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The FRS Clipper, a ferry offering downtown to downtown ferry service between Seattle and Victoria, BC, cruises in Victoria's Inner Harbour

Getting here from Washington State

As an island destination, getting to Victoria, BC is part of the adventure! It’s scenic, it’s unforgettable, and it’s easier than you might think. Whether you’re soaring above the San Juan Islands in a seaplane, or sailing across the tranquil waters of the Salish Sea aboard a ferry, you’ll find yourself away from it all in no time.

HomePlan Your TripGetting Here & TransportationGetting here from Washington State

Arriving by air

Travelling from Washington State to Victoria, BC by air is straightforward and flexible, with two convenient options: seaplane service or flights into Victoria International Airport (YYJ). Seaplanes offer one of the fastest and most direct routes, flying from downtown Seattle and landing in Victoria’s Inner Harbour in about 45 minutes, placing travelers steps from hotels, dining, and attractions. Conventional air travel arrives at YYJ, located approximately 25 minutes from downtown Victoria, well suited for travelers coming from across Washington State with larger groups or who may be travelling with more luggage. A valid passport is required for all air travel to Canada, and customs clearance is seamlessly handled upon arrival, whether landing by seaplane or at the airport.

A Kenmore Air seaplane taxis across Victoria, BC's Inner Harbour while harbour ferries pass in behind

Kenmore Air

Lift off from Seattle and, 45-minutes later, touch down on Victoria’s Inner Harbour with Kenmore Air. No highways, no crowds, just water, sky, and a remarkably easy arrival. The seaplane journey feels more like a moment of escape than a commute, trading traffic for islands and shorelines as you cross the Salish Sea. It’s a smooth, scenic welcome to Victoria, BC, where the journey itself sets the tone for what comes next.

Kenmore Air
A Harbour Air Seaplanes flight lands on the water on the Inner Harbour with the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the background in Victoria, BC

Harbour Air Seaplanes

From Seattle, arriving in Victoria, BC by Harbour Air Seaplanes is refreshingly direct (about 40-minutes from Lake Union). A short check-in, a stunning flight over the Salish Sea, and a smooth landing right in the Inner Harbour. Downtown to downtown, you step off the plane and into the rhythm of the city within minutes. It’s a practical, scenic crossing that feels distinctly West Coast from start to finish. Service begins June 11, 2026.

Harbour Air Seaplanes
A woman walks through YYJ Victoria International Airport with her lugga in Victoria, BC

YYJ Victoria International Airport

Touching down at YYJ Victoria International Airport feels refreshingly easy, calm, welcoming, and just minutes from the city, with the kind of smooth arrival that reminds you vacation has already begun. Named Best Regional Airport in North America by Skytrax multiple times, YYJ connects Seattle travellers effortlessly via a strong mix of major and regional carriers. From runway to seaside in no time, it’s a confident, quietly impressive gateway to Greater Victoria.

YYJ Victoria International Airport

What you need to know

A woman in an airport holding a US passport
Passport & visasTravellers arriving by air from the United States must have a valid passport. Travellers arriving by land and sea from Washington State must have either a valid passport or an Enhanced Driver's License issued by the Washington department of licensing. Find more information on what is needed to enter Canada, where to get passports and Enhanced Driver's Licenses, and more, here.
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A male couple shopping in downtown Victoria, BC
Currency & taxesCanada's currency is dollars and cents. Cash, credit, and debit cards are widely accepted. Canadian currency is created by the Royal Canadian mint. You'll find a mix of colourful bills and coins, including the famous "Loonie" dollar coin and "Toonie" two-dollar coin. Each year, the Royal Canadian Mint releases limited mint coins into circulation, keep an eye on your pocket change as these can make great souvenirs. Learn more about our currency and taxes here.
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A group of three friends enjoying beer at Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.'s tasting room in Victoria, BC
Laws & regulationsDid you know Canada is on the metric system? That motorcycle helmets are mandatory in BC? Or that there's no duelling bagpipes allowed in Victoria? Learn everything you need to know before you go. Find more information on traffic and cycling laws, alcohol consumption, smoking, hunting and fishing, and more, here.
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Arriving by sea

