Newfoundland & Labrador West to East — Self-Launched
12 days · Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Atlantic Tours & Travel charges £4,020
No-markup version: ~£1,245 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched take on Atlantic Tours & Travel's 12-day coach circuit from Corner Brook to St. John's. You'll trace the same route — Gros Morne National Park, the ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle into Labrador, Red Bay, L'Anse aux Meadows, whale and puffin boats, Bonavista/Trinity and Signal Hill — but using the public DRL intercity coach network, self-booked local boat tours and independent guesthouses, inns and hostels. Distances on the Rock are long (the Trans-Canada Highway plus remote coastal roads), so this version is realistic but requires some planning: book the St. Barbe–Blanc Sablon ferry and the Western Brook Pond / Bonne Bay boats early, and build in a buffer day for weather. All costs are approximate per person and exclude flights to/from Newfoundland.
Day-by-day
Arrive Corner Brook
Corner Brook, NL
Fly into Deer Lake (YDF) and take the ~45-minute airport shuttle or local bus/taxi to Corner Brook (£20–30). Settle into a downtown guesthouse or the HI-affiliated hostel-style lodging in the Humber Valley area. Spend the afternoon walking the Corner Brook Stream Trail and the Captain James Cook monument, and stock up on groceries for the coach days ahead. Pick up a Newfoundland parks pass info sheet and confirm your DRL bus tickets.
🚌Deer Lake airport shuttle to Corner Brook, ~£20–30
🛏Downtown guesthouse or budget inn, Corner Brook (£30–45/night)
- →Corner Brook Stream Trail walk
- →Captain Cook monument & waterfront
- →Grocery stock-up
Corner Brook to Port au Choix via Gros Morne
Port au Choix, NL
Take the early DRL/Maritime Bus-style coach (or a pre-booked shared shuttle) north along Route 430 through Gros Morne National Park — the views of the Long Range Mountains from the roadside are the main event. Break the journey at Rocky Harbour for a short walk, then continue to Port au Choix. Visit the Port au Choix National Historic Site (Parks Canada, ~£7) on the peninsula, with its Maritime Archaic archaeology and coastal boardwalks.
🚌Intercity coach Corner Brook–Rocky Harbour–Port au Choix, ~£30–40
🛏Motel or B&B in Port au Choix (£35–50/night)
- →Gros Morne National Park drive-through
- →Port au Choix National Historic Site
- →Port au Choix peninsula coastal walk
Port au Choix to L'Anse au Clair (ferry to Labrador)
L'Anse au Clair, Labrador
Continue north to St. Barbe and catch the DRL ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle to Blanc Sablon, Quebec (~1h45, walk-on fare around £10–15). From Blanc Sablon it's a short taxi or shuttle hop to L'Anse au Clair, Labrador. In the afternoon visit the Red Bay National Historic Site (~£7), the UNESCO-listed 16th-century Basque whaling station with its reconstructed chalupa and excellent interpretive centre. Book the ferry in advance in summer — sailings fill and weather can delay crossings.
🚌Coach to St. Barbe (~£15) + DRL ferry to Blanc Sablon (~£12) + local taxi (~£8)
🛏Northern Light Inn or local B&B, L'Anse au Clair (£40–55/night)
- →Strait of Belle Isle ferry crossing
- →Red Bay National Historic Site (UNESCO)
- →Basque whaling exhibits
L'Anse au Clair to St. Anthony / L'Anse aux Meadows
St. Anthony, NL
Ferry back to St. Barbe and head up the Northern Peninsula to St. Anthony. From there, take a local shuttle or taxi to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (~£7 entry, ~45 min north), the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America — costumed interpreters, reconstructed sod buildings and the Norstead Viking village nearby. Allow 2–3 hours on site; the walking is easy but on uneven ground.
🚌DRL ferry back to St. Barbe (~£12) + coach to St. Anthony (~£15) + local shuttle to L'Anse aux Meadows (~£10)
🛏Motel or guesthouse in St. Anthony (£40–55/night)
- →L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
- →Norstead Viking Village
- →St. Anthony harbour walk
St. Anthony to Cow Head — whale watching
Cow Head, NL
Morning whale-watching or iceberg tour out of St. Anthony harbour (self-book direct with local operators, ~£50–65; June–July is peak for humpbacks, icebergs and puffins). Then take the afternoon coach south down the Northern Peninsula to Cow Head, at the edge of Gros Morne. Evening walk on Shallow Bay beach and the Cow Head lighthouse trail.
🚌Coach St. Anthony–Cow Head, ~£25–30
🛏Shallow Bay Motel & Cabins or nearby B&B, Cow Head (£40–55/night)
- →Whale watching / iceberg boat tour from St. Anthony
- →Shallow Bay beach walk
- →Cow Head lighthouse trail
Gros Morne: Bonne Bay, Western Brook Pond & the Tablelands
Cow Head / Norris Point, NL
Full day inside Gros Morne. Morning: Bonne Bay boat tour from Norris Point (~£35–45, book direct or via GetYourGuide). Afternoon: walk the Tablelands trail (2–4 km, otherworldly peridotite rock, free with park entry ~£7/day) and, if you have energy, the easy Green Gardens or Lobster Cove Head lighthouse trail. The classic Western Brook Pond fjord boat is an alternative — it needs a 45-minute walk each way from the car park to the dock and must be reserved ahead (~£45).
