Behind the Scenes
There are not many places where you can leave Newfoundland and, about 90 minutes later, arrive in France.
That is what makes Saint-Pierre et Miquelon such an unusual addition to a Newfoundland road trip.
From Fortune on Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula, you can board a ferry, cross an international border and arrive somewhere with French street signs, bakeries, restaurants, euros and a distinctly European rhythm — even though Newfoundland is still just across the water.
The idea sounds simple.
The planning raises a lot more questions.
Where do you leave your car or RV in Fortune? How early should you arrive for the ferry? Do Canadians need a passport? Can you walk around Saint-Pierre? Are there electric bikes? How many nights should you stay? And why might dinner be later than you expected?
This guide is designed to answer those questions before you build Saint-Pierre et Miquelon into your Newfoundland itinerary.
Intent
This guide is for travellers planning to visit Saint-Pierre et Miquelon from Newfoundland and trying to understand the logistics before booking.
It covers getting to Fortune, the ferry crossing, parking and RV considerations, travel documents, flying from St. John’s, getting around Saint-Pierre without a car, electric-bike rentals, guided tours, accommodation, dining, Miquelon and the amount of time I would allow for the trip.
The goal is not simply to convince you to go.
It is to help you figure out how to make the trip work.
Quick Logistics Snapshot
📍 Where is it? Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is a French overseas collectivity just off Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula.
⛴️ Main ferry route: Fortune, Newfoundland → Saint-Pierre with SPM Ferries.
🕒 Ferry crossing: Approximately 1½ hours.
🚗 Do you need a car in Saint-Pierre? Not necessarily. Much of the town can be explored on foot, with taxis, tours or bicycles, including electric-bike rentals.
🛂 Passport: Canadian travellers arriving directly from Canada have special document provisions, but travelling with a valid passport is the simplest option whenever possible.
🛏️ How long should you stay? I would plan at least two nights rather than treating Saint-Pierre as a rushed day trip. Add more time if you want to explore Miquelon-Langlade or more of the archipelago.
💶 Currency: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon uses the euro.
🍽️ Dining: Expect a more European rhythm than you may be accustomed to in Newfoundland. Check restaurant hours and reserve important meals ahead.
⚠️ Biggest planning mistake: Booking the rest of your Newfoundland road trip first and assuming the Saint-Pierre ferry and accommodations will fit whatever dates remain.
💡 Best planning move: Check ferry availability and accommodations together before locking this part of your Newfoundland itinerary.
Is This Guide for You?
This guide is for you if you’re planning Newfoundland and asking:
How do I get to Saint-Pierre? Where do I leave my vehicle? Can I park an RV in Fortune? Do I need a passport? Can I explore without a car? And is it worth staying for more than one night?
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon works particularly well as an extension to a Newfoundland road trip that already includes the Burin Peninsula or eastern Newfoundland.
But I would not treat it as something to squeeze casually into an already packed itinerary.
You’re crossing an international border and working around ferry schedules, accommodations and weather.
Give it some room.
How to Get to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon from Newfoundland
Taking the Ferry from Fortune to Saint-Pierre
For Newfoundland road-trippers, the most practical route is:
Newfoundland → Burin Peninsula → Fortune → SPM Ferries → Saint-Pierre
SPM Ferries operates between Fortune and Saint-Pierre, with a crossing time of approximately 1½ hours.
The important thing to remember is that this is not simply another Newfoundland ferry.
You are travelling internationally.
SPM Ferries currently asks pedestrian passengers leaving Fortune to report to its ticket office at 8 Bayview Street 1½ hours before departure for document checks and pre-boarding.
Ferry schedules vary throughout the year and can change because of weather, so always check the current sailing schedule before finalizing the surrounding days of your Newfoundland itinerary.
How Far Is Fortune from St. John’s?
Fortune is on the Burin Peninsula, roughly 360 kilometres by road from St. John’s.
Allow approximately four to four and a half hours of driving, before stops or delays.
That matters because I would not plan to leave St. John’s at the last possible moment and drive directly into an international ferry check-in.
If your sailing is early, spending the previous night closer to Fortune may make considerably more sense.
This is one of those places where looking at Newfoundland on a map can be misleading.
Saint-Pierre may be geographically close to Newfoundland, but getting to the ferry is still part of the trip.
Can You Take a Bus or Shuttle from St. John’s to Fortune?
Yes. If you are travelling without a car, a regional shared taxi or shuttle can be considerably more affordable than hiring a private taxi from St. John’s to Fortune.
Foote’s Taxi & Bus Service operates a shared passenger service between St. John’s and Fortune. In 2026, the advertised fare is $70 CAD per person each way.
