Getting Around Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia sits across the harbour from Halifax, and getting around the city is straightforward for visitors. Public transit, ferries, taxis and walking all work together, and the downtown core is compact enough that you can cover a lot of it on foot.
Public Transit
Dartmouth is served by Halifax Transit, the regional bus network that links the city with Halifax and the surrounding area. Downtown Dartmouth is particularly well connected, with a long list of bus routes running through it, including the 1, 3, 5, 6+, 10, 39, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 87, 158, 159, 161, 165, 168+, 320 and 370. These routes give visitors a practical way to reach different parts of Dartmouth and to cross over to Halifax without a car.
Before you travel, it's worth checking schedules and route maps so you know which bus serves your destination. Halifax Transit publishes this information online at halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/routes-schedules.
The Ferry
The Alderney Ferry is one of the most useful and enjoyable ways to move between Dartmouth and Halifax. It connects downtown Dartmouth at Alderney Landing with Halifax, making it a convenient link for visitors staying on either side of the harbour. If you're based in Dartmouth and want to spend time in Halifax, the ferry is a simple option that drops you right in the downtown area.
Walking and Cycling
Downtown Dartmouth is a walkable area, and visitors will find it easy to get between the waterfront, Alderney Landing and nearby streets on foot. For those who want to explore further, the downtown area has around 5 km of multi-use paths, and there are more than 40 bike racks for cyclists who want to lock up while they stop. If you arrive by private boat, there's also a day dock at Alderney Landing.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing services are an option for getting around Dartmouth, though the source material for this guide focuses on the bus network, ferry and walking routes. For trips that don't line up with bus schedules, or for reaching destinations outside the downtown core, a taxi or ride-hailing app is a practical fallback.
Getting In from the Airport
Visitors arriving by air will typically land at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which serves the Halifax–Dartmouth region. From there, the most reliable way into Dartmouth is by road — either a taxi, a ride-hailing service, or a bus connection into the Halifax Transit network. Because the airport sits outside the city, it's worth arranging your onward transport in advance or checking with Halifax Transit for the routes that connect the airport area to Dartmouth and Halifax.
Practical Tips
- Use Halifax Transit buses to move between Dartmouth neighbourhoods and across to Halifax; check halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/routes-schedules for schedules and maps.
- Take the Alderney Ferry between Alderney Landing in downtown Dartmouth and Halifax for a quick harbour crossing.
- Plan to walk the downtown core — it's compact, and the waterfront and Alderney Landing are easy to reach on foot.
- Bring or rent a bike if you want to use the downtown multi-use paths; there are plenty of racks for locking up.
- Keep taxi and ride-hailing options in mind for trips that don't fit the bus schedule.