Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Several companies operate seaplanes between downtown Vancouver and downtown
Victoria. From Coal Harbour, on Burrard Inlet,
Harbour Air
(604/274-1277 or 800/
665-0212,
www.harbour-air.com
) has scheduled floatplane flights to Victoria's Inner Har-
bour. Expect to pay around $120 per person each way for any of these flights.
Victoria International Airport
Victoria International Airport
(
www.victoriaairport.com
), the island's main airport, is
on the Saanich Peninsula, 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) north of Victoria's city center. Once
you've collected your baggage from the carousels, it's impossible to miss the rental car
outlets (Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National) across the room, where you'll also find a cur-
rency exchange and information booth. Outside is a taxi stand and ticket booth for the
airporter. The modern terminal also houses a lounge, various eateries, and a profusion of
greenery.
The
AKAL Airport Shuttle Bus
(250/386-2525 or 877/386-2525,
www.victoriaairportshuttle.com
,
adult $21, child $13 each way) operates buses between
the airport and major downtown hotels every 30 minutes. The first departure from down-
town to the airport is 5am. A taxi costs approximately $70 to downtown.
From Vancouver
BC Ferries
(250/386-3431 or 888/223-3779,
www.bcferries.com
) links Vancouver and
Victoria with a fleet of ferries that operate year-round. Ferries depart Vancouver from
Tsawwassen,
south of Vancouver International Airport (allow one hour by road from
downtown Vancouver) and
Horseshoe Bay,
on Vancouver's North Shore. They terminate
on Vancouver Island at
Swartz Bay,
32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Victoria. On week-
ends and holidays, the one-way fare on either route costs adults $15.50, children 5-11
$7.75, and vehicles $51.25. Limited vehicle reservations ($15 per booking) are accep-
ted at 604/444-2890 or 888/724-5223, or online at
www.bcferries.com
. Seniors travel free
Monday-Thursday, but must pay for their vehicles.
In high season (late June to mid-Sept.), the ferries run about once an hour, 7am-10pm.
Therestoftheyeartheyrunalittlelessfrequently.Bothcrossingstakearound90minutes.
Expect a wait in summer, particularly if you have an oversized vehicle (each ferry can ac-
commodate far fewer large vehicles than standard-size cars and trucks).
Trytoplanyourtraveloutsidepeaktimes,whichincludesummerweekends,especially
Friday afternoon sailings from Tsawwassen and Sunday afternoon sailings from Swartz
