Getting To and Around Nanaimo

Travel to Nanaimo by sea!

By Ferry

Part of the charm of visiting Nanaimo is that you can take the equivalent of a two-hour mini-cruise to get here. The modern, comfortable and well-equipped BC Ferry Service plying the waters between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island is the largest ferry service in North America and the second largest in the world.

Two handy routes serve Nanaimo:

• Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) [1 hour 40 minutes]
• Tsawwassen to Duke Point (15 minutes south of Nanaimo) [2 hours]

To ensure smooth sailing in the summer high season and on holiday weekends, reservations are recommended.

By Vehicle

Driving on Vancouver Island is easy and relatively congestion-free with two-lane highways connecting the majority of popular destinations, which are all within a short drive of Nanaimo. Many of the sought after tourism destinations like Victoria, Parksville and Qualicum Beach and Tofino are nearby, making Nanaimo an ideal home base for side trips to all points north and south.

For those who arrive in Nanaimo without a car and want to rent a vehicle, numerous rental companies are available. Located at the Nanaimo Airport (YCD), downtown and throughout the city, Nanaimo's car and truck rentals offer visitors convenience and service. Rent a vehicle for a couple hours or a couple days, pick up a map and hit the road to discover Nanaimo and the surrounding area.

Nanaimo has an excellent public transportation system as well as numerous taxi companies that will take just about anywhere you want to go. Buses run frequently and are a great way to venture out of the downtown core. BC Transit buses include handicap-friendly features and bicycle racks.

Map of Vancouver Island

A map of Vancouver Island's communities (click of a larger version)

Distance from Nanaimo to:

By Air

Nanaimo is serviced by three well established floatplane operators. Twenty-minute downtown-to-downtown floatplane service flies daily between the Nanaimo and Vancouver harbours with brisk efficiency, while daily 20-minute flights conveniently link Nanaimo to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

For quick and easy international connections from anywhere in the world, Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is located close by in Cassidy, just 18 kilometers south of downtown Nanaimo. This busy modern airport offers a minimum of five flights daily between Nanaimo and Vancouver. New flights have also been added between Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Boundary Bay, and Victoria. Airport shuttles and taxis connect the city with the airport and a number of rental car kiosks are conveniently located at YCD.

By Train or motorcoach

Via Rail Canada runs its popular dayliner, The Malahat, on the E&N rail line from Victoria to Courtenay once per day in each direction.

Or you can let someone else do the driving while you recline in the comfortable high-backed seat of a motorcoach. Along with Greyhound, a number of coach operators provide convenient bus service to and from Nanaimo with connections to all major Vancouver Island destinations.

Featured Members

Harbour Air Seaplanes 250-714-0900  |  http://www.harbourair.com Next time you visit Nanaimo, experience the coast from a new perspective with Harbour Air Seaplanes. Offering simple, fast and affordable service between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver or Richmond and YVR. Shuttle service is available in Vancouver, to most major downtown hotels and office buildings, and in Richmond, to the South and Main Terminals of Vancouver International Airport. Or, experience Nanaimo's unique scenery with a panorama tour of the city, and the Vancouver Island...

Members

AC Taxi Ltd. AC Taxi has been servicing Nanaimo & the surrounding areas for over 65 years. With their computerized dispatch system & 40 car fleet...
B.C. Ferries BC Ferries, is known for safety, spectacular scenery and a proud maritime history. Explore coastal BC using BC Ferries to get a true sense of what...
BCAA BCAA offers you travel planning, insurance, CAA membership and various other services.
Big Boys Toys Ltd. (Nanaimo) RV and truck rentals and sales located just north of Nanaimo in Nanoose Bay. Right off Highway 19 before you reach Parksville.
Budget Rent A Car Budget Car & Truck Rentals, open every day, special daily weekly and weekend rates. We are the insurance replacement car specialists with four...
Greyhound Canada Transportation Corp. Greyhound Canada is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in Canada, serving nearly 1,100 locations. It has become an icon of bus...
Harbour Air Seaplanes Next time you visit Nanaimo, experience the coast from a new perspective with Harbour Air Seaplanes. Offering simple, fast and affordable service...
Miracle Mile Limousine Let Miracle Mile take you for a while. Take a Tour or private service to any destination on Vancouver Island. Our mission is to provide...
Nanaimo Airport The Nanaimo Airport is located 18 kms south of Nanaimo and services over 135,000 visitors per year. Our airport offers a minimum of five flights...
Nanaimo Car Rental Nanaimo Car Rental provides Compact Car Rental in Nanaimo for $19.76 every day. Save up to 30% when you rent a safe reliable late model used car...
National Car and Truck Rental Low daily, weekly & monthly rates 2 for 1 BC Ferry Passenger Fares Discounts on Golf & Mt. Washington One way rentals on...
Petro-Canada Marine Marine Fuel Outlet Summer Hours: 7-7 Mon - Sun Winter Hours: 8-4 Mon - Sat Lubricants, ice (block and cubes), convenience items...
Seair Seaplanes Ltd. Newest, fastest & quietest seaplane travel between Nanaimo and the Vancouver Airport. 10 flights daily. Free parking at both Nanaimo and...
Stones Marina and Boatyard Stones Marina & Boatyard is centrally located in Nanaimo on the Eastern Shore of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. As one of...
Tofino Air Experience the West Coast... ...like a West Coaster! Whether a quick Victoria business trip, a romantic Sunshine Coast...
Via Rail Canada VIA Rail Canada operates the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada. An independent Crown Corporation established...