Prince Edward Island is a small place with a lot going on, especially in October. If you are coming from away for the festival, plan a little extra time. The music is the reason you are here, but the island is worth a few days on its own.
Places to stay
Charlottetown has the usual mix of hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts, and most of them are within a short walk or drive of the venues. Book early. October is busy and the good rooms go first.
A few things worth knowing. The downtown core is compact, so if you stay anywhere near Queen Street or the waterfront you can walk to most of the festival. If you are staying further out, or over the bridge in Stratford, plan for a car or a taxi at the end of the night. Late shows let out after midnight and not every restaurant is still open.
If you are travelling with a group, look at the larger hotels first. If it is just you or a couple, the smaller inns and B&Bs tend to be a better fit. Either way, mention you are in town for the festival when you book. Some places still offer a deal for festival-goers and it does not hurt to ask.
Getting here
Most people arrive by car over the Confederation Bridge, or by plane into Charlottetown Airport. The bridge is about a ten minute drive from town once you are across. The airport is even closer, maybe fifteen minutes to the downtown core.
If you are coming from Nova Scotia, the ferry from Caribou to Wood Islands is a nice way to make the trip part of the holiday, but check the schedule before you commit. It runs less often in the fall and the crossing takes longer than the bridge.
Once you are in Charlottetown, you do not need a car for the festival itself. Everything is close. A car is handy if you want to explore the rest of the island between shows.
Things to do
Between the afternoon and the evening shows there is plenty of time to fill. Walk the waterfront, wander Victoria Row, grab lunch somewhere on Richmond Street. The farmers market on Saturday morning is worth getting up for. If you have a full day free, drive out to one of the beaches or take the coastal route east toward Greenwich.
October on the island is quiet and a little cool. Bring a jacket. The colours are good and the crowds are smaller than in summer. Some restaurants and attractions cut back their hours after September, so it is worth checking before you go.
More information
Tourism PEI publishes a free visitor guide every year with a highway map and a coupon book. You can order one to be mailed to you before your trip, or pick one up at the airport or the visitor centre when you arrive. The provincial tourism website and the Discover Charlottetown site both have good listings for events and attractions, especially for the fall.
If you have a specific question about the festival, reach out through the contact page. For anything about travel, accommodation, or the island in general, the tourism folks are the better call.