Useful Directions
How to get to the Ocean Island
Check out our Find Us page for directions from various locations to the hostel.
How Do I Get to Vancouver?
The best way to get to downtown Vancouver is to take the Pacific Coach Lines, it costs more than going by City Bus but it is just way faster and, to be honest, just a lot better for your mental health. Who wants to spend an hour and forty minutes meandering around the Sidney Pennisula?
By Pacific Coach Lines
The Pacific Coach Lines bus departs from the Victoria Bus Depot at 700 Douglas Street (behind the Empress Hotel bus station on the corner of Douglas and Belleville St)
Adult Fare one way: $43 (includes ferry fare)
Roundtrip: $84
Bike: $10.70, arrive 30 minutes early.
Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Schedule ↑
PCL Arrives in Vancouver at the Pacific Central Station 1150 Station Street (located next to the Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station )
NB: You can take the Pacific Coach Line Bus to Tsawwassen (you disembark the ferry as a foot passenger i.e. your ferry ticket is included in your Coach Lines ticket). If you want to travel from downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver, ask at our front desk for a discount coupon!
Fare: $28 (includes the cost of your ferry ticket)
Estimated travel time: 2 and 1/2 hours.
Contact PCL:
Toll-Free 1-800-661-1725
Fax: (604) 681-4634
Email: info@pacificcoach.com
By Public Transport :
Fare: approx $15.00
Estimated travel time: 4 hours and 40 minutes
- Victoria to Swartz Bay by City bus (see How do I get to Swartz Bay)
- By BC Ferries from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen (see Tell me about BC Ferries)
- By City bus from Tsawwassen to downtown Vancouver ( See How do I get to Vancouver from Tsawwassen?)
NB. City buses and BC ferries are not very well coordinated, so double check your bus and ferry times to avoid having to wait at the ferry terminals. It happens.It sucks. You fume.
How do I get to Swartz Bay (ferry terminals?)
By City Bus
You can catch #70, #72 or #73 bus on the corner of Pandora and Douglas St.
Fare:$2.25 (exact change required)
Estimated time to Swartz Bay: 1 hour and fifteen minutes.
It will drop your right outside the ferry terminal.
By car
- Just get on Blanshard St, heading out of town.
- Blanshard St. will turn into the Pat Bay Highway.
- In under an hour, you'll be at the ferries. Please don't try to do it in anything less than half an hour, please.
How do I get from Tsawwassen toVancouver?
By City Bus
You catch the 620 from the ferry terminal to the Ladner Exchange and change buses to the 601 to Vancouver (Northbound). It takes about an hour and a half and goes right up Granville Street.
Tell me about BC Ferries
Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen by BC Ferries:
Fares: About $13.50 for one Adult and $45 for a passenger vehicle (not including the passenger) Note: Ferry takes cash, visa and MasterCard but NOT debit cards. To take your bike it will cost you an extra $2. (Prices subject to change at any time.)
Estimated crossing time: 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Schedule ↑
When to be at the terminal: On most BC Ferries routes, if you're driving onto the ferry, plan to be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time, and even earlier in our peak summer months or during normally busy periods. Walk-on passengers must buy their tickets at least ten minutes before the scheduled sailing time.
Busiest times: Terminals and ships are always busiest on holiday weekends. Peak traffic volumes occur on Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday morning and Monday afternoon. On regular weekends, Friday and Sunday afternoons are busy. When travelling during these periods, please allow extra time to reach your destination. If you are visiting Vancouver Island over the summer months, consider taking one of our weekday mid-morning sailings for a less crowded travel experience.
For info on all ferry routes and everything else ferry, see: www.bcferries.com
Contact BC Ferries: Customer Information & Reservations:
- 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) from anywhere in North America
- *BCF (*223) from your cell phone on Rogers or Telus Mobility Networks
- (250) 386-3431 from outside North America
How Do I Get to Victoria Airport?
By City Bus
Fare: $2.25 (exact change required)
Estimated travel time: 1 hour
- Take the #30 or #31 northbound from the corner of Douglas and Pandora to the Royal Oak Exchange (approx 1/2hr). Be sure to ask for a transfer slip.
- Transfer to the #83 Sidney via airport bus (approx. 40min). The #83 only runs eight times a day on weekdays and three times a day on weekends so be sure to chek a schedule before your departure.