Do not confuse this with hiring a regular St. John’s taxi for a private trip to Fortune. Fortune is roughly 360 kilometres from St. John’s, so a private taxi or charter for the entire journey can cost several hundred dollars.
The important catch is timing.
Foote’s operates on its own regional schedule and does not normally coordinate its service with the St-Pierre ferry departures. Depending on your ferry time, you may need to travel to Fortune the previous day and stay overnight before sailing.
Roland’s Planning Tip: Before booking your ferry, contact the shuttle operator and compare its St. John’s departure and Fortune arrival with your exact sailing. Do not assume the shared shuttle and ferry will connect on the same day.
For travellers without a rental car, compare the total cost and time of shared shuttle + possible overnight stay in Fortune + ferry against flying directly from St. John’s to Saint-Pierre. The cheapest transportation option is not always the cheapest complete itinerary.
Can You Fly from St. John’s to Saint-Pierre?
Yes. Air Saint-Pierre operates direct flights between St. John’s and Saint-Pierre, providing an alternative for travellers who don’t want to drive to Fortune.
For trip planning, expect approximately $150–$250+ CAD per person, one way, depending on your travel date and how far ahead you book. The direct flight takes approximately 45 minutes.
Flight schedules vary by season and day of the week, so compare the flight schedule with the ferry rather than assuming it operates whenever you need it.
Flying can make particular sense if Saint-Pierre itself is your priority rather than the Burin Peninsula road trip.
If you’re already driving Newfoundland, however, the Fortune ferry may fit much more naturally into the journey.
Roland’s Planning Tip: If you’re travelling without a car, compare the complete cost of the shared shuttle to Fortune, a possible overnight stay and the ferry against the direct flight. The flight may look more expensive initially, but the difference can shrink quickly once you include the additional transportation and accommodation.
Air Saint-Pierre has its own baggage rules, so photographers and travellers carrying more equipment should check the current allowance before booking.
Booking the Fortune Ferry
How Far Ahead Should You Book the Saint-Pierre Ferry?
If Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is an important part of your Newfoundland trip, book once your dates are reasonably firm.
I would not arrive in Fortune expecting to buy whatever crossing happens to be available.
This is especially important during the summer travel season.
My planning order would be:
1. Check the ferry.
2. Check accommodation in Saint-Pierre.
3. Make sure both work together.
4. Build the surrounding Newfoundland itinerary.
That is much easier than booking everything else first and discovering later that Saint-Pierre doesn’t fit.
How Early Should You Arrive for the Ferry in Fortune?
SPM Ferries currently asks pedestrian passengers departing Fortune to report to the ticket office 1½ hours before departure.
Travellers taking a vehicle across also begin pre-boarding 1½ hours before departure.
Don’t treat that as the time to pull into Fortune.
If you still need to park a vehicle, unload luggage or organize an RV, arrive earlier and remove the stress from the crossing.
Parking in Fortune
Where Do You Park for the Saint-Pierre Ferry?
This is one of the most useful things to know before arriving in Fortune.
The Town of Fortune currently lists two businesses providing parking for travellers visiting Saint-Pierre:
Drake’s Parking
8 Bayview Street
Stage Head Tours/Parking
14 Bayview Street
Because availability and rates can change, I would contact the parking provider directly rather than relying on an old price found online.
This is especially important during the busiest travel periods.
Where Can You Park an RV Before the Saint-Pierre Ferry?
If you’re travelling to Newfoundland by RV, do not assume an ordinary ferry-parking space will accommodate your rig.
Contact the Fortune parking providers before the trip and tell them exactly what you’re travelling with:
- motorhome length
- camper van
- truck and trailer
- fifth wheel
- whether you need to leave the trailer attached
For a short Saint-Pierre visit, leaving the RV in Fortune may be considerably easier than taking the entire vehicle into the French territory.
Confirm the parking arrangement before you arrive.
Your 30-foot motorhome is not the thing you want to start problem-solving 90 minutes before an international ferry.
Can You Take a Vehicle to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon?
Yes.
SPM Ferries transports passengers and vehicles between Fortune, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
But taking a vehicle across adds another layer of planning.
Vehicle passage cannot currently be purchased through the normal online booking process. You need to contact an SPM Ferries ticket office to arrange the vehicle reservation.
Your vehicle must also have insurance valid for driving in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. If your Canadian policy doesn’t provide the required coverage, border insurance may be necessary.
For a short stay, ask yourself:
Do I actually need my Newfoundland vehicle once I get there?