Travelling to Victoria, BC from Washington State by sea is a scenic and convenient option, with ferry services connecting Washington ports to downtown Victoria across the Salish Sea. Travellers can arrive by passenger-only ferries or by vehicle ferry that make it easy to bring a car and explore the region at your own pace. Because this is an international crossing, valid travel documents such as a passport or passport card are required, with border procedures handled at the terminal. Arriving in Victoria by ferry offers a calm, coastal introduction to the city, placing you close to accommodations, attractions, and the walkable downtown core.

The FRS Clipper departs Victoria's Inner Harbour in Victoria, BC

FRS Clipper

Step aboard the FRS Clipper in Seattle and arrive in downtown Victoria, BC just a few hours later, just sit back, relax and watch the world sail by. It’s a calm, scenic crossing that delivers you straight into the heart of the city, footsteps from the city's best hotels and sights, where exploring starts the moment you come ashore.

FRS Clipper
A couple walks hand-in-hand along the deck of the Black Ball Ferry Line's Coho ferry enroute to Victoria, BC

Black Ball Ferry Line

Sail from Port Angeles straight into the heart of Victoria, BC. Bring your car, roll on with your bike, or stroll aboard on foot, however you travel, the crossing slows you down in the best way, easing the transition from everyday Pacific Northwest pace to island time. Once you dock, you’re moments from downtown's top shopping, dining, and attractions.

Black Ball Ferry Line
A marina operated by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority in Victoria, BC

Marinas & moorage

From Seattle, Victoria, BC is an easy and rewarding cruise by pleasure craft, with scenic waters and a straightforward arrival into a well-equipped harbour. Once tied up at a central marina, cafés, shops, and waterfront walks are just steps away, letting you settle into the city at your own pace.

Marinas & moorage

Accessibility in Victoria

In Victoria, BC, travellers with accessibility needs will find a growing range of accommodations, attractions, dining, and shopping experiences designed with comfort and consideration in mind. The city’s walkable core and welcoming pace can make exploring feel more manageable, and let you move at your own rhythm.

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A couple shopping for books inside Munro's Books on Government Street in Victoria, BC

Arriving by land… sort of…

Travelling to Victoria, BC from Washington State by BC Ferries is a straightforward and scenic journey that begins with a drive north to Metro Vancouver’s Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, following a land border crossing into Canada with a valid passport or approved travel document. From Tsawwassen, BC Ferries operates regular sailings to Swartz Bay in Greater Victoria, a crossing of about 90-minutes through the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands, with comfortable seating, dining options, and indoor and outdoor decks along the way. Many Washington State travelers choose this route for the flexibility of bringing a vehicle, the relaxed pace compared to flying, and the feeling that the ferry ride itself marks the start of the vacation. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay, downtown Victoria is an easy 35 minute drive or transit ride, making this one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways to reach Victoria by land and sea.

A BC Ferries vessel navigates a passage during a sailing from Vancouver, BC to Victoria, BC

BC Ferries

Road trip! Take the highway north and cross the Canada/US border. Once you roll onto BC Ferries, the journey becomes the experience, as you weave through the Southern Gulf Islands on your way into Greater Victoria. BC Ferries vessels almost feel more like a cruise, with expansive sun decks, multiple dining options, and even a souvenir shop. It’s a practical, low-stress way to reach Victoria that replaces travel friction with space to slow down before you arrive.

BC Ferries
A welcome sign at the Canadian border

Mainland border crossings

24-hour B.C. border crossings are available at:

Highway 99, Peace Arch
Highway 97, Osoyoos
Highway 95, Kingsgate
Highway 15, Douglas truck crossing
Highway 11, Huntingdon
Highway 9, Roosville

Travel advisories

Canada is considered one of the safest countries for travellers. Visitors seeking up-to-date safety or travel information can refer to the Government of Canada’s travel advisories.
Government of Canada

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Victoria, BC

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