Halifax Motorhome Rental, NS Canada
RV rentals and campervan hire in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and its harbor the busiest of Canada’s seaports. Though a small city by North American standards, Halifax is the largest city in Canada’s Atlantic provinces. A Halifax motorhome rental in Nova Scotia is a fantastic way to see both the city, as well as the province of Nova Scotia whose corners you can get to in four hours or less in either direction. Moreover, because Halifax is a rather sprawling city, and because many attractions are located outside the city, a Halifax campervan hire or RV rentals allows you to travel the area and see the sights without worrying about car rentals or accommodation as you go.
Halifax motorhome rentals. Sounds easy until it’s typed into Google and up pop dozens of results, each boasting the best deals and the lowest rates, plus a whole bunch of other fluff that you just don’t need. So, how about all you need to know about renting a campervan, motorhome or RV without any fuss, cut right down to the bone, so you don’t have to waste your time figuring out the best motorhome rental companies from which to hire from, plus the top things to see and do in Halifax, Nova Scotia, even the best places to camp overnight?
First off, the best companies from which to hire the perfect campervan, motorhome or RV in Halifax to take you, your friends or family in any combination and/or size around Nova Scotia. We’ll take the fear out of hiring a motorhome, whether you’re a first-time renter or a self-drive holidaymaker who may have had a bad experience in the past -tellingly, those who have had a positive motorhome hire experience on a previous Canadian road trip probably won’t need this section because, like us, they know the best companies, to hire from already!
We’ll then take you on a quick tour of recommended camping sites (this is one section you can’t afford to ignore as not all campsites are the same, and that’s putting it mildly) before providing a selection of the best things to see and do in Halifax and Nova Scotia, from those in the know. Us.
Top RV Rental Companies in Halifax, Nova Scotia
We’ll get the ball rolling by looking at, arguably, the most contentious aspect of a self-drive holiday: what do I need to hire a campervan, motorhome or RV, how do I know which vehicle is right for me? Which are the best companies in Halifax Nova Scotia from which to hire from? How do I know how much insurance to take out? And so on…
The answer to all these questions, and many more, is to start by selecting an RV rental or hire company that treats its customers with care and respect, companies that are successful because they do a good job and earn their reputation in the process. Top RV rental companies in Halifax, Nova Scotia will provide all the advice you need because they want to provide a good service, not try and squeeze every buck out of your wallet, every step of the way. This is why we recommend the four outstanding RV rental companies below.
Picking one is easy too, begin by looking at the vehicles they have for hire, choose the one that best suits your needs and budget and give them a call.
It’s as simple as that.
CanaDream RV Rental
If you’re looking to hire a campervan or motorhome in Halifax, CanaDream, are a solid bet for you, your friends or your family. Founded in 1990, CanaDream grew exponentially and in 2017, CanaDream became part of the Apollo Tourism & Leisure Group of companies and are now one of the largest RV Rental companies in Canada.
Their Nova Scotia branch offers a range of four motorhomes for hire, with a couple of budget busting ‘saver’ options on the side, and with offices located all over the country, you’re never far away from help or advice, wherever you are.
Van Camper/Campervan
The Deluxe Campervan DVC and the Super Van Camper SVC are designed with 2 of you in mind, with the SVC providing a little more space for a couple of children.
Both come with bathrooms, kitchens and are spacious enough to accommodate all of you with surprising ease.
Class C Motorhome
The Midi Motorhome MHB and Maxi Motorhome MHA are both aimed at 4 adults and 2 children, so perfect for large families or groups of friends.
Both motorhomes in Halifax are packed with everything you’d expect from an apartment, with the MHA having the edge on space.
Halifax RV Rental Depot: CanaDream, 196 Park Road, Elmsdale, NS B2S 0G2, Canada.
Located about 16 km/10 miles from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) or 45 km/28 miles from downtown Halifax.
CanaDream Halifax office hours:
- Monday to Saturday
- Pick Up: 1 pm to 4 pm
- Drop Off: 8 am to 10 am
- Open all statutory holidays
- Sunday (May to September)
- Pick Up: 1 pm to 4 pm
- Drop Off: 8 am to 10 am
- Closed Sunday and all statutory holidays (October to April)
Included with Standard Rate:
- 24-hour assistance
- Tourist Info/Maps
- 0-4 years old
Cruise Canada
Cruise Canada are a subsidiary of Cruise America, with a market share of 52% in the US RV rental sector, so they’re obviously doing something right! Established in 1972, they briefly merged with the Budget Group twenty years later before selling the company back to its founders.
