Victoria is located on Vancouver Island on the far West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Victoria is a top destination in North America, where it sits on the tip of Vancouver Island, and enjoys very little rain, and mild weather during all seasons. Getting to Victoria BC is half the fun. With the newly renovated Victoria International Airport, and many ferry routes from Seattle, Washington and Vancouver BC, your choices are exciting.

Any travel method you choose will be an adventure, beginning with scenic vistas of islands and mountains, whether coming by air or sea. The experience will satisfy the most seasoned traveller as our West Coast beauty wraps you in her charms. Sail across on one of the many car and foot-passenger ferry routes, and keep your eye out for frolicking whales and dolphins as you journey through the San Juan or Gulf Islands. Look for eagles soaring above, and seals sunning on the rocky coastline. You may arrive right in the Inner Harbour of Victoria, or perhaps at Swartz Bay or Sidney if by ferry.

FLY HERE AND SEE THE SCENIC VIEWS

Enjoy a bird's eye view from one of the float plane companies, or a helijet, which fly right into Victoria harbour, with connections from Vancouver BC or Seattle Washington, and other points. Victoria's International Airport is constantly adding connecting cities, with shuttles, car rental companies and cabs servicing the arriving public. The scenery as you bank to land is stunning, offering a panorama of estate wineries, farms and coastal inlets.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Once you arrive, take advantage of a great car rental deal or board a pre-arranged shuttle from the airport. If arriving by ferry, you also have a choice of local transit. Once you're settled in, don't forget that walking is a favourite pastime in this relaxed city. Come visit our unique bed and breakfast, experience the slower pace and leave your hectic everyday stresses behind. Learn the art of slowing down, and begin your journey with one of the following transportation methods.

BY FERRY:

Tsawwassen (Vancouver BC) to Swartz Bay (22 miles north of Victoria)
 
Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver BC) to Nanaimo (68 miles north of Victoria)
 
Also ferry service from points further north. website: BC Ferries.

Seattle to Victoria Harbour (right downtown ) on the Victoria Clipper.
This is a foot-passenger only ferry, but car rentals can be obtained as you disembark, or you can take a cab (about $14Can to our B&B). website

Port Angeles, Washington to Victoria Harbour on Blackball Ferries. You can now reserve on this ferry.  It docks conveniently downtown, and takes cars. Again, car rentals or taxi's are available right at the terminal. website

Port Angeles to Victoria Harbour on the Victoria Express. This is a foot-passenger only ferry, but can be reserved. Car rentals and taxi's are available as you disembark in Victoria. website

Anacortes, Washington to Sydney, BC (15 miles north of Victoria). This ferry takes reservations, and it takes cars. It leaves from a location just off the I-5. website

BY AIR - SEAPLANE AND JET:

Harbour Air flies from Vancouver, Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands, Richmond and Prince Rupert. This float-plane service lands in Victoria Harbour.

Hyack Air, another float plane service, flies between Seattle and Victoria harbour.

Kenmore Air services San Juan Islands, Seattle, the Gulf Islands and the Inside Passage. This float plane also lands right in the harbour at Victoria.

Victoria International Airport is a world-class airport, just 15 miles north of Victoria. This airport receives both international and short-trip planes. From this site you can access the following airlines, which use Victoria International Airport:

Air Canada ( and Jazz, and ZIP), Hawkair, Horizon Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, West Jet, and Airspeed Aviation


Helijet International also has a heliport in the inner harbour. It flies between Victoria and Abbotsford, Vancouver, Campbell River, Whistler and Boeing Field in Seattle.

BUS TRANSPORTATION:

Local transit to and from our B&B is well-organized.  There is a bus stop right on our street corner directly into downtown (about a 10 minute ride - 5 minutes by car). Local service is seven days a week from 6am to midnight, and on all statutory holidays. Local buses meet Tsawwassen ferries, and go right into Victoria (about $3Can each, but about 1 ½ hour trip as opposed to a car ride of about 35 minutes).

Shuttle Buses serve Victoria International Airport, and can go directly to B&Bs. They schedule every half hour from 4:30am to midnight. The cost is about $20Can each one-way, however sometimes they take guests to the nearest large hotel for drop-off. Please be sure to ask. Akal 1-877-386-2525.  We suggest a car rental for one day at about $39 if your flight or ferry arrives before about 6pm. Discount will meet you at the ferry/airport. Call their local number at 250-405-5255(Vict) or 250-657-2277(Sidney).

Pacific Coach Lines operates buses between Vancouver and Victoria, and from up-island points. Their phone number is 1-800-661-1725. You can also board these buses on the ferry. It's about $15-20Can one-way.

There are always cabs available (about $40(CDN) one-way between the airport and Victoria.)

CAR RENTALS:

Car companies often give weekly rates and B&B rates. Call them to reserve. Many will meet you at the Tsawwassen, Sydney or Victoria Harbour ferries.
Car rental for one day is about $39 if your flight or ferry arrives before about 6pm. Discount will meet you at the ferry/airport. Call their local number at 250-405-5255(Vict) or 250-657-2277(Sidney).

Car rental agencies in Victoria: Discount, Budget, Avis, Hertz and Thrifty to name a few.

MAY WE SUGGEST...

We thought you might appreciate a few hints on travelling this way.

The Victoria Express from Port Angleles now has an increased summer schedule.  There are four sailings a day from July 17 to September 6, although it is a foot-passenger only ferry.  They also make a day-trip to Friday Harbour on San Juan Island, so stay here an extra day and check it out!

If you choose to stay in the Port Townsend area on your way here, we would like to recommend the English Inn B&B, run by Martin and Jennifer MacGillonie.  

Going to Tofino? Try the Lost Sailor B&B!