Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: Port Charlottetown terminal to the downtown Queen Street area.

• Walk: realistic for an independent visit; the port describes the historic centre as walking-friendly, with relatively flat terrain and maintained pavements.
• Taxi: the port's downtown-zone base fare is C$10 one way for one passenger, including tax. Extra passengers cost C$5 each, capped at C$10 extra; children under 12 are exempt. Card payment adds C$2.

Prices checked 2026-10-02. Sources: port walking advice, port taxi fares.

Orientation, not a walking route

Ships normally use the port's alongside berths and passenger walkways. Follow the marked exit through the terminal area. The port can allocate an anchorage to a smaller ship when berth demand changes; if your sailing tenders, follow its landing instructions and last-boat time rather than assuming direct gangway access. The town walking advice starts ashore, not on board the tender.

Guest Services can help with orientation. The port puts Founders' Food Hall & Market about two minutes' walk away. It contains the visitor information centre and makes a useful first stop before choosing your route.

About this port

Charlottetown offers a straightforward choice: spend the call walking around Prince Edward Island's waterfront capital, or arrange transport into the countryside associated with Anne of Green Gables. The port sits beside the historic centre, so an independent town visit can begin as soon as you leave the terminal. Cavendish and the north-shore attractions require a separate road outing.

For a shorter call, combine the waterfront, historic streets and a meal in town. If Green Gables is your priority, give it the main part of the day rather than fitting it around an ambitious city itinerary.

Getting Around

Use the port's walking map to link the waterfront with downtown streets and green spaces. Taxis wait outside the terminal; agree the complete price for your party before leaving, especially for an island tour with waiting time.

There is no car-hire desk at the port. The port identifies a nearby collection option at the Delta Prince Edward, while other agencies may require a taxi; reserve a vehicle ahead of the call. T3 runs city and rural buses, but a rural service is not automatically a workable shore excursion. Its rural network operates on weekdays and uses published booking and pickup arrangements. Plan both directions before relying on it for a countryside visit.

Things to Do

Waterfront and downtown. Start with Founders' Food Hall, then explore the historic centre at your own pace. This is the flexible choice for food, local shopping and a walk that can be shortened if the weather changes.

Province House area. The building at 165 Richmond Street is central to Charlottetown's Confederation story. As checked on 2026-10-02, Parks Canada still lists the interior as closed for conservation work. Treat it as an exterior landmark; an anticipated reopening is not an available tour.

Green Gables Heritage Place. In Cavendish, visit the house, visitor centre and literary landscape that inspired L. M. Montgomery. Parks Canada estimates approximately 40 minutes' driving from Charlottetown, before stops or traffic. Its visitor advice warns of queues when cruise groups arrive, so a visit needs time beyond the outward drive. See the site's current visitor information.

Getting back to your ship

For a town visit, retrace your route to the Port Charlottetown passenger entrance. For Cavendish, arrange the return vehicle before setting out and include attraction queues and any car-hire handover in your plan. Use the ship's all-aboard time, or its last tender time if anchored, as the deadline rather than the advertised sailing time.

Practical Information

The taxi prices above are in Canadian dollars. Carry layers and a rainproof outer layer, particularly on spring and autumn calls. Comfortable shoes suit the town's pavements; anyone needing gangway assistance should arrange it with the ship before disembarking.