Sydney NS, rent car, drive to Highlands site???

[jkmmah]

We’re wondering if this is feasible to do on our own? We have a 9-hour port day. We aren’t really interested in doing or seeing anything else in the area, just the Highland Village. Thanks for any input or suggestions.

[d9704011]

What Highland Village are you referring to?  Baddeck?

Edited July 22, 2024 by d9704011

[jkmmah]

The Highland Village near Iona.

[d9704011]

35 minutes ago, jkmmah said:

The Highland Village near Iona.

For sure you have lots of time to get to the Highland Village...

 

https://highlandvillage.novascotia.ca/

 

You'll need to rent a car; better get started on that soon.  I suggest you look at Enterprise as it is closest to cruise terminal.  Others are at the airport.

[QueenP]

I'd be interested to hear about your experience if you do this...we are looking to hire a car in Sydney too.

[TS Von]

I have a car reserved from Enterprise for our port day in Sydney.  But there is concern about having enough time to make it worthwhile AND make it back to the ship in time.  We're in port 7a-4p, but Enterprise doesn't open until 8a, which is probably fine.

Thoughts?

[d9704011]

2 hours ago, TS Von said:

I have a car reserved from Enterprise for our port day in Sydney.  But there is concern about having enough time to make it worthwhile AND make it back to the ship in time.  We're in port 7a-4p, but Enterprise doesn't open until 8a, which is probably fine.

Thoughts?

Oodles of time.  It's about an hour's drive from Enterprise Car Rental to Highland Village.  If you arrive at Highland Village at 1000 (opening time) and spend two or three hours there or in the area you have plenty of time to get the car back and make your way to the ship.

[TS Von]

Thanks!  I really would like the flexibility of my own transportation & schedule vs. the $110 motor coach tour offered by the ship as an excursion.

[d9704011]

18 minutes ago, TS Von said:

Thanks!  I really would like the flexibility of my own transportation & schedule vs. the $110 motor coach tour offered by the ship as an excursion.

And I expect that's USD 110.  Your car rental, park admission, gas, lunch, etc... will all be in CAD... a pretty attractive exchange rate for you and lots of flexibility.

Edited July 25, 2024 by d9704011

[TS Von]

2 hours ago, d9704011 said:

And I expect that's USD 110.  Your car rental, park admission, gas, lunch, etc... will all be in CAD... a pretty attractive exchange rate for you and lots of flexibility.

Yes . . . the car rental is ~$64 USD and I have an annual Canadian Parks pass . . . so yes I feel much greater value not doing the motor coach, which I have a general dislike of (especially for an excursion that is scheduled for 7 hours).  And just looking at R/C's page, it's $124 not $110 USD, and includes a buffet lunch.  The $110 was probably a discounted rate a couple of weeks ago.

Edited July 25, 2024 by TS Von