How to get to Cape Breton Island from Toronto?

Traveling from Toronto to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is a rewarding journey, as it provides access to one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Cape Breton is known for its iconic Cabot Trail, rugged coastlines, Celtic culture, and stunning scenery. Although direct flights are limited, you can easily reach the island by flying to Sydney or Halifax. These are the main ways to travel from Toronto to Cape Breton.

1. Flying from Toronto to Sydney, Nova Scotia

The easiest and fastest method of getting to Cape Breton is by flying from the Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto to Sydney Airport (YQY) in Cape Breton. There are airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet, which provide connecting flights; some of them also travel to stop in Halifax or Montreal. Most flights from Toronto to Sydney (YQY) involve a connection in Halifax or Montreal, with a total travel time of about 4.5 to 6 hours.

After arriving in Sydney, it is possible to rent a car and see the island. The best way to explore Cape Breton is to drive but you can always use it in case you intend to see the iconic places such as Cabot Trail, Baddeck, Louisbourg Fortress, or Inverness.

2. Flying to Halifax + Driving to Cape Breton

Flying to Halifax offers more direct flight options than flying directly to Sydney. The drive from Halifax to Cape Breton Island takes about 3.5 hours to the Canso Causeway, or around 4.5 to 5 hours if you’re heading to Sydney or the Cabot Trail. This is the way that is flexible and provides the opportunity to take a scenic trip along the highways of Nova Scotia.

Driving Route: Take Highway 102 North to Truro, then Highway 104 East (Trans-Canada Highway) to the Port Hastings / Canso Causeway—the entry point to Cape Breton.
Car Rentals: This is offered at the Halifax Airport where one can start driving as soon as they arrive in the airport. Car rental services such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise are available directly at Halifax Airport (YHZ), allowing travelers to begin their road trip immediately upon arrival.

3. Driving from Toronto (Road Trip Option)

Driving from Toronto to Cape Breton Island is a long but memorable drive through the Eastern side of Canada. The total distance from Toronto to Cape Breton Island is roughly 1,800 km, which takes about 17 to 19 hours of driving, depending on your pace and rest stops. This road provides an opportunity to visit several provinces, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, which makes it ideal for travelers who love scenic road trips and cultural exploration.

The most popular route starts on Highway 401 East, it goes through Kingston, Montreal and Quebec City. You can either keep going on the Autoroute 20 and the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 2), in New Brunswick. On entering Nova Scotia, take Highway 104 leading to the Canso Causeway, which links the mainland with Cape Breton Island.

This road trip can be rewarded with the visits to Old Quebec, Fredericton, the Bay of Fundy. Although it is a long drive, most of the travelers opt to divide the journey into two or three days to relax and sightsee. You are also free to enjoy the best of Cape Breton with a personal vehicle; the Cabot trail, Baddeck, and seaside villages.

4. Bus or Train + Car Rental

To travelers who do not want to drive long distances, a mixture of bus or train transportation with car rental will be a comfortable and scenic approach to reach Cape Breton Island from Toronto. You can travel by VIA Rail from Toronto to Halifax via Montreal — the ‘Ocean’ train runs three times a week from Montreal to Halifax and takes about 22 to 24 hours, with fares ranging from CAD 200 to 400 according to VIA Rail’s 2025 schedule. In Halifax, renting a car is recommended, since most major attractions in Cape Breton, including the Cabot Trail, Baddeck, and Louisbourg Fortress, can only be reached by road.

Alternatively, you may use a bus through the services of Maritime Bus in Halifax to popular destinations in Cape Breton such as Sydney or North Sydney and hire a car in the place. It is a great option for budget-conscious travelers or do not want to drive through long highways. Although the total travel time is longer than flying, it offers flexibility and offers the chance to have a leisurely journey in eastern Canada and then proceed to the magnificent scenery of Cape Breton.

The quickest and most convenient method of getting to Cape Breton Island in Toronto is to fly to Sydney or Halifax and then take a drive. To the adventurers, a road trip will provide a picturesque adventure in Eastern Canada. No matter how you choose to travel, Cape Breton’s scenery is breathtaking and untouched

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