Population: 74,125

Elevation: 56 feet

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8)
Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.

Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.

What to Pack
Take lightweight clothing and a rain jacket for summer travel. For fall and winter, select clothing that can be layered. Also pack an umbrella, waterproof shoes or boots, and a waterproof jacket. Dress throughout the Island is casual: jeans are the norm even in expensive restaurants.

Taxes for Travellers
There are three levels of taxation in Victoria. A 7% provincial sales tax (PST) is levied on most goods and services. In addition, there is a 7% Federal tax on the same items (GST). PST is not charged on accommodations. Instead, there is a 10% accommodation tax.

TIP: Non-Canadian residents are entitled to claim a rebate of all GST paid on accommodations and certain categories of goods purchases (see Canadian Travel Information on this site).
Always save the original receipts from stores and hotels (not just credit-card receipts), and be sure the name and address of the establishment is shown on the receipt. Original receipts are not returned.

NOTE: There are commercial sites (often in shopping malls and airports) that advertise “immediate GST refunds.” Be aware that they typically charge a fee for refunding the GST.

Getting to Victoria
By Air
Victoria International Airport is located 30 minutes from downtown Victoria and offers daily flights from Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport, as well as direct flights from limited points throughout Canada and the US. Charter flights for sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing excursions, and to more remote Vancouver Island locations are also available.

Air Canada, Air BC Connector
1-888-247-2262 16 daily flights linking Vancouver and Victoria airports and Seattle and Victoria airports.

Helijet Airways
Victoria (250) 382-6222 Vancouver (604) 273-1414 Toll Free 1-800-665-4354
22 jet helicopter flights daily between Vancouver and Victoria - Downtown to Downtown.

Harbour Air
Victoria (250) 385-2203
8-10 daily seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver harbours.

Horizon Air
1-800-547-9308
7 flights daily between Seattle and Victoria Airports.

Kenmore Air
1-800-543-9595 or (206) 486-1257
8 seaplane flights daily between Seattle and Victoria Harbour.

Pacific Coastal Air
1-800-663-2872 or (250) 655-6411
6 daily fights between Victoria and Vancouver airports as well as service to the West Coast of BC and other Vancouver Island Communities.

Vancouver International Airport - YVR
Vancouver International is a major hub for travellers from all around the globe. From Vancouver, you can connect to all transportation services operating to the Island and in and out of the Province. Visit the new web site for more information.

Victoria International Airport - YYJ
Several airlines operate daily connector flights to/from Victoria international Airport. The airport is approximately 10 miles north of the city proper so expect a $35 - $40 taxi fare. There is a hotel shuttle bus that leaves periodically throughout the day that will drop you at selected sites within the downtown area for around $13 CA. Limousine service is also available.

West Coast Air
1-800-347-2222 or (604) 606-6888
12 daily seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver harbours.

WestJet Airlines
1-800-538-5696 2-3 flights daily between Victoria and other Western Canada airports.

By Sea
Victoria is connected to mainland British Columbia and Washington State by vehicle and passenger ferries and high-speed catamarans. These provide breathtaking views of the rocky coastline, forested islands, inlets and often of marine wildlife. Regular, frequent ferry and high-speed catamaran service connects the island to mainland B.C. and Washington state.

B.C. Ferry Corporation
Victoria (250) 386-3431
Extensive passenger/vehicle ferry system linking the B.C. Mainland with Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Hourly sailings in summer months; 7 am - 10 pm, odd hours in the winter months 7 am - 9 pm.
Travel time between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) is 1 hr. 35 mins.

Mainland-Vancouver Island Routes Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay (Vancouver-Victoria) Tsawwassen-Duke Point (Vancouver-Nanaimo) Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay (West Vancouver-Nanaimo) Powell River-Comox (Westview-Little River)

Sunshine Coast Routes Horseshoe Bay-Langdale (Vancouver-Sunshine Coast) Earls Cove-Saltery Bay (Sechelt-Powell River) Bowen Island-Vancouver Langdale-Gambier-Keats Saanich Inlet Route Brentwood Bay-Mill Bay

Black Ball Transport - M.V. Coho
Victoria (250) 386-2202
Port Angeles (360) 457-4491
Passenger/vehicle ferry service.
4 daily sailings between Port Angeles and Victoria May to October.
Two sailings per day March to May & Oct. - Nov.
One sailing per day Nov. - Feb.
Travel time is 1.5 hrs.

Victoria Clipper
1-800-888-2535/ (206) 448-5000 or (250) 382-8100
4 daily summer sailings between Seattle & Victoria.
One daily sailing in winter. Passengers only.
Travel time between Seattle's Pier 69 and Victoria's Inner Harbour varies from 1.45 hrs. to 3hrs.

Victoria~San Juan Cruises
1-800-443-4552
One sailing daily, passenger service from Bellingham, WA. to Victoria's Inner Harbour, June through Oct. 1.
Travel time is 3 hrs.

Washington State Ferries
(250) 381-1551 or (206) 464-6400
Anacortes, WA. to Sidney, B.C. (17 miles N.E. of Vic)
One sailing daily, minimum of two during summer.
Travel time is 3 hrs.

Victoria Express
(250) 361-9144
Up to four sailings a day from Victoria to Port Angeles and a daily sailing from Victoria to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island leaving from the Belleville terminal.
Travel time is 1 hr.

By Ground
Scheduled bus service is available for travel from Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria, as well as to and from other Vancouver Island destinations via the ferry.

B.C. Transit
Telephone: (250) 382-6161
Facsimile: (250) 384-5412
Web site: www.bctransit.com
Local bus service is provided by B.C. Transit. You can pick up the Rider's Guide with schedules and routes free from merchants and information booths, or $.25 on the bus.

Pacific Coach Lines
1-800-661-1725
Web site: www.pacificcoach.com
Operating a daily scheduled service onboard all scheduled BC Ferries' sailings between Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

Rail service is offered between Victoria and Courtenay (north of Victoria), with several stops along the way.

Travel options around Greater Victoria and surrounding areas include taxi and limousine service, airport bus and public bus transportation. Car, RV, bicycle, motorcycle and scooter rentals are also offered at various locations in the Victoria area.

Quick Shuttle
Frequent daily service year-round to Sea-Tac Airport, downtown Seattle, Bellingham Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

Getting Around Victoria
Buses are an excellent way to get around the area and it will take you just about anywhere you want to go around Greater Victoria, Sidney and Sooke. They run frequently so you don't have to worry about wasting time waiting for one to arrive. Also the buses include bicycle racks and handicap-friendly features to make it even easier to get around. So, strap your bike on to the rack on the front of a bus and head out to the country to cycle. Transit service operates seven days a week, 365 days a year.