Newfoundland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Its dramatic coastlines, breathtaking scenery, Maritimes culture and friendly, welcoming people make it a fantastic destination for a summer holiday. It is an island, so unless you’ve booked a flight, the Newfoundland Ferry, operated by Marine Atlantic, is the only other way to get there.
I was a little nervous preparing for our ferry crossing, mostly because I struggled to find detailed answers to the questions I had online. Thankfully, the customer service line was very helpful when I called, and I thought I’d publish some information from my experience to help other travellers.
In this article, I’ll share what I learned about taking the Newfoundland ferry, offer helpful travel tips and answer frequently and less-frequently asked questions.
Newfoundland Ferry Routes
From Nova Scotia, all ferries leave from North Sydney on Cape Breton Island. North Sydney is approximately a 4.5-hour drive from Halifax.
There are two routes:
North Sydney to Channel-Port Aux Basques
This seven-hour route takes you to Port aux Basques on the southwestern tip of Newfoundland. The port is about a three-hour drive from world-renowned Gros Morne National Park, making it a convenient option if visiting the park is in your travel plans.
It is the only route that sails year-round, so perhaps your only option if you’re travelling outside of the peak season. It offers two sailings daily, with added sailings in the summer. Check the schedule, as it changes in the off-season.
North Sydney to Argentia
This 16-hour route takes you to Argentia in the southeastern area of Newfoundland. It takes you close to St. John’s, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from the Argentia ferry terminal.
This route offers three sailings a week, and is only offered from mid-June through the end of September.
Note: This sailing is aboard the brand-new Ala’suinu, which joined the fleet in July 2025. The comfort, service and amenities on this new vessel truly exceed my expectations. We’ll get into that later!
Which Newfoundland Ferry route should I take?
Deciding on a ferry route depends on your travel plans. The ferry to Port aux Basque is a popular option because it is shorter and offers more sailings. However, if you’re visiting St. John’s, a round trip to Argentia will save you a lot of driving, but the ferry is longer.
If you plan on taking a road trip throughout Newfoundland, we recommend you land on one side and make your way to the other, booking ferries at each end of your trip.
Booking the Newfoundland Ferry
You must make a reservation to take the ferry. Unlike other Canadian ferries, like BC Ferries in the west or the PEI Ferry from Nova Scotia, you have to book your crossings well in advance. It is busier than I expected, and space sells out fast. I made the mistake of booking too close to my travel dates, and had to settle for two overnight sailings two weeks apart.
The cabins for these sailings were also unavailable, and are ideal, especially for overnight sailings. Fortunately, I was able to get on a waiting list for a cabin on the Argentia route. Once we were on board and settling into general seating, I was paged to reception and was given a cabin after another passenger cancelled. I snatched it up and paid the extra fee with no regrets. If you can, get on that waiting list!
Frequent travellers to Newfoundland recommend you book your ferry crossings 6 months in advance for summer sailings, especially if you need to book a vehicle and a cabin.
When you book, you must choose your route and pay according to the size of your vehicle and the number of passengers. You can also reserve a cabin (recommended, especially for night sailings) or opt for reserved lounge seating at this time.
Ways to book the ferry:
- Online reservations can be made at https://book.marineatlantic.ca/
- Phone reservations can be made by calling 1-800-341-7981.
When you book online or on the phone, you’ll provide details on your vehicle, passengers, pets and other special needs.
Seating Options on the Newfoundland Ferry
When booking your ferry, you have a few seating options. If it is in the budget, we highly recommend reserving a cabin. In my opinion, the comfort and privacy of a cabin were worth the cost. Here are your seating options for the ferry:
General Seating
There is a seat for every passenger, and then some. If you don’t book a cabin, you can find seats in one of the lounges for your party and settle in for the sailing. Most people leave their gear and sleeping things in their seats to save them (at your own risk) while exploring the ferry, dining in the restaurant, etc.
The seats recline, but not fully. We found the general seating on the Ala’suinu (Argenta route) was more comfortable and spaced out compared to the Highlanders (Port aux Basques route). However, there were plenty of places to sit, so you don’t have to race for a seat.
Reserved Seating
All routes have reserved seating for an additional cost. The seats are the same as general seating, but they’re in a secure and quieter location accessible with a key card. This makes leaving your stuff more secure, and you might get a better sleep in the reserved lounge if you’re sitting up on an overnight sailing.