- You can also take the #70, #72 or #73 from Douglas and Pandora and get off at the McTavish Road Park n Ride. From there you can take the AKAL Airporter for $3.
By Akal Shuttle Bus
If you would like to reserve a seat on the shuttle to take you from downtown Victoria to the airport, have someone at the front desk call for you (last minute reservations are taken, but if you know ahead of time, call the night before to reserve a seat). Tell them when your flight is and they'll tell you what time they will collect you.
Fare: $18 each, discounts for groups of four or more.
Estimated travel time: 45 minutes
Pick up: Outside the Ministry of Health, on the corner of Pandora and Blanshard. i.e. diagonally opposite Ocean Island
(250) 386-2525 or toll-free: 1-877-386-2525
By Car
- Take Blanshard Street out of town and it will turn into the Pat Bay Highway.
- Follow along and watch for signs directing you to the airport (it’s clearly marked)
- Turn left at the airport turn, drive for 1-2 km and you’re stoked.
How do I get to Vancouver Airport?
You can take the Pacific Coach Lines Bus direct to Vancouver Airport.
Adult Fare: approx $48
Estimated travel time: 3 and 1/2 hours
For more info see How do I get to Vancouver?
How do I get to Tofino?
By Tofino Bus
The best way to get to Tofino is with the Tofino Bus; it leaves from right outside Ocean Island and it's a way faster (and nicer) journey than if you take the Grayline bus.
Fare: One way: approx $64 (adult), student $57.75.
Departs from: Right outside Ocean Island!
Arrives at: Hi Whalers (stops at downtown depot, C&N Backpackers, etc.)
Estimated travel time: 5 hours
(reservations strongly recommended)
Contact
Tofino (250) 725-2871 Fax: (250) 725-2876
Toll Free: 1-866-9TOFINO
1-866-986-3466
By Grayline Bus (independent Greyhound agent)
Fare: One way $62.50.
Estimated Travel time: 7 1/2 hours
Departs: Victoria Bus Depot (700 Douglas Street)
Arrives: Tofino (311 main Street)
Bike: $5.35 needs to be boxed. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Contact: 700 Douglas St.
(250) 388-6539 or (800) 663-8390
How Do I Get to Nanaimo?
By Via Rail / E&N Railway
Taking the train to Nanaimo is cheaper than going by bus and really, it is just a lot more fun!
Fare: One way: $15.00 - $25.00 Return $30.00-$50.00
Estimated time: 2 and half hours
Departs from: 450 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
Arrives at: 321 Selby Street, Nanaimo
For schedules, online bookings and more info visit: http://www.viarail.ca/
For prices and reservations call 1-800-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245)
(tickets are cheaper if you book 7 days in advance)
By Grayline Bus
Fare: One way approx.$26 (adult), $25 (student), discounts available for 7-day advance purchases.
Estimated travel time: 2 ½ to 3 hours
Departs: Victoria Bus Depot
Arrives: Nanaimo Bus Depot (1 Terminal Ave)
Contact: 700 Douglas St.
(250) 388-6539 or (800) 663-8390
By Island Link Bus
Fare: One way approx. $25-28 (adult)
Estimated travel time: about 3 hours
Departs: Victoria Convention Centre, 720 Douglas Street
Arrives: Nanaimo's Departure Bay, or Nanaimo's Cassidy Airport
Contact:
1-250-954-8257 or 1-604-970-4990
How do I get to Vancouver from Nanaimo?
By BC Ferries
BC ferries leaves Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and arrives in West Vancouver
(Horseshoe Bay.)
Fare: approx $10.00
Estimated crossing time: 1 hour 35 minutes
The Harbour Lynx Ferry
Passenger Ferry with three trips daily from Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver.
Fare: approx $25.00
Estimated travel time: 1 hour
Schedules ↑
Departs: Unit #5 Pioneer Waterfront Plaza
Arrives: 609 Waterfront Road
Contact Info: 303 - 235 Bastion St. - Nanaimo BC
Nanaimo: 250-753-4443 or Vancouver: 604-688-5465
Toll Free: 1-866-206-LYNX (5969) Fax: 250-753-4004
How Do I Get to Seattle?
The Victoria Clipper
The easiest way to get to Seattle is to take the Victoria Clipper, it leaves from Victoria's Inner Harbour and delivers you to Seattle's downtown pier. It's fast, it's convenient and unfortunately, it's also expensive.
