) on local transportation
- $130 (CA$179) on hotels
A one week trip to Halifax for two people costs, on average, $1,598 (CA$2,201). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Halifax has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Halifax expensive to visit?
Prices in Halifax are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Halifax is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Halifax Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Halifax?
The average Halifax trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Halifax travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
CA$179
($130)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
CA$23
($17)
|
|
Food 2
|
CA$43
($31)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
CA$39
($28)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
CA$1 -
3
($1 - 2)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
CA$10 -
30
($7 - 22)
|
Accommodation Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Halifax is $65 (CA$90). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Halifax is $130 (CA$179). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Halifax? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Halifax is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $17 (CA$23) per person, per day, on local transportation in Halifax.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$17
CA$23
How much does it cost to go to Halifax? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Halifax will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Halifax can vary, the average cost of food in Halifax is $31 (CA$43) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Halifax should cost around $12 (CA$17) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Halifax is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$31
CA$43
Typical prices for Food in Halifax are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Halifax, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Bluenose II Restaurant
CA$61
Entertainment Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Halifax typically cost an average of $28 (CA$39) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$28
CA$39
Tips and Handouts Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Halifax
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 (CA$20) on alcoholic beverages in Halifax per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
CA$20
Halifax On a Budget
Old Town Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
Sights
Any sea lover will love simply wandering around Halifax. If you're looking for specific attractions, however, you may want to start with the Halifax Citadel. Located on top Citadel Hill, this star fort is a Canadian National Heritage Site. It gives visitors the best view of the Halifax Harbor, and has daily reenactments from guides in period costumes – complete with a ceremonial cannon fired everyday at noon.
Try to trace your ancestry at Pier 21. Recently renamed the National Immigration Museum, this is Canada's equivalent of New York's Ellis Island. This spot once processed over one million immigrants, and today it is a museum with detailed exhibits on Canadian immigration history.
For a touch more nautical history, head over to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Located on the waterfront the museum includes exhibits about the sinking of the Titanic and the 1917 Halifax explosion. You can also get a close up look at the hydrographic survey ship built in 1913, the CSS Acadia.
Activities
For a quiet but entertaining stroll through Halifax, visit the waterfront. This boardwalk is full of shops, restaurants and other entertainment like Theodore Tugboat, a WWII Corvette and other interesting ships along the harbor.
If you're up for a little more adventure, rent a canoe and sail up the Northwest Arm. Along this route you'll see the historic Dingle Tower in Flemming Park. Watch the sailboats and regattas float past you, and just try to take your eyes off the stunning mansions that line the coast. If you're feeling super daring, canoe all the way up to Point Pleasant Park. This is where the Northwest Arm meets the Halifax Harbor. While it may be tempting to take a dip, it's not recommended. The sewage treatment plants aren't always operational, so swimming may lead to serious illness.
Another day trip involves hopping on the McNabs Island Ferry to sail out to the massive island in Halifax Harbor. This expansive land is full of sand and cobblestone shores, salt marshes, abandoned military forts and mysterious forests. As soon as you arrived, your guides will provide you with maps of roads and trails for hiking and biking. Camping is also an option if you contact the Department of Natural Resources.
Halifax has several boat tours operating from the harbor. These tours include nature and whale watching, deep sea fishing, historical guides and dinner cruises.
Food and Dining
Halifax, and Nova Scotia as a whole, is so rich in diversity, there's no real cultural cuisine. Most restaurants you'll find here will serve a menu full of seafood. You'll particularly want to sample the mussels and scallops. If you see the "sea pie," fish and chips or seafood chowder offered, it's a safe bet that those are going to be delicious.
Transportation
Halifax has a great public transit system, but it is more focused on local commuters than tourists. To do anything outside of the downtown shopping, a car rental is your best option.
Traveling through Halifax is fairly simple. Streets are narrow, but most drivers are relaxed and patient. Remember that pedestrians rule the roads in Halifax, and people will often cross the road in the middle of the block with cars stopping for him.
There are several one-way streets in downtown Halifax, so be careful not to take the wrong turn. Rush hour is very real on the peninsula with the main pain points at the harbor bridges connecting Dartmouth and Halifax.
Parking isn't too expensive and can usually be found free downtown. Watch the signs as some street parking is prohibited during rush hour.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.