Getting to Vancouver Island and Victoria
Victoria is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Although we're on an island, there's almost no limit the number of ways you can get here.
By Sea - Regular ferry service for passengers and vehicles is available from the mainland to Vancouver Island. BC Ferries operates numerous routes throughout the west coast, including Vancouver to Victoria and Nanaimo. BC Ferries also has ferry service to the Southern Gulf Islands, including Saltspring Island, from both Vancouver and Victoria.
By Sea - Travel To Victoria In Comfort And Style. Take one of our high-speed Victoria Clipper ferries for a fast trip to Victoria with a host of great amenities. When you travel with us, you'll enjoy a two to three hour cruise through Puget Sound and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca on your way to Victoria's Inner Harbour.
By Sea - Passenger ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia, (one hour crossing) and between Victoria, British Columbia and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island (2 1/2 to 3 hour crossing). On this route, you will enjoy whale watching and marine wildlife adventures. We look forward to seeing you on the Victoria Express this summer!
For connections between Washington and Vancouver Island, there's Black Ball Transport. It operates the MV Coho ferry for both passengers and vehicles from Port Angeles to the Victoria. As well, Washington State Ferries has a route between Anacortes and Victoria.
From Seattle to the Victoria inner harbour, the Victoria Clipper operates a passenger-only, high-speed catamaran service. You can reach them toll free at (800) 888-2535, or in Victoria (250) 382-8100, or in Seattle (206) 448-5000.
By Air - The Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is home to numerous airlines. Connections are available to mainland cities including Vancouver (YVR), Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Calgary (YYC), and Edmonton (YEG). Taxi service is available to and from the airport as well as a shared-ride airporter bus.
Victoria International Airport
Air Canada
WestJet
Horizon Air
There is also harbour-to-harbour float plane service and helijet service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. Flights also serve many points on the Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.
By Bus - Pacific Coach Lines and Greyhound buses connect Vancouver Island with the mainland. Coach service is provided from the Greyhound Bus Depot and the airport in Vancouver to the Victoria (PCL) and Nanaimo (Greyhound) bus depots on the Island. Laidlaw Coach Lines provides service throughout the Island. Public transit, operated by BC Transit, stops at the BC Ferries terminal in Swartz Bay.
Pacific Coach Lines
Greyhound Canada
Laidlaw Coach Lines
BC Transit
Visitor Guide - Once you get here, you'll want a place to stay. The Pink Pages has a wide selection of accommodation listings. As well, you may want to check out a bars or club, or visit a bookstore, or go out for something to eat. The Pink Pages provides a comprehensive guide with the categories of most interest to visitors.
Weather - Although we share a proximity with Vancouver, we do not share its weather. Victoria boasts of relatively mild weather year-round. While we do get our share of rain, we get an abundance of sunshine as well. Other areas of the Island can be wetter, especially the west central coast. But the rainforests and ocean waves make up for it.
For More Information - As a tourist destination, Victoria and Vancouver Island are the focus of many tourist websites. Your next visits should be to Tourism Victoria and Tourism British Columbia.
Tourism British Columbia