Visiting Nova Scotia from Europe has never been easier. In 2026, 15 non-stop European services fly
directly into Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) - including WestJet's 9 European destinations
(with brand-new Lisbon, Madrid, and Copenhagen routes for May 2026). The transatlantic surge is real: 105,000
overseas visitors reached Nova Scotia in 2025, up 21% year-over-year. WestJet has boosted
transatlantic capacity by 25% from 2025, with 44% more seats on YHZ–Europe routes than
last year - including 16 daily departures to 9 European cities. That record connectivity helped Nova
Scotia reach $3.7 billion in tourism revenue in 2025, a record high. This guide covers everything
a traveller from Europe needs - getting here, the eTA, driving on the right, money, mobile data, and where to go first.
Nova Scotia at a Glance
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Time Zone
Atlantic Time (AST/ADT), UTC−3 in summer. Halifax is 4–5 hours behind Western Europe.
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Language
English (primary), with some French. Halifax is anglophone - don't expect widespread non-English service.
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eTA Required
Most European travellers need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) - ~CAD $7, online, valid 5 years. Not a visa.
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Metric System
Distances in km, fuel in litres, temperatures in °C. Speed limits in km/h - 100–110 km/h on highways.
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Cards Accepted
Visa & Mastercard everywhere. Contactless (tap) is ubiquitous. Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).
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Bring an Adapter
Type A/B outlets at 120V (different from Europe). Pack a North American power adapter for your devices.
Getting to Nova Scotia from Europe
The fastest way from Europe is a direct transatlantic flight into Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ).
Typical flight time from Western Europe is 5–6.5 hours, and the airport is only about 30 minutes from downtown Halifax.
🛫 Getting to Nova Scotia is easier than ever in 2026
WestJet has increased Halifax (YHZ) to Europe capacity by 25%, and Air Canada has boosted domestic seat capacity by 15%. One heads-up: Nova Scotia is seeing a historic domestic travel surge this year (CAT Ferry bookings up 29% year-over-year), so popular sites may be busier than usual - book accommodations and the CAT Ferry well in advance.
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By Air - Direct Flights to Halifax (YHZ)
WestJet now operates 9 European routes from Halifax, part of 15 non-stop European services in total.
The transatlantic network grew roughly 40% as the new Lisbon, Madrid, and Copenhagen services launched in May 2026.
🆕 NEW for May 2026: Lisbon, Madrid & Copenhagen
WestJet added three brand-new transatlantic routes from Halifax for the 2026 season - Lisbon (LIS),
Madrid (MAD), and Copenhagen (CPH). These join London, Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and
Barcelona, giving European travellers 9 direct WestJet gateways into Atlantic Canada.
European Cities with Direct Flights to Halifax (2026)
European City
Airline
Season
Flight Time
London (LGW)
WestJet
Seasonal (May–Oct)
~6 hrs
Paris (CDG)
WestJet
Seasonal (May–Oct)
~6 hrs
Dublin (DUB)
WestJet
Seasonal (May–Oct)
~5.5 hrs
Edinburgh (EDI)
WestJet
Seasonal (May–Oct)
~5.5 hrs
Amsterdam (AMS)
WestJet
Seasonal (May–Oct)
~6.5 hrs
Barcelona (BCN)
WestJet
Seasonal (Jun–Sep)
~6.5 hrs
Lisbon (LIS)
WestJet
Seasonal (NEW May 2026)
~6 hrs
Madrid (MAD)
WestJet
Seasonal (NEW May 2026)
~6.5 hrs
Copenhagen (CPH)
WestJet
Seasonal (NEW May 2026)
~6 hrs
💡 Tip: These seasonal transatlantic routes run roughly May–October. Outside the season, connect year-round through major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, then onward to Halifax via Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL). Find the best time to visit →
Entry Requirements - The eTA Explained
Most European travellers do not need a visa to visit Canada. Instead, you need an eTA
(Electronic Travel Authorization) when flying to (or transiting through) a Canadian airport.
🛂 What is an eTA?
An eTA is an electronic travel authorization linked to your passport - not a visa. It's required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada, including most Schengen and UK citizens.
💰 Cost & Speed
About CAD $7. The online application is simple and usually approved within minutes. Apply at the official Government of Canada site before you fly.
📅 Validity
Valid for up to 5 years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). You can make multiple visits during that period.
🛬 Length of Stay
A typical visitor stay is up to 6 months per entry (the border officer confirms your allowed stay on arrival). The 183-day threshold is important for tax residency purposes.
📖 Passport
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Bring the same passport you used to apply for the eTA.
Nova Scotia is built for road trips, and a rental car gives you the most freedom. But the driving rules differ from
Europe in a few important ways. Here's what to know before you take the wheel.
🚗 Key Driving Differences for Europeans
Drive on the RIGHT. Same as most of Europe (except the UK & Ireland). Oncoming traffic is on your left.
Speed limits in km/h: 100–110 km/h on highways, 50 km/h in towns. Speed is enforced by the RCMP.
Right turn on red IS permitted after a full stop, unless a sign explicitly prohibits it - similar to US rules and different from much of Europe. Always stop completely and yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic before turning.
Distances in km. Halifax to Cape Breton is roughly 4 hours; the Cabot Trail is a full-day loop.
Driver's licence: An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended, but your home (EU/EEA/UK) licence is usually accepted for visits up to 90 days.
Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers. Handheld phone use while driving is illegal - hands-free only.
Fuel: Sold by the litre. Expect roughly $1.50–1.80 CAD/litre. Stations can be sparse in rural Cape Breton - fill up in larger towns.
