Halifax Airport to Downtown: Bus 320, Taxi Fares, Uber and Rentals
Halifax Stanfield (YHZ) is a fair distance from the city, out past Fall River, so the trip downtown takes some planning, especially if you land late. The good news is that you have real choices: a public express bus that runs seven days a week, airport taxis with set fares by zone, Uber and Lyft, pre-booked rides and rental cars.
This guide covers each option with the route, schedule pattern and fares taken from Halifax Transit and Halifax Stanfield’s own pages, checked October 20, 2026. Fares and schedules change, so we link every source for you to check before you travel.
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In this guide
Quick answer
| Option | Cost (official source) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax Transit Route 320 | $4.75 adult cash fare; children 12 and under free | Budget travellers with light-to-moderate luggage |
| Airport taxi or limo | Set fares by zone; $68 to the Halifax peninsula zone on the airport’s fare sheet (see note below) | Door-to-door, groups, late arrivals |
| Uber or Lyft | Set by the app | App users; pick-up on the ground transportation curb |
| Pre-booked car service | Agreed when you book | Peace of mind, especially off-peak |
| Rental car | Varies | Day trips to Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg or the Cabot Trail |
Halifax Transit Route 320: the airport bus
The airport bus is Route 320 Airport–Fall River, a Regional Express route run by Halifax Transit. Halifax Stanfield says it connects the airport with downtown Halifax and that passenger baggage is allowed (check Halifax Transit’s baggage policy for specifics).
Route and travel time
According to the Route 320 timetable linked from halifax.ca, buses run from the airport via Pratt & Whitney/Old Guysborough Road and the Fall River Park & Ride, then to the Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, and end at Scotia Square (Barrington Street, Bay 4) in downtown Halifax. Scheduled trips take roughly 55 minutes from the airport to Scotia Square, and about 40 minutes to Bridge Terminal if you’re staying in Dartmouth. Halifax Transit notes that departure times are estimates.
Schedule pattern
- Seven days a week. A Halifax Regional Municipality staff report says Route 320 is the only Regional Express route that runs in both directions all day, every day (staff report, August 2026).
- Weekdays: the first scheduled departure from the airport is at 5:45 a.m. and the last at 12:15 a.m. Buses run every 30 minutes in the morning and late-afternoon rush and hourly at other times.
- Weekends and holidays: hourly, from 5:15 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. from the airport.
- To the airport: the first weekday bus leaves Scotia Square at 4:40 a.m. (4:20 a.m. on weekends and holidays).
Times are from the timetable on halifax.ca when we checked; look up the current Route 320 schedule before you travel.
Fares and tickets
Route 320 uses Regional Express fares, which are higher than regular city bus fares. Per Halifax Transit’s fares page:
| Fare | Adult (18–64) | Senior (65+) / Youth (13–17) | Child (0–12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single ride (cash or HFXGO app) | $4.75 | $3.25 | Free |
| Top-up from a regular ticket, transfer or monthly pass | $1.50 | $1 | Free |
| 1-day Regional Express pass (HFXGO) | $11.75 | $8 | Free |
- Exact change is required if you pay cash on board, says Halifax Stanfield.
- At the airport, you can buy tickets at the Ground Transportation Booth in Arrivals, which the airport says is available 24/7. You can also use the HFXGO app.
- Halifax Transit says buses and ferries are free for people 65 and older on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 6 p.m.
Taxi and rideshare
Airport taxis and limos
Airport car services, taxis and limos wait curbside outside Arrivals. Halifax Stanfield sets the fares by destination zone. Its local car service fare sheet (effective October 1, 2022, fares include HST) lists:
| Destination zone (from the airport) | Fare on the sheet |
|---|---|
| Halifax: peninsula, plus Bayers Lake and St. Margaret’s Bay Rd to the Rotary | $68 |
| Halifax: south of the Armdale Rotary to William Lake Rd | $73 |
| Dartmouth: Burnside, Shannon Park, Five Corners, Banook Lake, Main St area | $61 |
| Dartmouth: Main St to Ross Rd / Cole Harbour Rd area | $66 |
| Bedford (Lakeview area) | $50 |
Check the total before you ride. The airport’s taxis and limos page also says local airport car service fares temporarily increased by $4 per trip (from June 1, 2022) on top of the established fares. It isn’t clear from the airport’s pages whether the fare sheet already includes that increase, so confirm the total with the driver or the Ground Transportation desk. If you have more than one stop, the sheet says drivers won’t charge more than the approved rate for the first destination plus an hourly or metered portion after that.
Uber and Lyft
Halifax Stanfield says Uber and Lyft pick up in a designated area on the ground transportation curb outside Arrivals, on the main level near baggage claim. Prices are set by the apps, so compare with the taxi fare above.
