 Train Station, Sarah Artis photo
Car Travel There are three car rental agencies in Prince Rupert, and driving within the city and nearby does not require snow tires during the winter. However, if planning to drive east along Highway 16 towards Terrace, a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle is recommended and snow tires are a must. Though it's less than a two-hour drive, the weather can change from rain to snow to sunshine throughout the trip during the winter season.
Public Transportation The city has a BC Transit bus with five routes to choose from. The bus covers most of the city and goes all the way to Port Edward and the North Pacific Cannery, a popular tourist attraction and historic site. The bus schedule and frequency depends on the season and day of the week. Few buses run on Sundays. The Greyhound bus arrives in Prince Rupert too, heading east towards Prince George at least once, sometimes twice, a day – once in the morning, and once in the evening. Ferry Travel  Being a port city, Prince Rupert is the departure and arrival city for ferries to Vancouver Island, the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) and different spots in Alaska. Many tourists take the ferries as part of circle tours through the province as the scenery on the ocean – and the chance to see sea life such as whales and porpoises – is hard to pass up. Besides shorter trips to neighbouring First Nations villages, all the ferry rides are usually several hours. Passengers can board by foot or take their vehicles. Vehicle space fills quickly, so book far in advance.
Rail Travel VIA Rail also ends and begins its journey across Canada in Prince Rupert. Departure and arrivals are two or three times a week. The train is a soothing way to travel and see the changing landscape. The route between Prince Rupert and Terrace, about two hours away by train, follows the Skeena River and is absolutely stunning, especially on a sunny day or with newly fallen snow.
Air Travel  Two airlines fly between Prince Rupert and Vancouver daily. For service to other destinations within Northern BC, visitors have the option of Northwest Regional Airport in between Terrace and Kitimat, about a two-hour drive away. What some visitors don't know is that Prince Rupert's airport is on nearby Digby Island. About two hours before their flights, travellers must board a bus at the Highliner Hotel downtown. The bus goes to a ferry that then goes to the airport. The whole journey takes about 45 minutes, so plan for this extra transportation time. For those going to more remote communities near Prince Rupert such as Port Simpson and Bella Bella, North Pacific Seaplane has flights that leave regularly a few times a week. Plane and helicopter charters are also available. A basic tourist map with the City of Prince Rupert on one side and a contact list for local tourist amenities on the other is useful. Pick one up at the Prince Rupert Visitor Centre in Atlin Terminal in Cow Bay, the main tourist hub on the waterfront. Ask the staff there for more information if you need it.
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