For many visitors staying primarily in Saint-Pierre, the answer will be no.
Travel Documents and Border Requirements
Do Canadians Need a Passport to Visit Saint-Pierre et Miquelon?
Not necessarily — but I would bring one.
Canadian travellers arriving directly from Canada have special provisions allowing certain Canadian government-issued identification to be used in specific circumstances.
However, this is still international travel, and the rules can differ according to citizenship, residency and how you enter or return to Canada.
A valid passport removes much of that uncertainty.
Before travelling, check the current requirements for:
- entering Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
- returning to Canada
- children travelling with you
- non-Canadian citizens
- any visa or eTA requirements that apply to your situation
Don’t base an international border crossing on something someone posted in a Facebook group three summers ago.
Money, Customs and the Little Differences
Does Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Use Euros or Canadian Dollars?
Euros.
You are entering French territory, and the euro is the official currency.
Credit cards are useful, but I would still carry access to some euros rather than assuming Canadian dollars will function everywhere as though you were still in Newfoundland.
It’s one of the small details that makes the crossing feel much farther than 90 minutes.
What Can You Bring Back to Canada?
When you return to Fortune, you are re-entering Canada and must clear Canadian border controls.
That means purchases made in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon need to be treated like purchases from any other international trip.
Personal exemptions depend partly on how long you have been outside Canada.
This matters particularly if you’re planning to bring back wine, spirits, tobacco, food or other purchases.
Rather than memorizing an allowance from an old travel article, check the current Canada Border Services Agency personal-exemption rules before travelling.
And declare what you’re bringing back.
A bottle of French wine is considerably less charming when it becomes an argument with customs.
Getting Around Saint-Pierre Without a Car
Can You Walk Around Saint-Pierre?
Yes — much of the town of Saint-Pierre is very walkable.
The waterfront, shops, cafés, restaurants and central streets can be explored without bringing a vehicle from Newfoundland.
That is part of the appeal.
Instead of driving from attraction to attraction, you can walk, stop for coffee, explore side streets and let the place feel different from the Newfoundland road trip you just stepped away from.
For places farther from the centre, taxis, guided tours, rental vehicles and bicycles are available.
So no, you cannot realistically walk every corner of the island.
But you do not need a car simply to enjoy Saint-Pierre.
Can You Rent an Electric Bike in Saint-Pierre?
Yes.
The official tourism authority currently lists standard and electric-bike rentals in Saint-Pierre, making an e-bike one of the more interesting ways to explore beyond the town centre without bringing your car across.
Electric-bike rentals are also available on Miquelon.
If you plan to move between islands with a bicycle, check the ferry rules first.
In particular, electric bicycles are not permitted on the Saint-Pierre–Langlade ferry service, even though conventional bicycles can be carried on several SPM Ferries routes.
That’s exactly the kind of small logistical detail worth knowing before you arrive at the dock with a rented e-bike.
Are There Guided Tours of Saint-Pierre?
Yes.
A guided tour can actually be one of the easiest ways to understand the island on a first visit.
Current options include guided vehicle tours around Saint-Pierre with stops for photographs and interpretation of the island’s history and landscape.
SPM Ferries also operates seasonal guided sea excursions, and the tourism authority lists additional cultural and outdoor experiences.
A simple first-time combination could be:
Walk the town → take a guided island tour → use an e-bike or taxi for anything farther away.
That gives you plenty of independence without needing to take your Newfoundland vehicle across the border.
How Long Should You Visit Saint-Pierre et Miquelon?
Can You Visit Saint-Pierre as a Day Trip?
Yes, depending on the ferry schedule.
But possible and preferable are not necessarily the same thing.
A day trip gives you a taste of Saint-Pierre, but you’re also spending part of that day checking in, crossing the border and watching the clock for the return ferry.
Stay overnight and the rhythm changes.
You can have dinner, walk the waterfront afterward and wake up without immediately thinking about the return crossing.
If you’ve already driven several hours across Newfoundland to reach Fortune, I think giving Saint-Pierre more than a few rushed hours makes sense.
How Many Nights Should You Stay?
For a first trip focused primarily on Saint-Pierre, I would start with two nights.
That gives you time to:
- explore the town on foot
- take a guided tour
- enjoy the cafés and restaurants
- visit museums or cultural sites
- rent a bike or e-bike
- experience an evening without rushing for the ferry
Three nights give you more flexibility for weather, additional excursions or simply travelling at a less frantic pace.
If you want to properly include Miquelon-Langlade, start thinking beyond Saint-Pierre as a quick two-night side trip.
The official tourism authority publishes itineraries ranging from one-day visits to several days and even a full week across the archipelago.
