Getting To Victoria
One of the best things about an island destination is the journey itself. Victoria and Vancouver Island are well served by transportation carriers. Whether you are looking for convenience, affordability or comfort, your options are wide open. One thing you are guaranteed en-route is spectacular scenery!
Quick Links:
Airlines and Floatplanes
Ferries and Boats
Buses and Car Rentals
Cruise Ship Passengers
Getting To Victoria By Air
Located 30 minutes from downtown Victoria and five minutes from Sidney, Victoria International Airport (YYJ) has daily flights from Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport, as well as direct and non-stop flights from the rest of Canada and the United States. Regular float plane and helicopter service to Victoria's downtown Inner Harbour is available from Vancouver and Seattle.
Scheduled flights linking regional, national and international destinations with Victoria International Airport.
Phone: 1-888-247-2262 Website: www.aircanada.com
Horizon Air / Alaska Airlines
Seattle, Washington based airline servicing Vancouver and Victoria International Airports.
Phone: 1-800-547-9308 Website: www.alaskaair.com
United Airlines
Scheduled flights linking national and international destinations with Victoria International Airport including daily non-stop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to YYJ.
Phone: 1-800-864-8331 Website: www.united.ca
WestJet Airlines
Scheduled flights linking Victoria with destinations across Canada including regular direct flights from Calgary and Edmonton.
Phone: 1-888-WESTJET Website: http://www.westjet.com
Kenmore Air Seaplanes
Seattle-based seaplane flights servicing the Pacific Northwest including daily flights between Seattle, WA and Victoria harbours.
Phone: 1-866-435-9524 Website: www.kenmoreair.com
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Scheduled flights servicing Victoria International Airport and Vancouver International Airport. Quick connections through the uncongested South Terminal in Vancouver to other BC locations including: Cranbrook, Trail, Williams Lake, Powell River, Comox, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Anahim Lake and Masset.
Phone: 1-800-663-2872 Website: www.pacificcoastal.com
Harbour Air
Scheduled seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver, Richmond (YVR) and Langley. Scenic tours of Victoria, the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Peninsula.
Phone: 1-800-665-0212 Website: www.harbourair.ca
Helijet International Inc.
Daily non-stop helicopter flights from early morning to early evening connecting Vancouver Harbor/Airport and Victoria Harbour.
Phone: 1-800-665-4354 Website: www.helijet.com
Saltspring Air
Scheduled seaplane flights connecting Salt Spring Island, Vancouver International Airport, Downtown Vancouver, Victoria International Airport, Maple Bay and most Southern Gulf Island.
Phone: 1-877-537-9880 Website: www.saltspringair.com
West Coast Air
Regular scheduled seaplane flights to Vancouver Island, offering daily scheduled flights between Victoria and downtown Vancouver as well as weekday flights to Richmond. A seasonal service to Whistler operates from May to September.
Phone: 1-800-665-0212 Website: www.westcoastair.com
Horizon Air
Offers direct daily scheduled flights between Victoria International Airport, Seattle and destinations beyond.
Orca Airways
Provides daily scheduled flights between Vancouver, Victoria International Airport, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Tofino and Ucluelet.
Getting To Victoria By Sea
Victoria is well-connected by sea to mainland British Columbia and Washington State by vehicle ferries, passenger ferries and high-speed catamarans. Each day, dozens of ferries cross the straits, granting breathtaking views of the rocky coastline, forested islands, inlets and marine wildlife. Victoria's arrival points include the Inner Harbour, the Town of Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (30 minutes from downtown Victoria, near Sidney).
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Frequent daily scheduled service is provided (passengers and all types of vehicles) between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (north of Victoria), between Tsawwassen and Duke Point (south of Nanaimo) and between Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo). BC Ferries also serves the Gulf Islands and other ports in coastal BC. Many amenities including gift shops, buffet and/or full cafeteria service is available on all main-route ships.
Phone: 1-888-223-3779 Website: www.bcferries.com
Black Ball Transport - M.V. Coho
The M.V. Coho is a vehicle and foot passenger ferry offering year-round daily service between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Port Angeles, WA.
Phone: 250-386-2202 Website: www.cohoferry.com
Victoria Clipper
High-speed catamaran service (passengers only) scheduled daily between Seattle and Victoria harbours.
Phone: 1-800-888-2535 Website: www.victoriaclipper.com
Prince of Whales
A unique way to travel between the harbours of Vancouver and Victoria. Prince of Whales promises a 90 percent chance to view whales and other marine mammals. Along the journey enjoy a fun and educational perspective of the local oceanographic, geographic and cultural features. Dress warmly to enjoy the ocean air while you're out on the sea.