Passenger pods (only available on the Argentia route)
If you’re taking the longer 16-hour ferry, you can ask about passenger pods. These are tiny rooms that offer a set of bunk beds. There are no private bathrooms or showers, but it’s a great alternative to sitting up in the public lounge. If you’ve booked an overnight ferry and can’t get a cabin, the pod is the best option for a comfortable cruise.
Cabins on the Newfoundland Ferry
For the most comfortable experience, treat yourself to a private cabin! Cabins offer beds for one to four people. There are deluxe hotel-style cabins available with double beds on select ferries, for an additional cost.
Amenities include comfortable beds, bedding, towels, a private bathroom (BYO soap and shampoo), climate control and a little TV with onboard entertainment that is similar to an airline. The cabins also have an outlet for charging your devices.
Because many cabins are in the interior of the vessel, they do not have windows. You do not get to select your cabin when you book, and Marine Atlantic assigns them at random. If you’re not comfortable having a room without a window, this is something you should be aware of!
Checking in at the terminal
Marine Atlantic asks that passengers check in at the terminal at least two hours before departure. You can come earlier than that, but they ask you not to arrive earlier than four hours before departure to avoid congestion at the terminal.
When you arrive, you’ll stop at a check-in booth where the agent will ask for your reservation number and confirm your details. If you’re in an RV with a propane tank, they’ll ask you to shut off the tank and give you a tag to alert ferry staff that you’ve done so.
Here, you’ll get a boarding pass and then can line up your vehicle in the lane you’ve been assigned. Hold on to those boarding passes, as you’ll need them later.
What do I do at the ferry terminal while waiting?
There isn’t much to do at the ferry terminal while you wait to board. There are terminal buildings at each port, offering sitting areas, washrooms and free public WiFi. Depending on the port, the terminal could have a café, gift shop and other services.
Read more about the amenities and services at the Newfoundland ferry terminals.
The ferry terminal building at Port aux Basque has been recently renovated to include a cafeteria-style restaurant, and it has a few activities for kids, including an arcade-style basketball hoop and mini-putt golf. We spent a lot of time in there while waiting for our return journey to the mainland.
Pay attention to any announcements made. They’ll do a boarding call and ask passengers to return to their vehicles to prepare for boarding.
Boarding the Newfoundland Ferry
Don’t get too excited when you hear that boarding call; your wait is not over yet! A lot of vehicles and people need to get on that boat, and the boarding process is slow and steady. A Marine Atlantic employee will come to your window to see your boarding pass before your lane boards, so have your boarding pass ready.
Make sure you turn off your engine until you see your line moving or you are directed by Marine Atlantic staff to start moving.
Once you’re on the boat, gather everything you’ll need for the sailing. Once the boat pushes off the dock, you are not permitted on the vehicle deck, even if you’ve forgotten something important.
What to bring on the Newfoundland Ferry?
We suggest you pack your bag for the ferry while you’re at the terminal in your vehicle, waiting to board. Here is our suggested packing list:
Packing list for daytime ferry:
- Warm clothing. They keep the air conditioning running, and the outer decks can be cool and windy.
- Portable chargers and charging cords. There are outlets located in every seat on the new Ala’suinu, but this is not the case for other vessels. Bring a portable charger just in case.
- Entertainment. Download a few movies or shows on your device. There is no service, and WiFi is limited and of poor quality.
- Food and drinks! There are restaurants on board, but it’s always a good idea to pack some snacks and your water bottle.
- Medication. As mentioned, you are not permitted in the vehicle decks during the sailing.
- Money. You’ll need your wallet if you want to visit the restaurant, bar or cafes.
Packing list for overnight ferry:
- WARM CLOTHING. Unless you have a cabin with your own thermostat, prepare for a chilly night. They keep the AC blasting, and it is cold.
- Blankets and pillows. If you’re not in a cabin, we suggest you bring a blanket and pillow so you can be more comfortable in the lounge chairs overnight.
- Overnight bag. Pack your sleeping clothes, toothbrush, etc. Cabins are equipped with showers, so bring shower supplies if you have a cabin.
- Food and drinks! There are restaurants on board, but it’s always a good idea to pack some snacks and your water bottle.
- Medication. As mentioned, you are not permitted in the vehicle decks during the sailing.
- Money. You’ll need your wallet if you want to visit the restaurant, bar or cafes.
- Devices and chargers.
Amenities on the Newfoundland Ferry
The amenities offered on the Newfoundland Ferry depend on which ship you are on. We had a fantastic experience on the new Ala’suinu (Argentia route), and it felt like a mini-cruise. We had no trouble passing the time in the evening before tucking into our cozy cabin.