There is considerably more here than a passport stamp and lunch.
Should You Visit Miquelon Too?
This is where the name Saint-Pierre et Miquelon starts to matter.
Saint-Pierre is only part of the destination.
Miquelon-Langlade offers a much more nature-focused experience and deserves additional time rather than being treated as another box to check before the ferry home.
SPM Ferries operates between Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and there are also seasonal direct Fortune–Miquelon crossings.
If your Newfoundland itinerary allows only two nights, I would concentrate on Saint-Pierre rather than trying to see everything.
With more time, Miquelon changes the trip from “I visited Saint-Pierre from Newfoundland” into a much broader exploration of the French archipelago.
What About Île aux Marins?
Île aux Marins is another reason not to reduce Saint-Pierre to a few hours between ferries.
Seasonal boat service connects Saint-Pierre with the small island just offshore.
It adds another layer of history and gives travellers a different perspective back toward Saint-Pierre.
If this is important to you, check seasonal service and build it into the trip before deciding how many nights you need.
Where to Stay in Saint-Pierre
Should You Stay Near the Ferry?
For a first visit without a car, a central location is extremely useful.
Being able to walk between your accommodation, restaurants, the waterfront and central Saint-Pierre removes a lot of unnecessary transportation planning.
The accommodation inventory is also relatively small compared with a major Canadian city.
The Saint-Pierre et Miquelon tourism authority specifically warns that hotels and restaurants can fill quickly and recommends making reservations before arriving.
So I would not book the ferry and tell myself:
I’ll figure out the room later.
Check them together.
How Far Ahead Should You Book Accommodation?
There isn’t one magic number that works for every date.
But if you’re travelling during the main summer season and your dates are fixed, book once you’ve confirmed your ferry or flight.
Limited inventory matters more here than finding the theoretically perfect hotel.
For most Newfoundland road-trippers, I would prioritize:
location → availability → comfort → price
rather than choosing accommodation far from the centre just to save a small amount and then creating another transportation problem.
Search the map below to compare accommodations and availability around Saint-Pierre.
Eating in Saint-Pierre
Why Are Restaurant Hours Different from Newfoundland?
This is one of those little cultural shifts that reminds you you’ve actually left Canada.
Meals can follow a more French rhythm, and you should not assume every restaurant begins dinner service at the time you’re accustomed to at home.
Some shops also close around lunchtime; the tourism authority notes that many stores close between noon and 2 p.m.
Instead of fighting that rhythm, build around it.
Have a coffee. Walk the harbour. Stop at a bakery. Explore another street.
Then have dinner.
Should You Reserve Restaurants?
For meals that matter to you, yes.
The official tourism authority specifically warns that restaurants can fill up quickly.
That’s particularly important when you’re visiting for only two or three nights. Losing your first-choice restaurant because you assumed you could walk in isn’t catastrophic, but it’s also easily avoided.
Check opening days too.
Island restaurants do not necessarily operate seven nights a week throughout every season.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Saint-Pierre et Miquelon?
For most Newfoundland road-trippers, late spring through early fall is the easiest period to integrate Saint-Pierre et Miquelon into a larger trip.
Summer gives you the broadest range of tourism activity and inter-island possibilities, but it also increases pressure on accommodations and restaurants.
The Fortune–Saint-Pierre ferry operates year-round, while the direct Fortune–Miquelon connection is seasonal.
Weather remains part of North Atlantic travel in every season.
Do not build an itinerary so tight that one disrupted crossing destroys the rest of the Newfoundland trip.
What Happens if Weather Cancels the Ferry?
This is one of the reasons I prefer two or three nights over a same-day sprint.
SPM Ferries explicitly notes that its schedules are subject to weather conditions.
If Saint-Pierre is sandwiched between two immovable Newfoundland reservations with no flexibility, a ferry disruption can become much more than an inconvenience.
Whenever possible, avoid putting your most important flight, long-distance ferry or other non-refundable connection immediately after returning from Saint-Pierre.
Island travel occasionally reminds you who is actually in charge.
Usually, it’s the weather.
How Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Fits into a Newfoundland Road Trip
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon makes the most sense when the Burin Peninsula is part of the route, rather than treating Fortune as a frantic out-and-back drive from St. John’s.
A simple flow could look like:
St. John’s → Burin Peninsula → Fortune → Saint-Pierre → Fortune → continue Newfoundland
That gives the drive south a purpose beyond simply catching the ferry.
It also prevents Saint-Pierre from feeling like an awkward international detour bolted onto the middle of a Newfoundland itinerary.