Phone: 1-888-383-4884 Website: www.princeofwhales.com
Washington State Ferry
Scheduled ferry service (passenger and vehicles) between Anacortes, WA and Sidney, BC.
Getting To Victoria By Vehicle
Scheduled motorcoach service is available for travel from Seattle, Vancouver including Vancouver International Airport to Victoria, as well as to and from other Vancouver Island destinations. Motorcoach travel off the island includes ferry service.
Rail and bus service is offered between Victoria and locations throughout Vancouver Island with several stops along the way.
Motorcoach / Bus Companies
Scheduled bus service is available for travel from Seattle, downtown Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport, and the BC Interior to Victoria and Vancouver Island destinations. Bus travel off the island includes ferry service.
AKAL Airport Shuttle Bus
Daily scheduled service between Victoria International Airport and Downtown Victoria including Accommodation, University and CFB Esquimalt drop-offs and pickups.
Phone: 250-386-2525 Website: www.victoriaairporter.com
British Columbia Transit
Public bus service for British Columbia.
Victoria Regional Transit System
Public bus service for Greater Victoria.
Phone: 250-382-6161 Website: www.transitbc.com/regions/vic/
Pacific Coach Lines
Daily scheduled service between Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport and Victoria via BC Ferries. Victoria city tours and Vancouver-Victoria day trips.
Phone: 1-800-661-1725 Website: www.pacificcoach.com
Greyhound Vancouver Island Coach
Regular scheduled service to Victoria from points throughout Vancouver Island. Charters available.
Tofino Bus
Regular scheduled pickups in Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Tofino/Ucluelet. Once in Tofino enjoy the use of the Beach Bus, a local shuttle bus, to explore all the local sights.
Wilson's Transportation
Full-service coaches, mini-coaches, vans, school buses of all sizes. Charter, rental and tours. Tour Guides.
Phone: 1-800-567-3288 Website: www.wilsonstransportation.com
Vehicle Rentals (Cars, Trucks, Vans)
Budget Car & Truck Rental of Victoria
Choose from over 1,000 cars, trucks, vans and bicycles. Servicing all Inner Harbour arrivals, float planes, cruise ships, Seattle and Port Angeles Ferries. Courtesy shuttle service available.
Phone: 1-800-668-9833 Website: www.budgetvictoria.com
National Car and Truck Rentals
Car and truck rentals, minivans, sport-utility and more.
Phone: 250-386-1213 Website: www.nationalvictoria.com
Island Rent A Car
Cars, trucks and mini vans. Courtesy shuttle service available.
Phone: 250-384-4881 Website: www.islandrentacar.ca
Getting To Victoria By Cruise Ship
As a captivating port of call for Alaskan cruises, Victoria welcomes hundreds of cruise ships and pocket cruise ships annually. Victoria’s cruise ship season runs from April to October which means passengers experience our temperate climate at its best. With less rainfall than both Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA, we are the ideal West Coast destination along your Alaskan journey. As a passenger, you will receive a warm “Victorian” welcome from Victoria’s Meet and Greet volunteers as you depart your ship in the Ogden Point Terminal.
Stepping out on to Ogden Point Terminal you will find many amenities and transportation options. Every 20 minutes you can catch a round trip shuttle bus that quickly transports you and your family to downtown Victoria in less than ten minutes. Pedicabs, taxis, limos, tour and shuttle buses to major attractions and destinations, such as The Butchart Gardens, are also available.
If you prefer to stretch your legs, Victoria’s scenic Inner Harbour is a leisurely walk away. Along the picturesque walk the take a pit stop at Fisherman’s Wharf and snack on Barb’s world famous fish and chips. From there you can hop aboard a Harbour Ferry for an aquatic tour or continue your journey on foot. Known to many as the City of Gardens, you will find an array of colours and fragrances enticing you to continue on your walking route to downtown or nearby parks. Walking routes are available in free publications you can pick up at the cruise ship terminal.
Although a shore excursion provides you and your family with limited time in Victoria, you will quickly find an unlimited number of activities and events to choose from. But we warn you; Victoria will leave you wanting more!
If you need some ideas on what to do while here this video is full of ideas that you can do during your port of call.
Staying longer
Many cruise itineraries save the best for last! Victoria is often the last port of call prior to returning to your home port. So why not disembark and stay awhile longer? Simply inform your travel agent that you would like to end your cruise in Victoria and they will make appropriate arrangements with your cruise line. Transportation options from Victoria to the home ports of Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco are direct and easy to access.
Pre and Post Cruise Vacations
The nearby home ports of Vancouver and Seattle are so easily accessible from Victoria that many passengers include pre or post stays in Victoria to their cruise vacation plans. Getting here couldn’t be easier or more fun! Victoria has a wide range of accommodations, from charming Bed and Breakfasts to full-service hotels. You’ll find options for every taste and budget.