These days Cruise America via their Cruise Canada wing offer five locations in the country, including their branch in Halifax. Interesting, since 2014 the company is 100% employee-owned, putting it bluntly, this means that all of Cruise Canada staff have a vested interest in ensuring you’re a happy customer.
Class C Motorhome
Cruise Canada have two Class C Motorhomes in Halifax for rental, and they’re squarely aimed at big families, or groups of friends, that require a pilot unafraid of driving a rental vehicle on the larger side.
Both vehicles are referred to as ‘RV’s’ by Cruise Canada but are more commonly known as ‘motorhomes’ in a wider context, where the living accommodation is attached to a pre-existing chassis and cabin, unlike an RV which has been designed from the ground up as an exclusive unit.
However, unlike many Class C Motorhomes, both have the walkthrough convenience of an RV.
- C25 – Standard Motorhome – Perfect for as many as 5 of you, with all the convenience of a fresh-water toilet, shower, gas cooker, microwave, fridge, air-con and it even has a stereo.
- C31 – Large Motorhome – See above for features, expand the space to accommodate as many as 7 and add a bunch of driver aids to make driving this 30-foot motorhome a cinch.
Halifax RV Rental depot: Cruise Canada, 3070 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Upper Sackville, NS B4E 3C9, Canada. Located about 40 km/25 miles from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) or 34 km/21 miles from downtown Halifax.
Cruise Canada Halifax hours:
- Monday to Saturday:
- Pick Up: 1 pm to 4 pm
- Drop off: 9 am to 11 am
- Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
Included with Standard Rate:
- 24-hour assistance
- 0-4 years old
Fraserway RV Rental
Canada’s largest independently owned RV Rental company and we know that for many of you, this will make Fraserway RV Rental a compelling option in terms of the ideal campervan or RV rental company in Canada.
Fraserway began life in 1999 with two employees, it now has almost sixty members of staff working out of six locations in Canada, including Halifax in Nova Scotia.
Perhaps its most appealing aspect is the sheer choice of rental vehicles available, there are no less than 11 options for hire ensuring you’re getting exactly what you want for a perfect self-drive vacation.
Truck Camper
The adventure focussed 4×4 Overlander aside, there are three options in this class, the basic Truck Camper that sleeps 2, the Truck Camper Slide Dinette that sleeps 2 adults and 2 children and the Truck Camper Slide Bunk which has an extra berth to accommodate an additional adult.
Van Conversion/Campervan
Fraserway only have one of these motorhomes in Halifax, but for 2 of you looking to get around discreetly in a remarkable amount of comfort, this could be the one. It’s got a decent kitchen, a flushable toilet and shower, even a large awning for some outside/outdoor R&R.
Class C Motorhome
The biggest Class in the range, Fraserway have no less than four options available, all come with bathrooms and each one virtually tailored to the needs of any given self-drive holidaymaker.
The small C-Motorhome sleeps 3, the C-medium motorhome, 5 and the C-Large and C-Xlarge motorhomes both sleep 6.
Class A RV
Last but by no means least, Fraserway’s flagship A-30 motorhome sleeps and cossets as many as 4 adults and 2 children. The luxury A-Class RV rental has everything you want with cruise control, TV, awning and even a generator.
Halifax RV Rental Depot: Fraserway, 536 Kingsview Way SE, Airdrie, AB T4A 0B3, Canada.
Situated about 22 km/14 miles from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) or 16 km/10 miles from downtown Halifax.
Fraserway RV Halifax office hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5 pm
- Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
- Closed Sunday
- Drop Off: 9 am to 11 am
Included with Standard Rate:
- Tourist Info/Maps
- 0-4 years old
Four Seasons RV Rental
A division of Fraserway RV Rentals, Four Seasons are fast becoming Canada’s premier budget/economical motorhome company. Four Seasons have five locations throughout Canada, including one in Halifax, and a good fleet of rental vehicles, with many instantly familiar if you studied the previous Fraserway RV Rental review…
So how can Four Seasons RV Rental afford to hire the same stock cheaper than their parent company Fraserway? Putting it simply, with Four Seasons, your well-maintained rental may be almost 6 years old and cheaper, with Fraserway it’ll be no more than 4 years old a little more expensive.
Van Conversion/Campervan
This bargain rental vehicle is great for couples, it’s completely self-contained with a toilet, shower, kitchen, living space and spacious double bed.
On top of that you get air con an awning for outdoor relaxing and a great-looking motorhome in Halifax that appeals because doesn’t look like a traditional motorhome.
