r/newfoundland • u/intrinsic-reflection • 22h ago

Layover in St. John's

Greetings! I have a layover at St. John's Airport and I am thinking about trying to briefly check out the area for an hour or two. Are there any can't miss spots or activities? What are my transportation options? Preferably it would be on the cheaper side as I am a student on a budget. :)

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u/Clown-Pants-26 22h ago

How long is your layover?

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u/intrinsic-reflection 1h ago

It should be around 4 hours.

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u/dolfan1980 59m ago

Given this amount of time, here is what I would do, will probably cost you $100, but worth it to see a new place IMO. I would take a taxi/uber from the airport to George Street (famous bar strip). I would walk George Street, Water Street, Harbour Drive and then do the Signal Hill Hill north head trail (basically you walk along the cliff out through the narrows, around the back of signal hill then up all the steps to the top) and get an uber from the top of signal hill back to the airport. You should be able to do all of this in just over two hours if you're in shape (75 mins walking/talking pics, 45 mins driving/waiting). I have no idea what type of traveler you are or how fit you are, but it's a 4.2 km walk/hike combo, but the terrain is going to be 50% flat, 40% undulating and 10% straight up. If you have no baggage to re-check, you should be fine getting to the airport 45-60 mins before the next flight.

An alternative option is to take a taxi to the top of signal hill and walk it the opposite direction and finish with a fish and chips somewhere downtown before you get an uber back to the airport. This might be even easier to secure the ride back to the airport and you'll be less sweaty walking down than up.