All ferries offer the following amenities:
- Table service restaurant
- Bar service
- Café with grab-and-go options
- Entertainment (TV screens playing shows and news in the lounges)
- Small gift shop
- Children’s play area
- Games counter (free board games)
Argentia route amenities
Because the ship is larger and newer, the amenities on this ferry were superior to those on the Port aux Basques route. It featured a large central atrium-style lounge with a bar, comfortable seating and had live music in the evening.
Directly below that deck was another open space with a café, offering coffee and grab-and-go options, reception, board games and plenty of space to comfortably sit.
The restaurant was spacious with large windows offering views of the open ocean. I was impressed by the attention and fast service from the staff, as it was very busy at dinner time. The food was better than expected, with a diner-style menu featuring a few local seafood options. They also had a children’s menu that included a scoop of ice cream, which was a highlight for my son.
The general seating lounges were large, spacious and comfortable. Each seat reclined, had a charging outlet, and plenty of legroom. There were TV screens in the lounges playing pre-set television shows, news and sports programs.
There was a larger children’s play area with nearby seating and benches for parents.
In the cabin, your TV offers movies and TV shows similar to an airline’s in-flight entertainment. The Argentia ferry also had WiFi. It wasn’t super strong, but it was enough for me to get some work done during the sailing.
Port aux Basques amenities
Admittedly, we didn’t partake in all the amenities offered on the Highlanders/Port aux Basques route because we took the 11:45 PM – 7:00 AM sailing and just settled in our seats for the night upon boarding. However, a walk around the ship revealed a sit-down restaurant with a bar, a grab-and-go café, a small retail shop and a reception desk.
The general seating lounges are not as spaced out as the Argentia ferry, and the seats are older but still reclined. The lounges also have large TV screens playing pre-set television shows, news and sports. They didn’t turn them off overnight, so if flashing screens bother you, bring an eye mask for sleeping. Unless I were able to book a cabin, I likely wouldn’t choose an overnight trip on this route again.
There was a children’s play area with nearby seating and benches for parents. There is no WiFi on this route.
Newfoundland Ferries FAQs
1. Do I need a reservation?
Yes—reservations are highly recommended for all non-commercial passengers. Booking in advance increases your chances of getting your preferred sailing time and accommodations, especially during peak seasons. marineatlantic.ca
2. How do I make, change, or cancel a reservation?
You can book online or by calling Marine Atlantic’s toll-free number. Changes or cancellations made less than 48 hours before departure incur a $25 modification fee; rates at the time of change apply.
3. When should I arrive at the terminal?
Check-in is required two hours before your departure. Boarding typically begins between 90 and 120 minutes before sailing. Late arrivals may result in missed departures.
4. What forms of payment are accepted?
Marine Atlantic accepts major credit cards, Visa Debit, and prepaid credit cards when reserving. For purchases at the terminal and onboard, you can pay with credit, debit and cash.
5. What happens if my sailing is delayed or cancelled?
- Weather-related delays/cancellations: You’ll be rebooked on the next available sailing and kept informed.
- Mechanical delays/cancellations: You’ll be rebooked or offered a refund. If on board, extended mechanical delays may result in a light snack or complimentary meal.
6. Can I bring pets on board?
Yes—you have multiple options:
- Leave your pet in the vehicle with proper notification for airflow and identification. You can’t access them during the voyage.
- Use a pet kennel.
- Book a pet-friendly cabin.
7. What about food and drink—can I bring my own?
You can bring food and (non-alcoholic) drinks aboard. Onboard dining is available.
8. What should I bring with me on board?
Since access to the vehicle deck is restricted once underway, pack a small personal bag with essentials like ID, medications, electronics and chargers, a change of clothes, and warm layers.
9. What safety rules should you remember when on board?
- Passengers are not permitted on the vehicle deck during crossing.
- Sleeping on the floor or in vehicles is not allowed—use cabins or reclining chairs only.
- Wait until personnel instruct you to start your engine at disembarkation to ensure safety and reduce emissions.
10. Can I charge my electric vehicle at the ferry terminals?
Yes, each terminal has two Level 2 chargers that passengers may use while waiting to board the vessel, based on availability.
11. Is smoking or vaping allowed?
Yes, but only in designated outdoor smoking areas on the vessel. Ask the Marine Atlantic staff at the reception desk.
12. Are ferries wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Terminals and vessels have elevators, ramps, accessible washrooms, and designated cabins.
