4 Best Ways to Get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver (2026)

Getting to Vancouver Island from Vancouver isn’t hard, but then again, what exactly do you mean Vancouver Island?

There are plenty of ways to get over there, but you should know where you’re going first.

Let’s run through all the options on how to get to Vancouver Island.

How to Get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver

Vancouver Island isn’t some quick day-trip island – it’s massive, double the size of Ireland actually.

It’s packed with wildly different vibes from Victoria’s urban buzz to Tofino’s surf paradise.

There’s no single way to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver that drops you everywhere like a magic bus.

How you get to Vancouver Island depends entirely on your destination.

I’ll walk you through every ferry, fast boat, helicopter, and plane option – plus which Island spots each serves.

That way, you’ll know exactly how to get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island – and by that, I mean your destination of choice over there!

BC Ferries from Vancouver to Vancouver Island

🚌 No car? The ferry is included with all-in-one Vancouver to Victoria bus service.

🗺️ Destinations: Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino, Sunshine Coast, Bowen Island

This is the cheapest way to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver – whether it’s Victoria or Nanaimo or otherwise.

These Vancouver to Vancouver Island ferries run by BC Ferries can run you as little as $20.00 as a foot passenger.

It’s ideal if you’re bringing a car or on a budget. Think sea breezes, salt spray, and distant orcas.

In all, you line up at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, then kick back on deck with a coffee. It’s not glamorous, but it’s very BC.

🕒 Time to destination: 1.5 hours ferry + driving time
💰 Average cost: About $18 per walk-on, $70+ with car
👉 Departure point: Horseshoe Bay or Tsawassen Terminal (both ~45 minutes from downtown)

⛴️ More info: Ferries to Victoria from Vancouver

Seaplanes to Vancouver Island from Vancouver

✨ Consider top guided tours to Victoria from Vancouver that include seaplane and/or bus travel

🗺️ Destinations: Victoria, Tofino, Nanaimo, Saltspring Island

Seaplanes are the fastest way from Vancouver to Vancouver island, period.

They’re perfect if time matters and you want to skip terminals and waiting.

Just walk to the floatplane dock in downtown Vancouver, hop on, and you’re across in under 60 minutes.

FYI: the only way to get from downtown Vancouver to the Victoria Inner Harbour – ferries on the other hand take you 40 minutes from downtown Victoria, so keep that in mind.

Being a plane with only 12 seats, it’s currently $350.00.

✈️ More info: Float planes to Victoria from Vancouver

✈️ More info: Float planes to Nanaimo from Vancouver

✈️ More info: Float planes to Tofino from Vancouver

✈️ More info: Float planes to Saltspring Island from Vancouver

Hullo Fast Ferry to Nanaimo

🗺️ Destination: Nanaimo

Hullo is a comfortable foot-passenger ride with harbour views – from $40.

Perfect if you want a quick, no-car trip straight from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Nanaimo). This high-speed catamaran skips the traffic and ferry lineup hassle.

The time I took Hullo, it was smooth sailing with WiFi, snacks, and those killer coastal panoramas. Feels like a mini-cruise minus the slow pace.

🕒 Time to destination: 70 minutes
💰 Average cost: About $40

Helijet to Vancouver Island from Vancouver

🗺️ Destination: Victoria, Nanaimo

Helijet is a comfort-focused method of transport to Vancouver Island with incredible views – from $199

Ideal if you hate turbulence and want a smoother ride. They fly full-size helicopters between downtown Vancouver and Victoria Harbour. It feels like business travel without the stress.

The time I tried Helijet, I was surprised how quiet it was. You get free snacks, newspapers, and the views are ridiculous.

It’s quick, yes, but also kind of cool.

🕒 Time to destination: 35 minutes
💰 Average cost: About $199.00
👉 Book your flight

Coming to Vancouver Island from Vancouver?

Every time I get off that ferry or floatplane and breathe in the slower air on the island, I’m glad I made the trip.

Vancouver Island has this way of making you slow down whether you want to or not – I strongly suggest planning one of my Vancouver to Vancouver Island day trips.

If you’re heading over, I’ve got some great guides that cut through the fluff:

• 🚗 Top Vancouver Island Road Trips
• 🌺 Planning Day Trips to Butchart Gardens in Victoria
• 🏄 Planning a Day Trip to Tofino from Vancouver
• ⛴️ Planning a Day Trip to Saltspring Island from Vancouver

👉 Extra info: Where is Vancouver Island?

Tips on How to Get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island

Here’s what I’ve learned after doing this trip too many times:

Take the early ferry. The mid-morning one gets clogged fast.

If you’re flying, check in early even if it’s a short hop. Floatplanes don’t wait.

Watch the weather. Fog and wind mess with flights. I once had to switch from plane to ferry last-minute—costly but necessary.

Don’t rely on last-minute bookings in summer. Everything fills fast—especially long weekends.

And lastly: bring snacks. Island-bound trips always take longer than you expect.

How to Get to Victoria Island from Vancouver?

Sorry, what?

You’re trying to get from Vancouver to Victoria Island?

Cute, but that doesn’t exist – unless you’re trying to get from Vancouver to a desolate island in the Arctic.

Hammering it home: make sure to say Vancouver Island or locals will spot you as a tourist faster than a seagull steals your fries.

Victoria’s the biggest city there (and BC’s capital), but the island’s named Vancouver Island.

P.S. Sorry for the “Victoria Island” bit – but you’ve gotta be in the know if you’re planning epic Vancouver itineraries as a tourist.

Getting to Vancouver Island from Vancouver FAQ

How far is Vancouver Island from Vancouver?

Vancouver Island is ~108 miles (174 km) west of Vancouver across the Strait of Georgia. Ferry trips take 1.5–2 hours; seaplanes cover it in 45–50 minutes.

Is there a bridge from Vancouver to Vancouver Island?

Nope, there’s no bridge to Vancouver Island from Vancouver. You have to cross water—by ferry, plane, or helicopter.

What’s the cheapest way to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver?

Walking on the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen is the cheapest—around $18 per person.

How long does it take to get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island?

The fastest way to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver is by taking a seaplane, which takes 55 minutes.

Can I take my car to Vancouver Island?

Yes, BC Ferries lets you bring your car, but it costs more and space fills up quickly.

Where does the ferry to Vancouver Island leave from?

The ferry terminals near Vancouver are in Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay, both about 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver with optimal traffic.