FAQ

Where is Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island lies on the east coast of mainland Canada & is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is west of Cape Breton Island, north of the Nova Scotia peninsula, & east of New Brunswick.

How large is Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island covers an area of 5,660km² (2,184 square miles). It is approximately 224kms (139 miles) long with a width that ranges from 6 to 64kms (4 - 40 miles). No part of the Island is further than 16kms from the coastline.

What is the capital city?
Charlottetown is the province's capital & is located on the south shore of the island. Summerside is the other major city on the island & lies west of the central region.

What is the population of the island?
Prince Edward Island has a population of about 140,400 as of March 2009.

Where can I exchange currency or cash traveller's cheques?
You can exchange foreign currency or cash your traveller's cheques at any local bank, bureaux de change or credit union. Some hotels also offer a foreign exchange service, though their rates won't be as good as a bank's.
(Credit card facilities are widely used across the island with plenty of ATMs available to withdraw cash from.)

Does PEI have its own currency?
Prince Edward Island uses the Canadian dollar. Some retailers, however, do accept American dollars.

What is the exchange rate?
Please use an online currency converter to check the exchange rate for your local currency.

What is the sales tax on the island?
Prince Edward Island has a Provincial Sales Tax of 10% which is applied to most purchases. This does not, however, apply to clothing, footwear, books, edible groceries or anything under the value of 25 cents.
There is also a 5% Goods and Services Tax (charged by the Federal Government), that is levied on all goods & services, except groceries and financial services.

Is tipping compulsory on Prince Edward Island?
Tipping is customary but not required, & is calculated before tax is added to the bill. In restaurants, 15% is the accepted amount with 20% for excellent service.
It is also considered good practice to tip the various hotel staff that assist with accommodating your stay, as well as taxi drivers, hairdressers, manicurists, etc etc.

What time zone does the island fall under?
Local time is GMT -4 with daylight savings from the 2nd Sunday in March to the 1st Sunday in November, when local time is GMT-3.

Will I have internet access when I visit the island?
There are 41 Community Access Program sites on Prince Edward Island where you will pay a nominal fee (some are free of charge) to use the internet. There are also internet cafés in various towns where you can pay to use their facilities. Many hotels & guest houses offer internet connectivity &/or facilities, so check with your accommodation to see what is available.

What emergency services are available?
The 911 Emergency Response System operates province-wide & is capable of linking you to translators in 140 languages. If you are dialling from a mobile phone, please identify your location for the operator.

Where are medical services available?
There are emergency rooms in Alberton, Summerside, Charlottetown & Montague. Walk-in clinics & health centres are located in O'Leary, Tyne Valley, Summerside, Charlottetown & Souris. There are also health centres in Kensington, Hunter River, Rustico & Montague.

Are there any medical requirements for visitors to the island?
No special immunizations or vaccinations are required to visit Prince Edward Island.
If you are on a prescription medication, please bring a copy of your prescription in case you run out.

What voltage is the electricity on the island?
Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz with American style two-pin plugs and a standard one with a third round grounding pin.

What languages are spoken on Prince Edward Island?
English is the predominant spoken language on the island. You will also find that many of the locals speak French too.

What are the business hours on PEI?
Standard business hours are from 9am-9pm (Monday to Saturday) & on Sundays 2pm-5pm. These run from May to December.
From after Christmas until late May, stores operate with the same hours from Monday to Saturday but are closed on Sundays.

What public holidays are observed on the island?

• International
◦ New Year’s Day: January 1st
◦ Good Friday: March/April
◦ Easter Monday: March/April
◦ Labour Day: first Monday in September
◦ Christmas Day: December 25th
◦ Boxing Day: December 26th

• Canadian
◦ Victoria Day: last Monday before or on the 24th May
◦ Canada Day: July 1st
◦ Federal Government Holiday: 1st Monday in August
◦ Thanksgiving Day: 2nd Monday in October
◦ Remembrance Day: November 11th

• Provincial
◦ Islander Day: 3rd Monday in February
◦ Gold Cup Parade: 3rd Friday in August

What are the local smoking laws?
Smoking prohibited in public places such as bars, restaurants and shopping malls. You may only smoke is designated smoking areas
Tobacco may not be sold to anyone under the age of 19.

What are the drinking laws?
The legal drinking age on the island is 19 and drinking on public beaches is prohibited.
Alcohol retailers are open from Monday to Saturday, but are closed on Sundays.
Minors are allowed in licensed establishments between 11am and 8pm; if in the company of an adult & a meal is ordered.
The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 80 mg/ml (.08) & there is a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving on Prince Edward Island.

What are the basic road rules?
The metric system is used for road speeds & distances. Radar detectors are prohibited & will be confiscated if found.
Seatbelts are required by all passengers in a vehicle, with safety restraints for children.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory for cyclists on roads & on the Confederation Trail.

What is the weather like on the island?
Spring (May & June) is comfortable with temperatures from 8ºC to 22ºC (46º-71ºF).
Summers (July & August) are hot & slightly humid with daytime temperatures from the low 20s (70s) up to 32ºC (90ºF).
Autumn is clear with cooler evenings & day temperatures ranging from 8ºC to 22ºC (46º-71ºF).
Winters are generally mild for Canada with temperatures of -3ºC to -11ºC (26º-11ºF)

Are the beaches supervised?
There are 14 supervised beaches of the 90 plus on the island. Please observe the necessary safety precautions before engaging in any water activities. If you are going to engage in water-related activities, rather do so at a supervised beach where there are lifeguards on duty.
Please see our page on Beaches for more information.

Where can I find tourist information?
There are numerous Visitor Information, Destination & Welcome Centres across the island that will assist you with any information you may need.

Are there any regulations regarding the environment?
Please be respectful of the natural surroundings when visiting Prince Edward Island.
In particular, please stick to designated paths & stairs in dune areas & always use the marked access points to beaches. Dune eco-systems are extremely fragile, so bear that in mind when you visit those areas.
Anti-littering laws are enforced on the island, so please dispose of waste appropriately.

Do the locals recycle on Prince Edward Island?
Islanders are very enthusiastic recyclers, which results in only 39% of island waste going to landfills.
You'll find 3 different recycling bins at fast food outlets, parks & other participating vendors:
1. Compost-food, non-recyclable paper, yard & garden waste
2. Waste- non-recyclable plastic & glass, textiles, leather
3. Recycle-paper & paper products, metals, plastic, glass & milk cartons

Are there wheelchair-friendly facilities on Prince Edward Island?
There are 25 properties that participate in the Access Canada program, offering accommodation that meets the needs of mature travellers and people with disabilities. Please visit their site for a list of participants & more information about the program.
Some of our provincial parks & campgrounds also offer wheelchair-friendly bathrooms for visitors.
You will also find designated parking for people with mobility impairments across the island. Please display your designated parking permit in your vehicle where it can be easily seen.

Can I bring my pet when I visit the island?
Cats & dogs brought to the island must be free of diseases communicable to humans & all dogs must be accompanied by a current rabies vaccination certificate.
Dogs are not allowed on National Park beaches between April 1st & October 15th. They are allowed on walking trails & in other areas of the park, but must be on a leash. They are, however, permitted on Provincial Park beaches as long as they are on a leash & the owner cleans up after them. There are veterinary clinics & kennelling facilities on the island. Check with your accommodation to see if they allow pets.