Getting Here & Around
Flights & Airports
Taking to the air is the quickest way to reach Cape Breton Island. Daily domestic links connect the Island to Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, while a web of non-stop routes into Halifax Stanfield International Airport opens one-stop itineraries from across North America and Europe. Plan with the information below, then visit each airport or airline website for the most up-to-date schedules and fares.
Sydney Airport (YQY)
JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport sits 13 km west of downtown Sydney and is the only commercial airport on Cape Breton Island. Air Canada flies year-round to Toronto and Montreal, Pascan Aviation offers multiple daily hops to Halifax, and WestJet adds summer non-stop service to Calgary, giving visitors same-day connections from almost anywhere in Canada.
Ground transport includes on-site car-rental counters, 24-hour taxis, and pre-booked shuttles to Baddeck and Port Hawkesbury. Arrivals usually clear the single-level terminal and collect bags in under fifteen minutes.
JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport (YQY)
Check live arrivals, airline list, and on-site services; visit the site for current schedules and ground-transport options.
Air Canada
Book daily flights between Sydney, Toronto, and Montreal; see site for up-to-date fares.
WestJet
Confirm seasonal non-stop service between Calgary and Sydney and review latest schedules.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
If you cannot find a direct flight to Sydney, fly into Halifax Stanfield and drive the scenic three-hour highway to Cape Breton. YHZ hosts more than forty direct destinations, including year-round service from major Canadian hubs plus seasonal links to New York, Chicago, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, and Zurich.
Car-rental fleets, intercity coaches, and the dedicated Cape Breton Shuttle provide easy onward travel. Aim to leave Halifax before 3 p.m. to beat rush-hour traffic through Truro.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
See non-stop destinations, airline check-in times, and parking rates.
Regional and Charter Options
Port Hawkesbury Airport (YPS) welcomes private pilots, medevac flights, and corporate charters with a 5,000-foot asphalt runway, Avgas and Jet A fuel, and customs on request. Charter brokers such as Celtic Air Services can arrange direct hops from Montreal, Boston, or Toronto.
Smaller airstrips at Margaree and Ingonish cater to sightseeing helicopters and float-plane tours; contact operators well ahead if you plan an aerial photo circuit of the Cabot Trail.
Allan J. MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport (YPS)
Review runway specs, fuel services, and customs-on-request procedures; contact the FBO to arrange charter arrivals and ground handling.
Flight-Planning Tips
- Book early for summer: July and August flights to Sydney often sell out weeks in advance.
- Mind the weather: Coastal fog peaks in June and can delay morning arrivals; allow buffer time for connections.
- Know the code: Sydney (YQY) baggage tags sometimes get confused with Sydney, Australia (SYD) in manual entries—double-check your luggage labels.
- Ground time in Halifax: If you land at YHZ after 9 p.m., overnight in Halifax or Truro; car-rental desks at YQY close around midnight.
With flights booked and ground transport arranged, you will step off the plane ready to trade jet engines for celtic fiddle tunes and coastal vistas.