posted
I thought I saw a strand for this but now cannot find it. Anyway, I did some nosing around about the possibility of making a grand circle--Amtrak to Boston, then up to Boston North to catch the Downeaster to Portland (or Concord Coach bus--not a bad bus when I took it--from Boston South bus terminal to Portland), taxi to ferry, ferry to Yarmouth, shuttle to Halifax, VIARAIL to Montreal, Amtrak back to the States . . .
It's do-able, but pricey. The shuttle (that Emero one doesn't seem to run any more, but there's a second one called Cloud 9) is $75 per PERSON (and cash only, I believe; may be a bit off for seniors) and does not guarantee pick up at the ferry if the ferry is late. Nor is there a later-in-the-day shuttle! So that means overnight in Yarmouth just to be safe--don't think hotels there are too expensive, but still, it is another night. Plus, when you get to Halifax, without a car, you'd need to take Grayline or another bus excursion if you want to see the supposedly picturesque Peggy's Cove etc--i.e., more money. Plus, if you are interested in seeing Cape Breton/Louisbourg, I don't even know if there is a bus excursion.
And of course VIA Rail from Halifax to Montreal is pretty pricey, esp for a sleeper; plus, you need to overnight in Montreal before catching the Adirondack back south. Not that an overnight in Montreal is a bad thing . . . just more money.
There are actually cruises that go to these places, for instance, Royal Caribbean has one out of Quebec City. Might be a better buy. It not only stops in Halifax and Sydney (near Louisbourg) but also in St John Newfoundland!
palmland Member # 4344
posted
Given your cost concerns and no auto, a cruise is the way to go. Holland America has many out of Boston for as little as $399 Oceanview room with multiple stops including Bar Harbor, Halifax and Montreal.
I guess you could ask them if you could board in Halifax rather than Boston, but might be easier, if the goal is to try to ride the Downeaster, to just get there a day early and take a roundtrip from Boston to Portland to see the sights.
posted