Pre-booked private transfer
If you’d rather have a driver waiting, Halifax Stanfield says pre-arranged taxis and limos must be booked before you arrive, and it publishes a list of licensed pre-arranged services. The airport encourages pre-booking if you’re travelling outside peak periods.
You can also check Kiwitaxi for a fixed-price transfer quote, or compare Welcome Pickups (which lists Halifax airport transfers) and GetTransfer. We couldn’t confirm that Kiwitaxi covers Halifax Stanfield, so if your route isn’t offered, use the airport’s licensed list instead.
Renting a car at YHZ
A rental car makes sense if you’re heading beyond the city: to Peggy’s Cove, the South Shore, the Annapolis Valley or the Cabot Trail. For a downtown-only stay, the bus or a taxi plus walking is usually simpler than paying to park.
No credit card? See our guide to renting a car without a credit card in Canada before you book a rental at the airport.
Before you book, read our guide to car rental at Halifax airport: which companies are on site, age and licence rules, and how insurance works.
Compare Halifax airport car rentals with DiscoverCars, or try Economybookings as a second quote. Check fuel policy, mileage limits and the deposit before you book.
Late-night arrivals
- The last Route 320 from the airport is scheduled at 12:15 a.m., every day. If your flight lands close to midnight, have a backup.
- Taxis and limos are available curbside for arrivals. The airport suggests booking a pre-arranged service if you’re travelling outside peak periods.
- Rideshare pick-ups are on the ground transportation curb, but availability late at night depends on drivers in the app.
- Staying near the airport is another option for very late or very early flights. Compare airport hotels on Trip.com.
Getting to Peggy’s Cove or Lunenburg from the airport
Route 320 only runs to Dartmouth and downtown Halifax, so most visitors drive to Peggy’s Cove or Lunenburg. A rental car from YHZ lets you go straight there, or stay in Halifax first and do a day trip. Halifax Stanfield also notes that Maritime Bus serves the airport with routes to over 40 Maritime locations, and that the Tourism Nova Scotia visitor centre in the airport (902-873-1223) can help with other shuttles.
Heading straight to the lighthouse? Our Peggy’s Cove tours from Halifax guide compares coach tours, taxis, private transfers and driving yourself, including from the airport.
Planning a bigger trip? Our Cabot Trail road trip itinerary starts with the drive from Halifax.
Flying south this winter? See every direct winter flight from Halifax, or browse our all-inclusive vacations from Halifax guides.
More from Halifax Stanfield
- Where you can fly non-stop from YHZ: cheap flights from Halifax.
- Winter sun routes: direct winter flights from Halifax.
- Heading overseas: cheap flights from Halifax to Europe.
- Insurance, eSIMs and gear: travel essentials.
Trip essentials for arriving in Halifax
Hand-picked tools we’d use ourselves. Always check current prices and terms before you buy.
- Flights from HalifaxCompare non-stop and one-stop fares. Search flights →
- Car rentalCompare rental cars at Halifax Stanfield. Compare on DiscoverCars →
- Travel insuranceMSI covers little outside Canada. Compare plans → or get a TuGo quote →
- Stay connectedLocal data from the moment you land. See Airalo eSIMs →
- Airport transfersPre-book a ride if yours isn’t included. Book with Kiwitaxi →
More trips from Atlantic Canada: all Moonlight Travel guides.
FAQ: Halifax airport to downtown
How do I get from Halifax airport to downtown by bus?
Take Halifax Transit Route 320 Airport–Fall River. It runs seven days a week from the airport via Fall River and Dartmouth’s Bridge Terminal to Scotia Square in downtown Halifax, about 55 minutes by the timetable. The adult cash fare is $4.75.
How much is a taxi from Halifax airport to downtown?
Airport taxis charge set fares by zone. Halifax Stanfield’s fare sheet lists $68 to the Halifax peninsula zone, including HST, and the airport also notes a $4 temporary increase on local trips. Confirm the total before you ride.
Does the 320 bus run late at night?
The last scheduled Route 320 departure from the airport is 12:15 a.m., every day. Check the current schedule on halifax.ca, and have a backup if you land late.
Can I take Uber or Lyft from Halifax airport?
Yes. Halifax Stanfield says Uber and Lyft pick up in a designated area on the ground transportation curb outside Arrivals.
Where do I buy a bus ticket at Halifax airport?
At the Ground Transportation Booth in Arrivals, which the airport says sells tickets 24/7, or on the HFXGO app. If you pay cash on the bus, exact change is required.
Do I need a car in Halifax?
Not for downtown. A rental car is useful for day trips to Peggy’s Cove or Lunenburg, or a road trip such as the Cabot Trail.
Sources: Halifax Transit and Halifax Regional Municipality (halifax.ca), and Halifax Stanfield International Airport, checked October 20, 2026. Fares and schedules change; confirm before you travel.
Featured photo: Halifax waterfront. Photo: RicLaf from Halifax, Canada via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (licence).
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