Nanaimo is on Vancouver Island, which is about 20 kilometers west of the City of Vancouver, across the Strait of Georgia (also known as the Salish Sea).
Regional Airports:
YCD is the Nanaimo airport, which is located on Vancouver Island about 15 kilometers south of Nanaimo. You can make your connection direct to YCD, and from there take a shuttle, taxi or rental car to reach Nanaimo. Air Canada and Westjet both have flights that connect Nanaimo directly with the other major airlines, via Vancouver (YVR) or Calgary (YYC). In some cases, online services such as Orbitz and Travelocity make it difficult to include the last leg to Nanaimo as part of a long connecting flight. You may find it necessary to break the reservation into two parts: see below.
YVR Vancouver International Airport (technically in the city of Richmond, BC). It’s often cheaper to book your major airline flight to end in Vancouver, but remember that you will need to add the cost of a ferry or seaplane to reach Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Depending on where you’re traveling from, it may be easier to first book your major airline flight to Vancouver, then separately book your connection (YVR to YCD) as another purchase with Air Canada. Or, complete the last leg using one of the seaplane services.
YYJ Victoria International Airport is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and has flight connections with Seattle, which is convenient if you are arriving from the US. The drive from Victoria to Nanaimo takes about 1.5 hours, and there is also a shuttle service between the two cities (see “ground transportation,” below).
Seaplanes and Helicopters to Vancouver Island
This is a quick and scenic way to Nanaimo from downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour) or from the seaplane terminal near YVR. It’s only a short 15-20 minute trip harbour to harbour.
Harbour Air has regular seaplane service to downtown Nanaimo from either downtown Vancouver or from YVR Airport (in Richmond, BC). Check the baggage limit before confirming your reservation. Flights from YVR allow for more baggage than do the flights from downtown Vancouver.
Seair Seaplanes has regular seaplane service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo
Helijet has regular helicopter service to downtown Nanaimo from either downtown Vancouver or from YVR (Richmond).
Ferries to Nanaimo and Victoria
BC Ferries has three vehicle/passenger ferry routes from the BC mainland to Vancouver Island. If you are driving, be sure to make a reservation. If you are walking on, reservations will most likely not be needed.
- Tsawwassen (near YVR) to South Nanaimo (Duke Point Terminal) Crossing Time: 2 hours. If you are flying into YVR, this ferry terminal is closest to the airport. However, when arriving at Duke Point you will need ground transportation to reach downtown Nanaimo.
- Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Central Nanaimo) Crossing time: 1 hour 40 min. If you are stopping over in Vancouver, this ferry terminal may be your best choice. After your stay in Vancouver, catch a bus or taxi to this terminal. When arriving in Departure Bay, you will be close to the centre of Nanaimo.
- Tsawwassen (near YVR) to Swartz Bay (Victoria) Crossing time: 1 hour 30 min. If your itinerary includes a visit to Victoria, this connection will be your best choice. However, be aware that Swartz Bay is about 15 kilometers from Victoria proper, so you will need ground transportation to reach Victoria.
Ground Transportation on Vancouver Island
Budget Car Rental is the most pervasive car rental service on Vancouver Island.
Island Link Bus and VI Connector are shuttle services that connect several cities on Vancouver Island
Nanaimo Airporter (778 441-2133) provides transportation to and from Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
Yellow Cabs (250 751 1111) or AC Taxi (250-753-1231) provide services around Nanaimo and the region
BC Transit provides a network of public transportation in Nanaimo and around the region
Nanaimo Accommodations Closest to VIU
If you are visiting Vancouver Island University, the nearest hotels are clustered in downtown Nanaimo, with a 5 minute taxi ride to campus, or a 35-45 minute walk on good weather days.
Coast Bastion Hotel on the harbour is most central and convenient to downtown amenities
Best Western Dorchester in centre of town
Painted Turtle Guesthouse in centre of town (hostel style accommodation)
Ramada Inn a few blocks north of centre
Buccaneer Inn a few blocks further north of centre (small independent motel near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
Days Inn a few blocks south of centre
Vancouver Island University Residences offers on-campus hotel style accommodation during the summer months
Visitor Parking at Vancouver Island University
All General Parking areas on campus are open to visitors for a fee. Look for a ticket dispenser kiosk in the area near where you park, enter your license plate information, and pay with a credit or debit card.
Click on “General Parking” on the VIU parking map to see the the various locations.
Lot N is closest to the TBL Institute, which will take place on the 5th floor of the Library.