Opting for Vancouver Island bus services is a great choice if you're looking for a cost-effective way to visit without bringing your vehicle. It’s definitely cheaper and more convenient in certain cases! If you’re considering travelling this way, there are several bus options to get you to Vancouver Island and help you navigate once you’re there.
Once on the island, bus services are available to help you get around. However, due to Vancouver Island’s size and spread-out regions, bus services between cities and towns can sometimes be less convenient and require extra time to plan.
While I personally feel having a vehicle at your disposal is the best way to ensure you see the most of what the island offers, it’s definitely possible to explore by bus.
Use the information below to discover which Vancouver Island bus services will work best for your trip.
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Vancouver Island Bus Services – To and From Vancouver
Travelling between Vancouver and Vancouver Island by bus is a simple and budget-friendly option. Several bus services offer seamless connections, combining bus and ferry rides to get you from the city to the island. Whether you’re heading to Victoria, Nanaimo, or other destinations, these services make the journey convenient without needing a vehicle.
Coach Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Downtown Victoria – This direct service uses BC Ferries to get you across and includes your ferry ticket.
Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer – This transfer includes the ferry cost and the convenience of bus transfer from Victoria to Vancouver. Enjoy the option of multiple departure times and locations.
BC Ferries Connector (Vancouver – Victoria) – This is a direct service to the ferry terminals without any transfers. Arriving on the other side, many drop-off locations suit your travel plans.
TransLink is Metro Vancouver's transportation authority responsible for bus, rail, and SeaBus transit services. Their website has transit schedules, maps, and further information. Please note: this option requires walking on and off the ferry. Plus, you must arrange your transportation once on the Vancouver Island side.
Pacific Coach Lines Departs from Vancouver International Airport and goes from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria. For further information, call 1-800-661-1725.
Bus Services on Vancouver Island
Once on Vancouver Island, several bus services make it easy to explore different regions without a car. Local transit systems serve major cities like Victoria and Nanaimo, while regional bus lines connect smaller communities and more remote areas. Although the island is vast, these services provide a reliable option for getting around and discovering its diverse landscapes and attractions.
Vancouver Island Connector– This line provides regular transportation to various locations on Vancouver Island. Please note that this bus service is most active during the summer, typically shutting down starting late fall and not reopening until late spring.
They also have a downtown Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay route. You board the bus at a select hotel, and they bring you to the Horseshoe Bay terminal. Once there, you will disembark the bus and walk on the ferry. You will then meet the coach on the other side.
IslandLinkBus – provides passenger express bus service between most Vancouver Island points and BC Ferries' services at the Nanaimo Departure Bay ferry terminal. They also service Victoria as well.
Tofino Express Bus – provides reliable transportation to and from Tofino daily and year-round. Stops include Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino. Reservations and prebooking are required.
Port Hardy Express Bus – Starting May 2024, the Port Hardy Express Bus service will take you all the way from Victoria to Port Hardy and many stops in between!
Mount Washington Ski Bus – This bus service to Mount Washington can pick you up and/or drop you off at 12 locations across southern and mid-Vancouver Island. Pre-registration is required.
BC Transit Services
BC Transit Services (city bus routes) are available in each region of Vancouver Island.
Victoria Regional Transit System via BC Transit has many stops and services between various locations around Greater Victoria.
Cowichan Valley Transit System via BC Transit for various locations between Ladysmith and Cobble Hill.
Regional Nanaimo Transit System via BC Transit for various locations between Nanaimo airport to just north of Qualicum Beach (Deep Bay).
Port Alberni Transit System is available via BC Transit for various locations within Port Alberni.
Comox Valley Transit System via BC Transit for various locations between Union Bay and Black Creek.
Campbell River Transit System via BC Transit for various locations from Union Bay to Campbell River.
Mount Waddington Transit System is available via BC Transit services for the areas of Woss, Port McNeil, Port Hardy, and Coal Harbour.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Bus Services on Vancouver Island
Is there a bus from Nanaimo to Tofino?
The Tofino Express Bus provides daily year-round bus travel from Nanaimo to Tofino. The same service also includes stopping in Ucluelet.
Is there a bus from Victoria to Nanaimo?
The Island Link Bus is your best choice for reliable bus services between Victoria and Nanaimo. They offer several daily options. The walk-up fare is $40 (taxes included). Pre-registering offers a small discount. Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Can you take a bus from Vancouver to Tofino?
You must purchase two separate bus services to get from Vancouver to Tofino by bus. The first service will take you to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver, and the second (Tofino Express) will take you from the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo to Tofino.
Can I get around Vancouver Island without a car?
The short answer is yes. However, doing so is a challenge. You must navigate the various and limited bus services in each region, which may or may not connect at convenient times or in the season you wish to travel.
Does Vancouver Island have Ridesharing options?
Ridesharing options, such as Uber and Uride, are available in select cities across Vancouver Island. Uber is now available in Victoria, BC, and Uride in Nanaimo (soon to be in the Comox Valley and Cowichan Valley, too, later this year).
Ferry Information & More
If you want information on how the BC ferry system works, please read Getting to Vancouver Island via Vancouver. If you are coming from the US, specifically Washington State, read Seattle to Victoria Ferry Services.
And, of course, you need information on what to do once you get here!
Click on any of the Vancouver Island destination links to give you many ideas on how to enjoy your time on Vancouver Island. If you are looking for general resources on exploring the island, check out the resources below.
Vancouver Island Bus Services Summary
Discovering Vancouver Island's beauty and charm is made easy with its comprehensive bus services. BC Transit and regional operators like the Vancouver Island Connector and the Island Link provide transportation options connecting major cities, towns, and attractions across the island.
With comfortable coaches, flexible schedules, and affordable fares, exploring the island's diverse landscapes, cultural sites, and coastal communities has never been more accessible. Whether you're embarking on a solo adventure or travelling with friends and family, Vancouver Island's bus services offer a stress-free and affordable way to immerse yourself in all the island has to offer.
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Best Travel Resources
🚗 Car Rentals: Find the best price on car rentals with Rentalcars.com (a Bookings.com company).
🏨Hotel Bookings: Bookings.com is my favourite resource for booking accommodations. Their cancellation policy is unbeatable.
🏡 Vacation Rentals: Vrbo is my top choice for all your vacation rental needs! Find the best vacation rentals throughout Vancouver Island and beyond.
🐋Guided Tours: Viator is the most straightforward website for booking tours, experiences, and activities all over Vancouver Island and elsewhere.
🌳Provincial Park Reservations: BC Parks to book Provincial Park campgrounds and backcountry areas around Vancouver Island.
🚍 RV Rental: If you want to rent a camper, motorhome, campervan, or travel trailer, look no further than Outdoorsy. Input your destination in the location search bar to find the perfect RV for your camping needs.
⛴️ Ferry Guide: Use this guide to get to Vancouver Island.
🚌 Bus Guide: Use this bus guide for all the bus services across Vancouver Island.
🥾Best Trails App: AllTrails – This app/website provides tools for great trail adventures. It offers offline maps, alerts for when you take a wrong turn, the ability to create a list of favourite local trails, map details, and the ability to find trails anywhere. It's honestly my most used app.
🚙Off-Road Adventures: The Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook is essential for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. It's my #1 resource for discovering hidden gems.
