By Skipper Bob Bartlett | Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | 30+ years welcoming guests to the peninsula.
Trinity is on the Bonavista Peninsula, a good three hours from St. John’s, and if you’ve done any research you’ll already know that renting a car here is not always the straightforward proposition it might be elsewhere.
Car rental availability in Newfoundland has been tight in recent seasons, particularly in summer when demand outpaces supply. So let me lay out every option available to you, including the one where you don’t have to think about any of it at all.
| Option | Best for | Approx. cost |
| Driving (rental car) | Most flexibility | Varies |
| A Time in Trinity Package | Car-free, full experience | $1,959/person (4 days/3 nights) |
| DRL Bus + taxi | Budget traveller | ~$180 |
| Marsh’s or Shirran’s Taxi | Direct, no transfers | Call for current rate |
Option 1: Driving
The drive itself is one of the great pleasures of coming to Trinity. Once you turn off the Trans-Canada at Clarenville and head north on Route 230, the landscape opens up in a way that catches people off guard. Barrens, ponds, coastal views, and the particular light that this part of Newfoundland does better than anywhere I’ve ever seen. Take your time with it.
Driving directions from St. John’s
- Take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) west from St. John’s toward Clarenville – approximately 2 hours.
- At Clarenville, take the exit for Route 230 North (Bonavista Peninsula Highway).
- Follow Route 230 north for approximately 50 minutes.
- Turn right onto Route 239, which leads directly into Trinity. You’ll see the signs for the historic town.
A note on car rentals in Newfoundland
Car rental companies at YYT include the major national brands. Gander Airport (YQX) is about 90 minutes from the Bonavista Peninsula and is sometimes overlooked as a landing option – worth checking fares if St. John’s flights are expensive or rentals are sold out.
Option 2: The A Time in Trinity Bus & Adventure Package
The simplest car-free option by a considerable distance. Our A Time in Trinity Bus & Adventure Package picks you up in St. John’s and takes care of everything from there; transport, accommodation, breakfasts & lunches, tours, and experiences over four days and three nights.
Here’s what the package includes:
- Return transportation from St. John’s: pickup at 8–9am on Day 1, drop-off back in St. John’s on Day 4
- Three nights accommodation at the Trinity Eco Lodge
- Breakfasts and lunches throughout
- Afternoon Zodiac whale and iceberg ocean safari
- Full-day UNESCO Geopark tour (Port Union, Elliston, Bonavista, Keels, Tickle Cove)
- Kevin Toope’s Historical Walking Tour of Trinity
- Hike of the Skerwink Trail
- Visit to the Random Passage Historical Site
- Lobster boil at the lodge on Day 3
The group size is 6–28 guests. Full itinerary and booking are here. If you have questions about whether the package fits your dates, call us at (709) 464-3712 and we’ll sort it out.
Option 3: DRL Bus to Clarenville, then taxi to Trinity
DRL-LR is Newfoundland’s only island-wide passenger bus service, running 365 days a year between St. John’s and Port aux Basques along the Trans-Canada. It does not go to Trinity directly but Clarenville is a scheduled stop, and from Clarenville you’re 50 minutes from Trinity by taxi.
How the DRL + taxi combination works
- Depart St. John’s: DRL bus departs from the MUN University Centre (Memorial University of Newfoundland) at 7:30am westbound. Cash only. No pre-booking, no online tickets. Arrive at least 20 minutes early.
- Arrive Clarenville: Approximately 10:20am–10:30am. The Clarenville stop is at the Circle K on the Trans-Canada.
- Taxi to Trinity: From Clarenville, you need a taxi or rideshare to complete the journey to Trinity (approximately 50 minutes). Arrange this before you board the bus in St. John’s. Call ahead so the taxi is waiting when you arrive. There are local taxis in Clarenville, or you can ask us and we’ll point you to someone.
- Cost: DRL fare St. John’s to Clarenville is approximately $57 (confirm at drl-lr.com as fares change). Taxi from Clarenville to Trinity is an additional $120. Call local Clarenville taxis for current rates.
Option 4: Direct taxi service from the Bonavista Peninsula
For visitors who want a direct taxi service without piecing together connections, Marsh’s Taxi and Shirran’s Taxi both run regularly between St. John’s and the Bonavista Peninsula. Neither operates from Trinity itself, but both serve Bonavista, which is about 35 minutes from Trinity by road.
Marsh’s Taxi
- Phone: (709) 468-7715
- Route: Bonavista ↔ St. John’s, 7 days a week
- Email: marshstaxi@hotmail.com
Shirran’s Taxi
- Phone: 1-877-468-7741
- Route: Departs Bonavista 7:00am Monday to Friday. Departs St. John’s for the return in the afternoon.
- Approx. fare: ~$60 (confirm directly as rates change seasonally)
- Note: Weekday service only. Confirm schedule before travel.
What should I do once I arrive in Trinity?
If you’re here for the whale and iceberg boat tours, the departure point is right in Trinity Harbour; a two-minute walk from the Trinity Eco Lodge. Once you’re here, you don’t need a car for the core experience. The only excursions that benefit from a vehicle are day trips further afield; Elliston for puffins (45 minutes), Cape Bonavista Lighthouse (55 minutes), and Bonavista town (35 minutes).
If you arrived without a car and want to do those day trips, ask Shannon at the lodge. She knows who to call.
Where should I stay in Trinity?
Our Trinity Eco Lodge is the kind of place that guests tell us they didn’t want to leave. Shannon and the team will get you sorted from the moment you arrive; local knowledge, restaurant recommendations, hiking trail advice, and a warm welcome that this province does better than anywhere I’ve been. Breakfast is included with most stays.
To book the lodge, visit our accommodations page or call (709) 436-3011. To book tours alongside your stay, call Skipper Bob at (709) 464-3712.
Still have questions about getting here? Call us at (709) 464-3712 or reach the lodge at (709) 436-3011. We’ll help you figure out the right option.
