Vancouver to Victoria: 3 Easy Ways to Travel

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It takes some time to get to stunning Victoria on Vancouver Island from the city of Vancouver, but it’s worth every minute and then some.

There are three options:

Commercial Airplane

 

The Victoria Airport (YYJ) is about a 35-minute drive from downtown.  Options include a cab (best to pre-book) or a car service.  We used Griffin Transportation and they were excellent – prompt, friendly, & informative. There is also an inexpensive and frequent bus, but it does take nearly 90 minutes to get downtown.  It’s a nice scenic 90 minutes, though!

Car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget are available at the airport and are a great choice if you’re planning to explore areas of the island other than walkable Victoria.

Seaplane

Are you going to Victoria Island from downtown Vancouver?  Then treating yourself to a seaplane, at least in one direction, is the way to go!  Harbor Air seaplanes operate many times each day between downtown Vancouver Harbor and the Inner Harbor in downtown Victoria.  It is only about a half-hour trip, start to finish.  No cabs, busses, or rentals are needed. The planes are small (15-ish people) and the seats are tiny.  But the experience is extraordinary!  You fly down low, close to the water, so it is not scary at all.  And the views – the water and the Vancouver skyline – are a sight to behold!  It is really a fun way to travel.

If you choose this option, be warned the weight of your baggage (including a purse) is limited to between 10 – 50 pounds per person, depending on what type of ticket you purchased. Since many people are day-trippers, it is usually more than enough of a weight allowance. But if you have luggage in tow, it is worth it to take a few minutes to ensure you fall within their guidelines.

Car Ferry

The ferry does allow checked luggage, up to 50 pounds. If your bag is more than 50 pounds, that’s okay too. You just have to carry it on board with you. (Of course, weapons and dangerous goods are not allowed.)

Bring your dog, cat, bird, or other small animal along on your trip. They can stay in the car, or be on the outer decks on a leash or in a crate.

The actual ferry ride is only about 1h 40m.  However, the harbor where the ferry drops off is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Victoria.  And in Vancouver, the harbor is about a 40-minute drive or a 75-minute subway ride from downtown Vancouver.  So it is around 4 hours of travel time from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria including all modes of transportation needed.

** Interesting fact: If you’re coming from Seattle to Victoria, it is oddly faster to ride the ferry. FRS Clipper offers daily passenger service between the two cities; the trip takes just three hours and goes from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria, eliminating any need for a car or bus in either direction.**

Are you wondering what to do in Vancouver and Victoria? Check out or other posts: 4 Days in Vancouver Without a Car and Victoria’s Best Attractions.

Conclusion

Each group and each trip is different. There are advantages and disadvantages to each mode of transportation above. But at the end of the day, there is no wrong answer. All three offer great scenery, and transport you between two amazing places!