This St. John’s travel guide covers everything you need to plan a great trip to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John’s is North America’s oldest English-founded city, with colourful Jellybean Row houses, Signal Hill, icebergs and lively George Street.
Whether you are planning a long weekend or a bigger road trip across the country, this guide covers access, seasons, where to stay, costs and local tips.
St. John’s travel guide: quick facts
| St. John’s at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Nearest airport | St. John’s (YYT) |
| Getting there | About 30 minutes to Witless Bay |
| Best time to visit | June to August |
| Time needed | 3 days |
| Best for | Adventurers and music lovers |
Why visit St. John’s
St. John’s is ideal for adventurers and music lovers. Its headline experiences include Signal Hill, Jellybean Row, Cape Spear and Quidi Vidi, and it pairs well with Gros Morne National Park. First-time visitors and returning travellers alike find plenty to love.
How to get to St. John’s
- By air: St. John’s (YYT).
- By road: About 30 minutes to Witless Bay.
- Rental cars: available at St. John’s (YYT); book early for summer and holiday weekends.
Getting around St. John’s
A car is useful for day trips, but the central districts are walkable and well served by rideshare. Rideshare apps work everywhere, and many downtown hotels charge high nightly parking fees, so think twice before keeping a car for city days.
Top things to do in St. John’s
Signal Hill
Harbour views.
Jellybean Row
Colourful houses.
Cape Spear
Easternmost point of North America.
Quidi Vidi
Fishing village and brewery. Sunset is especially beautiful here.
George Street
Pubs. Go early to beat the crowds.
Iceberg viewing
Spring and early summer. Go early to beat the crowds.
Whale watching
Witless Bay. Combine it with a nearby café or viewpoint.
The Rooms
Museum and gallery. Go early to beat the crowds.
Other favourite experiences include iceberg spotting, puffins, pub music and hiking the East Coast Trail. See our full list of things to do in St. John’s.
Pack smarter
- Premium backpacks for stylish travel Opulique
A polished backpack for city breaks and carry-on days. - Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Best wireless earbuds for travel VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best time to visit St. John’s
The best time to visit St. John’s is June to August. Here is how the seasons compare:
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | April–May | Cool and late; icebergs off Newfoundland. |
| Summer | July–August | Mild, 20–25°C; peak season for seafood and festivals. |
| Fall | September–October | Crisp and colourful; Celtic Colours on Cape Breton. |
| Winter | November–March | Cold, windy and snowy; many seasonal businesses close. |
For the bigger picture, read our guide to the best time to visit Canada.
Where to stay in St. John’s
- Downtown: Central.
- Quidi Vidi: Quiet.
Typical nightly rates:
| Style | Typical price per night | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$130–210 | Motels, hostels, simple inns and campground cabins |
| Mid-range | C$220–380 | Comfortable hotels and B&Bs, often with breakfast |
| Luxury | C$450–900 | Resorts, historic hotels and boutique properties |
Book early for summer weekends and holidays, and compare total prices, including taxes and any resort or parking fees.
What to eat in St. John’s
Don’t leave without trying fish and chips, cod tongues, toutons and Jiggs dinner. Food trucks and markets are a great way to sample local flavours on a budget.
Suggested 3 days in St. John’s
- Day 1: Signal Hill and Jellybean Row.
- Day 2: Cape Spear and Quidi Vidi.
- Day 3: George Street, Iceberg viewing, Whale watching and The Rooms.
What to pack for St. John’s
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light layer for air-conditioned interiors
- A compact umbrella
- A crossbody bag or small backpack
- A portable charger
- A smart outfit for nicer restaurants
For seasonal advice, see our guide to the best time to visit Canada.
Sample 3-day budget for two
| Item | Mid-range estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotel (3 nights) | C$660–C$1,140 |
| Food and drink | C$660–C$1,056 |
| Activities and entry fees | C$160–C$320 |
| Local transport or car | C$210–C$315 |
| Total | C$1,690–C$2,831 |
Estimates exclude flights and assume a mid-range hotel; travelling in shoulder season can cut accommodation costs by a third or more.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to cover every neighbourhood in a day: cluster sights by area instead.
- Renting a car you will barely use and paying high overnight parking fees.
- Eating only in the main tourist zone, where prices are higher and quality lower.
- Skipping reservations for popular restaurants, tours and observation decks on weekends.
- Underestimating walking distances: bring comfortable shoes.
Accessibility and family travel
Most major attractions, museums and transit systems are wheelchair accessible, though older buildings and historic districts can have steps and uneven sidewalks. Families will find plenty of stroller-friendly parks and child-friendly museums, and many attractions offer discounted tickets for children and seniors.
Practical tips
- Check iceberg finder apps.
- Weather is changeable.
- Tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Road trip essentials
- Best dash cams for road trips VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby places to add to your trip
- Gros Morne National Park: Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk on exposed Earth’s mantle at the Tablelands and cruise fjords.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in St. John’s?
Plan 3 days to see the highlights without rushing, and add a day for day trips or hikes.
What is the best time to visit St. John’s?
The best time is June to August.
How do you get to St. John’s?
Fly into St. John’s (YYT). By road, it is about 30 minutes to Witless Bay.
How much does a trip to St. John’s cost?
Hotels typically cost C$220–380 a night for mid-range rooms, and most travellers spend C$300–C$480 per person per day.
Is St. John’s good for families?
Yes. It suits adventurers and music lovers, and families do best with a central base, early starts and a mix of sightseeing and downtime.
Final thoughts on St. John’s travel guide
St. John’s rewards travellers who plan the essentials and leave room for surprises. Book key stays and timed-entry or tour reservations early, travel in the shoulder seasons if you can, and give yourself time to enjoy the places that charm you most.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Things to Do in St. John’s: Top Experiences and Local Tips
- Gros Morne Travel Guide: Tablelands, Fjords and Hikes
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips