Travel Guide
Quick Links:

Introduction
Getting to Victoria
- Ferries
- By Air
- Victoria Airport Shuttle
- Bus From Vancouver Airport
Where to Stay
Dining
Best Attractions
Great Outdoors
Children
Pubs and Bars
What to Expect

The Best Way to get to Victoria BC is to walk on or drive your car on the ferry. Travelling on the ferry is like taking a mini cruise. The ships are very clean and have conveniences such as restaurants, gift shops and some have state rooms. You get to see the gulf islands up close, bathed in their rugged coastal beauty. Seals, eagles, dolphins, and whales are common sights. There a four main sea transportation options available:

• BC Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria (actually Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay), takes just under 2 hours, approximately $45.00 for a car and $13.00 per person, see website www.bcferries.bc.ca for more accurate fare and schedule information.
  

• Washington State Ferry from Seattle to Victoria (actually Anacortes to Sidney), takes about 2 hours, cost approximately $55.00 for car and $16.00 per person, see website www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for all details.

• Coho Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, takes about 45 minutes and will cost $47.00 for car and $13.00 per person, see details at their website www.cohoferry.com .
  

By Air

Air plane is quick, only 25 minutes from Vancouver, 45 minutes from Seattle. The view is spectacular flying over the southern Gulf Islands, over small communities, vast forests and low mountains. This flight will be a feast for the eyes, comfortable and quick. Round trip from Vancouver to Victoria international airports will cost you around $200.00. Round trip from Seattle to Victoria international airports will also cost about $200.00.

Now all these mentioned air ports are not actually in the departing cities, Vancouver airport is actually in Richmond, Victoria airport is in Sidney and Seattle airport is almost half way between Seattle and Tacoma. If you still want to travel by air and leave by downtown locations there is an even more convenient option. The helicopter, Float Plane or Sea Plane to Victoria BC is the fastest and most direct route to downtown Victoria. The round trip flight will cost just over $200.00. Please visit our Transportation directory for listings and links.

There is an economy Airport Shuttle Bus from Victoria BC Airport that will drop you off at major establishments in Victoria or the closest bus stop from the airport terminal. These services can be procured just outside the arrivals terminal and are clearly visible. You can visit their web site for more details: www.victoriaairportshuttle.com.

Unfortunately public transportation has only limited service from Victoria airport to downtown Victoria via number #75 bus, please see www.bctransit.com/default.cfm to see if your schedule will line up.

Our recommendation

If you need to Get to Victoria BC quickly, the plane is the best way to go. When coming from downtown Seattle or Vancouver, take the sea plane.

If you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery, the ferry is highly recommended. The ferry is more than mass transit. It is an adventure, an attraction and transportation all rolled into one. The ferry is also inexpensive and well worth the little money you do pay for that service.

If you have more luggage than you can easily handle, when you arrive at the Vancouver airport, then you will want to catch the coach or Bus to Victoria BC and it will drop you off in downtown Victoria for just over $40.00. Please their website www.pacificcoach.com .

If you are coming from Seattle, the most cost effective way would to take the Anacortes ferry across via Greyhound. The bus will take you all the way to downtown Victoria for about $60.00 round trip. For detailed information go to www.greyhound.com/home.asp .

Super saver recommendation

If your not getting a direct flight right into Victoria, especially from locations afar. Take the public transportation from the Vancouver airport to the ferry terminal, walk on the ferry, take the public transit into Victoria BC. This will cost you about $20.00 per person and is the cheapest way to go if you are traveling light.

Detailed directions from Vancouver airport

Catch the city bus number "424 AIRPORT STN" from the Vancouver airport, tell the operator you need a transfer. You will then transfer at AIRPORT STN BAY 5 to bus number "620 TSAWW. FERRY" that will take you directly to the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen. Please see the website www.translink.bc.ca for schedule and fare information. They also have a great little interactive trip planner that is great for getting directions from wherever you are in Vancouver to your destination.

Once you get to Swartz Bay, the bus stop will be 20 meters outside the door. Catch the number 70 and that will take you to downtown Victoria. See www.bctransit.com/default.cfm for more information.

Map of Lower Vancouver Island, Puget Sound and Vancouver BC.

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