 Zodiak boat tour, Tom Ryan photo Getting There Vancouver Island is well connected by air and sea. An international airport and several smaller airports operate in the region, not to mention Victoria's downtown harbour bustling with floatplane traffic all year round. An extensive ferry system provides access to many coastal communities and those in the Gulf Islands. Commercial bus lines use this ferry system to carry passengers over from the mainland. Getting Around Vancouver Island, at 32,261 square kilometers/19,356 square miles, is packed with scenic highlights and interesting attractions. Road travel, due to its flexibility, is a great option for anyone wanting to explore more extensively. The distance by car between Victoria in the south and Port Hardy in the north is 502km/301 miles. Car rentals and bus tours are widely available. Rail travel is a very relaxing way to move around and does allow you to see parts of the countryside that are not traversed by roads. "Island hopping" on the ferry system between Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands is a popular day trip. Below are a few links to get you started: Air: The region has an international airport as well as several smaller airports and floatplane terminals, with scheduled and chartered flights available.
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Ferry: Passenger/vehicle ferries service the region from multiple points in BC and Washington State, including Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
> More about Ferry Travel Bus: Commercial passenger buses and tour buses operate on the island and also carry people over from the mainland via the ferry system.
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Car: Driving is a convenient and flexible way to explore Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
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Rail: Cities and towns along southeastern Vancouver Island can be explored by rail.
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