Class C Motorhome
If you’re looking for a class of motorhomes in Halifax that you can virtually tailor to your specific requirements, and you’re on a budget, then this could be for you.
Four Seasons RV Rental have no less than four Class C Motorhome for hire in Halifax: The C-Small Motorhome sleeps 4 but, ideally, that’s 2 adults and 2 kids, with the C-Medium Motorhome and C-large Motorhome offering room for 5 (4 adults and a child) and the C-Xlarge Motorhome sleeping 6, i.e., 4 adults and 2 kids. All come with everything, including the kitchen sink.
Halifax RV Rental Depot: Four Seasons, 536 Kingsview Way SE, Airdrie, AB T4A 0B3, Canada.
Located about 22 km/14 miles from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) or 16 km/10 miles from downtown Halifax.
Four Seasons RV Halifax office hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5 pm
- Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
- Closed Sunday
- Drop Off: 9 am to 11 am
Included with Standard Rate:
- Tourist Info/Maps
- 0-6 years old
Nova Scotia by RV rental or motorhome hire
Nova Scotia is well-suited for travel by Halifax motorhome rental because of wide-ranging selection of RV and motorhome units from companies like Four Seasons Motorhome Rentals, CanaDream RV Rental and Cruise Canada RV Rental and numerous campgrounds scattered throughout the province. There is one less than 15 miles out of downtown where you can park your campervan rental in Halifax after you take in the city’s no-rush way of life.
Orienting yourself is fairly straightforward using the Halifax Citadel (Fort George) atop a hill as your primary landmark. If you’re looking for more maritime history, be sure to visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where you will find exhibitions on the Titanic. Nova Scotia served as a major gateway for migration from Europe to Canada, and Pier 21, Canada’s version of New York’s Ellis Island and now renamed as the National Immigration Museum, is the repository of over one million migrants’ history.
Take your Halifax campervan hire or RV rentals out on the Cabot Trail to the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia; where you can enjoy beachside stroll or rent equipment for surfing, sea kayaking, canoeing or windsurfing. The South Shore, which is directly west and about an hour out of downtown by Halifax motorhome rental; is not only famous for its starkly beautiful Peggy’s Cove; but also for its wealth of history best represented by the brightly coloured and UNESCO-listed townscape; reminiscent of a small German town, Lunenburg.
Seafood and Wine
Nova Scotia does not readily come to mind when vineyards are mentioned, but the fertile Annapolis Valley less than three hours northwest by campervan hire or RV rentals is home to white and red wines like L’Acadie Blanc and Marechal Foch, and sparkling wines which could give France’s Champagne a run for its money. Pair up your drink of choice with mussels and lobsters; which abound in the Bay of Fundy on the northwestern edges; where you can witness not only the highest tides in the world; reaching up to 16 metres a day twice a day, exposing new layers of fossil beds in the Joggins Fossil Cliffs; but also frequent visitors like finback, minke and humpback whales.
The Northumberland, not two hours to the north by camper hire in Halifax; brims not only with pristine sandy beaches and warm, clear blue waters yielding fresh lobsters; but also with Scottish heritage and golf courses. Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail to the northeast, however, has a more palpable Celtic feel and scenery. Its rugged highlands, reminiscent of the home country, are populated with eagles and its nutrient-rich waters with dolphins and whales. Prince Edward Island and the promise of spectacular beaches, sunsets, sea food and sports (golf); these are just 75 minutes away by ferry.
Top 12 Attractions from Halifax, NS
It’s so easy, when planning a self-drive vacation to Halifax, Nova Scotia to make a list of all the treats around Halifax and neglect the actual city: there is more to Halifax than a place that facilitates your going-to or coming-from the airport, so take some time to check out some of the great things this fascinating city has to offer, over and above the suggestions below.
Top tip: spending some quality downtime in Halifax, especially after you arrive or before you go, will provide context and make your motorhome rental experience so much more relaxed and focussed.
Cabot Trail
Let’s kick off with a no brainer, the Cabot Trail is a stone-cold-classic scenic drive that takes in the sensational Nova Scotia coastline, a 298 km highway that winds through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers spectacular views and plenty of places to park-up and enjoy a hike or your bike.
Bay of Fundy
We’ve already found you an amazing campground in which to park up the motorhome and the crew.
This leaves you more time to enjoy the unique Bay of Fundy, that just touches the US state of Maine in New England – without having to dash to and from your accommodation. Simply stunning.
