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

Pier in Borden-Carleton

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 13 km (8 mi) 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, toll-free: +1 800 575-1807, info@maritimebus.com. Operates an inter-regional bus service between destinations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. (updated Apr 2022)
  • Operates the following bus routes to Borden:
    • 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.
    • 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.

See

Port Borden Pier Lighthouse

• 1 Marine Rail Historical Park, 41 Borden Avenue, ☏ +1 902 437-2225. Daily 8AM-11PM. Small park showcasing local rail and ferry history. (updated Jun 2022)

Buy

• 1 Shop & Play (formerly Cavendish Figurines), 99 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), ☏ +1 902 437-2663, toll-free: +1 800 558-1908. 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. (updated Aug 2019)

Eat

• 1 Classic Burger, 101 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), ☏ +1 902 437-2262. Daily 10:30AM-8PM. (updated Aug 2019)
• 2 COWS Creamery (Anne of Green Gables Chocolates), 126 Abegweit Blvd, ☏ +1 902 437-6883. Daily 9AM-9PM. Ice cream (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 Gateway Lobster Shop, 103 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), ☏ +1 902 437-2070. Daily 11AM-6PM. (updated Aug 2019)
• 4 The Handpie Company, 1788 Route 115, Albany (Route 1A & 115, 6 minutes from Borden-Carleton), ☏ +1 902 437-3100, info@handpie.ca. Daily 9AM-7PM. (updated Aug 2019)

Sleep

Accommodations in Borden-Carleton are limited, it's best to continue to Summerside or Charlottetown.

• 1 Briarcliffe Inn, 274 Salutation Cove Rd, Bedeque, ☏ +1 902 887-2333, toll-free: +1 866 887-3238. The Briarcliffe Inn is a bed and breakfast in Salutation Cove with a beautiful view overlooking the Confederation Bridge. $130-200. (updated Jun 2022)
• 2 Carleton Motel & Coffee Shop, 23650 Trans Canada Highway, ☏ +1 902 437-3030, carletonmotel@eastlink.ca​​. $89+. (updated Jun 2022)

Connect

• 1 Borden-Carleton Visitor Information Centre (Borden-Carleton Welcome Centre), 100 Abegweit Blvd (Gateway Village), ☏ +1 902 437-8570, toll-free: +1 800 463-4734, 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. (updated Aug 2019)

Go next

Routes through Borden-Carleton

Tantramar ← Strait Shores ← becomes ← Confederation Bridge ←	W  E	→ Jct N → Charlottetown
END ← Summerside ←	N  S	→ END