ISOPP CAPhO Symposium 2025

Getting to Victoria


Getting to Victoria

Victoria, located on Vancouver Island, is accessible by various transportation options, making your trip to the city both scenic and efficient. Whether traveling from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver itself, there are several ways to reach downtown Victoria, using ferry services, buses, flights, and more.

Transportation to and from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Downtown Victoria

There are several options to travel from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Victoria. These include combinations of buses, ferries, and flights, offering flexibility based on your preferences for speed and sightseeing. 

BC Ferries Connector in partnership with Skylynx from YVR
Book the entire route with BC Ferries Connector, which handles both the bus and ferry portions of the trip.

  • Bus: Take the Skylynx (in partnership with BC Ferries Connector) bus from YVR (or downtown Vancouver) to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. 
  • Ferry: Enjoy a 1 hour and 40-minute scenic ferry ride from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (about 30 minutes by car from downtown Victoria).
  • Bus: Upon arrival at Swartz Bay, board the BC Ferries Connector bus for a direct transfer to downtown Victoria.

Using Public Transit from YVR

  • SkyTrain: From YVR, take the Canada Line SkyTrain to Bridgeport Station. 
  • Bus Transfer: Board Bus 620 from Bridgeport Station to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. 
  • BC Ferries: Take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
  • From Swartz Bay to Downtown Victoria:
    • Buses: Take Bus 72 or 70 (Hwy 17 s/b ramp at Lands End Rd to Southbound Douglas at Courtney), which takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. The Victoria Conference Centre is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
    • Taxis / Rideshares: Available for a quicker 30-minute trip to Downtown.

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to Downtown Victoria

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is about 30 minutes by car from downtown. You have multiple options for getting to the city center.

  • Buses 72 & 87/88: Take a bus from YYJ to McTavish Exchange, then transfer to Bus 72 to Southbound Douglas at Courtney. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The Victoria Conference Centre is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
  • Taxis / Rideshares: Available for a 30–40-minute drive to downtown.

Flights from Vancouver to Victoria Harbour 

For a unique and quick travel experience, you can take a seaplane or helicopter directly to downtown Victoria. 

Harbour Air: Seaplane Flight 

Flying with Harbour Air on a seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria offers a quick and scenic 30-45 minute journey. You can depart from either downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and land in Victoria Harbour, just a 5-minute walk from the Victoria Conference Centre.

From downtown Vancouver

  • Location: The Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre is located at 1055 Canada Place, near the Vancouver Convention Centre.
  • Directions from YVR: The Flight Centre is easily accessible by taxi or via the Canada Line SkyTrain to Waterfront Station, followed by a short walk.

From YVR

  • Location: Depart from Vancouver Airport's South Terminal (YVR South) to Victoria Harbour. Free shuttles are available between YVR`s main terminal and South Terminal.

Helijet 

Flying with Helijet offers a fast, 30-minute helicopter ride between Vancouver and Victoria. Departing from either downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport (YVR), flights land at in Victoria Harbour, just minutes from Victoria Conference Centre. 

From downtown Vancouver

  • Location: Flights depart from Helijet’s Vancouver terminal at 455 W Waterfront Road, Vancouver, and land at the Victoria Helijet terminal.
  • Directions from YVR: The Helijet terminal is easily accessible by taxi or via the Canada Line SkyTrain to Waterfront Station, followed by a short walk.

From YVR

  • Location: Depart from Vancouver Airport's South Terminal (YVR South) to Victoria Harbour. Free shuttles are available between YVR`s main terminal and South Terminal.

Access to Downtown Victoria from Helijet Victoria Terminal: 

  • Shuttle: Helijet offers shuttle service from its Victoria terminal to downtown Victoria.
  • Bus: Alternatively, take Bus 5 or 2 from Dallas Road at Niagara St to Douglas & Humboldt, which takes about 20 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk to the Victoria Conference Centre.
  • Taxi / Rideshare: An 8-minute taxi ride will take you directly to downtown Victoria.

Disclaimer: Travel times and modes of transportation may vary. It's recommended to check for updated schedules and availabilities with transportation providers.

Ferry Victoria Airport Reg desk

Breakdown of approximate costs:

From Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Victoria:

  • BC Ferry Connector in partnership with Skylynx from YVR to downtown Victoria: $75-80 CAD
  • Taxi or Skytrain to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal: $10-50 CAD
  • BC Ferries to Swartz Bay Terminal: $17-20 CAD (passenger fare), $57-71 CAD (vehicle fare, if applicable)
  • Bus to downtown Victoria: $2-5 CAD
  • Harbour Air from YVR or downtown Vancouver to Victoria: $150-400 CAD
  • Helijet from YVR or downtown Vancouver to Victoria: $200-450 CAD

From Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to downtown Victoria:

  • Bus: $2-5 CAD
  • Airport Shuttle, taxi, or rideshare: $25-80 CAD

Disclaimer: The posting of the content and links below are neither a recommendation nor an endorsement by ISOPP CAPhO 2025, ISOPP, CAPhO and ISOPP CAPhO agents and suppliers.

Sources:
https://www.translink.ca/
https://www.bcferries.com/
https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/schedules-and-maps
https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/skytrain.aspx
https://www.google.com/maps/
https://bcfconnector.com/
https://yvrskylynx.com/ferry/
https://harbourair.com/
https://helijet.com/
https://www.vhfc.ca/
https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers
https://yyj.ca/

Bus Scenic Ferry