Borden-Carleton is a town of 700 people (2016) in western Prince Edward Island. Located at the foot of the Confederation Bridge, it is the main gateway to PEI.
Understand
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Borden-Carleton is on the south shore of Prince Edward Island fronting on the Northumberland Straight and was formed in 1995 through the amalgamation of the town of Borden and the community of Carleton. It was a train and car ferry port until the Confederation Bridge was completed to the mainland in 1997. The province later constructed Gateway Village, a tourist rest area, information, and shopping complex on the grounds of the former rail yard.
Get in
The monumental Confederation Bridge, almost a visitor attraction in itself (viewing stations on the New Brunswick side offer good photo opportunities), crosses the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and PEI. It's reached from the mainland on Route 16, near Aulac, and stretches across open water to the island.
The toll of $50.25 toll for a car, $20.00 for a motorcycle (2022 rates, 2-axle vehicle, $8.50 for each additional axle), is collected on the PEI side when returning to the mainland. Travel across the Bridge as a pedestrian or cyclist is possible via the passenger shuttle service which travels between Borden-Carlton, PEI, and Cape Jourimain, NB. The price for the shuttle is $4.75 for pedestrians and $9.50 for cyclists (this price includes the bicycle as luggage). The first article of luggage is free and every additional piece of luggage is $4.25 (not including luggage attached to a touring bicycle).
There is no stopping allowed on the bridge and is open 24/7 year round, with the exception of severe wind conditions which may close the bridge for an indeterminate amount of time.
Route 16 in New Brunswick becomes Highway 1 on Prince Edward Island, and continues to Charlottetown. Route 16 and Highway 1 are part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
By bus
- Maritime Bus, info@maritimebus.com. Operates an inter-regional bus service between destinations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. 2022-04-24
- Operates the following bus routes to Borden:
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- Between Charlottetown and Amherst includes a stop in Borden. Travel time to Borden from Charlottetown is 1 hour and from Amherst is 1.25 hours.
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- Between Summerside and Borden. Travel time to Borden from Summerside is 20 minutes.
- ** Travel to Charlottetown from the following destinations involving same day transfers is as follows:
- *** From Moncton (2 hours) and Halifax (4 hours) with a transfer in Amherst.
- *** From Bathurst (5.25 hours), Campbellton (6.5 hours), Edmundston (8.5 hours), Fredericton (4.75 hours), Miramichi (4.25 hours), and Saint John (5 hours) with transfers in Moncton and Amherst.
- *** From Antigonish (4.75 hours), North Sydney (7.5 hours), Sydney (8.25 hours) with transfers in Truro and Amherst.
Get around
See
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- Marine Rail Historical Park, 41 Borden Avenue, 46.25044°, -63.70523°, +1 902 437-2225. Daily 8AM-11PM. Small park showcasing local rail and ferry history. 2022-06-11
Do
Buy
- Shop & Play (formerly Cavendish Figurines), 99 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), 46.254460°, -63.696154°, +1 902 437-2663. M-Sa 8AM-5PM, Su 8AM-5:30PM. Gift and souvenir shop. One can dress up as Anne of Green Gables or take free photo opportunities at the world's only Anne statue, Lorenzo the 6-ft. plush lobster, and the "Welcome to PEI" sign. 2019-08-21
Eat
- Classic Burger, 101 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), 46.254658°, -63.695173°, +1 902 437-2262. Daily 10:30AM-8PM. 2019-08-21
- COWS Creamery (Anne of Green Gables Chocolates), 126 Abegweit Blvd, 46.255322°, -63.694470°, +1 902 437-6883. Daily 9AM-9PM. Ice cream 2019-08-21
- Gateway Lobster Shop, 103 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), 46.254780°, -63.693924°, +1 902 437-2070. Daily 11AM-6PM. 2019-08-21
- The Handpie Company, 1788 Route 115, Albany (Route 1A & 115, 6 minutes from Borden-Carleton), 46.289040°, -63.630547°, +1 902 437-3100, info@handpie.ca. Daily 9AM-7PM. 2019-08-21
Drink
Sleep
Accommodations in Borden-Carleton are limited, it's best to continue to Summerside or Charlottetown.
- Briarcliffe Inn, 274 Salutation Cove Rd, Bedeque, 46.335917°, -63.80297°, +1 902 887-2333. The Briarcliffe Inn is a bed and breakfast in Salutation Cove with a beautiful view overlooking the Confederation Bridge. $130-200 2022-06-11
- Carleton Motel & Coffee Shop, 23650 Trans Canada Highway, 46.25479°, -63.669°, +1 902 437-3030, carletonmotel@eastlink.ca. $89+ 2022-06-11
Connect
- Borden-Carleton Visitor Information Centre (Borden-Carleton Welcome Centre), 100 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), 46.254964°, -63.695652°, +1 902 437-8570, vicborden@gov.pe.ca. Daily 9AM-4:30PM. Located in the heart of Gateway Village just off the Confederation Bridge, the Visitor Information Centre has vacation planners to help you make the most of your PEI vacation. Accommodation and activity reservations made on site. 2019-08-21