How to make the most out of your layover in Halifax

Halifax Airport is far from Canada's busiest. Located on the eastern edge of Nova Scotia, Halifax is a small city that's big on charm. The airport, known as Halifax Stanfield, handles around 3.5 million passengers every year, making it the eighth busiest in Canada. However, its geographical position on Canada's East Coast makes it a vital link between North America and Europe, with flights to Reykjavík and London as well as destinations across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Halifax Airport is not a huge place, so it doesn't have the amenities you'll find in big airports. That means that if you find yourself on a layover in Halifax of at least a couple of hours, it can be tempting to head out of the airport and kill some time in the city itself. With the scenic Halifax waterfront to explore, including the Maritime Museum and Halifax Citadel along with Halifax public gardens, you can easily get a sense of this small but vibrant city even with just a few hours in downtown Halifax before jumping on your next flight.

Make things easier on yourself by using Bounce to store your bags. We partner with local businesses to provide affordable luggage storage for any size of luggage. Leaving heavy bags behind is one of the best things you can do to make the most of a multi-hour layover, so let any of our Halifax luggage storage locations take care of your things while you explore the city.

Things to know before leaving Halifax Airport

Transportation options and visa requirements

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is compact and easy to navigate, with efficient services for both domestic and international travelers. Rideshares, taxis, and shuttle buses are readily available to get you downtown, which is about a 30-minute drive. Public transit is also available, but it may take longer depending on your destination.

Travelers from many countries can enter Canada without a visa, including citizens of the United States, the UK, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. However, you will need an eTA or electronic travel authorization. If you're coming from outside of Canada, you will probably have had to apply for this before you even got on your flight to the country. Note that Canadian citizens don't need an eTA. However, if you are from a country that doesn't have a visa-free arrangement with Canada, you'll need a visa to enter the city if you don't already have one. If you use a travel agent to book your trip, they can help you understand the visa requirements and whether it's worth the effort of entering Canada, or whether you should just pass through the airport.

Minimum layover times in Halifax

Here’s how much time you’ll need depending on the length of your layover:

• Short layover (2-3 hours): Stay at the airport and enjoy its amenities, including local shops and dining options.
• 4-6 hour layover: Head downtown to explore Halifax’s scenic waterfront or grab a quick bite.
• 8+ hour layover: Enjoy key attractions like the Halifax Citadel or Peggy’s Cove a little further afield for a deeper dive into the area’s charm.

What to do on a layover in Halifax

Halifax offers a mix of maritime history, scenic views, and cozy eateries that are perfect for layover visitors. This relatively small city is an ideal size to explore on a North American layover, as you can get a sense of what it offers in as little as a couple of hours. But if your layover in Halifax is longer, there's enough here to keep you occupied and interested for multiple days. Leave your heavy bags behind with a Bounce luggage storage, and you can soak up the maritime charm of this historic city and really get a sense of what Nova Scotia and hospitality are all about.

Short layover (2-3 hours): Maximize the airport's amenities

If you have a short layover, stay at Halifax Stanfield International Airport and enjoy local flavors and shops.

• Activities: Explore the airport’s local offerings, such as shops featuring Nova Scotian goods and souvenirs. Clearwater Seafoods will even pack up your East Coast lobster for safe travel.
• Dining: Try Sosta Pizzeria's Italian offerings for something comforting and filling. It's located inside the Alt Hotel for a nice change of scenery.

Half-day layover (4-6 hours): Explore the waterfront

With a few hours, you can head downtown and experience Halifax’s iconic waterfront.

• Activities: Visit the Halifax Waterfront, one of the most vibrant and scenic spots in the city. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and historic ships like the CSS Acadia. This usually busy area isn't somewhere you want to be carrying heavy bags around with you, so make sure to drop yours off with Bounce before you go. That way, you can explore hands-free and enjoy excellent seafood, live music, great shopping, and everything else the beating heart of the city has to offer. Next, stop by the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where you can learn about Halifax’s maritime history and its connection to the Titanic disaster. Note that large bags aren't allowed inside the museum, so make sure you leave yours behind with Bounce before you visit. If you still have enough layover time, consider a trip to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest markets in North America, offering local crafts, produce, and snacks ideal for your connecting flight.
• Dining options: Grab fresh seafood at The Bicycle Thief, a popular waterfront restaurant blending Italian and Nova Scotian flavors. For a quick bite, try The Salt Yard food stalls along the boardwalk, offering casual eats with waterfront views.

Full-day layover (8+ hours): Discover Halifax’s history and natural attractions

A full-day Halifax layover allows you to explore historic and scenic attractions at a leisurely pace.

• Activities: Start with a visit to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, a star-shaped fort offering panoramic views of the city and guided tours. You'll do plenty of walking here, so make things easier on yourself by leaving the heavy bags behind. Bounce has multiple luggage storage locations throughout the city, so you can always find a luggage storage spot that works for you. Plus, we can store any size of bag for as long as you need, so no matter what you're carrying with you, we can make your trip to Citadel Hill a breeze.
• Take a short walk to the Public Gardens, a beautifully landscaped Victorian-style garden perfect for a peaceful stroll. This historic garden is home to hundreds of species of beautiful plants, and it's the perfect place to get some exercise and unwind in nature before heading back to the airport to take your connecting flight.
• If time permits, venture to Peggy’s Cove, about a 40-minute drive from the airport. This iconic fishing village is home to one of Canada’s most photographed lighthouses and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a great place to experience the traditional culture of Nova Scotia, so if you have the time, it's definitely worth dropping your heavy bags off with us and taking a shuttle or renting a car to explore this famous location.
• For local shopping, explore Spring Garden Road, a hub for boutique shops, bookstores, and cafes.
• Dining choices: Enjoy a meal at Five Fishermen, known for its fresh seafood and rich history as a former mortuary for Titanic victims. If you’re near the Citadel, 2 Doors Down offers delicious comfort food with a local twist.

Tips for making the most of your Halifax layover

• Check your flight schedule: Keep an eye on your boarding time and allow at least an hour to return to the airport if you venture downtown or beyond. And remember to leave enough time to pick up your bags from your chosen Bounce luggage storage on your way to make your next flight.
• Transportation: Taxis and rideshares are the fastest way to reach downtown. If you have more time, consider using the airport shuttle or public transit.
• Weather: Halifax’s weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and be prepared for wind along the waterfront.
• Currency: Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD), and credit cards are widely accepted. If you do decide that you need some cash, you can get better rates by using your own bank card at a local ATM instead of exchanging money at the airport.

Walking the Halifax Waterfront, exploring the history at the Citadel, or enjoying fresh seafood with ocean views are all great ways to get a taste of what Atlantic Canada is all about. And Halifax's relatively compact city center means you can enjoy a lot of the city even on a fairly short layover. If you have more than a couple of hours to spend at the airport, it's worth thinking about dropping off your bags with Bounce and heading into the downtown area to explore. You'll get a great sense of what the city is all about and some beautiful photos to take on the next leg of your trip with you.