Can You Visit Vancouver Island Without A Car?

Vancouver Island is off the coast of British Columbia, and it’s one of the best locations to visit in the province because it’s surrounded by nature no matter where you are.

When people visit Vancouver, a stop on their list, and probably yours too, is to see Vancouver Island, visit popular cities like Victoria and Tofino, or explore the many hiking and touristy spots.

Now, I understand not everyone rents a car when they travel, so you may wonder, “Can you visit Vancouver Island without a car?” As someone born and raised in Vancouver and has been to Vancouver Island countless times with and without a car, I can tell you that it is pretty easy to do.

Can You Visit Vancouver Island Without A Car

So yes, you can visit Vancouver Island without a car. In fact, it will be cheaper overall if you visit the island without a car. But there’s one downside if you visit the island without a car.

By the way, “The Island” is how we locals refer to Vancouver Island; I’m just used to calling it that.

One issue with visiting without a car is that you won’t be able to travel to more remote areas on your own. There aren’t any public buses that will take you to places outside of their main cities, like Victoria and Nanaimo.

So, if you plan to visit places on the other side of the island, like Tofino and Ucluelet or other areas, like popular waterfalls on the island or provincial parks, you’ll most likely need a car.

How To Visit Vancouver Island Without A Car

These are a couple of ways of visiting Vancouver Island without a car.

Public Buses

The main cities on the island, Victoria and Nanaimo, and other nearby cities and towns have public buses. From the ferry terminals, there’s a bus stop where you can hop on the bus, which will take you into the downtown core.

You can also take public buses to the ferry terminals when travelling from Vancouver to Vancouver Island. The 250 bus will take you to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (West Georgia at Burrard Street), and the 620 bus will take you to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (Bay 12 at Bridgeport Station along the Canada Line).

Shuttle Buses

If you plan to visit more of the island, there are available shuttle buses that stop only around the south half of Vancouver Island. So, if you want to visit Tofino and Ucluelet, there are specific days during the year that shuttle buses travel there. Also, they don’t operate during the fall and winter.

👉 Vancouver Island Connector shuttle service website.👈

Walkability

I also want to point out that while getting to Vancouver Island is much easier with a car, and once you reach your destination, the cities or towns are pretty walkable.

Victoria, having been there many times, we walk around downtown with no problem, as everything, like the tourist locations, is within walking distance. The same is true for Nanaimo, especially by the waterfront.

If you’re looking for an excellent walking tour in Victoria, the highly rated and most popular walking tour is the Victoria Guided Food and History Tour. The tour will take you to historical locations and the best food locations to try chocolate, biscuits, tea, spring rolls, and more.

➡️ Check Prices & Availability Here for the Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

Best Time To Visit Vancouver Island

The best time to visit Vancouver Island is during the summer months. But keep in mind that this will be a busy time, and prices will be higher as it’s the tourist season.

I’d recommend that visiting either in the spring or fall will be the best times to visit.

Conclusion

So, as you can see, while visiting Vancouver Island without a car, having one will make it much easier to explore everything the island offers. But having been on the island with and without a car, you’re sure to find your way around.

Have a good day 🙂