Halifax / Stanfield International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Halifax Stanfield is located in Enfield/Goffs, about 35-40 km north of downtown, near Bedford and Lower Sackville along the same Highway 102: it's a longer-than-average ground transfer, 30-40 minutes by car that stretch out further at peak times. The MetroX 320 bus links the airport and downtown (Scotia Square) with no transfers in about an hour, but it runs only every 30-60 minutes and isn't active around the clock, so anyone arriving or leaving in the middle of the night almost always ends up relying on a fixed-fare taxi. For those travelling by car and wanting to split the journey, Bedford is a halfway stopping point between the airport and the city; those who want to enjoy downtown and the waterfront can head straight for Halifax, accepting the longer transfer.

Bedford

Nearby town · Bedford lies on the same route (Bedford Highway/Highway 102) that links the airport to downtown Halifax, roughly halfway: by car or taxi it's 15-20 minutes to the airport and the same to downtown (about 18 km), against the 30-40 minutes of a direct airport-to-downtown transfer. There are no direct buses from the airport to Bedford: by public transport you still have to go through downtown.

Best for: Travellers with a rental car or looking for a lower price than downtown, happy to stay along the road between the airport and the city rather than at either end.

Pros

Closer to the airport than a downtown hotel, with direct access to Highway 102 towards the terminals
International chain with indoor pool, gym and breakfast included, usually at a lower price than downtown

Cons

Residential area with no evening life within walking distance: for dinner or a night out you need a car or a taxi
It still isn't that close to the airport: 15-20 minutes by car remain, not the quick hop of a true airport hotel

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Halifax - Bedford by IHG: Chain hotel in Bedford, on the same road that links airport and downtown: convenient for those travelling by car and wanting to split the journey, with indoor pool, gym and hot breakfast included in the price.

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Downtown and North End Halifax

City centre · The MetroX 320 bus (formerly the 'Airport Express') links the airport to downtown, ending near Scotia Square, in about 55-65 minutes with no transfers; it runs every 30-60 minutes and costs about 4-5 CAD, but doesn't cover all night-time hours. By taxi or rideshare, the fare to downtown is fixed at around 65-70 CAD, for a 30-40 minute journey that stretches out further at peak times on Highway 102.

Best for: Travellers who want the waterfront, restaurants and the life of downtown Halifax, and accept the longer transfer from the airport in exchange for everything within walking distance.

Pros

Waterfront Boardwalk, the Citadel and restaurants reachable on foot from downtown hotels
The MetroX 320 bus links the airport to downtown with no transfers, with no need for a car or taxi

Cons

No quick connection: 30-40 minutes by fixed-fare taxi, or about an hour on the MetroX bus, which only runs every 30-60 minutes
The bus still isn't active around the clock: for flights in the middle of the night or at dawn, a taxi is still needed

Recommended hotels in this area

Moxy Halifax Downtown: Chain hotel near the Scotiabank Centre and the Waterfront Boardwalk, in the heart of downtown: the most convenient choice for those who want to stay within walking distance of restaurants and evening venues.
Brewery Park Hotel: Small hotel in the North End, about 3 km from the heart of the historic downtown but a short walk from the Waterfront Boardwalk and the Citadel: a quieter alternative to downtown proper.

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