Halifax Waterfront
It’s only a 30-minute motorhome drive from Halifax airport but the words ‘most visited’ shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The Halifax Waterfront isn’t where you want to be after a long flight, but time it right and the 4-kilometre boardwalk, accompanying bars, restaurants and shops, are yours for the taking.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Covering an area of 948 square kilometres, Cape Breton Highlands National Park has a vast network of trails and paths spanning forests, mountains and beaches.
You can even camp with your motorhome rental if you’re planning on spending a few days here, but check well in advance for availability.
Lunenburg
The phrase ‘step back in time’ is a cliché, but Lunenburg’s 18th century harbourside colonial buildings could be the best in North America, which is why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Park up the motorhome rental by the quayside and, enjoy the timeless myriad of delights on offer.
Peggy’s Cove
Keen to get out of the motorhome rental and into the beating heart of mother nature, only thirty minutes from downtown Halifax?
Peggy’s Cove is the spiritual epicentre of St Margaret’s Bay, punctuated with scenic coves, picturesque harbours and some of the most delicious produce anywhere in the region.
Whale Watching
Many tourists hire motorhomes between May and October for the express purpose of Whale Watching, to spot Minke, Pilot, Finback (or Fin) Whales, even endangered North Atlantic Right Whales.
These species can be spotted along the whole coast, but the Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton Island are particularly good.
Kejimkujik National Park
Or 404 km² of outstanding natural beauty spread over two land areas, the Kejimujik National Park Seaside on the Atlantic coast and the Kejimkujik National Historic Site of Canada which lies inland.
You and your motorhome crew can find loads to do here, whatever the season.
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
For all intents and purposes, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is a living museum in which actors re-enact the parts of the original residents with authentic costumes and props to represent life as it was here 300 years ago.
Park up the motorhome and join in the fun, the kids will love it at least!
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Originally built by the British and adapted over the following decades, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is an excellent example of a star, or Bastion, fort.
Designed to make the most out of the cannon to deter invading armies. This one is strictly for the history buffs.
Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park
Enjoy 40 hectares packed with native mammals and birds in one of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Parks.
There’s parking for the motorhome, picnic areas and playgrounds, but Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park is all about hitting a hiking trail and checking out the Canadian wildlife. A great day out.
Mahone Bay
Make your trip to Mahone Bay from Halifax a scenic drive by following the convoluted coastal road via Peggy’s Cove (see above) before arriving at one of the most beautiful towns in Canada.
Famed for her three wooden white churches, this may be the highlight of your Canadian self-drive holiday.
Best Campgrounds & RV Parks near Halifax, NS
This section may come as a surprise to new self-drive holidaymakers in Halifax, after all, we’ve just been discussing the wonders of hiring a campervan, motorhome or RV that are so efficiently self-contained you could live inside one indefinitely.
But you’re going to be needing a safe place to dump the black water, charge the batteries, check the oil and so forth, and maybe even glean a spot of friendly, local advice in the process. Here are the best campgrounds and RV parks near Halifax. Remember, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all campground, so take heed…
Halifax West KOA
3070 Highway 1, Upper Sackville, NS B4E 3C9 Canada
With over 500 privately owned campgrounds in the USA and Canada, KOA know a thing or two about the preferred ways to park and hook up your campervan, motorhome or RV.
Halifax West KOA comes with river views in a woodland setting, and there’s even a pool for the kids.
King Neptune Campground
8536 Peggy’s Cove Road, Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada B3Z 3P4
It’s all about the seaside setting at King Neptune Campground. It’s been family-owned and operated by the same clan for almost sixty years and provides space and amenities for all of your motorhome rental requirements.
King Neptune RV Park doesn’t come with a pool but the ocean fortunes the brave!
Woodhaven RV Park
1757 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada B4B 1P5
54 pull-through sites get us off to a good start at Woodhaven RV Park.
This 70-acre site offers both woodland and open country but it’s the proximity to downtown Halifax (‘minutes’) that’s going to be the deal breaker here, or maybe the heated pool and playground for the kids.
Norse Cove Camping
51 Dewolfes Road, Tangier, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 3H0
Are you looking for an eco-friendly site and a chance to get closer to nature? Norse Cove Camping offers amazing seascapes and headland views with all-year-round camping.
There’s space available for a limited number of campervans, motorhomes and RV’s so you’ll need to book this one in advance.
Glooscap Campground & RV
1380 Two Islands Rd, Parrsboro, NS B0M 1S0, Canada
More nature-inspired shenanigans await you at Glooscap Campground and RV located in the Bay of Fundy (more on that later) close to beaches, coves, cliffs and so forth, with plenty of room for your campervan, motorhome, or RV. There’s a playground for the kids and pets are welcome too.