This guide covers what to expect when you land at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Enfield, Nova Scotia. The terminal sits about 35 km from downtown Halifax, a 30 to 40 minute drive, so you can be at your hotel within the hour. Flights reach Halifax from across Canada, the United States and, in season, from Europe and Caribbean sun destinations, and they all arrive into a single modern terminal.
Before you fly: entry requirements
Canada's entry requirements depend on your nationality: many visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa before flying, while others can arrive with a passport alone. The rules can change, so confirm the current requirement on the official Government of Canada channels close to your travel date, and keep any confirmation handy on your phone. International arrivals clear Canadian customs and immigration on landing; passengers continuing on a domestic connection should check the process for their route.
Step by step on landing
The process at YHZ is straightforward and follows a familiar order. Here is the sequence once you are off the aircraft:
- Passport control / immigration: on international arrivals, have your passport and any eTA or visa details ready. Lines are quickest for early-morning arrivals and build up when several flights land together.
- Baggage claim: collect your luggage from the belt in the arrivals area. Trolleys are available near the carousels.
- Customs: after baggage you pass through the customs check, declaring anything required.
- Arrivals hall: once through, you reach the public area with car-rental desks, ATMs and the exit to the ground-transportation area for taxis.
Money and quick essentials
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance to downtown Halifax | About 35 km, a 30 to 40 minute drive |
| Terminal layout | Single modern terminal |
| Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD); cards widely accepted |
| Cash on arrival | ATMs landside in the arrivals area |
| Languages | English, with French as Canada's other official language |
The currency is the Canadian dollar, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you rarely need much cash. It is still worth pulling out small notes for a taxi and tips.
Getting into town
Step outside and your options line up at the ground-transportation area: licensed taxis and limos, car-rental desks just behind you, the Halifax Transit public bus, and hotel shuttles if your hotel runs one. For a full comparison of fares, driving times and the cheapest ways into the city, see our guide to getting from the airport to downtown. Booking a transfer before you fly means a driver is waiting when you clear customs, which is handy after a long flight or a late landing.
