A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mystic vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mystic or Halifax?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mystic and Halifax. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mystic or Halifax?

Mystic

Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.

Halifax

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Mystic?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mystic is $210, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mystic and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mystic $125
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mystic $250
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Mystic and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Mystic or Halifax? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Mystic


Hotels in Halifax


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Mystic Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mystic $56
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Mystic or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Mystic change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mystic $52
    Halifax $31

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mystic $24
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Mystic

For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour: $35
  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $31
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
  • City Segway Tour: $67
  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mystic $31
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:

  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mystic and Halifax, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic than you might in Halifax.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mystic Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mystic or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic and Halifax, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Mystic or Halifax?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mystic or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Mystic is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mystic usually receives less rain than Halifax. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mystic 73°F (23°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Mystic or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Mystic during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Mystic is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mystic in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. In the autumn, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mystic usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mystic 53°F (12°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Mystic or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Halifax. The winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Mystic can be very cold. In January, Mystic is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 28°F (-2°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mystic usually receives less rain than Halifax. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Mystic or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Halifax. The beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. Mystic is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In the spring, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Mystic usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mystic 48°F (9°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Mystic

Mystic Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)