Getting There 

Coming by car from the mainland and across the Confederation Bridge, Route 1 (the Trans-Canada Hwy.) makes more or less a straight shot east into downtown Charlottetown. From the Woods Island ferry, you also take Route 1 (in fact, the route begins at the ferry dock), except you go west.

Charlottetown Airport (www.flypei.com) is just north of the city center. In summer, you can get here easily from either the U.S. or Canada via several carriers. Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.com) offers daily flights from Halifax, Toronto, and Montréal, and WestJet (tel. 888/937-8538; www.westjet.com) also connects Charlottetown with Toronto.

If you're coming from Montréal by VIA Rail train, debark at Moncton and take an Acadian (tel. 800/567-5151; www.acadianbus.com) bus to Charlottetown; the cost is C$35 per adult for the trip, which takes about 3 hours. If you're coming from Halifax, PEI Express Shuttle (tel. 877/877-1771; www.peishuttle.com) operates one daily van trip between Charlottetown and Halifax. The trip takes 4 to 5 hours and costs C$60 one-way for adults, C$55 for students and seniors, C$45 for children under age 12.

Visitor Information 

The city's main Visitor Information Centre (tel. 902/368-7795) is in a little historic building right beside the modern brick structure with a pavilion known as Founders' Hall. It's at the very end of Prince Street, at the entrance to Confederation Landing Park. (Brown question-mark signs also help direct you there.) This place is loaded with helpful staffers, an interactive computer kiosk, a cafe, free Internet, and an ample supply of brochures; there's also a vacancy board to let you know where rooms are currently available around town, and it's the jumping-off point for city-sponsored walking tours (for a charge). The center is open daily in July and August, weekdays only in the off season.

There's also a local tourism office, Tourism Charlottetown (tel. 800/955-1864), nearby at 91 Water St.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.