Travel to Victoria
By Air
Delegates can fly direct to the newly expanded Victoria International Airport (30 minutes from downtown) from Canadian and US destinations, including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle and San Francisco.
Victoria is accessible with over 40 domestic flights arriving daily, including two Air Canada direct flights from Toronto. Other Canadian cities with direct flights to Victoria include Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Prince George, Kelowna, Winnipeg and Vancouver. For delegates arriving from the United States, easy access is available through two primary hubs: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.
Victoria International Airport is a 15-minute flight by jet from Vancouver, a short 30 minutes from Seattle, and 1 hour, 20 minutes from Calgary. From the airport, a shuttle bus leaves periodically throughout the day for selected sites within the downtown area. Taxi and limousine service is also available.
Alternative Air Connections
Regular floatplane and helicopter service to downtown Victoria is also available from Vancouver and Seattle. The world’s only scheduled inter-city helijet service connects Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria in just 30 minutes. Charter options are also available.
When planning travels, delegates should note that weight restrictions for floatplanes and helicopters are much lower than for commercial aircraft.
By Ferry
BC Ferries operates one of the largest ferry systems in the world, carrying over 21 million passengers annually. Some 38 vessels operate on 25 routes between the B.C. mainland, Vancouver Island, and the many islands dotted along the coast.
Eight passenger/vehicle ferries – including the two giant “Spirit” vessels, each capable of carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 470 vehicles – sail on a regularly scheduled daily basis from Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal) to Victoria (Swartz Bay). The 95-minute crossing of the Strait of Georgia and through the famous Active Pass is well worth taking.
Ferry service also connects the harbours of Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington, year-round. In the summer months, ferry service also connects Sidney (north to Victoria) to Anacortes, Washington.
By Passenger Ferry
High-speed ferry services operate regularly scheduled, 300-passenger-only sailings from downtown Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Service available daily, year round with multiple departures in peak seasons.
Bus
Pacific Coach Bus Lines offers an alternative to flying from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Victoria. The highlight of this scenic bus trip is a 95 minute ferry ride through the Gulf Islands on BC Ferries. The bus terminal in Victoria is one block from the conference venue.
Car Rentals & Taxi Service
All the major car rental companies have outlets in Victoria. And the city is well serviced by taxicabs. Travel options also include limousine services, airporter bus and public transit.
Victoria International Airport. Photo: VIA
Photo: Tourism Victoria; Image Bank
Photo: Tourism Victoria; Bob Ianson