Port information & tips for St. Johns (Newfoundland)
St. John’s is the charming capital of Newfoundland and Labrador and, as one of the oldest cities in North America, impresses with its deep maritime history. The entrance through the spectacular strait "The Narrows" leads directly into the protected harbor basin, where rugged nature meets a warm culture and colorful architecture. From here, visitors can easily explore the famous Jellybean Row with its brightly colored houses, the historic Signal Hill with the Cabot Tower, and the modern cultural center The Rooms. Cruise ships dock directly at the central piers of the St. John's Port Authority, making the historic Water Street and all major sights accessible in just a few minutes' walk thanks to the prime location.
The cruise port of St. John's (Newfoundland) welcomes you to the charming heart of North America's oldest city. Terminals Piers 10 and 11 are centrally located on Harbour Drive, allowing guests to easily explore the vibrant city center on foot immediately after leaving the ship. Arrival from the DACH region is primarily by plane, thanks to good connections to the international airport.
Airplane
St. John's International Airport (YYT) is the nearest airport, located only about 5.6 kilometers northwest of the city center, which corresponds to a driving time of around 10 minutes. For guests from the DACH region, direct flights to St. John's are generally not available, but connections with stopovers in major Canadian or European hubs can be booked without any problems. Given the long flight, an arrival at least one day before embarkation is recommended to start your cruise adventure in a relaxed manner.
Transfer & Shuttle
From St. John's International Airport (YYT), you can easily reach the port and your pre-cruise hotel by taxi or rental car. In addition, Metrobus Transit offers a bus connection to the city center, which takes you to the Marine Institute in about 19 minutes and costs around 3 US dollars. Many cruise lines also provide special transfer services from the airport to the ship, which you can book in advance to ensure a smooth onward journey.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
For a stress-free start to your cruise, an overnight stay in one of the centrally located hotels in St. John's on the day before embarkation is recommended due to the long journey from the DACH region. This also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the colorful streets, historic sights, and the unique atmosphere of the city before your departure. Parking for rental cars can be found in private parking garages and at designated parking lots in the city center.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
Even during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always follow the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The cruise port of St. John's (Newfoundland) welcomes you to the charming heart of North America's oldest city. Terminals Piers 10 and 11 are centrally located on Harbour Drive, allowing guests to easily explore the vibrant city center on foot immediately after leaving the ship. Arrival from the DACH region is primarily by plane, thanks to good connections to the international airport.
Airplane
St. John's International Airport (YYT) is the nearest airport, located only about 5.6 kilometers northwest of the city center, which corresponds to a driving time of around 10 minutes. For guests from the DACH region, direct flights to St. John's are generally not available, but connections with stopovers in major Canadian or European hubs can be booked without any problems. Given the long flight, an arrival at least one day before embarkation is recommended to start your cruise adventure in a relaxed manner.
Transfer & Shuttle
From St. John's International Airport (YYT), you can easily reach the port and your pre-cruise hotel by taxi or rental car. In addition, Metrobus Transit offers a bus connection to the city center, which takes you to the Marine Institute in about 19 minutes and costs around 3 US dollars. Many cruise lines also provide special transfer services from the airport to the ship, which you can book in advance to ensure a smooth onward journey.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
For a stress-free start to your cruise, an overnight stay in one of the centrally located hotels in St. John's on the day before embarkation is recommended due to the long journey from the DACH region. This also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the colorful streets, historic sights, and the unique atmosphere of the city before your departure. Parking for rental cars can be found in private parking garages and at designated parking lots in the city center.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
Even during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always follow the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The Port of St. John's impresses with its first-class location directly on the edge of the historic city center, allowing for an easy shore excursion. Thanks to the immediate proximity to Downtown, you can reach the first sights and charming alleys within a very short time.
On Foot
The central location of the terminal allows you to reach the colorful Jellybean Row and the lively Water Street in only about 5 to 10 minutes. A walk through the old town is comfortable and leads you directly to the city's popular pubs, art galleries, and boutiques.
Taxi
Official taxis wait for passengers directly at the pier and offer a fast connection to destinations such as Signal Hill or Cape Spear. In addition, individual tours can often be organized through the taxi drivers to flexibly discover the impressive coastal landscape of Newfoundland.
Metrobus
The local bus system, Metrobus, has stops near the port and connects the center with the outer districts as well as shopping centers. This transportation option is cost-efficient and simultaneously offers an authentic insight into the daily life of the residents of St. John's.
To experience the fascinating atmosphere of St. John's at its best, we recommend a combination of the colorful city center and the historic viewpoints located in the immediate vicinity of the harbor.
Signal Hill National Historic Site
This prominent viewpoint offers a spectacular panoramic view of the deep blue Atlantic and the city area, and marks the site of the world's first transatlantic wireless transmission at the historic Cabot Tower. The location directly above the harbor entrance is ideal for nature and history lovers who also wish to enjoy the fresh sea breeze during a light hike.
Jellybean Row & Water Street
The vibrant heart of the city impresses with the iconic, brightly painted wooden houses of Jellybean Row and invites you to enjoy a relaxed stroll directly at the pier on Water Street, thanks to numerous local boutiques and cozy pubs. These charming streets are perfect for an initial shore excursion and immediately convey the authentic Newfoundland lifestyle thanks to the warm hospitality.
Quidi Vidi Village
This picturesque fishing village on the edge of the city is quickly accessible thanks to its short distance and enchants visitors with its traditional boat sheds and a renowned local brewery in a hidden bay. The location offers an idyllic backdrop for first-class photo opportunities and is also a wonderful destination to enjoy freshly caught fish in a quiet, maritime environment.
Signal Hill & Cabot Tower
The historic Signal Hill site towers majestically over the harbor entrance and is easily reachable in about ten minutes by taxi or shuttle. This location offers you a spectacular panoramic view of the deep blue sea as well as the colorful city and houses the prominent Cabot Tower, which is considered the birthplace of modern communication. Thanks to well-developed hiking trails such as the North Head Trail and the informative visitor center, you can enjoy a perfect mix of historical significance and an impressive natural backdrop here. Ideally, visit Signal Hill in the morning to enjoy the clear view in peace, and plan your return to the harbor so that you still have time for a relaxed stroll through charming Water Street.
The Port of St. John's is located right in the heart of the charming old town, which makes the return to the ship particularly relaxed and uncomplicated thanks to the short distances.
On Foot
Since the cruise terminal is located directly on Harbour Drive and near the bustling Water Street, you can reach your ship from the colorful houses of Jellybean Row or the local pubs in just a few minutes' walk. The path leads comfortably along the waterfront and offers a direct view of the prominent Piers 10 and 11, making orientation in the city center easy at all times.
Taxi
For trips from more distant sights such as Signal Hill or the picturesque Quidi Vidi, you will find taxi stands at major hotels like the Alt Hotel St. John's or the Delta Hotels by Marriott. Additionally, vehicles can be easily requested through local services such as Jiffy Cabs or Bugden's Taxi, which will drop you off punctually and directly at the port's security area thanks to the short travel times.
Public Transport and Tour Buses
The Metrobus stops are centrally located on Duckworth Street and Water Street, allowing you to explore the city area flexibly and return comfortably to the pier. Furthermore, many Hop-On Hop-Off tours as well as private excursion buses end directly near the port, and the friendly local staff will be happy to assist you in finding the fastest access to your berth.