🚌Local taxi/shuttle between Cow Head, Norris Point and trailheads, ~£15
🛏Shallow Bay Motel & Cabins, Cow Head (£40–55/night)
- →Bonne Bay boat tour
- →Tablelands hike
- →Lobster Cove Head lighthouse
- →Optional Western Brook Pond fjord cruise
Cow Head to Gander
Gander, NL
A long transfer day: coach east via Deer Lake and Grand Falls-Windsor to Gander (~5–6 hours, ~£35–45). Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse near the airport. Visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum (~£7) to learn about Gander's role in transatlantic aviation and 9/11, and walk the town's aviation-themed trails.
🚌Intercity coach Cow Head–Gander, ~£35–45
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse, Gander (£45–60/night)
- →North Atlantic Aviation Museum
- →Gander town trails
Gander to Clarenville — Terra Nova, Prime Berth & Long Point
Clarenville, NL
Coach east to Clarenville (~2.5h). Along or near the route stop at Terra Nova National Park (day pass ~£7 — Sandy Pond and Blue Hill trails are easy and short) and, near Twillingate on the detour if you have time, the Prime Berth Fishery & Heritage Centre (donation entry) and Long Point Lighthouse. Note that Twillingate is a detour off the TCH — pre-arrange a shared taxi or book a local tour if you want the lighthouse.
🚌Coach Gander–Clarenville, ~£20–25; local taxi to Terra Nova viewpoints ~£15
🛏Quality Hotel Clarenville or budget motel (£45–60/night)
- →Terra Nova National Park trails
- →Prime Berth Fishery & Heritage Centre
- →Long Point Lighthouse
Bonavista & Trinity day trip
Bonavista / Trinity, NL
Take a local bus or pre-booked shared taxi to Bonavista (~1h15). See the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site (~£5, puffins in summer), the Matthew Legacy replica ship and the Dungeon provincial park sea arch. Continue to Trinity, one of Newfoundland's best-preserved historic towns — self-guided walking tour of the merchant houses and the Rising Tide Theatre's outdoor pageant if it's running (~£25). Return to Clarenville in the evening.
🚌Local bus/shared taxi Clarenville–Bonavista–Trinity, ~£25–30
🛏Quality Hotel Clarenville or budget motel (£45–60/night)
- →Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
- →Matthew Legacy replica ship
- →Trinity historic town walk
- →Optional Rising Tide Theatre pageant
Clarenville to St. John's
St. John's, NL
Coach east to St. John's (~2h, ~£20). Check into a hostel or downtown guesthouse on or near Water Street. Afternoon self-guided walk: the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Confederation Building, and up to Signal Hill (free; Cabot Tower, views over the Narrows). Evening on George Street — Newfoundland music in the pubs is free and worth the whole trip.
🚌Coach Clarenville–St. John's, ~£20; on foot + local bus in the city
🛏Downtown hostel or guesthouse, St. John's (£30–50/night)
- →Signal Hill & Cabot Tower
- →Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
- →Confederation Building
- →George Street live music
Witless Bay puffins & Cape Spear
St. John's, NL
Morning puffin and seabird boat tour in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (self-book direct with local operators or via GetYourGuide, ~£50–60; June–Aug is prime for puffins and the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America). Afternoon: local bus or taxi to Cape Spear National Historic Site (free entry; the easternmost point in North America), plus the Signal Hill coastal trail if the weather holds.
🚌Local bus/taxi to Witless Bay & Cape Spear, ~£20–25
🛏Downtown hostel or guesthouse, St. John's (£30–50/night)
- →Witless Bay Ecological Reserve seabird boat tour
- →Cape Spear National Historic Site
- →Signal Hill coastal trail
Depart St. John's
St. John's, NL
Final morning for coffee on Water Street and a last look at the Narrows before the airport bus or taxi out to St. John's International Airport (~£15–20). If your flight is late, the Rooms museum and The Battery neighbourhood are an easy morning filler.
🚌City bus or taxi to St. John's airport, ~£15–20
🛏None (departure day)
- →Water Street coffee & last walk
- →The Rooms museum (optional)
Self-launched vs. Atlantic Tours & Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Atlantic Tours & Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,245 | £4,020 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,775 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Atlantic Tours & Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,245
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Newfoundland & Labrador West to East — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,245 per person for 12 days in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Atlantic Tours & Travel?+
Yes — Atlantic Tours & Travel charges around £4,020 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,245 — a saving of roughly £2,775 (69%) per person.
How long is the Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, wildlife trip through Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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