Charter bus transfers at Victoria International (YYJ)
Victoria International is on the Saanich Peninsula, well north of the city, and it does not publish a coach staging area. Pre-booked pick-ups use the Short Term Lot curb across from the arrivals doors.
Across the road from arrivals
Pre-booked pick-ups load at the Short Term Lot curb, across from the arrivals exit doors. Off-airport rental companies collect their customers across the crosswalk at the arrivals end of the terminal, so several vehicles and groups can share the area. Tell the group what the bus looks like and which side of the road it stands on.
No staging area: what to do
With no coach staging area published, the bus cannot sit waiting for a late bag. Ask the operator how many minutes away the bus will be once called, and have the leader call once the group is out of the door.
For a large group on one flight, the curb stop is short and simple. For a group spread over several flights, two runs may work better than one long wait. Drivers new to the area should know the approach passes through the roundabouts of the McTavish Road Interchange; the airport publishes maps.
Where the driver meets you
- Pre-booked pick-ups use the Short Term Lot curb across from the arrivals exit doors.
Where coaches and buses wait
- The airport does not publish a coach staging area.
Drive to downtown
- about 27 km by road to the Inner Harbour, about 30-35 min in light traffic
South to the Inner Harbour
The Inner Harbour is about 27 km by road, 30 to 35 minutes on a quiet day. Downtown, charter and sightseeing buses may not park in front of residentially zoned land, white curbs are commercial loading zones that need a city permit, and the Out of Town Tour Bus Zone is on the south side of the 800 block of Humboldt Street. Give the operator the hotel's street address so the set-down can be worked out.
Staying on the peninsula
Hotels in Sidney are near the airport and Swartz Bay. The Butchart Gardens at Brentwood Bay has on-site coach parking, and its Group Services department books tour groups in advance. The coach driver and one tour escort per bus with company identification are admitted without charge.
Questions
Is there a coach bay at Victoria airport?
The airport does not publish one. Pre-booked pick-ups use the Short Term Lot curb across from the arrivals exit doors.
Can we go from the airport straight to the ferry for Vancouver?
Yes. For buses licensed for 16 or more passengers, BC Ferries charges a separate fare by vehicle length, books through its commercial and group services and applies no-show fees on major routes. Reserve early in summer; the crossing takes about 1 h 35 min.
We are touring up-island in winter. Anything to know?
Winter tires or chains are required on designated BC highways from 1 October, including the Malahat section of Highway 1. Watch for the signs.
Cities
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-81 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 16-19 seats
- Executive Sprinter van — 17-19 seats
- Executive car (sedan or SUV) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats
Landing in Victoria with a group?
Tell us the flights, group size, luggage and the hotel or ferry sailing. A licensed partner operator quotes for you to accept or decline.
Request a quote or call +1 438 809 0370