Vancouver Island offers one of the best places in Canada to travel and see a large area without needing a car. Reduce your carbon imprint by moving by foot, mass transit or bike to compensate for the flight to get here. Save money at the same time.
Is it easy to get around Vancouver Island without a car?
✗ Don’t rent a car
Vancouver is tiny, difficult and expensive to park in, and easy to get around by foot, bike, or public transit, so a rental car is not the best way to explore the city. Only consider renting if and when you’re heading out of the city.
How do you get around Victoria island without a car?
Be it by motor coach, bike, ferry, kayak, carriage or your own two feet there are plenty of options to get around without a car.
- Tally-Ho Carriage Tours.
- Fairmont Empress.
- Victoria Public Market at the Hudson.
- Royal BC Museum.
- The Pedaler Cycling Tours.
- Butchart Gardens.
- Moon Under Water Brewpub.
- Ocean River Sports.
Is there public transportation on Vancouver Island?
The Vancouver Island Connector runs bus service to most communities on Vancouver Island from Victoria to Port Hardy including Tofino.
How can I explore BC without a car?
There are two easy ways to get there from downtown. The Seabus is a passenger ferry that takes 12 minutes to make the crossing to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Stop and check out the 80+ vendors at the Lonsdale Quay Market, or board bus #236 to Capilano and, further up the hill, Grouse.
How long is ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island?
90 minutes to two hours
The ferry crossings between Vancouver (Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay) and Vancouver Island (Victoria and Nanaimo) take 90 minutes to two hours, depending on which route you take.
How do you get to Butchart Gardens without a car?
The best way to get from Victoria to Butchart Gardens without a car is to line 75 bus which takes 39 min and costs $3.
Is a day trip to Victoria worth it?
Beautiful and historic, Victoria is a fantastic place to visit. Known as the Garden City, it’s in full bloom in spring and summer, and has such a mild winter, you can golf year-round! Easily accessible from Vancouver, Victoria is the perfect day trip.
Is Victoria BC a walkable city?
Victoria is truly walkable. The Inner Harbour and downtown core are best explored on foot, but there are several other types of transportation. From horse drawn carriage to double-decker bus, find transportation for your preferred pace.
How do I get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island without a car?
Sure, you can take a taxi or shuttle from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), but a faster and cheaper option is the SkyTrain, a rapid transit system that connects YVR with downtown Vancouver and the waterfront (near the Canada Place cruise ship terminal).
How do you get around on Vancouver Island?
Vancouver Island Bus and Shuttle Transportation:
- Alberni Island Shuttle.
- BC Transit.
- Garden City Transportation.
- Island Link Bus.
- McCullough Coach Lines.
- Nanaimo Airporter Shuttle Service.
- Smith Transportation Charters.
- Tofino Bus.
How do you travel to Vancouver Island?
You can travel to Vancouver Island two different ways: by air or by sea. In both cases, you’ll want to book ahead with the operator to ensure the most uninterrupted trip to the island. Ferries to Vancouver Island in the summer can be particularly busy, resulting in sailing waits for those without reservations.
Is there a train service on Vancouver Island?
The Island Rail Corridor, previously the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway (E&N Railway), is a railway operation on Vancouver Island and is the only remaining railway on Vancouver Island after the closure of the Englewood Railway in November 2017.
What can you do in Nanaimo without a car?
11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Nanaimo, BC
- Stroll along the Harbourfront Walkway.
- Shop & Dine in Downtown Nanaimo.
- Take a Whale Watching Tour.
- Snorkel with Seals.
- Take a Scenic Flight along the Sunshine Coast.
- Learn about Local History at the Nanaimo Museum and the Bastion.
- Spend a Day at Neck Point Park.
How do I get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island?
The most common way to get to Vancouver Island is by BC Ferries. There is regular car ferry service from: Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta to Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal (1 hour 35 minutes) Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal to Nanaimo (Duke Point) ferry terminal (2 hours)
Do I need to rent a car in Victoria BC?
You don’t need a car while visiting Victoria. There is a bus that will take you out to Butchart Gardens (#75) and another one that will take you out to Sidney (#70). Day passes are $5.00 each. If you want to go “up island” to Nanaimo/Parksville/Cathedral Grove, you can rent a car for the day.
Are seniors free on BC Ferries?
B.C. seniors 65 or older, possessing either a BC Gold Carecard or a valid BC Services Card, receive a 100% discount on passenger fares Monday to Thursday, excluding statutory holidays on all routes, except the northern routes.
How do I get from Vancouver to Victoria without a car?
To make the crossing in a decidedly West Coast way, fly with Harbour Air Seaplanes. Take off in the Vancouver harbour, and land about 40 minutes later in the Victoria harbour. The quick flight leaves you plenty of time to experience Victoria for a day, and frequent departures allow for lots of flexibility.
How much does a BC Ferry reservation cost?
You will pay a non-refundable $17 reservation fee at the time of booking, and then pay the remaining vehicle and passenger fares at the terminal when you redeem your booking. You can change your sailing by paying a $5 change fee. This fare will always be available as long as there is bookable space on the ferry.
How long does it take to walk through Butchart Gardens?
3-4 hours
How long does it take to walk through The Butchart Gardens? 3-4 hours is a recommended amount of time to allot to fully enjoy The Gardens. Plan your visit before you arrive with this map of The Butchart Gardens.
How much is a taxi from Victoria to Butchart Gardens?
By Taxi/Private Car/Van/Minivan
Taxis will cost approximately $60 each way from downtown Victoria to the Gardens.