⚠️ Book Your Rental Car Months in Advance
Rental car availability is extremely limited during peak summer (July–August), especially at Halifax Airport (YHZ). This is the single biggest logistical headache visitors report. Reserve as early as possible - ideally before you book your flights.
Prefer not to drive? Nova Scotia is explorable without a car too - see our Car-Free Travel Guide for buses, shuttles, and ferry connections.
Money, Currency & Practicalities
💵 Currency & Exchange
Nova Scotia uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Exchange rates fluctuate - the figures below are approximate guides; check a live rate before your trip.
Cards rule: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. Contactless ("tap") is ubiquitous, even for small purchases.
Cash: Useful for tips and small vendors. Use bank ATMs (Scotiabank, RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO) for the best rates and lowest fees.
Always pay in CAD when given the choice. Dynamic currency conversion (paying in EUR/GBP) offers poor rates.
Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card if your bank offers one, to avoid 2–3% surcharges on every purchase.
🧾 Tipping & Taxes
Tipping: 15–18% at restaurants is standard (similar to North American norms, not the European convention). Bartenders: $1–2 per drink. Hotel housekeeping: $2–5/night.
Sales tax (HST 15%): Usually not included in displayed prices. A $20 item rings up at $23 at the till. Budget for the add-on.
Receipts: Always show the tax breakdown - useful if you can claim a visitor tax rebate on accommodation.
🏥 Health & Travel Insurance
Your European health card/EHIC does NOT cover you in Canada. Canada's public healthcare does not cover visitors, and medical costs for non-residents can be very high.
Travel medical insurance is essential. A hospital visit or ambulance transfer can cost thousands of CAD out of pocket.
Options: check your credit-card travel cover, or buy a standalone policy (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Heymondo, Allianz, etc.).
Prescription medications: Bring enough for your trip plus extra days, in original packaging with labels.
Emergency number: 911 - ambulance, police, and fire.
📱 Mobile Data & Staying Connected
Staying online is easy in cities but coverage thins out in rural areas and along the Cabot Trail. An eSIM avoids expensive EU-roaming charges - install it before you leave home.
eSIM options: Airalo, Yesim, Saily, and GigSky offer Canada data plans from ~$5 USD for 1–3 GB.
Coverage reality: Strong 4G/5G in Halifax, Sydney, Truro, and along major highways. Spotty-to-absent in rural Cape Breton and remote coastal areas.
Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before heading into rural regions.
Free Wi-Fi at most cafés, hotels, and public libraries.
🔌 Practical Essentials
Time zone: Atlantic Time (AST/ADT) = UTC−3 in summer. Halifax is 4–5 hours behind Western Europe - jet lag is manageable.
Language: English is primary. Some French in Acadian communities. Don't expect widespread non-English service.
Power plugs: Type A/B at 120V (60Hz) - different from Europe. Bring a North American adapter; a voltage converter only if your device isn't dual-voltage (most phones/laptops are).
Tap water is safe to drink everywhere.
Suggested Itineraries & Where to Start
New to the province and wondering where to start? These are the most popular ways for first-time European visitors to structure a Nova Scotia trip.
🛣️ The Maritimes Loop (NS · NB · PEI)
Got 7–14 days? Combine Nova Scotia with New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on one road trip. Ferries link it all together. See the multi-province loop →
📅 Best Time to Visit
Match your dates to weather, crowds, and prices. Summer is peak; September–October brings fall colours. Open the best-time tool →
🍂 Cabot Trail Fall Colours
The world-famous Cape Breton drive is at its best in early October. 3, 5 & 7-day itineraries. Cabot Trail guide →
🚌 Travelling Without a Car
No rental car? No problem. Buses, shuttles, and ferries connect the highlights. Car-free travel guide →
🏙️ Start in Halifax
Most European flights land here. Spend a day on the waterfront, then head out. Halifax local guide →
🇺🇸 Coming from the US?
Combining Nova Scotia with a US trip? See our companion US Traveler Guide for border, ferry & driving tips. US traveler guide →
Arriving From Europe: Key Questions
Do Europeans need a visa for Nova Scotia? No. Most European (Schengen/UK) citizens are visa-exempt. Instead, you need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) when flying - about CAD $7, issued online in minutes, valid for 5 years. It is not a visa.
How long is the flight from Europe to Halifax? Direct transatlantic flights from Western Europe to Halifax take roughly 5–6.5 hours. WestJet operates 9 European routes, with Lisbon, Madrid, and Copenhagen new for May 2026.
Can I drive in Nova Scotia with my European licence? Yes, for visits up to about 90 days your home (EU/EEA/UK) licence is usually accepted. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as a companion document. Remember to drive on the right, in km/h, and that right turns on red are permitted after a full stop (unless a sign prohibits it).
Do I need a power adapter? Yes. Nova Scotia uses Type A/B outlets at 120V (60Hz). Bring a North American adapter. Most phones and laptops are dual-voltage and only need the plug adapter, not a converter.
Is Nova Scotia expensive for European visitors? It's comparable to mid-sized European destinations. The Canadian dollar is generally weaker than the euro/pound, which helps. Budget for a 15% sales tax (HST) added at the till, 15–18% tipping at restaurants, and higher fuel (petrol) prices by the litre.
When is the best time to visit? July–September for the warmest weather and open attractions. June and October are lovely shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and vivid fall foliage. Use our best-time-to-visit tool to pick your window.
Will my phone work? Yes, but EU roaming is expensive. For trips longer than a couple of days, an eSIM (Airalo, Yesim, Saily) is far cheaper than daily roaming fees. Coverage is strong in cities and along highways, spotty in rural Cape Breton.