A Simple Two-Night Saint-Pierre Plan
Day One: Cross from Fortune
Arrive in Fortune with enough time to park and complete ferry check-in without rushing.
After the approximately 90-minute crossing and border formalities, settle into your accommodation and explore central Saint-Pierre on foot.
Don’t overload the first afternoon.
Walk the waterfront, get your bearings, find a café and let the cultural shift do some of the work.
Then stay for dinner.
That first evening is one of the biggest reasons I would choose an overnight trip instead of racing back to Fortune.
Day Two: Explore Beyond the Centre
Use your full day for the experiences that require a little more planning.
Take a guided island tour, rent a bicycle or electric bike, visit museums and explore beyond the central streets.
Depending on the season and your interests, this could also be the day for Île aux Marins or a guided sea excursion.
Leave room for lunch, cafés, and simply walking.
You’re in France.
You don’t have to turn it into a military operation.
Day Three: One More Morning
Use the final morning for whatever you missed — a bakery, shopping, photography or another walk along the harbour.
Then make your way back to the ferry with plenty of time for international departure procedures.
If you’re already thinking that sounds too short, you’re probably a candidate for three nights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Saint-Pierre et Miquelon from Newfoundland
The SPM Ferries crossing takes approximately 1½ hours. Sailing times and schedules can change, so check the current timetable before travelling.
SPM Ferries currently asks passengers to report 1½ hours before departure. Arrive earlier if you still need to park a car or RV and unload luggage.
The Town of Fortune currently lists Drake’s Parking at 8 Bayview Street and Stage Head Tours/Parking at 14 Bayview Street as parking providers for Saint-Pierre travellers.
Potentially, but contact the parking provider before travelling and confirm that they can accommodate the size of your RV or trailer. Do not assume ordinary car parking will work.
Yes. SPM Ferries transports vehicles, but vehicle passage currently needs to be arranged through its ticket office, and you must have valid insurance for driving in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon.
Special identification provisions exist for Canadian travellers arriving directly from Canada, but a valid passport is the simplest document to travel with whenever possible. Check current requirements for your citizenship and route before departure.
Yes. Air Saint-Pierre operates scheduled service between St. John’s and Saint-Pierre. Schedules vary during the year.
No. Much of central Saint-Pierre can be explored on foot, and taxis, tours, bicycles, electric bikes and rental vehicles are available for travelling farther.
Yes. Electric-bike rentals are currently available in both Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Yes, when ferry schedules allow, but I would prefer at least two nights if your Newfoundland itinerary has room.
Two nights is a good starting point for Saint-Pierre. Three nights provides more flexibility. Add more time if you want to properly explore Miquelon-Langlade and the wider archipelago.
The euro is the official currency.
Yes, particularly during busy periods or when there is somewhere specific you want to eat. Accommodation and restaurant capacity is limited enough that the tourism authority recommends booking ahead.
You can bring purchases back into Canada, but duty- and tax-free personal exemptions depend on how long you’ve been outside the country. Check current CBSA allowances before travelling and declare your purchases when returning.
If you have enough time to do it without rushing, yes.
Few Newfoundland itineraries offer such a dramatic cultural shift with such a short sea crossing.
The value isn’t simply being able to say you visited France.
It’s experiencing how quickly language, food, currency, architecture and daily rhythm can change when Newfoundland is still sitting just across the water.
Why Add Saint-Pierre et Miquelon to a Newfoundland Trip?
Newfoundland already gives travellers coastlines, outports, wildlife, weather and an extraordinary sense of place.
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon doesn’t replace any of that.
It creates contrast.
You can spend days travelling through Newfoundland and then cross a narrow stretch of the North Atlantic into a French territory operating to a noticeably different rhythm.
That is what makes the side trip interesting.
But I wouldn’t rush it simply because the islands look close on a map.
Drive to Fortune. Park the vehicle. Cross the border. Stay for dinner. Walk the streets. Give yourself a morning when you aren’t immediately thinking about the ferry home.
Sometimes the most interesting part of a Newfoundland road trip is discovering just how much can change 90 minutes offshore.
About the Author
Roland Bast is a Canadian travel photographer and destination storyteller based in Ottawa–Gatineau. Through original photography, destination research and firsthand travel experience, he creates practical travel guides designed to answer the questions travellers encounter while actually planning a trip.
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Disclosure: The St-Pierre et Miquelon logistics were built with my years of travel in Newfoundland; I added some research to complete the guide.
Always confirm current ferry schedules, border requirements, transportation services, accommodation availability and operating hours directly with the relevant provider before travelling. Island transportation and seasonal services can change.
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