Getting To and Getting Around Victoria

Getting Here

Victoria International Airport: Find your way around before you get here (not that it's huge or anything!)

Helijet International: Regular flights to and from Vancouver and Seattle. May also be chartered.

Horizon Air: (part of Alaska Air) Regular flights throughout Western North America from Alaska to Mexico.

Northwest Seaplanes: based in Washington State

Kenmore Air: also based in Washington State

Getting Around

Harbour Air offers scheduled and chartered flights to Vancouver and Island destinations.

Hyack Air Take a tour by air to Butchart Gardens, Tofino or Seattle.

Juan Air offers chartered flights to many Island destinations.

Parallel Aviation take a scenic tour or learn to fly your own plane(standard or float!)

Getting Here

BC Ferries: Government-subsidized extension of the highways system from Tsawassen (near Vancouver) to Schwartz Bay (just north of Victoria). Many other routes, too!

The Ferry Traveller: All the major ferry systems in the Pacific Northwest including those that travel to and from the Victoria area.

Getting Around

Harbour Rentals: Rentals for water or land: canoes, kayaks, rowboats, powerboats, single or tandem bicycles, single or double scooters, Honda motorcycles -- even child strollers!

Harbour Ferries: travel across the Inner Harbour or take a tour.

Getting Here

Pacific Coach Lines (PCL): Regular travel from Vancouver to Victoria via BC Ferries. Highly recommended for economy and convenience.

Getting Around

Victoria Transit Public transit busses around the region run from about 6:30 a.m. to 12-midnight most days. Monthly passes, day passes or bus tickets are available for convenience. Some routes run double-decker busses and many routes also have bike racks available for cyclists. Several Hybrid busses are currently being tested in the region. Note: transit busses can be VERY crowded during peak hours (7-9 a.m and 3-5 p.m.).

Via Rail: The Malahat route (which is known as the Esquimalt-Nanaimo (E&N) locally) runs from Victoria to Courtney (the Island's ski region!) up the east coast of the island. Save money by booking in advance. (Note: Via Rail sells the tickets but RailAmerica owns the route). Most days there is one departure north, leaving Victoria at 8:15 a.m. and one return trip south, arriving back in Victoria at 6:00 p.m.

Getting Here

NOTE: See ferry links above.

Getting Around

Buccaneer RV Rentals Class-C motorhomes (no special drivers license required); great alternative if you want to check out some of the rest that Vancouver Island offers.

Budget Car & Truck Rental Basic fleet of cars from economy to luxury plus trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles. (The Victoria location also offers scooter, mountain bike and stroller rental.)

Bluebird Cabs With a fleet of 71 cars you can usually find one when you need it. Check their website for standard fares, estimated rates, a full list of services and other useful info.

Getting Here

Cycling With BCFerries What to expect when you travel on BC Ferries with your bicycle.

The Galloping Goose Trail The Galloping Goose Trail was built along the old rail lines serving the south end of Vancouver Island and is a popular trail (much of it paved) for walking, roller-blading and cycling.

Getting Around

Greater Victoria Cycling Coallition While the GVCC site doesn't show routes, it does cover the major issues of cycling in the Greater Victoria area; you may also wish to purchase Cycling Tourist Map Packages from the GVCC.

Bike Routes to UVic This site lists all the major cycling routes to and from UVic and it is a good starting point for bike transportation in Victoria.

Cycle BC Rentals If it has two wheels, they rent it: touring and sport motorcycles, single or tandem scooters, mountain bikes, trail-a-bikes, hybrids, and tandem bicycles.

Visit my other sites: