In planning a summer trip to NFLD I was checking routes and ferries, all the directions on map quest suggest taking the ferry from North Sydney to Port aux Basques, but the ferry to Argentia from North Sydney puts us closer to where we want to be. Is there anyone who has taken the ferry to Argentia that could shed some light on this? I know its a longer ride but is it a tough trip or what? 

---

~The mind is like a parachute, It always works best when it's open~Edna Buchanan~

~Northern Spy~The Apple of my Pie~

~Audrey~

The Argentia ferry is only a seasonal run whereas the Port aux Baques ferry is year round. That must be why Mapquest uses the latter. With that said, I don't know which one would be better. All the times I've been to the Island, I've flown.  Happy planning!  I'm sure that it will be a spectular trip driving part way across the country to the coast.

---

Live ♥ Love ♫ Rock

"She spends all her cash on letting go"

Hi there!  I am originally from St. John's, NL, and now living in Nova Scotia so I have taken the ferry lots of times!  I have taken both the Port aux Basques and the Argentia one.  The biggest deciding factors will probably be price and how much time you want to spend driving.  The Argentia ferry is only a little over an hour or so from St. John's, whereas Port aux Basques is about 10 hours. 

Argentia rates-  Car $160   Passenger $78pp

Port aux Basques- Car $80  Passenger $28pp

Cabins are also available , the cost $150 on the Argentia run.  If you take the Port aux Basques run, the cabin price depends on whether it's a day-crossing ($55) or a night crossing ($110). 

I have never had any problems with either ferry, so when I go it usually depends on who I'm travelling with, what time of year it is, how much money I have to spend, etc..... Sometimes I mix it up and take the Argentia run over and the Port aux Basques run back..  Although it is a long drive, the Port aux Basques run in very scenic as the western part of the island is stunningly beautiful!!!

Hope this helps!

Kelly Mac

If you are vacationing in the St. John's area, the Argentia ferry is the one to take. I am assuming you LIKE boats. The ride has typically been 14-16 hours long. But you don't need a cabin - dorm sleepers are much cheaper for a couple of people. Cabins are great for families, though. Make your reservations at least a month ahead of time to get sleeping space. Cabins sell out fast. I LOVE the Argentia ferry. I always get a good sleep and I love to be out on deck and contemplate the meaning of life. Great for people watching too. Plenty of stuff to do. But if you are taking kids, bring some quiet activities for them to do also. Meals are mediocre, I also carry some peanut butter and bread with me. Bring a book, some CDs, and relax!

The Port Aux Basques ferry run is about 6-8 hours. But then you have at least a 12 hour drive ahead of you thru moose country. If you want to see Gros Morn and St. Anthony's (Lanse aux meadows Viking settlement) then PaB is the way to go. If you are going to the Gander show,  might take the PaB ferry and sightsee along the way to Gander (go to Fogo, Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour all around the circle) and then see the show. Leave a couple of days to explore before the show. Then after the show, drive the 6 hours to St. John's, sightsee on the Avalon for a while and take the Argentia ferry back "home" to Sydney.

Make sure to stick your head out the window and smell the evergreen trees on the way to Gander from PaB. It's delicious!

Anne

---

And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Thank you all so much for the info, it was just what I was looking for! We are thinking taking the Argentia ferry to the Island and driving around to Gros Morn on the way back, and you have confirmed this is the way to go! George Street first, then concert, and off to see the moose!

Thank You all once again.

---

~The mind is like a parachute, It always works best when it's open~Edna Buchanan~

~Northern Spy~The Apple of my Pie~

~Audrey~

Hi

This information was great!!  It looks like I am heading out on my own for the concert so every piece of info is great!!   All the information you can give me is extremely needed!  I have the week before and the week after the show so I want to see everything~~   What is the best way to see the hightlights of NF?  What are the hightlights?

I heard that Cape Breton is a great place to see too.

Dee

Where ya heading from chickadee? perhaps our paths will cross along the way!

---

~The mind is like a parachute, It always works best when it's open~Edna Buchanan~

~Northern Spy~The Apple of my Pie~

~Audrey~