Fare: One way: approx $75 -$93.00 Return: approx $126- $153.
Estimated crossing time: Under three hours (it can take longer depending on weather conditions)
Departs Victoria: 254 Belleville Street
Arrives in Seattle At: Pier 69 2701 Alaskan Way
Schedule ↑
Note: Victoria Clipper is a passenger clipper only.
Contact Info: Toll-Free: 1-800-888-2535
Seattle: 206-448-5000 Victoria: 250-382-8100
Another option is taking the Coho Ferry to Port Angeles WA and then the Olympic Bus from Port Angeles to Seattle:
The Coho Ferry to Port Angeles
Fares
One adult: $11.50USD
Vehicle and driver: $44USD
Bikes: $5.25USD
Estimated Crossing Time: 1 and 1/2 hours
Departs Victoria from: 430 Belleville Street
Arrives in Port Angeles at : 101 E. Railroad Ave
Schedule ↑
Contact Info: Tel: (250) 386-2202
FAX (250) 386-2207
Port Angeles- Seattle The Olympic Bus Lines (Greyhound independent agent)
Fare: One way $28USD, Roundtrip: $56USD
Estimated travel time: 3 hours
Schedule ↑
Note: Advance reservations are recommended. Passengers may board without reservations if space is available. Those with reserved seats will board first.
Contact Info:
Phone: (360) 417-0700
Toll free: 1-800-457-4492
E-mail: heckmanmotors@olypen.com
Port Angeles to Seattle by City Bus and Ferry
If you're feeling adventurous, want to save some money and don't mind if you're not in Seattle before night fall you can city bus hop all the way from Port Angeles. None of us have done it yet, so if you do and it works out for you, let us know all about it.
Fare: approx US$11.50 roundtrip
Estimated travel time: 4-5 hours
Or you can go via Vancouver
Fare: approx. $42-$52 CDN one-way
Estimated travel time: 8 - 10 hours
If you prefer, you can take the ferry to Tsawwassen, take a bus into downtown Vancouver (See how to get to Vancouver) and then catch a bus to downtown Seattle. There are 2 different bus companies to choose from:
Greyhound Bus (Vancouver - Seattle)
Fares: $19 USD (approx. $28 CDN) one-way and $35USD return (approx. $51 CDN).
Estimated travel time: 4½ hours
Departs from the Pacific Central Station in Vancouver.
Contact Info:
Toll free: 1-800-231-2222
The Quick Shuttle (Vancouver- Seattle)
Fare:$32 (CDN) one-way and $58 (CDN) return
Estimated travel time: 4 hours
Departs from the Sandman Hotel in Vancouver and arriving at the Travel Lodge in downtown Seattle.
Contact info:
Toll-free: 1-800-665-2122
Victoria Express
Seasonal Passenger Ferry to Port Angeles (May- late September)
Fare: approx $12.00
Estimated crossing time: 1 hour
Contact: (250) 361-9144
Amtrak
Amtrak runs coaches as well as trains from Vancouver to Seattle. They depart Vancouver about 4 times a day, leaving Pacific Central Station at 1150 Station Street and arriving at Seattle's King Street Station at 303 South Jackson Street.
Fare:$26-$37 (USD) one-way
Estimated travel time: a little over 3 hours
How Do I get to Bellingham?
San Juan Cruises
Seasonal passenger (early may- late October) ferry
Fare: approx $56.00 one way Return $90.00- $105.00
Estimated time: 3 hours
Contact info:toll free: 800 443 4552
Bellingham to Seattle:
By Greyhound Bus
Fare: approx US$15-20
Estimated time: 2 hours
How do I get to the San Juan Islands?
Washington State Ferries
Fare: Passenger approx $16.00
Vehicle and driver: approx $57.00
Estimated crossing time: 2/3 Hours
Contact Info: Seattle: 206.464.6400
Toll free: 1.888.808.7977
www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
How do I get to the West Coast Trail/ Juan de Fuca Trail?
West Coast Trail Express
Fares: $40-60
Estimated travel time: 2 – 3 hours
Schedule
Juan De Fuca Trail Bus
Fare: $25- 40.00
Schedule
Departs: in front of Victoria Bus Depot (700 Douglas street)
Reservations are strongly advised
Contact Info:
Phone: (250) 477-8700
Toll Free in Canada: 1-888-999-2288 email: bus@trailbus.com
