NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 613

miles) west of Prince George via Highway 16. From Vancouver, allow around 17 hours for
the 1,506-kilometer (935-mile) road trip.
Air
Prince Rupert Airport is served by Air Canada (888/247-2262) and Hawk Air (800/
487-1216), both with scheduled flights from Vancouver, and the latter also from other pro-
vincial centers. The airport is west of town on Digby Island. It is linked to the city by a
city-operated ferry that takes buses and foot passengers only—no vehicles. The $15 fare is
included in your airline ticket. The downtown pickup point for passengers is the Highliner
Plaza (815 1st Ave. W.). Go to www.ypr.ca for a schedule.
Rail and Bus
Prince Rupert is the western terminus of Canada's transcontinental rail system, which runs
east from here to Prince George and Edmonton, across the prairies to Toronto, and on to
the Atlantic provinces. The route through British Columbia is the highlight of the trip, es-
pecially the couple of hundred kilometers just outside Prince Rupert, where the line follows
the Skeena River. To get to the VIA Rail station (250/627-7589) take 2nd Street north over
the rail line. Trains arrive in Prince Rupert on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8pm and
depart on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 8am.
From the local Greyhound bus depot (815 1st Ave. W, 250/624-5090), buses travel
east along the Yellowhead Highway to Terrace and Prince George, then either north to the
Alaska Highway, east to Edmonton, or south to Kamloops and Vancouver.
Ferry
Prince Rupert is the northern terminus of the BC Ferries network (250/386-3431 or 888/
223-3779, www.bcferries.com ) , which offers regular services south to Port Hardy on Van-
couver Island and west to Haida Gwaii. The terminal is two kilometers (1.2 miles) from
downtown, right alongside the Alaska Marine Highway terminal. Ferries serving Prince Ru-
pert have both day rooms and sleeping cabins, shower facilities, food service, and plenty of
room to sit back and relax. During the busy summer months, it's imperative that you book
well in advance, especially if you plan to transport a vehicle.
The 15-hour, 440-kilometer (273-mile) ferry trip between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy
is a beautiful ride, with ferries departing through summer every second day, less frequently
the rest of the year. The summer one-way fares are adult $195, child 5-11 $98, vehicle $450.
Discounts are available outside of summer and for BC seniors. Cabins ($90-130) and re-
served seating ($35) are also available.