Vancouver Island Transportation Infrastructure
Highways
The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 19) stretches the length of Vancouver Island’s east side and is the main North-South artery for travel and the transportation of goods. Various other two-lane highways connect inland and west coast communities on Vancouver Island.
Railroad
Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI) provides rail freight services to customers on Vancouver Island and connects to the North American continental railway network. At this time, SVI only serves freight customers.
Airports & Float Plane Terminals
Vancouver Island has a number of airports serving both domestic and international destinations and featuring commercial airlines of all sizes. Airports on Vancouver Island also offer services for recreational pilots.
Vancouver Island airports:
- Alberni Valley Regional Airport (YPB)
- Campbell River Airport (YBL)
- Comox Valley Aiport (YQQ)
- Nanaimo Airport (YCD)
- Port Hardy Airport (YZT)
- Port McNeil Aiport (YMP)
- Qualicum Beach Airport (XQU)
- Tofino Airport (YAZ)
- Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
Vancouver Island floatplanes:
- Gulf Island Seaplanes: serving Thetis Island, Decourcy Island, Gabriola Island, and Vancouver.
- Harbour Air (and Saltspring Air): with full-service terminals in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond (YVR South), Whistler, Seattle, Sechelt, Comox, and Saltspring Island, as well as pick-up and drop-off service to Maple Bay, Tofino, Egmont, Madeira Park and Blind Bay.
- Seair Seaplanes: Serving Nanaimo, Vancouver Harbour, Richmond, Salt Spring Island, Pender Island, Thetis Island, Saturna Island, Mayne Island, and Galiano Island.
- Sunshine Coast Air: serving Nanaimo, Sechelt, Vancouver Airport & Harbour, Pender Island, Victoria Airport, Pat Bay, and Tofino.
- Vancouver Island Air: based in Campbell River, serving coastal Vancouver Island and the west coast of BC.
Ferries
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) is the largest marine transportation provider in BC. BC Ferries provides passenger and commercial service to 49 ports of call on Vancouver Island and the coastal mainland. The largest terminals on Vancouver Island are located at Swartz Bay (Victoria), Duke Point (Nanaimo) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Other ferry services:
- Coho Ferry: serving Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington
- Lady Rose Marine Services: serving Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, and the Broken Island Group.
- Marine Link Transportation Ltd.: serving remote coastal locations in BC and on Vancouver Island, including Texeda Island, Comox, Campbell River, Kelsey Bay, Port McNeil, Powell River, Desolation Sound, and the Broughton Archipelago, among others.
- Washington State Department of Transportation: serving Sidney, BC, as well as many locations in Washington.
Port Authorities
Vancouver Island Harbour Inventory
Moving Forward 2015 – Click here to enjoy this video regarding transportation on Vancouver Island, prepared for the 2015 Transportation Form.