Whether you’re flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or starting from downtown Vancouver, there are multiple ways to reach Victoria, BC — from scenic ferries and seaplanes to quick airline flights. Below is a complete How to Get From Vancouver to Victoria guide with prices, travel time estimates, and travel tips to help you plan your perfect trip.
✈️ OPTIONS FROM YVR AIRPORT TO VICTORIA
🚗 1. Taxi / Rideshare + Ferry (Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay) + Taxi to Downtown Victoria
- Step 1: Taxi or rideshare from YVR to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
⏱️ ~40–60 min (traffic dependent) | 💰 ~CAD $60–$75 to terminal (one way) - Step 2: BC Ferries Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
⏱️ ~1 h 35 min ferry ride BC Ferries
💰 One-way foot passenger fare approx $15–$19 adult, children ~$7–$9; under 5 free Vancouver Victoria Ferry Schedule - Step 3: Taxi from Swartz Bay to Downtown Victoria
⏱️ ~30–45 min | 💰 ~CAD $60-$80 - Total Approx Time: 3.5–5 h
- Total Aprrox Cost for 2 adults: 180$
- Best For: scenic route + flexible schedules.
- Cons: Time consuming and heavy taxi fares
🚍 2. Public Transit (SkyTrain + Bus) + BC Ferries + Victoria Transit
- YVR to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal:
- Take Canada Line SkyTrain from YVR to Bridgeport Station
- Transfer to Bus #620 to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
⏱️ ~1.5–2 h depending on connections
💰 Transit fare via Compass / contactless fare (~$5+) The Buzzer blog
- Ferry: Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay (~1 h 35 min) BC Ferries
💰 One-way foot passenger fare approx $15–$19 adult, children ~$7–$9; - Swartz Bay to Downtown Victoria:
Take BC Transit #70 / #72 bus (about 50–60 min) from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to Victoria downtown.
💰 ~CAD $2.50–$5 fare BC Ferries - Total Approx Time: ~4.5–6 h
- Total Aprrox Cost for 1 adult: 40$
- Best For: Budget travelers comfortable with public transit.
- Cons: time-consuming and hard to do with luggage or children
🚌 3. Ferry Connector from the Airport to Victoria Bus Depot
- BC Ferries Connector offers a coach + ferry integrated service from YVR Airport to downtown Victoria with minimal transfers.
- 💰 One-way adult fares from approx CAD $106 (includes BC Ferries fare) Book here
Discounts available for youth/seniors. - ⏱️ Typical end-to-end is about 4–5 h, including ferry sailing and coach segments.
- Total Aprrox Cost for 1 adult: 106$
- Best For: Ease & convenience; luggage-friendly.
- Cons: Coach travel can be uncomfortable for some
✈️ 4. Flight from YVR to Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
- Airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, Pacific Coastal & others operate direct flights between YVR and Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
- ✈️ Flight time only ~30 minutes
- 💰 Typical one-way airfares can start as low as ~CAD $30–$75+ but usually goes for around $130 (varies by carrier/time)
- YYJ to Victoria Downtown: approx 25–40 min by taxi ($55–$70) or public transit (~45–60 min).
- Total Aprrox Cost for 1 adult: $75 – $220+
- Best For: Fastest overall travel.
- Cons: Can be expensive and still have to commute to downtown Victoria
☁️ 5. Harbour Air Seaplane from YVR South Terminal
- Harbour Air operates seaplane flights from the south terminal at YVR to Victoria Inner Harbour (downtown).
- ✈️ Flight time ~35–45 min with scenic views. Super Natural BC
- 💰 Prices vary by season and availability (often higher than commercial airlines). See Harbour Air’s booking tool for up-to-date fares. Harbour Air can go for $70-$300
- Best For: For travelers wanting a fast, extra-scenic, downtown-to-downtown journey.
- Cons: Can be expensive and be aware of luggage allowance
🌆 OPTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER TO VICTORIA
✈️ 1. Harbour Air Seaplane (Downtown Harbour to Victoria Harbour)
- Floatplane flights depart from Vancouver Harbour (near Canada Place) to Victoria Inner Harbour.
- ✈️ ~35–45 min flight Super Natural BC
- 💰 Typical fare varies by season / booking; generally higher than airline options — book early. Usually $70-$200 Harbour Air
- Best For: Fast, scenic and downtown-to-downtown.
- Cons: Can be expensive and be aware of luggage allowance
🚁 2. Helijet Helicopter
- Scheduled helicopter flights operate between downtown Vancouver Heliport and Victoria Harbour Heliport.
- ⏱️ ~35 min travel including approach/descent. Super Natural BC
- 💰 Prices vary — they tend to be premium but can be comparable to other options; usually $150-$250 check Helijet booking for exact fares. Helijet.com
- Best For: Premium, time-sensitive travel.
- Cons: Can be expensive and be aware of luggage allowance
🚗 3. Taxi / Rideshare to Tsawwassen + Ferry + Taxi to Victoria Downtown
- Same as YVR option but start downtown Vancouver heading south:
- Taxi to Tsawwassen Ferry: ~45 min | cost varies by distance & traffic
- Ferry to Swartz Bay: ~1 h 35 min BC Ferries
- Taxi to Victoria: ~30–45 min
- Total: ~4–6 h depending on traffic.
- Total Aprrox Cost for 2 adults: 180$
- Best For: scenic route + flexible schedules, pick up from your hotel.
- Cons: Time-consuming and heavy taxi fares
🚍 4. Public Transit to Tsawwassen + BC Ferries + Transit to Downtown Victoria
- From Downtown Vancouver:
- Take TransLink SkyTrain / Bus to Tsawwassen Ferry (~1.5–2 h)
- Ferry (~1 h 35 min) BC Ferries
- Take BC Transit #70/72 to Victoria downtown (~50–60 min) BC Ferries
- Total: ~5–7 h
- Total Aprrox Cost for 1 adult: 40$
- Best For: Budget travellers flexible with connections.
- Cons: time-consuming and hard to do with luggage or children
🚌 5. Ferry Connector from Downtown Vancouver to Victoria Bus Depot
- Just like the YVR Connector, the BC Ferries Connector leaves from downtown Vancouver and gets you to Victoria’s city hub with coach + ferry included.
- 💰 Typically $80–$120+ one way (varies by season). Book here
- Total: ~4–5 h
- Best For: Easy downtown starting point with minimal transfers.
- Cons: Coach travel can be uncomfortable for some
🧠 Tips Before You Go
- Ferries run frequently, but during peak tourism season (summer) consider booking ahead. BC Ferries
- Look into booking a tour to get from Swartz Bay ferry terminal or YYJ to downtown Victoria. Only a few companies offer them, but you can check out Island Times Tour or our own Peninsula Itinerary.
- Public transit is by TransLink in Vancouver/Tsawwassen and BC Transit in Victoria, so expect separate fare purchases. BC Ferries
- Flights sell out fast in peak season — book early for best pricing.
🏁 Bottom Line
There’s no single “best” way — your choice depends on your budget, time, and travel style:
- 💸 Budget: Transit + ferry (~$30–$60)
- 🚍 Easy & Relaxed: Ferry Connector (~$100)
- ✈️ Fastest: Airline flight (~30 min)
- ✨ Most scenic: Harbour Air / Helijet